Busy day today for social media.  Many user accounts were suspended on Twitter because AMC threw up the red flag with users impersonating characters from the popular ‘Mad Men’ series.

Many users on Twitter are actually fake characters.  The Mad Men impersonators though were able to use sound in the character voices. AMC argued that this could mislead followers into thinking it was AMC approved.

Several blogs blasted AMC’s decision.  Reminds me of Scrabble’s shut down of Scrabulous recently.  I tend to agree with my fellow bloggers on this one.  I believe that the Mad people running around Twitter was actually a positive for the show.  Another example of the need to give up some control when operating in social media to the users.  I hope AMC will reconsider and find a way to utilize the fan base that had developed for the characters.

In other news, I’d like to support Tim Bourquin’s New Media Expo.  If you did not travel to Las Vegas for the event, Tim has made the sessions available for digital download.  Check them out, you may find them resourceful and educational.

If you are in Pittsburgh or would like to visit our city, Podcamp Pittsburgh is coming up in October.  You can view details of the event at www.podcamppittsburgh.com.

Lastly, LinkedIn has sent an announcement that there will be enhanced features for groups on its network.  The features include:

• Discussion forums: Simple discussion spaces for you and your members.  (You can turn discussions off in your management control panel if you like.)

• Enhanced roster: Searchable list of group members.

• Digest emails: Daily or weekly digests of new discussion topics which your members may choose to receive. (We will be turning digests on for all current group members soon, and prompting them to set to their own preference.)

• Group home page: A private space for your members on LinkedIn.