I agree with you that different avenues are right for different organizations. It can be difficult to keep with changing technologies, and while I do think organizations should keep their Web presence fresh and as up-to-date as possible (i.e. Twitter and Facebook, right now), perhaps listservs really are the most effective communication tool for some.

Personally, I’ve found Wikis to be a bit cluttered, but I’m sure there’s a better way to use them than what I’ve seen. I’m excited to see where technology takes us in the future.

I agree about conversation. We use DimDim for webinars, and there is a “talk” feature which allows attendees to participate. It’s better for smaller webinars < 100, but that's a good enough size for many webinars. I also view webinars in their many forms as stepping stones to learning and communicating that are just part of the "conversation." I am still a fan of the old fashioned listserv for conversation as well as relevant email lists, where people who are interested in a certain topic are in…and can opt out as things change. Wikis are also a good way to promote conversation. Twitter, Facebook & LinkedIn promote different kinds of conversation as well.

We have so many ways to communicate: it's a matter of sorting out the right one for the audience you're addressing. I still love newspapers. I read the Wall Street Journal hardcopy and the NY Times on-line. I also still value the in-person meetings with people, but recognize that they are becoming less common as people are simply too busy.

However one thing that I think is missing from many communications is a “conversation”. Both between the provider and the audience and amongst the audience themselves.

While a webinar can allow for a conversation while it is live, once it is recorded, it is a static lecture. Information providers should be using their media to drive the conversation.

Services like http://twebevent.com are cropping up that will help media providers link a conversation to their media.

Swan