Facebook is too loose, LinkedIn is too tight, Twitter is too useless. So where do engineers, technicians, and entrepreneurs with hands-on skills go to find kindred spirits that can help them realize new products, processes, or businesses?  A few credible sources such as IEEE Spectrum, Professional Engineering Magazine, and ASME's magazine have broached the topic recently to see if engineers and social networking can not only coexist, but thrive and prosper in a productive manner. I think the answer is a resounding yes, but that's what ELFS is all about - bringing engineers together to get stuff done.  But take a look at these articles to see for yourself, and to also discover other places where people like us can get together online.

IEEE Spectrum - Online groups and sites are cropping up to cater to specialized interests

ASME - Engineers Make Practical Use of Social Media

PE Magazine - Social Net-Working

What do you think?  Can engineers make valuable use of social media to further technology and practical innovation? Or is it just a time-waster and real innovation only happens offline?