Things haven't changed much over the years. KM's end-goal is still profitability - helping companies maintain a competitive advantage and make better decisions based on relevant knowledge of their businesses, while empowering users with tools and systems to promote learning. This article reminds us of the factors that contribute to successful knowledge management initiatives.

There's an interesting editorial in today's Washington Post, commenting on the role that virtual communities played in saving a local film festival. By bringing together enough interested parties, then supplementing their virtual impact with in-person demonstrations, T-shirts, email and more traditional techniques, this social networking exercise inspired the festival sponsors to keep the film series alive. And it all started with Facebook.

In a recent InformationWeek article, the author suggests that tools like Twitter and Yammer can offer companies a free focus group and a cheap way to collaborate. JetBlue and Alcatel-Lucent, for example, are using it as a customer service and corporate communications tool. With almost everything people say public and easy to find, it can create an instant community.