Lunchtime Links: This Week’s Best in Tech

Beyond just the new iPhone (opens in a new tab), the tech world is hopping this week. A few blog posts and storylines we’re keeping an eye on:

Time to go all in? Principled Innovation’s Jeff De Cagna, as part of his larger “Associations Unorthodox” series, suggests that associations need to move away from the event model and go digital  (opens in a new tab). “Given today’s uncertain climate,” he writes, “even the most committed stakeholders may find it difficult to take time from work and family to participate in multi-day meetings that fail to deliver direct benefits to their employers, or help them achieve their most important personal and professional outcomes.”

Reaction to the Internet Association: The launch of the Internet Association (opens in a new tab) last week drew significant media coverage  (opens in a new tab) but not all of it positive. Blogger Anil Dash  (opens in a new tab) in particular had some tough words about the initiative. But the group’s president, Michael Beckerman, remains optimistic. “The great thing about the internet that makes it different from other sectors of the economy is the close relationship between users and these companies,” he tells TechPresident  (opens in a new tab). “We want to make sure that the users’ voices are heard as we work to ensure that the next SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act] never comes up, you know?”

Is social media BS? Kiki L’Italien has been reading B.J. Mendelson’s latest book, Social Media Is … — we’ll let you guess the last word. And she’s buying what he’s selling. “Unfortunately, too often, people get stuck in the tool and can’t get their head around the strategy for using that tool,” she writes  (opens in a new tab).

When tech isn’t the answer: Wes Trochlil of Effective Database Management has recently offered up a series of technology philosophies. Our favorite? Philosophy No. 4  (opens in a new tab), which suggests outsourcing may be a better option for some companies. “There are plenty of software packages that would allow them to do this in-house,” he explains, “but they’ve determined it’s easier and more economical to outsource this, rather than have to hire staff and keep them trained on the use of the software.”

Think the Internet Association will live up to its billing? Is social media actually a bunch of BS? Shoot us a comment below.