RIS Media cracked the week open with a post that takes a positively hopeful, yet pragmatic view of our economic status and how certain indicators suggest the worst may be behind us. But is it really? As this article suggests, it may still be too early to tell.

Inman also offered a sign of increased market activity. It published a reader survey that found most readers have seen signs of improvement in the past 60 days. We’ll see.

Michael Wurzer, prolific blogger and CEO of FBS Data Systems, a MLS software provider in Fargo, North Dakota, reports on the flooding in the area last week in his entry titled Still Fighting. Our prayers, well wishes and thoughts go out to everyone affected.

ClickZ publishes news and expert advice for the digital marketer — a role that many agents and brokers now take on. Gary Stein published this post on Social Media 2009 offering a few predictions from an advertiser’s perspective.

Jay Thompson is a well-respected Realtor who uses social media as wisely as anyone I know. So when he pens a post titled How Not to Use Twitter, it begs attention. Social media has rules of engagement. There is a proper etiquette to which many agents are not paying heed. As a result, they not only make themselves look bad, but miss out entirely on the opportunities social media offer.

Until next week …