DO NOT own a smartphone?

You can still go the social networking route, if your regular cellphone can browse the Web. Look for a globe icon on your phone.

Today, popular websites from Yahoo to Google have repackaged themselves to fit on the smaller screens of cellphones.

In fact, there are loads of free software that let you link up with friends or fans at digital hang-outs.

Caution: Make sure you have a data plan rather than pay-as-you-use services as these are more expensive.

Here is a quick look at how the Average Joe caller can get started on mobile networking.

Get on the Net

For phones that do not support a Facebook app, visit m.facebook.com to access the social networking portal on your phone.

This allows you to post updates and check for notifications on Facebook, though it might take a little longer to access them from your phone as you have to log in each time.

However, as it is optimised for a phone, you will not be bombarded with ads or be made to download pictures until you click on them.

For Instant Messaging (IM), give the Meebo Web-based IM aggregator a shot. It links you with friends on Google Talk, Windows Live and even Facebook chat, though your phone needs to be Java script-enabled.

If you want to tweet, go to Tweete (www.tweete.net). This light mobile browser service organises Twitter options in an easy-to-use menu.

Under every follower is a simple link to reply, re-tweet the post or send a direct message to the sender.

Tweete is also connected to Twitpic, which lets you pull images from your cellphone and link them to Twitter.

Must-have downloads

For free apps, visit m.google.com.

Despite the fact that it has its own Android platform, Google has a series of free apps for other brands of smartphones like the BlackBerry and iPhone.

Some of the free apps include Gmail, which allows you to receive push e-mail via the free Internet webmail service.

There is also Google Maps that lets you search locations by addresses or - using your current location - via the phone.

While it does not give turn-by-turn guidance, it is good enough for those who are adept at finding their way around and just need a little push in the right direction.

Depending on your needs, you can also sync your smartphone's calendar to your Google one. So all your appointments are replicated across the different devices - for example, your PC, browser and phone.

Want up-to-the-minute news?

You will need RSS or real syndication service feeds and the free Viigo software to bring you up to speed.

Aside from gathering news from major websites, it also syncs with Google Reader. So you do not have link sites to the phone again.

When you come across something juicy that you want to share, Viigo lets you post updates directly to Facebook and Twitter as well.

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.

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