privacy issues in plain english

I recently came across this website: pleaserobme.com
Wow, thieves must be having a hay day right now. Is the purpose of this site to really let people know when others leave their houses and feast upon a freebie smorgasbord?

This site links with your twitter account, and whenever you update where you are - every minute of the day - it lets people know on this site. Pairing up with Foursquare (which I know a recent grad of our program uses quite frequently...) you inform people where you are 24/7 it seems. You have let people know that your house is now empty... feel free to pillage away!

In reality, the site it a "dressed up Twitter search page." Anyone can get this information.

I love the purpose of this site - To inform people as to what they are really sharing out on the web. Going back to my previous post about Google Buzz, I am assuming that the majority of people using these services are not thinking twice before plugging in their current locations and deep dark secrets.

.... rumors have it that good old Fbook will be adding location sharing to their plethora of services as well..

oh goody.

buzz this

So you have all heard about Google Buzz, and I figured I may as well write a little bit about this new fan dangled program.

Google Buzz uses the people you email and chat with most often and makes it into a network. You can show pictures to the world, update your status and post links. Sound Familiar?? It essentially takes all the sites you already use (except Facebook) and puts them in one convenient location so you aren't having to visit a million pages one after another.

In a nutshell - It's a new app that makes your Gmail account into one mega social-sphere.

Although, there have already been a couple problems from this Facebook-imposter. Everyone is aware of the numerous privacy issues with Fbook, but Google Buzz takes it to a new level.

1. Buzz picks your network at first and allows people to see what you have posted to other people. What happens when a stray old abusive bf makes it into this group that you don't want to deal with? Sketch.
2. When you log into Buzz on your mobile phone, you give them access to your location info. Sketchy.
3. Check out people's "Buzzes" (Status updates) and under their buzz you will find their exact location of the posting - yes, street name and number, city, and state. SKETCHIER!!!

As of now, 175 million Gmail and Buzz users are spilling their info out for the world to see. Found beside the "Share," "Retweet," and "Digg This" buttons you can now find the "Buzz This" button. Talk about market saturation overload.

But in reality - How many of us have actually gone into our Facebook accounts and changed the privacy settings to prevent this information spillage?

Aside from the fact of nuclear-powered-information-spillage by clueless people, is Buzz a threat to Facebook? Is it just a poor attempt from Google to stay in the social-loop? Or is it the future - where we will all eventually be forced Google ourselves to death as it slowly takes over the internet?

cut the fat by gaining more?

I just came across this campaign that Burger King put on at the start of the year...

Friendship is strong, but the Whopper is stronger.

... simply delete 10 friends off your facebook account and you get a free burger. Oh, you also have to install their "Whopper Sacrifice" application to your list of many useless Fbook apps already. Every time you cut a friend loose, it announces your decision to the world.

With the many years you have been on Facebook, how many people have you met during a 5 minute convo and decided "hey, I met you - aaannnnddddd you can be my friend now.click."
Don't try to deny that you have never done that. Ever. Because you and I both know that it has happened at least once.

I deleted 200 people in 5 minutes. 200 people that I haven't talked to in ages, haven't met, or don't recognize because I met you for 2 minutes at that party last month. What could I possibly do with 20 Whoppers? I just cant even fathom the idea... wow, I used fathom. Blogs really are making me more smarter!

So in the end you are trimming that excess friend fat to simply add it onto your own bulging belly. But hey, who doesn't like free stuff?

Facebook = Power

When something large changes in our lives, we tend to lose it - whether its a good change or bad.

Pop my computer open. Open Firefox. Open Facebook. (my general routine no matter what time of day)

Oh God - Guys, Facebook changed. Is yours like this? This is dumb, why did Facebook have to change again?! ... run to next table. Guys! Is your Facebook different? no?! Why is mine the only one that's changed?!?!

True Story. That just happened. Not even lying.

It's pretty sad how Facebook has that much power over us. The power to send us running to tables and make us shout out to others across the room to announce these epic changes.

For those who have not experienced these epic changes yet, take a gander. You are probably thinking " It's a test on a couple people to see how it works out." But no. It's coming for you.



Facebook changes, we freak. iPad is launched, it stirs everything up. Superbowl commercials are busting out "sneak peaks," we get excited.

It's kinda sad, but it happens.

... by the way, today is Facebook's 4th Birthday. Thanks for changing stuff up for us as a celebration Fbook. You are awesome.

is social media a fad?

fad or future?

2009 grammys and social media

... just thought it was interesting how even the Grammys are getting more involved with social media. Their whole campaign for this years show is based around the social aspect, which I think is amazing. It's being crowned as We're All Fans.

Check it out here and let me know what you think about the Grammys new image

Heres a little tid bit of their campaign... love love love lady gaga <3
... and for those of you who detest her, there are videos for everyone from Dave Matthews, Kings of Leon, and Taylor Swift

you knew this one was coming...

Farmville. Just a Facebook application that has hit every one of us in one way or another. Some got completely engorged in the game (cough.. myself), and others just laughed at the ones that were being sucked in.. people like myself.

Who knew that the virtual sales of super pumpkins, mystery chests, and pink flamingos would account for $2 billion in sales last year?!

In a little over 2 months, 11 MILLION Facebook users plow their fields daily. That's the highest rise in users for online gaming EVER. Closest was World of Warcraft, who has 11.5 million players... but that number took 4 years to get to that point.

Going back to my first post - even though this area has been in business for a while with video games - is this the future for making that extra dough through selling your product? Video Games have product sponsors all through them, look at Grand Theft Auto and Need for Speed. So what's so wrong about getting into online Facebook games. No matter how stupid an idea may seem, you would make a killing doing it. I mean come on, $2 Billion on pink flamingos?!

Now excuse me, I need to go tend to my crops... enjoy this video