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Twitter Replacement?
FriendFeed.com is a new site that allows users to track all their social networking activity in one place so friends can stay up-to-date. FriendFeed.com is a new site that allows users to track all their social networking activity in one place so friends can stay up-to-da... more
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Younger bosses think Facebook is good
The attitude of bosses to Facebook and similar sites is changing, with many now embracing social networks rather than fearing them.
More than one in four managers now embrace the use of MySpace and Facebook as "untapped'' business opportunities, research revealed today.
Younger bosses were heading the cyber charge after initial scepticism about lost work productivity, while older managers were less likely to enlist their staff as Facebook friends, Mx reports.
The survey part of the "Konica Minolta Innovation: Mind The Gap" seminar series found about 33 per cent of managers in their 20s and 30s embraced the networks, compared with just 16 per cent of those over 40. One in three workers said the sites had a place in the office. The attitude of bosses to Facebook and similar sites is changing, with many now embracing social networks rather than fearing them. ... more -
"Mental Risk" of Facebook Teens
Children growing up alongside the rise of social networking websites may have a "potentially dangerous" view of the world, says a leading psychiatrist. Children growing up alongside the rise of social networking websites may have a "potentially dangerous" view of the world, says a lead... more
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How Barack Obama won Facebook
How did Barack Obama come to dominate Facebook? One move that helped: Hiring Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes in early 2007.
Hughes, 24, was Mark Zuckerberg's Harvard roommate. Now he runs Obama's own social network, My.BarackObama.com How did Barack Obama come to dominate Facebook? One move that helped: Hiring Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes in early 2007. ... more -
'Mental risk' of Facebook teens
Children growing up alongside the rise of social networking websites may have a "potentially dangerous" view of the world, says a leading psychiatrist.Dr Himanshu Tyagi said sites such as Facebook and MySpace may be harmful.He told the Royal College of Psychiatrists annual meeting people with active online identities might place less value on their real lives.And the West London Mental Health NHS Trust expert added this could raise the risk of impulsive acts or even suicide. Dr Tyagi said that people born after 1990 did not know a world without the widespread use of the internet.
He warned that the current crop of psychiatrists were perhaps not fully prepared to help young people with internet-related problems.
While social networking sites offered great benefits, he said, there were potential pitfalls. everything moves fast and changes all the time, where relationships are quickly disposed at the click of a mouse, where you can delete your profile if you don't like it, and swap an unacceptable identity in the blink of an eye for one that is more acceptable." "People used to the quick pace of online social networking may soon find the real world boring and unstimulating."It may be possible that young people who have no experience of a world without online societies put less value on their real world identities and can therefore be at risk in their real lives, perhaps more vulnerable to impulsive behaviour or even suicide."
He called for more investigation and research into the issue.
However, Graham Jones, a psychologist with an interest in the impact of the internet, said that while over-use of social networking sites could lead to problems, the risks posed by them had been overplayed Children growing up alongside the rise of social networking websites may have a "potentially dangerous" view of the world, says a lead... more -
Facebook wins four-year lawsuit against ConnectU
Facebook have two reasons to celebrate.
Not only has the social networking site just recently celebrated their four-year anniversary, but their long court battle with ConnectU has come to an end last Wednesday.
The reason behind this lawsuit is that twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and Divya Narendra accused Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their idea while they were all attending Harvard University, claining that he used the source code he was hired to develop ConnectU.
However, Judge James Ware stick by on a settlement from February between both companies. Several factors behind his decision was that following the $15 billion valuation, "Facebook's board of directors determined a value of the company's shares which was different than the valuation disclosed in the press release" presenting the Microsoft investment.
What was once and still is for college students, Facebook has increased its membership to even teens and adults of all ages, as its membership continues to go up at almost 40 million members. ConnectU, on the other hand, is said to have 15,000 members and available at 200 schools.
After the verdict, Facebook issued an statement:
"We are happy that Judge Ware enforced the agreement settling our dispute with the ConnectU founders. ... The ConnectU founders understood the deal they made, and we are gratified that the court rejected their false allegations of fraud. ... We were disappointed that we had to litigate the settlement, as we believed we were caught in the middle of a fee dispute between ConnectU's founders and its former counsel. Nevertheless, we can now consider this chapter closed and wish the Winklevoss brothers the best of luck in their future endeavors." Facebook have two reasons to celebrate. ... more -
Facebook shuts down application over privacy
Facebook has closed down another of its most popular third-party applications following privacy violations.
The social networking site has rapidly become one of the most popular internet destinations in the UK, although questions have been asked about privacy issues surrounding both the sheer level of personal data and third party add-ons.
Facebook has already been forced to pull another application, Top Friends, after user details were intercepted by a hacker, and now the Social Hi app has run into the same problem. The Information Commisioner's Office has already confirmed to New Media Age that it will be meeting Facebook UK to discuss the implications of the Top Friends leak. Facebook has closed down another of its most popular third-party applications following privacy violations. ... more -
Facebook video chat is here
Webcam girls and tecies rejoice! Facebook Video Chat is here!
TokBox has released a flash based video chat application for Facebook that will allow users with a webcam or microphone to video chat with friends.
The ToxBox application is very easy to install and doesn’t require any downloads. Once you load the application, and open Facebook Chat, you’ll see a ToxBox link below next to the names of users who have the capability to chat. Click the link, the ToxBox flash application loads and you are ready to go!
One thing, Facebook Video Chat is only availabe for Firefox but who still uses Safari or IE anyway? Webcam girls and tecies rejoice! Facebook Video Chat is here! ... more -
Facebook, Myspace users 'a danger to the world and themselves'
Online social networking site users are more likely to carry out extreme actions and develop a warped sense of their own identity, according to an expert at the West London Mental Health Trust.
Dr Himanshu Tyagi also suggested the sites may explain the recent Bridgend suicides, in which 17 young people from the same small town all killed themselves, and added:
""People used to the quick pace of online social networking may soon find the real world boring and unstimulating, potentially leading to more extreme behaviour to get that sense.
"Young people who have no experience of a world without online societies put less value on their real world identities and can therefore be at risk in their real lives, perhaps more vulnerable to impulsive behaviour or even suicide."
So is this there truth in this or is this sensational nonsense, akin to the claim that all emos class 'flirting with death' as a hobby? Is this an expert warning of the valid cons of the ever-expanding world of social networks or a man out of touch with today's modern communication methods? Online social networking site users are more likely to carry out extreme actions and develop a warped sense of their own identity, acc... more -
24 drink ban on party town
The police are looking at using unprecedented powers to ban drinking throughout an entire town this weekend as the Facebook group responsible for the Circle Line party last month continue to organise drinking sprees.
Now, I went on the Circle Line session and had a great time. It was a point in history and also an opportunity to peacefully protest at what I feel is a ridiculous law and drain on police time. I have to admit, these new 'parties' make me cringe. I removed myself from the group yesterday. I mean who wants to party with anyone who says 'Lots of people, lots of alcohol...f***in' rave.' ? Urgh....
The police are looking at using unprecedented powers to ban drinking throughout an entire town this weekend as the Facebook group resp... more -
Mark Andreesen Joins Facebook's Board
Zuckerberg has inadvertently led Facebook into some murky waters recently (has anyone really forgotten the whole Beacon fiasco?), so bringing on the Netscape, Ning, and Opsware founder makes sense. As Arrington's post suggests, Zuckerberg has looked to Andreessen as a mentor in the past, but the most intriguing aspect is the Ning-Facebook implications.
Andreesson has been actively involved over at Ning, and I doubt this will change with him on Facebook's board. I wonder how it will impact things, if at all. Zuckerberg has inadvertently led Facebook into some murky waters recently (has anyone really forgotten the whole Beacon fiasco?), so b... more -
United Kingdom Talk Saturday 28th June 2008
Saturday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on Current TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Who listens to the show via "Live 365" ?
A bit greedy !
Blond spiky hair.
Ageless.
Do you still write much with pen & paper ?
Ducking down behind the desk.
What was your chat up line ?
Imagine a rectangle.
Welcome young Joe from Wandle Valley.
James Dean puts words into someone's mouth.
Michael (PK Puree) & his friends on MSN.
Looking in the mirror.
Where's me trunks ?
I've done my "Tomorite".
Bargain !
We are keeping people.
A song !
Intelligent occasionally.
Pushing past me.
Happy Birthday Carl.
My new facebook picture (Chris Reardon London)
Camp as a Christmas tree.
Was it a phone ringing ?
Did I forget something ?
Because your human.
The "Christmas boxed set".
As mad as me ?
http://unitedkingdomtalk.forums4free.org/
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Saturday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on Current TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Facebook Goes Gender Specific
It always annoyed me a little that on Facebook my mini-feed would say, “Britny just updated their About Me,” but I never gave too much thought to it. Well, Facebook just announced that they’ve updated it to say either “his” or “her.” This is great for people who care about matching nouns with pronouns, but not so good for transgendered members of the Facebook community. Luckily, Facebook will allow people to manually opt out of the gender classification. “We have a lot of respect for these communities, which is why it will still be possible to remove gender entirely from your account,” said Facebook product manager Naomi Gleit. It’s nice to know they’re sensitive to this, isn’t it?
It always annoyed me a little that on Facebook my mini-feed would say, “Britny just updated their About Me,” but I never gave too much... more -
Zombies creator OK with being "the jackass" on Facebook
Blake Commagere created the all the widgets you hate most on Facebook — the Zombies, Werewolves, Vampires and Slayers...
You'd think Blake would hide from publicity given his monstrous creations, but no... saying how "totally wrong" people are who (like us) say that Facebook apps should be useful instead of annoying:
"For people to say that only utility apps are going to rule on Facebook –- anyone under that impression is totally wrong. Because utility is boring. Looking for a job? Who gets excited about that? And who does it every weekend?..."
Blake would have a point if Zombies, Werewolves, Vampires and Slayers were anywhere near as fun as Hollywood or traditional videogames. But they aren't. They're more like spitting on the wall at the same times as your friend and seeing who's loogey reaches the ground first...
Our suspicion? That Commagere knows this and has intentionally created the most annoying things on the Internet since HampsterDance.com as some sort of Faustian deal with the devil. He even hinted at this in his interview:
"If I’m going to get remembered as 'you're the jackass that did that the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen,' I’ll still take that over falling into obscurity."
Blake Commagere created the all the widgets you hate most on Facebook — the Zombies, Werewolves, Vampires and Slayers... ... more -
Myspace Intervention
The Internet stages an intervention when Myspace doesn't understand it's time to bow out gracefully.
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Educational benefits of social networking sites uncovered
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered the educational benefits of social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. The same study found that low-income students are in many ways just as technologically proficient as their counterparts, going against what results from previous studies have suggested
The study found that, of the students observed, 94 percent used the Internet, 82 percent go online at home and 77 percent had a profile on a social networking site. When asked what they learn from using social networking sites, the students listed technology skills as the top lesson, followed by creativity, being open to new or diverse views and communication skills.
Data were collected over six months this year from students, ages 16 to 18, in thirteen urban high schools in the Midwest. Beyond the surveyed students, a follow-up, randomly selected subset were asked questions about their Internet activity as they navigated MySpace, an online forum that provides users with e-mail, web communities and audio and video capabilities.
"What we found was that students using social networking sites are actually practicing the kinds of 21st century skills we want them to develop to be successful today," said Christine Greenhow, a learning technologies researcher in the university's College of Education and Human Development and principal investigator of the study. "Students are developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. They're also sharing creative original work like poetry and film and practicing safe and responsible use of information and technology. The Web sites offer tremendous educational potential."
Greenhow said that the study's results, while proving that social networking sites offer more than just social fulfillment or professional networking, also have implications for educators, who now have a vast opportunity to support what students are learning on the Web sites.
"Now that we know what skills students are learning and what experiences they're being exposed to, we can help foster and extend those skills," said Greenhow. "As educators, we always want to know where our students are coming from and what they're interested in so we can build on that in our teaching. By understanding how students may be positively using these networking technologies in their daily lives and where the as yet unrecognized educational opportunities are, we can help make schools even more relevant, connected and meaningful to kids."
Interestingly, researchers found that very few students in the study were actually aware of the academic and professional networking opportunities that the Web sites provide. Making this opportunity more known to students, Greenhow said, is just one way that educators can work with students and their experiences on social networking sites.
The study also goes against previous research from Pew in 2005 that suggests a "digital divide" where low-income students are technologically impoverished. That study found that Internet usage of teenagers from families earning $30,000 or below was limited to 73 percent, which is 21 percentage points below what the U of M research shows.
The students participating in the U of M study were from families whose incomes were at or below the county median income (at or below $25,000) and were taking part in an after school program, Admission Possible, aimed at improving college access for low-income youth.
Greenhow suggests that educators can help students realize even more benefits from their social network site use by working to deepen students' still emerging ideas about what it means to be a good digital citizen and leader online.
ScienceDaily (June 21, 2008)
In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered the educational benefits of social networking... more -
Friend request from boastful police on Facebook
Eighteen police officers have been disciplined after bragging on a social networking website about crashing cars and hitting pedestrians.
The Metropolitan Police officers joked about injuring members of the public on a site called Look I’ve Had a Pocol – slang for police collision.
One picture on the Facebook site, which had more than 200 members around the world before it was disbanded in January, showed a police vehicle in an accident with a small white car.
The officer who posted it wrote: “I did him a favour. At 82 years old you just shouldn’t be on the road and if you are, then most certainly don’t go through a green light into the path of an innocent police car.”
Another member wrote: “Ran over a drunk. I believe he has a permanent limp and a hefty payout. I was given a three-month holiday from job driving. Ooh, bummer.”
An investigation began in January after the site was brought to the attention of senior officers.
One picture showed a uniformed officer giving a thumbs-up next to a vehicle, which seemed to have hit a fallen tree.
Another picture featured the wreckage of a patrol car after it had mounted the pavement and collided with a lamppost.
Someone had written next to the picture: “Probably not best to be going 75 down it (a bus lane) . . . with stationary traffic in the (next) carriageway. Oh and a word of advice . . . 70mph + crash - seatbelts = broken nose.”
Another boasted that a colleague had four collisions in two years, stating that it was an “impressive record”. Readers were asked if they could beat it.
Sir Ian Blair, the Scotland Yard Commissioner, said at the time: “This behaviour is totally unacceptable. We will conduct a rigorous investigation to find those responsible.”
A spokesman for the Metropolitan police, said: “An investigation into the site by the Metropolitan Police’s Director of Professional Standards has been concluded.
“Fourteen officers received written warnings and four were given a speaking to. The warnings will remain on their records. Another five had unofficial words in their ear.”
He explained that the written warnings were for misconduct – that was “on the more serious end of the scale”, adding: “The evidence on the website was clear to see.” Not all of the officers disciplined were involved in crashes but may have helped to post the pictures or comments.
Last month a policeman who took his hands off the wheel to make thumbs-up gestures to a speed camera while he was responding to emergency calls was fined.
David Mayes, 34, was given the undisclosed fine by South Yorkshire Police at a misconduct hearing. He had already been banned from public duties by the police after the incident in Grenoside, Sheffield, in July. The camera captured Mayes driving at about 70mph in a 40mph zone twice in one hour.
The officer, from Barnsley, was also fined £400 and banned from driving for six months by Halifax Magistrates’ Court after he admitted two counts of careless driving. Eighteen police officers have been disciplined after bragging on a social networking website about crashing cars and hitting pedestria... more -
All Over Your Facebook
Searches are up, yet again, for Facebook after the news that a new craze known as dipping has been reportedly sweeping the nation.
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Different Pokes
Do you know how to respond to a poke? Poke back? Ignore the poke? Go on some kind of poke rampage? If youre confused, then you're not alone, and thankfully etiquette experts Debretts have compiled a list of social networking golden rules. Do you know how to respond to a poke? Poke back? Ignore the poke? Go on some kind of poke rampage? If youre confused, then you're not... more
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Google Earth used to organise 'Facebook dipping' parties
Would-be revellers are using satellite images on the internet to find houses with swimming pools - and then turning up uninvited for an impromptu dip. The craze involves using the Google Earth programme, which provides high-quality aerial photos of Britain and other countries.
Once a target is chosen, the organisers use social networking sites such as Facebook and Bebo to arrange to meet, say police. Officers said that residents have woken up to find youngsters 'dipping' in their back gardens, or have come home from work to a swimming pool full of beer cans.
Would-be revellers are using satellite images on the internet to find houses with swimming pools - and then turning up uninvited for a... more
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