Facebook Users Beware

A lot of changes have happened since my last post which I'll leave for another day, but this post has been building for a couple of months, and I've been itching to say it. It has been over a year since I've posted to my blog, but there are some posts worth ending my hiatus (though this one has been in my notebook waiting for two days as I debated whether I should publish it).


Facebook users, beware. Facebook is exploiting you for their own advertising and promotions when you may not even be aware of it. Your online reputation may be at stake.  I may lose friends over this, or people may sneer and tell me to get the proverbial stick out of my own eye. But you need to be aware of what information Facebook is revealing about you, and what you can do to stop it.

I admit it. I am in a love/hate relationship with Facebook. I love how I can read news stories and ignore a nightly newscast. I love keeping in touch with friends and family and seeing pictures from their children and families. On the other hand, I have learned some things about people I wish I hadn't seen, and as a result, I have learned to hide or unfriend people who are vitriolic in their spews and rants of hatred and complaining.

Lately, however, my eyebrows have raised over even more people, and it's through no fault of their own--whom Facebook has placed in a questionable light. It's all because of their online viewing activity which Facebook publishes (along with items people don't intend to publish). I admit it's also because of my all too often dour judgmental attitude, but there are some statuses, pictures, activities, articles, and videos people view online in which I'd rather not know friends held an interest.  


I know, sometimes curiosity gets the better of you, and you are tempted to click on a link. Unless you are okay with your social media world knowing your every move, be careful what links you click on inside your Facebook news feed. Google what news you see, and click on that link OUTSIDE of your Facebook feed.


If you read my rant about "liking" things in Facebook, you realize some people may think you condone foul language of a questionable poster or the content by liking a status or picture. A friend of mine once "shared" a photo from a person/page which had bad language (not in the photo, but in "who" posted the photo).  This was displayed at the bottom of the funny picture, and as a result, it showed up on my friend's timeline--picture, foul language, and all. I am sure she didn't know the language would show up on her feed, if she even saw the words herself. But I know this friend would NOT have shared or liked said photo if she had known the foul language at the bottom would be displayed on her behalf.

Not clicking the "Like" (or it’s big brother “Share”) button used to keep you out of trouble on Facebook. But now, you don't have to "Like" something for the world to see you viewed something. One of the biggest culprits to such exposing activity of late is the app/website "Socialcam." I get multiple messages daily showing how people have watched videos on Socialcam, and quite frankly, some of those videos I'd be ashamed to admit I'd ever seen based on the caption and image shown on the news feed. I refuse to add such an app to my Facebook account, so if there ever is a decent video Socialcam has available, I search for the title on Google and watch it elsewhere.

Another tricky area on Facebook is the newest "Trending Articles" feature. I really don't want to know if you are interested enough to read about Kim Kardashian, Miley Cyrus, or Jessica Simpson... or any other celebrity fodder or outlandish or cruel news story on the Internet. If you click on those articles on Facebook, then be prepared for Facebook to throw you under the bus and tell your social world you've read it. No, it doesn’t label you as a fan or freak, but it may reveal how you value your time. Washington Post and Yahoo News both post what stories you've read on their websites now if you happen to click on those articles through Facebook. A Google search will get the same articles, but without you displaying those activities to Facebook.

I certainly don't intend to come across as though I am self-righteous or holier than thou. Come on over to my house and you will see I'm far from perfect (or even good) as a homemaker or mom, and I'm no perfect Christian (no one is). I’ve made my own Facebook gaffes, and I'm sure I'll make some more in the future. The key is, be cafeful. In a world where professional careers can so often teeter on the activities displayed with one’s online presence, and more importantly, what one’s activity may say about personal life and faith, why submerse to the baseness of some of the petty displays online which Facebook has become so good at promoting? The image we display online is as important now as what we display in person. Displaying a poor image online may be a deciding factor in some real life activity later on, whether it's from what you read/view, or what you display of yourself (i.e., an over-the-top party girl/guy image may cause someone to lose a potential job offer).  A poor image online may be the equivalent of a punked-out, overly tattooed and pierced rock star wannabe trying to get a job as the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.  


Appearance DOES still mean something, whether you are trying to get a job (outside of a night club) or whether you are trying to show the world the love of Jesus through ourselves.

I know appearances should not matter. We’ve all been bombarded with the saying “It’s what’s on the inside that counts.” But why give anyone the opportunity to even think anything other than the image we’d like to project of ourselves? We allow our outward appearance--whether it is our personal appearance or our online persona--certain liberties we have chosen for ourselves, and like it or not, it gives other people an impression of us. Don't let Facebook give any wrong impression of you.

There are so many ideas and promotions which are better to advertise online.  Encouraging quotes, and Biblical teaching are two which come to mind. Take a look at what my friend Toni Birdsong and her friend Tami are doing over at @stickyJesus. They have great tips about evangelizing online. They have even co-authored a book about the subject. What better way to use social media than to spread the Good News?


So how do you solve the "Big Brother" eye of Facebook from following your every move? If you value your privacy online, perhaps this post (and comments) by the folks over at Lifehacker can give you some idea of how to stop Facebook from following your every move. I read this morning Twitter is now falling into the same practice as Facebook. The easiest way is to stop using as many Facebook social apps as possible (at least the ones you don't want posting on your behalf). I still have three I use regularly, but I revoke those apps posting for me without my actively sharing any activity with them.


As my husband (who looks for an easy fix) would say, maybe I should shun Facebook entirely. Yes, I've been known to take a hiatus and hang out primarily on Twitter for my social networking fix. Some good things come from Facebook, though, which I can't ignore, and it does have its place on the Internet. We should make sure we allow Facebook to reveal what is good and true about ourselves, and not allow it to brand us in a negative way.


Be vigilant, my friends. Facebook will not get any better. It was offered in an IPO on the NASDAQ today, which means now a board of directors and shareholders will expect profits, which means more advertising and more exposure, meaning more exploitation of its users. The next time you click on an item on Facebook, whether it’s a “Like” or a link, make sure Facebook will promote the image YOU want.

UPDATE (6/12/12):  Today I was searching on how to remove Socialcam posts from other friends' activity showing up on your timeline? This very helpful article shows you how to block any posts by other apps on your Facebook feed. Note, it must be done on a laptop or desktop. I checked my iPhone app, and the ability to manage which apps are blocked is not possible with the mobile app. Now I finally don't have to think less of anyone be exposed to other friend's weird curiosities.


As always concerning Facebook, be on your guard:  Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, is quoted in this CNN article as saying, "Imagine a world where we share everything--what we eat, what we read, how far we run, and what music we listen to." There are apps that already do all of these things.  Keep this question in mind before using such apps:  How much do you want the rest of the world to know about your entire life?

I still stand by my original resolve. Run from Socialcam. This article from The Washington Post underlines the real truth of the matter. Monica Hesse reminds us of the "garbage in, garbage out" idea, and that these apps expose to the world what you thought you were doing in private. That does allow for some self-reflection. Even if you are able to hide any articles or videos you read from the rest of the Facebook world, remember that there is One who knows. Keep Jesus as your center of focus, and the evils of this world seem less tempting.

Series Sunday: iPod Touch for the Classroom, Part 2 – Language Arts

First, in case you don't know what an "app" is, it's simply software that installs on your iPod. Some of it requires an internet connection to use (wi-fi). You can download directly from your iPod using the App Store on the first screen, or you can download from iTunes on your computer and sync to your iPod later.

Literature (E-Books)
One of my favorite reasons for my daughter getting an iPod is for the e-book reading capabilities. Virtual libraries are at your fingertips!

• Stanza It reads the majority of book file types available with the exception of .txt files.  However, .pdf files are not its strength. You have to zoom into each page individually to read .pdf files.  Still, for free, it's got a beautiful interface with page-turning graphics and a nice dimming feature for night reading.  It also has great resources that tell you where to get free e-books, like Project Gutenburg. (Free)
• For reading .pdf files without having to zoom every page individually, I recommend GoodReader. It is not as visually appealing as Stanza, and the app costs $1.99, but it is worth the time you save from not having to convert .pdf  and .txt files into .epub files for each book using a separate desktop program such as Calibre.  The small price is worth getting rid of that hassle-factor.  ($1.99)

For guides on how to get books onto the iPod Touch, view the guides on Calvin's Hub and Lexcycle.

Phonics

• abc PocketPhonics Lite says the sound as the child traces the letter. (Free)
• SightWords Free
• WordFamilies Free

Vocabulary

• You can learn SAT Vocabulary using winAPlusLite.  I am sure there are plenty of Vocabulary programs out there, but this is the first one we found that was free, and it has some decent interactive games to help teach vocabulary, including multiple choice word lists and flash cards. (Free)
• Dictionary.com: Great tool that includes both dictionary and thesaurus. (Free)
• Word Scramble Challenge Edition is a lot like Boggle.  Warning: very addicting, and your homeschooler may have arm wrestle Mom to get the iPod back. (Free)
• Whirly Word is like Word Scramble, but with less letters.  (Free)
• Puzzler World US Lite includes word search, crosswords, sudoku, and more. (Free)

Research and Reference

• BLB (Blue Letter Bible) Bible and study tool, allowing you to make notes and highlight verses (Free)
• iSource Lite Check form of MLA, APA, and Chicago documentation.  (Free)

Handwriting/Penmanship

• Better Letters is great for penmanship improvement for all ages, based on Getty-Dubay Italic. ($1.99)
• ABC Tracer Beginning manuscript handwriting for the younger grades.  (Free) 

This is only a minuscule amount of apps for educators and students.  You can browse through all the education apps  HERE.  The next part of this blog series will focus on apps for math. Happy surfing!

Saturday Six for 10/23/10

1. Which side is your armrest in the cinema? Whichever side is not being occupied.  If I’m with the hubby, it’s the side we share because I am usually cold.
2. What is Beauty? Beauty is anything that brings you joy and makes you smile, yet does not take away from someone else’s happiness. (Keeping in mind that we choose to be happy, then finding beauty should be easy!)
3.  If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him? Because some kid had a poor sense of sarcasm, and poor Jimmy was probably being bullied by that kid on the bus.
4. Which is a stronger emotion: anger or love? Anger is usually more forceful, but not stronger. Anger does not keep marriages together. Love is shown in actions that range from grandiose to those little things like saving the last piece of pie for a loved one, holding the door open, and a quiet peck on the cheek. All the combined force of love makes it stronger in its culmination.
5. Would you give your life to save someone else’s? Yes, especially if that person was in my family. 
6. Why does mineral water that has “trickled through mountains for centuries” go out of date next year? It’s all from the tap!  Don’t believe the hype. Get a water filter and save your money!

Thanks to Blazing Minds for these questions!
 

The Fine Art of Toilet-Papering

I realized earlier as I picked up the last roll of toilet paper in the house that I forgot to buy more at the store the other day.  In this house, with 3 females (who are home all day), just how valuable this commodity is.  How ironic that “commodity” and “commode” are formed from the same French word meaning “suitable” (sorry, that’s the English teacher trying to jump out).

In our town, I think that stores could raise the price of toilet paper and see lavish profits. Here, throughout the year, and especially during homecoming week, teens in the area participate in tee-peeing houses. I don’t know enough teens here to know what they call the activity down here. Where I’m from, we said you “got rolled” if you woke up to find your yard and trees plastered a billowy white blanket when there was no snow in the forecast. 

Here in Louisiana, rolling is done to popular kids.  If you are tee-pee’d down here, it’s a badge of honor, like you’ve been accepted into the “in” crowd.  Back in Tennessee, if you were rolled, it either meant that you didn’t have a vicious dog to guard your house, and/or you had a location that was an ideal canvas for some Charmin (but don’t expect a thank-you from Mr. Whipple).  Yikes, remembering him makes me OLD.

 

I lived in the same house until I was 18, and we were only rolled once.  I think it was because we had a huge, wide spruce tree in the front yard that some kids saw as the “Mt. Everest of trees” in the neighborhood.  The poor kids never got even half-way up.  Clearly, they were amateurs.

I can’t say I was an expert either.  As a teen, I’d only gone rolling once. A friend and I rolled one house, not very well, but we were inexperienced. It wasn’t bad for a first try.  We didn’t know the people that lived there. We were just finding an easy target. We tried to hit a second house that night, but you don’t take your chances when the “Duke” of the neighborhood is barking like he’s going to rip your head of if he finds you. We ran home (we walked to the next subdivision over to find our targets).  We were 13, out of breath, and a full of adrenaline. 

Back then, with less-stringent animal control laws, dogs roaming in the neighborhood were always a risk. I’d tried to take another friend who spent the night with me to roll someone in my neighborhood, but I quickly changed my mind when I remembered that two Rottweilers lived close to us. They were sweet dogs, but I didn’t want to startle one of them in the middle of the night.

Most of my adult years in Tennessee, I didn’t live in areas where a lot of rolling occurred. About 10 years ago, a group of adults (myself included) did go and roll our preacher’s house one year.  It was all in fun, and we spelled out his name in his front yard.  He was a good sport about it, and we all had a good laugh.  I think some of us were trying to relive our youth.

Apparently, rolling is popular again.  With the rise of the internet, there are guides like this Wiki How To Toilet Paper a House article, and even a Ning network for people who love to teepee.

Now, in spite of a curfew on kids in our town, you find plenty of houses in toilet paper wrap every week here. With the large live oak trees, the results can be very impressive. It reminds me sometimes of how the Spanish moss drapes from the branches.

But then I feel for the people who have to take the stuff down.  Especially if it rains… what a mess!  Anyway, I wonder if the victims ever try to think on the practical side and consider using all that paper for anything, as long as it stays dry?  Maybe shipping material? Or insulation?  All I know is that a lot of toilet paper is being bought in southeast Louisiana, and a great deal is not being used on bottoms.  And now I am anxious as I think of the last roll in my bathroom.  I hope the teens don’t buy it all before I get to the store tomorrow.

Fun with Recycled Pop-Tab Bracelets

I saw this tutorial on how to make a cute bracelet on Instructables.com one day, and started saving tabs of our soda cans so we could make our own.  We included them in the party favor bags of my daughter’s friends after her birthday party because they had loved the ones we’d been wearing so much. One bracelet requires about 20-25 tabs, some elastic cord, and 10-15 minutes. These are adaptable; you can use ribbons in different colors or different colored tabs.  This site shows an example of pink ribbon used instead of elastic cord.

A Google Images search also shows other things you can make with pop tabs, including belts, purses, and more!  Happy recycling!