Disable Facebook Places

So I am not particularly on Facebook every day, but I constantly wonder how my status of my “where abouts” is always posted! Well basically it is because your friends and family can tag you at places without you even knowing. Sure that’s great that people, along with myself, can share certain memories. I don’t particularly care if people tag me in places-it’s actually quite nice to remember all the places I have gone. However there are those select few who would not like to share with the world. In that case this article may of use to you. In this article I found on Wired.com Disable Facebook Places gives you step by step instructions on how to disable your friends and family from tagging you. I thought this article was a good find because there are times where I would like to know how to disable certain functions-the only thing is I don’t know where to find it! Thanks Wired!




http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Disable_Facebook_Places

From Computer Power and Human Reason

In the excerpt From Computer Power and Human Reason, one concept that caught my attention was how computer intelligence interacted with human intelligence. The program ELIZA was very interesting. It was a program based on how to use role playing to communicate with other individuals. I liked how the program’s communication process was based on the study of the human psyche. It was precisely formulated to intermingle with humans on an intellectual level. I also thought that it was interesting that these specific programs can actually mimic human messages and perhaps be useful in improving communication between people. It could also be used in ways to help understand how individuals interact with each other and to help improve their communication skills. I didn’t actually think that computer programs such as the ones like ELIZA could hold any benefits for people, but maybe the way it can impersonate communication may possibly improve interactions between humans.

Second Life

Information use on Facebook

For this week’s blog I chose an article from Wired.com on another Facebook privacy issue.  Every time I read an article on Facebook and privacy, I am reminded of how easy it is for outside sources to gain access to your information.  Of course it is typically the information we choose to onto the internet, but can also be information we don’t want all over the place.  In this article from wired.com, a dating website was formed by pulling individual’s profile information off Facebook to make profiles for the site.  The information was then used and posted as singles personals without the users knowing.  Apparently it was an effort to prove how Facebook capitalizes on your personal information.  Facebook claims they don’t allow personal information to be used without prior consent.  Excuse me? Without prior consent?  So I assume its ok for other sites to do so as long as they have permission-just not from you.  And that’s supposed to be comforting?  Thanks Facebook for looking out for your user’s best interests-I guess.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/02/facebook-dating/

technology and society

From the writing The Technology and the Society, it points out how television has changed our society.  Yes I firmly believe that television has altered our society and the perceptions of our growing culture.  We all too much rely on television not only for entertainment, but for current events and education.  I see often how children watch television on a daily basis whereas now there are more educational shows for the growing minds.  Television is also a tool for the news and social media.  Our society is built on “knowing” what is going on in the world whether it’s about a celebrity or political figure.  It’s also true that the evolution of our culture’s needs has developed a new stance on media.  I also thought it to be interesting that the culture of religion was incorporated into this piece as an influence on social media.  We can all, I’m sure, take into account the effects that the media has done for all of us.

Just Like Me Only Better

It was hard for me to wrap my thoughts around this writing, but I started to understand the attractiveness of creating an avatar.  Not only are avatars created, but the worlds they live in are as well.  I instantly think of World of Warcraft or Sims and though I don’t play these games myself, I see why are so engulfed.  A person is able to basically live an alternate life-basically an escape from reality.  I think that people who create avatars are also living vicariously through them.  “…the intention to exercise…” from page 6 made me think of this.  I envision people who are stuck behind computers all day who need an outlet somehow and this is one of them.  However I also start to wonder how people become so involved.  I have a co-worker whose son is on virtual games with avatars all day and can’t get enough!  I think it’s crazy to be on a computer for so long, but he really likes to see how his computed-self evolves-that’s interesting too.  Whether creating avatars to live a life an individual would like or simply out of enjoyment, people have their reasons. 

Reasons to NOT be on Facebook

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/09/six-reasons-why-wired-uks-editor-isnt-on-facebook/

SNS popularity

Usually I don’t like to comment on the obvious; however after reading Uses and Gratifications I have to say what interested me most was that Facebook started out as an exclusive SNS.  I didn’t realize that Facebook was originally for Harvard attendees and alumni.  Apparently I don’t pay much attention to SNS information or watched The Social Network movie, so I’m a bit out of the dark.  I thought this was interesting to reflect on because this is how social networks operate.  They gain users and grow their sites through its popularity.  I can remember when Friendster first gained a lot of popularity with late teen and early twenty year old individuals.  Everyone that used Friendster was able to showcase their looks and personality.  The next SNS to take over was MySpace.  They too had the same benefits, only with more options for it’s frequenters.  These two social networking sites started out to appeal to the new social fad and carried over for a few years.  Now there is Facebook seeming to make a significant mark, beginning as a college SNS.  These sites each appealed to it’s users in different ways, yet all succeeded for a significant time. 

Community Media

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this excerpt from Community Media.  It made me think of the time when Howard Stern was taken off the radio a few years ago from Live 105.  I remember when Stern would boast about how he would enter into satellite radio, everyone would follow.  Perhaps it would have been true if satellite was free.  However he did make a statement on how radio isn’t “free”.  We ultimately have to pay a price sometimes to be able to listen to what we’d like to.  That price has to do with control.  In the US the FCC controls what can be or can not be said on public radio.  On the other hand satellite is different, but there is a fee to listen to satellite.  I do like the idea of community media where that it is about shared interests.  When it comes down to it, I like the grotesque humor of Stern every now and then, but honestly I much rather listen to those who I can relate to and have interests with.