From the monthly archives:

November 2009

Saudi Arabians Use Facebook To Vent Anger

November 30, 2009

The death toll from floods that tore through the port city of Jeddah this week has risen to 103, with another 1,400 rescued, according to the state news agency.

This was one of the strongest rains that lashed the western city of Jeddah right in the middle of the pilgrimage season, or hajj, when millions of Muslims from around the world arrive in the city on their way to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Jeddah is the main entry point to the kingdom for pilgrims.

Authorities said none of the dead were on the hajj. Many were local people who died in car crashes and collapsing bridges.

The deaths have been blamed on poor construction of houses and infrastructure like bridges, and residents of the city say the government had been made aware of allegations that they were of poor construction.

More than 11,000 names have been added to a page, on the social networking site Facebook, set up to complain about the government’s handling of the floods, in the absence of other legal venues for protest.

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The Big Money Facebook 50

November 30, 2009

Slate’s The Big Money.com released the first annual list of “The Big Money Facebook 50,” a ranking of the top fifty companies making the best use of the social networking site, Facebook. Later this week, they will release the “Twitter 12,” the twelve brands making strategic and successful use of twitter.

Various metrics—including fan numbers, page growth, frequency of updates, creativity as determined by a panel of judges, and fan engagement—were factored into each page’s score and ultimate rank on the list.

The Companies who made their way into the Big 50 spreads across various industries and sectors including beverage, fashion, technology, media etc., with some surprising honorees, such as JCPenney and Dippin’ Dots.

Coca-Cola took the premiere spot beating 49 other national and international brands.

The Big Money Facebook 50 list:

1. Coca-Cola
2. Starbucks
3. Disney
4. Victoria’s Secret
5. Apple iTunes
6. Vitaminwater
7. YouTube
8. Chick-fil-A
9. Red Bull
10. T.G.I. Friday’s
11. Skittles
12. Dunkin’ Donuts
13. Best Buy
14. NBA
15. Adidas Originals
16. Kellog’s Pop Tarts
17. Krispy Kreme
18. Mountain Dew
19. JCPenney
20. Papa John’s
21. Disney/Pixar
22. National Geographic
23. McDonalds
24. H&M
25. Gap
26. Reese’s
27. Dippin’ Dots
28. Kohl’s
29. Forever 21
30. Ben & Jerry’s
31. Puma
32. Louis Vuitton
33. CNN
34. Pringles
35. Pizza Hut
36. Vogue
37. Apple Students
38. Dr. Pepper
39. Vans
40. Six Flags
41. MTV
42. Harley-Davidson
43. Target
44. Audi
45. Gatorade
46. Zara
47. Taco Bell
48. Buffalo Wild Wings
49. Calvin Klein
50. The Onion

The official list requires at least 50 clicks to view the list.

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3 Arrested For ‘Ginger Day’ Attacks

November 30, 2009

Three boys have been arrested for allegedly bullying red-haired students in regard to the “Kick a Ginger Day” incident that happened at a Calabasas school last week.

Authorities said four girls and three boys were targeted on “Kick a Ginger Day,” which apparently started because of a Facebook message that pomoted “Kick a Ginger Day.” It is also believed that the inspiration for the attacks came from a 2005 episode of the South Park cartoon series that satarized racial tolerance.

According to Los Angeles County sheriff’s spokesman, Steve Whitmore, two 12-year-olds were arrested for suspicion of misdemeanor battery, and a 13-year-old was booked for misdemeanor cyberbullying.

Such incidents should not be taken lightly by authorities and parents alike and seize the opportunity to ponder upon the fact on the alarming rise in the availability of social networking sites to preteens and underage users and come up with measure.

Towards the lighter side, students at New Community Jewish High School were inspired to start a competing Web campaign called “hug a ginger day,” set for Dec. 8.

Source [abc7.com]

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Ad Networks: Facebook Separates The Good And The Bad

November 29, 2009

On and off news have been around in regard with Facebook afb banned Ad Networks: Facebook Separates The Good And The Badnd third-party providers where developers can run their Facebook applications on. Finally Facebook have posted an update specifying the safe and the unsafe ad networks. The most recent entry into the list of blacklisted group is Gambit, about which we have been hearing a lot in in the recent weeks. Briefly, the four unsafe group listed by Facebook are: Gambit, Social Hour, SocialReach, and Tatto Media.

Developers will need to follow the newly revised platform policy. Also, make sure to go through the guidelines once again before you hook up with someone to do business.

Facebook has created two wiki pages in the Facebook Developer Wiki: The companies who can help you monetize your application and the companies that are not permitted to. It’s a clear statement to ad networks; cross the line and Facebook will shut you down. It is very difficult to point out exactly where the line is drawn in today’s world of online advertisements,but those who push and continues to push the limits will surely feel the axe.

Any third-party providers who continues to violate the company’s terms will soon end up being listed on the “Banned” lists. No wonder, with the growing size of enforcement team, it will be a tough walk for those who tries to push deceptive ads through Facebook Platform Applications. Killing two birds with one stone is great, but when the rules doesn’t allow, violators will soon find themselves with none.

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How To Send Page Updates

November 29, 2009

Over the weekend, many of you may have noticed that there is no longer a link to send an update to your Facebook Page fans directly on the sidebar. Page updates are vital for a particular page to keep themselves from to vanishing out of  people’s memory.Many people becomes a fan of  Facebook pages just “for the sake of” reason though i cannot argue with the fact that there are also in fact lots of true fans who religiously follows the page. Sending Page updates to fans will visibly increased the traffic to the page. Page updates are also extremely useful for reaching out to those users who’s feeds is not displaying your Page stories due to their Wall and News Feeds privacy settings. It is to be noted that, there has been an increased click through rate on updates since the new Facebook inbox launched. It is highly recommend to all Page administrators take advantage of this increased visibility and make use of the page updates.

Now, how do you send the updates since the update link no more seems to be in the place it use to be?fb pageupdate 1 How To Send Page Updates

It is fairly easy to accomplish that. Just click on the “Edit Page” link on the sidebar. Under “Promote Your Page,” click on the link that says “Send an Update to Fans.”

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Access Facebook Through Your Cable TV

November 27, 2009

Facebook never seems to get itself away from the news. A recent news reports of a new technology that allows access to webpages without internet.

Cable television subscribers can now check their Gmail, watch YouTube videos or connect with their friends on Facebook at the cost of the regular cable subscription of Rs 150-200 per month.

Logic Eastern, a Noida-based manufacturer of cable infrastructure in India, has developed special set-top boxes which comes with an in-built patented hardware that enables connections to Gmail, Facebook, YouTube, chats etc. This is achieved through two-way flow of data; from websites to cable operators to consumers and return by using existing cellphone technology.

The company has installed large servers which download Gmail, YouTube and Facebook pages on behalf of its subscribers and pushes them on to their television screens. For now, consumers can access this service with a special remote control. However the company is developing a wi-fi keyboard that will be given along with the set-top boxes.

If this new communication technology picks up, we can expect new range of must-haves televisions very soon. Also, a whole new way of communication will be available. However, this service is only in its trial stage and will be available in selected cities in India.

This is a really welcomed change and i can’t wait to have a taste of it, though i am also concern about the safety of accessing my emails via cable.

Source [business-standard.com]

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New Suicide Group In Facebook

November 27, 2009

Hong Kong police are on the hunt for the creator of a second Facebook group encouraging teenagers to commit suicide.

The group apparently came to light after police launched an investigation into the case of a 15-year-old boy who tried to throw himself off the roof of his school two weeks ago. The boy was a member of the group.

This new group emerged on Wednesday and nearly 100 people have signed up so far.

Going back to the first suicide group, the South China Morning Post said Friday that the police had already traced the creator of “I have to practice suicide.” It cited police sources saying the culprit was a local teenager who set up the site for fun.

Source [My sinchew.com]

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EA Takes On Rival Zynga With Poker Rivals

November 26, 2009

Electronic Arts who recently purchased the London-based Playfish for up to $400 million is testing the waters on Facebook with a game called Poker Rivals following the success of Texas Hold’em Poker from rival developer Zynga.

poker rivals EA Takes On Rival Zynga With Poker RivalsPlayfish have gone all in with Poker Rivals to take Texas Hold ‘Em Poker to a whole new level. Whether you’re a newcomer to Hold ‘Em or you’re an old hand, you’ll feel instantly at home in the ultimate poker experience. Hit the tables with your friends or try your hand in a tournament, then show everyone you’ve got the right stuff by buying new clothes, accessories, even a whole new apartment with your winnings. You can even buy your own private yacht, but that’s for the real high rollers only.

Veterans can hit the tables right away while beginners can choose to clue up in the Poker Rivals tutorial — don’t worry if you’ve never played a hand of poker, it’ll teach you everything you need to know. Have you got what it takes for Poker Rivals?

This game is sure going to appeal to many players of other game genre too. If you are a fan of Facebook games, especially casino games, then this is a must try game as you have nothing to lose. Moreover, in this poker rivalry, you can expect more features and additions to both games in the near future.

Lock horns with your friends and rivals while the big guys are going all out against each other. The game is on guys!!

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Hong Kong Facebook ‘Suicide’ Group Under Scanner

November 26, 2009

“The police are not going to inspect online activities, but we will try to contact people who have logged onto the page,” Li Jianhui, chief police officer in Yuen Long district, told China Daily.

But he said it would be hard to track down every member as many of them may not be based in Hong Kong.

Mr Li said police and education officials would also be working with parents and teenagers on suicide prevention programmes.

Encouraging a person to kill themselves or assisting their suicide is punishable with a prison sentence of up to 14 years under Hong Kong law.

The South China Morning Post quoted Hong Kong’s Undersecretary for Security, Lai Tung-kwok, as saying the government was monitoring the case.

Source [BBC News]

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Depressed Woman Loses Benefits Over Facebook Postings

November 25, 2009

Recently, a victim basing on a updated status message, a teenager was acquitted in a robbery case. Now, there is another news going around that basing on some photos and posting on Facebook, a woman had her insurance benifits pulled back.

Nathalie Blanchard, 29, has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, for the last year and a half after she was diagnosed with major depression. She was receiving monthly sick-leave benefits from Manulife, her insurance company, who reportedly pulled back her insurance this fall.

“I’m available to work, because of Facebook,” and some seems-happy pictures including ones showing her having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, at her birthday party and on a sun holiday posted on Facebook were used as evidence by her insurance company to determine that she was no longer depressed.

According to the CBC news, Blanchard said that on her doctor’s advice, she tried to have fun, including nights out at her local bar with friends and short getaways to sun destinations, as a way to forget her problems.

She also doesn’t understand how Manulife accessed her photos because her Facebook profile is locked and only people she approves can look at what she posts.

I would admit that this news came as a little creepy one. So, i would like to remind my dear readers to be careful in what you post online and who has access to your information. As in the case of Ms. Blanchard, you never know what will be used against you. What i don’t understand is why on earth the company would go around snooping around her social-networking profile or rather how they saw her profile. Taking into consideration all the hype about privacy settings in social networking sites, it is just might not be the company but someone on her friend’s list happened to be a snitch.

Anyway, i just hope that she get’s justice real soon. I don’t think i am gonna sit around in solidarity if i am depressed and is try to get back on my life.

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