Signs You are Addicted to Facebook

It’s the age of the internet.

It’s the Web 2.0 era.

An age of social networks with walled gardens. There’s greater interconnectivity and interactivity than ever and humanity has more of its members talking to each other than ever before.

The downside to this however is this need to connect.

A need largely present in all humans is further accentuated with the emergence of social networks with real-time updating of events. This feeds in to our natural need to stay on top of events and personalities at all times.

In the case of facebook, countless useful hours are lost gazing at people’s profiles and generally using the myriad tools provided by the many skilled programmers at facebook and different third party companies that are part of this intense ecosystem.

How many hours have you spent online clicking through someone’s 179 photos and friend lists or how many hours have you spent online growing cabbages in the latest clone of Farmville (one of facebook’s most successful flash game applications).

Here are a few signs you are deeply addicted to a social network. Here are the signs that social networking has become social dysfunction.

1. Facebook is your home page.
2. You update your status more than twice a day.
3. You have over 500 “friends,” half of whom you’ve probably never actually met or only have a bare acquaintance with.
4. Facebook use is not limited to your computer but you also access it from your phone.
5. You are a FB stalker. You qualify as a FB stalker if you…
   1. click on someone’s profile more than once a day even if they haven’t messaged or tagged you in a photo;
   2. have dragged and dropped more than 3 FB photos (not from your own profile);
   3. and actually go to a place mentioned on someone’s page in hopes of seeing them in real life…creepy!
6. You change your profile picture more than a 12-year-old girl.
7. This article actually makes you feel like checking your FB page.
8. Your relationship status changes as many times as possible to irritate other people.
9. You clean up your “wall” so it looks like you spend less time on FB.
10. You are a member of more than 10 groups and respond to every event invitation “attending” even if you have no intention of going.

The real problem is not facebook or any other social network itself. The main problem is the willingness to disconnect from everyday life itself which may not be rosy or happy compared to immersing yourself in the “happyland” environment of facebook. It’s the same as hiding yourself inside the pages of a novel or the fast-paced world of a computer game simply because life is not going so well.

Let’s hope this motivates you to a better life. Next week, I’ll write a short article on CURING YOUR FACEBOOK ADDICTION.

Sources:

http://www.digtriad.com/news/watercooler/article.aspx?storyid=119321&catid=176

Protecting Your Privacy Online

It strikes you with fear.

To have someone take over your online identity, signing checks in your name and commiting havoc with your identity online or simply snooping on your online actions or communications with other people.

If you feel the fear like I do, then here are a few tips on how to keep your privacy in the sometimes-Wild-Wild-Web (WWW) from the electronic frontier foundation(EFF).

1. Do not reveal personal information inadvertently.

Take care so you dont become your own worst enemy online. Do not reveal your security information (passwords, identity numbers etc) at the drop of a hat.

2. Don’t reveal personal details to strangers or just-met “friends”.
3. Turn on cookie notices in your Web browser, and/or use cookie management software or infomediaries.

Browsers come with features designed to monitor cookies . Turn them on. That way you can be informed if a site is trying to install cookies on your system. In certain cases, your antivirus software also comes with cookie/internet surfing monitor features. Ensure that such features are  turned on.

4. Keep a “clean” e-mail address.
5. Realize you may be monitored at work, avoid sending highly personal e-mail to mailing lists, and keep sensitive files on your home computer.
6. Beware sites that offer some sort of reward or prize in exchange for your contact information or other personal details.
7. Do not reply to spammers, for any reason.
8. Be conscious of Web security.

When doing business online, study the site exactly the way you would check out an offline business. Do they provide an offline contact address or phone number? Do the terms mean you are subscribing for a service instead of buying a product? Are they backing up their authenticity with online security seal agencies like Truste (www.truste.com)


9. Use encryption!
10. Be conscious of home computer security.

On the other hand, your home PC may be the hidden gate through which all the bad guys come in. For an always on connection e.g DSL, make sure you put it off when not in use. Compared to powerfully secured web servers, your typical home computer is easy meat for today’s cracker.

11. Examine privacy policies and seals.
12. Remember that YOU decide what information about yourself to reveal, when, why, and to whom.

Here’s a link to the original article: http://www.eff.org/wp/effs-top-12-ways-protect-your-online-privacy

Starting my pro bono design

I am starting a pro bono web design promo with the aim of garnering sites into my design portfolio. I feel this will allow me gain greater credibility and experience on the web. I have a lot of knowledge but my work has been restricted to intranets and academic websites. I want to branch out and do a lot more.

So for all you aspiring web entrepreneurs, jump on the wagon while it lasts. i’ll reserve the right to refuse any project. see ya.