Basically, I need a application to deliver such content to the desktop, something that will pop up above the date (on Windows) and display the profile updates, pictures and event information etc. Something that isn’t overpowering and easy on the eye, but performs the role perfectly. Am I alone? Who wouldn’t find this useful? I just need something that will stop me going to facebook.com, its annoying but I can’t help it.

Although in the last week I’ve been rather unproductive, having such an application would only make things much worse…

I want to get the Facebook out of Facebook, is anyone with me?

-Kyle

It’s all about making Facebook better (my arse), it’s just an excuse to gather more information about you (your like and dislikes) and for you to spend more time locked up inside of the Facebook site.

I thought about twittering this, but got sidetracked on the metro, never mind.

- Kyle

On seeing that flyer I presume my assumption is wrong.

I would have missed this too if hadn’t been testing Flock 1.0, my evaluation of the social browser - “You thought Firefox was bloated”. Although I do like its methods for uploading pictures to Facebook.

Not worth a switch though, but if you get a minute do check it out.

-Kyle   

Read More examples on Wired

-Kyle

Facebook has taken down pictures of users breast feeding, and has even gone as far as banning users completely on the basis that the pictures constitute ?obscene content.? Suffice to say the Lactivists  (breast feeding activist lol) aren?t the least bit happy.

Now this isn’t a new argument, for years the argument has been in restaurants, park bench’s and even on public transport. Breast feeding is an natural occurrence they argue, so why are people offend when a mother whips out a breast to feed her young born ?

I for one don’t have a problem with breast feeding, but I can understand why other’s could be a offended. In terms of Facebook its a violation of their Terms & Conditions to show any sort of boobies, with or without a bairn hanging off the end of one.

Lactivists are calling for supporters to join their Facebook group Hey, Facebook, breastfeeding is not obscene!, which currently has over 7000 members.

Read more from Techcrunch

-Kyle  

Why Facebook why, this new feature isn’t for users own good but an attempt to increase your own virtuous cycle, in attracting more people to the Facebook network and substantially increasing its page views on the way.

Somehow I feel it has no benefit for the the casual user.

Read more on Techcrunch

-Kyle 

Recently we’ve seen a fair amount of scrutiny of Facebook, due to the social-networking site’s potential for identity theft and security breaches. A few recent security glitches haven’t helped aka ‘Source Code Leakage’. Now, IT security firm Sophos has released the results of its Facebook ID Probe, a test to see just how many users of the site are willing to divulge highly personal information to potential identity thieves. The results show that Facebook members might not be taking their privacy seriously enough.

Sophos created a fake Facebook profile, under the name ‘Freddi Staur’ (’ID Fraudster’ with the letters rearranged), and randomly requested 200 members to be friends with ‘Freddi.’

Sophos Facebook ID Probe findings:

• 87 of the 200 Facebook users contacted responded to Freddi, with 82 leaking personal information (41% of those approached)
• 72% of respondents divulged one or more email address
• 84% of respondents listed their full date of birth
• 87% of respondents provided details about their education or workplace
• 78% of respondents listed their current address or location
• 23% of respondents listed their current phone number
• 26% of respondents provided their instant messaging screenname

In the majority of cases, Freddi was able to gain access to respondents’ photos of family and friends, information about likes/dislikes, hobbies, employer details and other personal facts. In addition, many users also disclosed the names of their spouses or partners, several included their complete résumés, while one user even divulged his mother’s maiden name - information often requested by websites in order to retrieve account details.

Thanks CNET, Read the full article there.

-Kyle

The freedom of blogger’s is at jeopardy (again) according to The Guardian but this time its the social network giant Facebook who has the power to do good. Facebook, which has mushroomed to 30 million users worldwide, is being asked to close down the Survivors of 118 118 group page because of its high level of abuse.

The site lists alleged shortcomings of the directory, but The Number UK (company who owns 118 118) said that repeated abuse of customers was the main reason for wanting it shut down.

Andrew Iles, co-founder of the webpage, criticises customers, saying: “People of Britain, rediscover the phonebook, you lazy buggers.” The firm’s spokesman, William Ostrom, said: “They absolutely do not represent the views and the attitudes of the vast majority of our staff. We are now in discussion with Facebook for them to withdraw the comments on the grounds that they are defamatory to our customers.”

It will be interesting to see the outcome.

-Kyle

I wonder how this will affect future advertising revenue for Facebook ?, I feel sorry for Facebook the chances are they didn’t even know the BNP group existed yet alone placing these particular adverts alongside the BNP’s page. Although in terms of targeting individuals you would think certain adverts would be better suited advertising on certain group pages, e.g An online mountain bike shop advertising within a group who enjoys mountain biking.  

Apologies if this is how the advertising works (it would be the rational choice) on Facebook, I wouldn’t know this cool kid uses Adblock Plus.

-Kyle

Again Facebook is in the news, this time its the Dons at Oxford University who want evidence on students who have committed unruly post-exam pranks. 

Yet again its the whole privacy issue

Read More

-Kyle