Facebook Open Graph Format a Good Thing?

At Facebook's f8 developers conference this week CEO Mark Zuckerburg announced some big changes for facebook. The one that I found to be most interesting is the concept of the Open Graph. Facebook users now choose from the information they have already provided about themselves in their info sections which specific interests or likes they would like to "link" to their profiles. In addition, the facebook concept of the "like" button will now be available on other websites such as The New York Times and Pandora, allowing users to like something on one of those sites and then that like will appear in friend's newsfeeds.

This new development is an example of hyper-personalization on the web, but I think that this is definitely an example of positive personalization. Many people have "friends" on facebook whom they barely even know, or even the friends they do know may share radically different viewpoints or just simply have different interests or hobbies. This new feature can help facebook users to learn new information and come into contact with things they may not have otherwise discovered.

The internet has so much content littered across it these days many people simply repeatedly visit the same websites over and over, and waste a lot of time doing so. I know I have found myself doing this on facebook, simply wasting time viewing my tagged pictures for the thousandth time. This will allow people to explore corners of the web they may have not otherwise discovered.

This new development also ties into the documentary we were talking about this week entitled "We Live In Public." Though the documentary brings many really concerns over the loss of privacy and therefore loss of intimacy between people I believe that this new Open Graph style is a step forward. Initially, I was skeptical, because, after all, it seems as if facebook is asking one to make more information and reveal more personal facts to the general public, another new form of an invasion of privacy...however, this new format allows people to connect and share on deeper level than just through their facebook pages. It allows people to express themselves more fully and allows others to come into contact with that expression. Overall, this Open Graph style seems to be a step in the right direction.

Cyberbullying Research Center Provides Comprehensive Resources

Cyberbullyiing is a topic that now receives heavy press and attention within the media, however this only seems to happen after it is too late for another teen. Cyberbullying is always addressed after another terrible incident has happened. The Cyberbullying Research Center however attempts to educate the public on the real dangers associated with cyberbullying and attempts to stop it before it happens.

The Cyberbullying Research Center's website (http://cyberbullying.us/index.php )tracks, reports, provides resources, and researches cyberbullying in order to put an end to it. On the site's homepage one can find the top news stories involving cyberbullying around the US and if one scrolls down, around the world. Along the top of the page quotes are featured by people who have been cyberbullied, and if you want to read more there is a "share your story" portion of the website, which provides an outlet for those who have been bullied to tell their stories and also provides a place for people to realize that they are not alone, unfortunately many are experiencing the same thing.

The site also makes available the latest research regarding cyberbullying, provides videos describing what exactly cyberbullying is and why it is not something parents should just shrug off. Additionally, the site provides information about seminars centering on cyberbullying and also has linked print out resources to educate children about how wrong and dangerous cyberbullying is.

Overall the website seems to give a comprehensive treatment on cyberbullying and provides students, teachers, and parents with all of the information and resources they need to be educated about it as well as provides a little window of support. Having this information all gathered in one easy to navigate place makes the information much more accessible.

iPad Hype

Every time my younger brother and I talk on the phone he asks me if I have watched an episode of ABC's new sitcom "Modern Family." This week I finally tuned in and interestingly enough the episode centered upon one of the family's on the show trying to procure an iPad for their father for his birthday. The iPad is jokingly referred to as a "toy" for grownups, but the episode did get me thinking about what one could really use the iPad for. I started looking up reviews, and one that I found that was enlightening was the Huffington Post's. They outlined the "9 Worst Things About the iPad." And many of the criticisms i found valid, I'll discuss some of them below:

2) No Multitasking- If a user wants to listen to pandora and look through his/her photos at the same time she is unable to. Not being able to run multiple programs on a device like this I find to be a major flaw, especially when most people will use it on the go in order to be able to multitask

4) No USB port- since the iPad aims to replace one's laptop, not having a USB port is a major inconvenience.

7) iPad Doesn't Support Flash Player- Therefore any website that employs flash will not be compatible with the iPad, another major inconvenience for a product that is expensive and aims to replace one's laptop

Though this seems to be a negative review, I do really like a lot of Apple's products and have faith that they will improve later versions of the iPad, it will be interesting to see what users primarily use it for once time allows more thought out criticisms and praise to come streaming in.