Case study explores the impact of social-media sites on the spread of disease

A scientist examining attitudes toward the H1N1 vaccine has developed and implemented the first case study in how social-media sites can affect the spread of the disease. Marcel Salathé, an assistant professor of biology at Penn State University, explored how users of Twitter expressed their opinions about a new vaccine. According to ScienceDaily, he "then tracked how the users' attitudes correlated with vaccination rates, and how microbloggers with the same negative or positive feelings seemed to influence others in their social circles."

Is the end near for Google+?

What's going on with Google+?  It seems to have lost momentum big-time. 

A new report by Chitika, the data analytics company, suggests that Google+ traffic has dropped dramatically.  Amid a huge amount of publicity last month, Google+ entered public beta with a striking interface, the rapid release of new features, and strong focus on user interaction.  Yet, according to Chitika, traffic on Google's new social network fell 60%.

Google+ started strong.  An Internet marketing research company, comScore, reported in July that Google's new social product attracted some 20 million visitors during its first month.  Unofficial reports now estimate the number of Google+ users at 43 million.  However, the growth spurt went kaput.  Google+ users seem to have lost interest.  Even on my stream, there's not much happening, incoming or outgoing.

Granted, the once-blazing program is only a few months old.  Was there too much hype too early?  Should we stamp "FAIL" on Google+ or simply give it more time?

Facebook and the ultimate makeover

The only thing that seems to be constant about Facebook is change. My son, the IT guy, posted this update a recently:

Hey folks, just a forewarning. Facebook is about to undergo a HUGE makeover. No, I'm not talking about bogus charging rumors (though they will sell apps, music, etc.) But take a look here to see how your Facebook profiles will change in a few weeks. I'm just bracing people for the inevitable. This is a link to an official Facebook page showing off the upcoming features. No virus, no spam, no forward, just an FYI. http://www.facebook.com/about/timeline

I checked out the official Facebook video on the subject. I then visited the social giant's blog post for additional details. Facebook makes reference to "the evolution of your profile" and "filling in the blanks." The headline to the post -- "Tell Your Story with Timeline."

It appears that FB encourages you to tell your life's story. For me, all this sharing is TMI (too much information). Of course, you can still control how much information you'll share. I guess I should have seen the writing on the wall when I noticed that FB profiles now prompt you for your blood type. I don't need to know everything about my online buddies, and I doubt that they'd want to know every minute detail about me.

Create a new logo

Take a break from your deadline-driven day. Create a quick new logo for your Twitter account (or other social media) by visiting here.

Via Fine Art of Blogging

Is Twitter living up to the hype?

An estimated 20% of Internet users now say they use Twitter or another service to share updates about themselves, or to see updates about others. However, recent study suggests that the Twitter audience may not be as large as you think. Read more at my new blog, On Deadline.

Facebook redesigns privacy settings

Facebook is introducing more options in it's user's privacy settings. The change will make it easier for users to limit who sees their status changes, photos, videos, and other personal information. Changes in the privacy settings will also make it easier for users seeking more visibility to reach a broader audience. A message explaining the options greeted Facebook users who logged into their accounts on Wednesday.

Update: Facebook Changes Privacy Settings Yet Again
(December 11, 2009)

Staying safe on Facebook

Recently, the question of scams came up in association with some Facebook games and applications. The maker of one popular game, Farmville, has agreed to change its practices.

It pays to be safe when it comes to Facebook games and apps. As third-party applications are developed and downloaded—and as their popularity continues to increase—so do the chances that you'll be hit with malware. If you're not careful, your account could even be hacked. CIO offers four great tips for staying secure:

1. Limit the information in your profile.

2. Create a false profile.

3. Monitor your privacy settings.

4. Update your Web browser.


Related: Zynga harvests the cyberfarmer

Some Facebook games accused in Internet scams

Do you or your kids play FarmVille, Mafia Wars, or Restaurant City? Then you may well have some unpleasant surprises on your cellphone bill.

Zynga, the company that makes Mafia Wars, claims that it has more than 25 million players. According to a report in Time magazine, accusations have surfaced that the games can lead some more naïve players, including children, into Internet scams. It pays to read the fine print before playing any Internet game.

Related: The Odd Popularity of "Mafia Wars"

White House steps up Web presence

The White House took a major leap into the Web 2.0 world on today, launching pages on social networks MySpace and Facebook and sending its first "tweets" on Twitter.

Content from President Obama's website WhiteHouse.gov is being fed in real time to White House profile pages on MySpace and Facebook and members of the communities can sign up as Facebook "fans" or MySpace "friends."

The White House had more than 31,000 fans on Facebook and more than 4,000 friends on MySpace within a few hours of the pages going online while more than 8,500 people had signed up as "followers" of the White House on Twitter.

"Technology has profoundly impacted how -- and where -- we all consume information and communicate with one another," the White House said in a blog post on WhiteHouse.gov titled "WhiteHouse 2.0."

The White House invited feedback from users and both the MySpace and Facebook pages were deluged with comments.

Tags: Barack Obama, Social Media, Technology, Politics, Media by Sistrunk

Shortcut to humiliation

The world is all a-Twitter, or so it seems. Whenever you post anything on the Web, assume everyone, including your boss and your mother, will read it. You and I know that. But, alas, some people continue to be clueless when it comes to being candid online comments.

Blogging buddy Nikki Woods told me to check out this article: Twitter gets you fired in 140 characters or less.

As I was researching this story, I found the following online comment. It's an example of how professional colleagues can have unpleasant experiences with those not versed in Twitter etiquette. According to the writer:

I had an experience where someone attempted to clown me professionally on twitter not realizing I was following them. And without a legitimate reason. It was all ego on their part. I kindly let that person know on a professional level that I saw there message! Needless to say they were embarrassed by their actions after the fact. One must learn social networking sites aren't the place to air out their frustrations. Lord knows I had to realize it. You never know who's watching.

If you do an online search, you'll find some sites that offer tips on Twitter etiquette. Two of the better ones appear on CIO and Fast Company.

Enough about niceties associated with social media. Let's talk about who uses it. We all know that communicators use Twitter, but what about your audience? Jessica Levco of Ragan.com hit the streets of Chicago find out who's heard of Twitter, and who's using it. Click here to view this report.

Related: Getting started with Twitter



Tags: Twitter, Social Media, Social Networking, Technology, Business, Media by Sistrunk

Obama wants to hear from you - online

President-elect continues to engage public via technology

People wanting a chance to help shape policy are invited to submit their ideas online. President-elect Barack Obama's transition team shot an email to constituents to introduce the idea portal.

The public's thoughts and ideas will be will be compiled into a Citizen's Briefing Book and delivered to Obama once he takes office Jan. 20. An explanation about the briefing book is posted on Change.gov.

"Your participation is key to our success," said transition and administration aide Valerie Jarrett said in an introductory video.

The online Citizen's Briefing Book feature includes tools that allow visitors to explore a variety of submissions, which they can rate and comment on, with ideas receiving the largest number of comments being included in final book that will be given to Obama.

Social networking continues to hold a place in the Obama administration. Potentially, Web tools could protect Obama from governing in a bubble. By keeping a direct line to public opinion - through discussion forums, blog comments, etc. - the new president could keep a good feel for the issues that most concern them, rather than relying on the media, opinion polls and other filters. A number of ideas are already posted on the site.

The site will be live until the Jan. 20 inauguration. After that, the highest-rated ideas will be prepared and presented to the president.

Tags: Barack Obama, Citizen's Briefing Book, Social Media, Technology, Media by Sistrunk

When your kid won't add you as a friend

Parents get cold shoulder on Facebook

Children just don't understand - at least mine don't. They're not thrilled that Mom is on Facebook. They refuse to add me as their friend.

To add insult to injury, I've learned that Facebook has groups for kids like mine. The names suggest cartels: "For the love of God - don't let parents join Facebook" and "Don't let my parents on Facebook!!!" The first group boasts more than 6,200 members. The second group has nearly 3,300 members and counting. A search reveals even more anti-parent groups. Some have names in Spanish and French. It's depressing.

My kids have no intentions of adding Mom as a friend. I won't embarrass myself by begging or yelling. Nor will I offer bribes.

I am thrilled that my stepdaughter, whom I recently contacted via Facebook, responded with a warm message. This college student even sent me her cell phone number and invited me to call. She doesn't realize how much she made my day.

I'm able to get on her site, look at her photos, and see that she's made more than 600 friends. She's attending college in Washington, DC and is interning for a well-known political organization. I smiled as I looked at photos of my stepdaughter with politicians. She's a sociology and pre-law major. I think she's headed to law school.

Maybe my stepdaughter let me into her Facebook life because she doesn't live with me. Or perhaps she was being polite. The reason really doesn't matter. It's just nice to finally be accepted.


Tags: Facebook, Social Media, Media by Sistrunk