Controlling How You Share

Most of my recent posts have had to deal with privacy issues on Facebook. This is because it has been a cluster of screw ups for a very long time and many people have sent me questions dealing with how to secure their privacy. Privacy seems to be a relative term in conjunction with Facebook and how it portrays you in the digital universe.

Now, Facebook has again altered the way in which we choose the privacy options for our accounts. Please note that FB did not change any of our previous settings, only the way in which we get to those settings.

You can learn more about how the controls have changed by clicking "Learn More" in the dialogue box at the top of your screen, or you can go to: http://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation.php

The new controls are an attempt to make privacy settings easier and more obvious to the user.

It is easier to get to all of the controls in Facebook. You can access your Privacy Controls by clicking Account > Privacy Settings. That's it! Then there are four areas of the screen that need your attention.

1.  Sharing on Facebook is the content you post on Facebook on a day to day basis. You may change the privacy settings for each of these items.The default is the Recommended Settings. But there are other options beside Everyone, Friends of Friends and Friends Only. To change to tighter privacy, I suggest clicking Customize Settings in the lower left of the right hand panel. Then you may change from the recommended settings to allow only certain lists of friends to access portions or all of your personal information.

2. Basic Directory Information is the information available to everyone by default and cannot be changed.

3.  Applications and Websites allows you make changes to which applications you use, Game and Application Activity, Info Accessible Through Your Friends, Instant Personalization and the information that is available by Public Search.

4. Block Lists is the list of blocked users, applications and application invites as determined by you.

This is all much more concise than the previous privacy attempt, but doesn't provide any more control than the previous version. Make sure you use the Customize Settings option everywhere available. Use lists to determine sub groups which can view your specific profile information.

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There Is NO EASY MONEY On Google!

The advertisements, tweets, and emails abound. Each touting an easy way to make money on Google. They show the logos for Google, Yahoo!, and as seen on NBC, ABC, CBS, MSNBC, etc. on each of their web links.  So how can this be wrong? How can it be a fake or a scam?


If you visit the networks mentioned, you will find mention of these money making schemes. You will find them touted as SCAMS. You’ll have to admit that the scammers are good at what they do. They put everything in writing, and from what can be seen by the naked eye, the majority, if not all, is true. So what is the problem.


The problem is that they are the only ones getting rich and it’s not by just entering links into google. Read the fine print and you will find that in addition to the small fee for your book and/or software there is an additionally ‘small’ monthly fee.

This is not the first scam of this type. For more information and history of this online scam, go to http://snopes.com/fraud/employment/google.asp.

How to Avoid Being the Victim of 'Work From Home' Scams:


1.  Never pay anyone to hire you, not even if it is presented as buying necessary training or other materials, obtaining required certification, or registering with some database of other workers.
Remember, if the procedure involves sending your money to “so called” employers, it's most likely a scam.
2.  Contact your Better Business Bureau, if you have questions about the sincerity or legitimacy of a job listing. It always is a good idea to check out any prospective employer or employee, for that matter.
3.  Examine your credit card and bank account statements every month. Always look for unauthorized charges and immediately challenge any and all items you think are bogus.
4.  Always read the fine print!

Glossary

• Scam - A dishonest scheme; A fraud.
• Snopes.com
• Tweets - A micro-blog post on the Twitter social network site, or the act of posting on it. Each post is referred to as a tweet, and the act of sending a tweet is referred to as tweeting.
  

Related Articles

• ConsumerMan: Con artists exploit social sites (msnbc.msn.com)
• Work From Home With Google? Not So Fast (abcnews.go.com)
• Work From Home With Google? Not So Fast, Warns BBB
  

5 Top Twitter Tools

Twitter applications, twitter apps, can be called by different names. They are sometimes known as "twitter tools". By whatever the name they are called, they are websites which have built-in scripts that complement Twitter. As our social media has become more real-time, it has become easier to maintain a web presence using additional tools for our favorite media site.

I don’tknow about you, but I am constantly looking for tools to use for my online presence. This is not an easy task. Not only do you need to find worthwhile applications, but also be positive that they are legit and safe for use. There are a lot of supposed tools available that ask for your twitter account and password. I don’t find this something I am willing to give out to any fly by night URL or application. Safety is a major concern for me. That is why I have checked each of these tools and have not recommended others that may, or may not, compromise your Twitter account.

1. HootSuite - Is a web based twitter management tool. It allows management of multiple twitter accounts using your web browser. I like the tabs, and wish that twitter

would change their design to something like this.

2. Twittercounter - Is a really nice stat tool for checking

the progress of your follower count, friends, and updates. It will predict future growth, show daily and average growth and allow you to compare up to three twitter accounts.

3. Twackle - Finds twitter messages about your favorite

sports, leagues, teams, players and events. Posting to twackle shows up on twitter and vice versa. It's a cool way to keep up with your favorite sports. They are "your sportsbar in the twittersphere".

4. Twibes - Providing community to your twitter life. A twibe is a group of Twitter users interested in a common topic who would like to be able to communicate with each other. Find or create a twibe group and communic

ate between members. Works well for a group to stay in-touch throughout the day, or relay information to each other.

5. Tweetmeme- Tracks the hottest links on twitter

and allows you to follow them in real time. You can also see videos, pictures and the news that has been twitted about. Plenty of options, and ability to search topics or channels.

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