This is the chilling side of the digital footprint (something that everybody has) – chilling because the takeaway seems to be that nobody can make a mistake anymore. Web sites with names like BustedMugshots and JustMugshots claim they're doing society a favor by publishing photos that document arrests (not convictions) en masse. And when prospective employers or even people looking for a date or … [Read more...] about Aggregated extortion, digital footprints’ dark side & second chances
search engines
Media lit needed!: The new guilt by association
This is a stark example of why media literacy needs to be taught from the earliest ages – in and with digital media. [It's also an example of why it's hugely important to their kids that parents practice media literacy and not take what they see in social sites literally, but more on that in a minute.] This is a new imperative at the household and every other level. The stark example is shared … [Read more...] about Media lit needed!: The new guilt by association
Google’s new social tool ‘+1’
When the New York Times reported that Google is "trying again in social networking," I thought it meant a significant new product on the level of Chrome or Picasa. Then I read down further: "Google’s +1 is remarkably similar to Facebook’s Like button," except that you're "liking" search results. It's personalized search. When you find a store, news article, recipe, photo, advertisement, etc. and … [Read more...] about Google’s new social tool ‘+1’
Social searching
Even search is getting social. People have always polled their friends for recommendations. Then there were Web sites that aggregated members' reviews (Amazon for books, TripAdvisor for hotels, Yelp for restaurants). But more and more the social Web is bringing search and review right to our own social circles, the New York Times reports. It gives three examples right off the bat: Amazon now … [Read more...] about Social searching
Americans’ social media use up 43%: Nielsen
The US's 43% social-media surge in the past year led "a substantial shift in how the country spends its online time," Advertising Age reports, citing Nielsen research. From June 2009 to this past June, "the time spent on social media accessed from PCs rose from 15.8% ... to 22.7%," with social networking topping the list of American's favorite online activity and gaming passing up email for the … [Read more...] about Americans’ social media use up 43%: Nielsen