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Tag: Facebook

+Travis Tubbs

It took me a little longer than I wanted, but I’m finally making the move to Google+, Google’s new social network currently in limited testing.

Unfortunately, I’m having to use an account that isn’t my primary email address. This is only a temporary profile until Google+ supports Google Apps accounts, which may not be until the end of year.

As Google+ profile address are a random set of numbers that aren’t easy to remember, I’ve created the much easier to remember address of:

http://plus.travistubbs.me

Once Google Apps accounts are supported, I’ll update this post and the redirect on the above address.

Facebook Has Violated My Trust For The Last Time

Facebook has continued to show time and time again that it does not care about its users, their data, and the privacy of others. For that reason, I am done with Facebook.

From this point forward, I will only use Facebook as a promotional tool for my blog posts and projects. I will respond to comments left on posts on Facebook, but I will not be using it as a way to interact with others.

I will be available on other social networks, including Twitter and Google Buzz. You can find a list of all social networks I’m on over at http://travistubbs.me/. I understand that I’m essentially isolating myself from others by using networks that others may not be using, but at the same time, it’s not like you can’t get ahold of me still (phone networks and email still exist, last I checked). I’m not asking anyone else to abandon Facebook. In fact, I wished there was an alternative others can go to, but for the time being, there isn’t. But I’m rather not be part of a social network than take part with one that purposely violates the trust of its users. A more detailed blog post to highlight Facebook’s previous actions that led to my decision will be posted later. To help you understand a little bit into my decision, I recommend reading up on the following previous news posts about Facebook. These are just a sampling of Facebook’s disregard for the user.

Facebook alters info feature that angered users
[USA Today, September 2006 ]

The Facebook Ad Backlash Begins
[TechCrunch, November 2007]

Facebook’s New Terms Of Service: “We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever.”
[Consumerist, February 2009]

User Backlash Prompts Facebook Change
[PC Magazine, March 2009]

Facebook ratchets up privacy controls (again)
[CNET, August 2009]

Facebook’s Instant Personalization Is the Real Privacy Hairball
[Salon, April 2010]

Facebook’s Eroding Privacy Policy: A Timeline
[Electronic Frontier Foundation, April 2010]

Facebook’s Huge Maze of Privacy Options Mapped Out
[Lifehacker, May 2010]

Facebook sent some user data to advertisers
[CNET, May 2010]

Discontent Grows With Facebook Places’ Ability To Tag Without Users’ Express Permission
[Crunchgear, August 2010]

Join my Facebook group? You can’t say ‘No’
[Houston Chronicle TechBlog, October 2010]

Facebook “Groups” Welcomes You To NAMBLA
[Consumerist, October 2010]

Facebook Status Updates are Public; Learn A Lot About Yourself and Others

Using the website Openbook (http://youropenbook.org), you can browse every status message that’s available publicly from anybody on Facebook. Just enter a search term and read the results. Find out who’s now HIV Positivecheated on a testdated a shemale, and more. You can even search names to see if you’re referenced in any way.

Turns out, I’m a dad…. … … Fsck.(Not really. There are more than one Travis Tubbs in this country.)

Don’t Fall for Facebook’s and McAfee’s Possible Revenue Stream

It appears that Facebook will be heavily promoting users to download (and buy) McAfee VirusScan. It’s possible that this could be another revenue stream for Facebook (gotta keep it free somehow), but there are plenty of free anti-virus apps available.

For Windows
Microsoft Security Essentials
As much as I hate to say this, but MSE was actually rated one the best AV application available (and the only free one among the best). Small, lightweight, and fast. Available for Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

For Mac OS X
ClamXav
Although Mac OS X is more secure than Windows, it still doesn’t hurt to be cautious. ClamXav is based on the open-source ClamAV software.

For Linux-based OSes
Avast! Linux Home Edition
I’m going with Avast! over AVG mainly because AVG doesn’t provide any information about their Linux product on their web site (although it is available on their download page). Of course, you can always go with the previously mentioned open-source ClamAV as well.