In the news...
Developers told that Facebook Credits are imminent
Sunday 28 February 2010
A blog post Thursday on the Facebook Developers site announced that the social networking giant's virtual currency, Facebook Credits, is near to its official launch. In the post, Deborah Liu, a product marketer on the Facebook Developer Network team , explains the thinking behind the Facebook Credits concept: " The long-term goal of Facebook Credits is to provide a currency that makes purchasing virtual items across applications fast and simple.
Microsoft takes down the Waledac botnet
Friday 26 February 2010
US software giant Microsoft has won the latest battle in the global war on botnets - the networks of compromised PCs that are controlled remotely by criminals - by gaining a court order to close down the domains used for the 'command and control' (C&C) of the huge Waledac botnet.
Google to appeal privacy convictions
Friday 26 February 2010
A court in Italy has convicted three Google employees in a privacy trial concerning content uploaded to Google Video in 2006, shortly before the firm acquired YouTube. The Google executives - Peter Fleischer, David Drummond and George De Los Reyes - received suspended six-month sentences.
Facebook unveils new privacy controls
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Facebook, the world's largest social networking group, announced new privacy controls this week for content posted using third-party applications, external websites linked to Facebook via the Connect system and Facebook's mobile version.
Google gets stung by Buzz
Friday 19 February 2010
When Internet search giant Google unveiled its brand-new social media product, Google Buzz, on 9 February, it obviously had no idea that there could be a sting in its tail. Google Buzz , which provides a social networking platform to rival Facebook , initially met with a storm of protest from users over privacy problems.
Aardvark acquired by Google
Friday 19 February 2010
Social search service, Aardvark, has been bought by Google. The acquisition was announced last week and both parties have expressed their delight at the deal. In a post on the Official Google Blog , Johanna Wright (Director of Product Management, Search) wrote: " When you need an answer to a very specific question, sometimes the information just isn't online in one simple place…That's why we're excited to announce that we've acquired Aardvark, a unique technology company that lets you quickly and easily tap into the knowledge and experience of your friends and extended network of contacts.
Google runs rare TV ad during the Super Bowl
Wednesday 10 February 2010
The commercial breaks for America's coveted Super Bowl on Sunday featured a brand that rarely makes a foray into TV advertising: Google. Nicely complementing Google's AdBlitz channel on YouTube – where users can vote for their favourite Super Bowl TV commercial – Google ran its 'Parisian Love' ad during the third quarter of the match.
Family discovers teenager’s death via Facebook
Tuesday 09 February 2010
Sydney's Daily Telegraph yesterday reported a gruesome tale of modern life. Teenage boys being involved in fatal road traffic accidents is something we have come to expect, but their loved ones discovering their death through social media networks is not.
Safer Internet Day gets a mixed response
Tuesday 09 February 2010
Today is Safer Internet Day, an event aimed at promoting safe and responsible use of the Internet and mobile technologies among children and young people. This year's main message is 'Think B4 U post!', which is laudable enough, although the Safer Internet Day site features a curious video of a computer mouse uploading partly pixelated pictures of itself – presumably naked – and the image being sent around the world with resounding laughter.
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