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The Score: Facebook's Rollercoaster Week |
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The Score: Facebook's Rollercoaster Week
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By Sandy Fitzgerald | Fri Jan 06, 2012 4:00 pm |
Facebook heads for its first initial public offering worth billions already, but being a social network means some people will exhibit some not so social behavior.
Facebook Has Its Ups and DownsThe Setup: Have you noticed that when it's time for you to sell your used car, something will break and force you to spend more money on it? Or when you want to sell your house, some neighborhood brat throws a ball through your front window? Well, Facebook has been like that this week. The network reported some good developments, but with the good came some ugly. It won't be enough to make people back away from buying the blue-chip stock, but it's always good to remember a social network is no better than the people who populate it. Facebook flirting contributes to an increasing number of divorces. One-third of all divorces in England were caused by Facebook, with people using the site to flirt, post negative comments about exes and just behave badly, showing that everything isn't just behind closed doors anymore -- where it belongs. Facebook: -150 points. Spammers are targeting Facebook and Twitter users more than ever. In the past, when everyone used e-mail, their boxes were full of spam about rapists lying in wait in Target parking lots, gangs getting people to pull over by flashing lights at them and the ever-favorite "this is the worst virus since the beginning of time" warning. But now they're using Facebook to send out the same silliness, with hopes of getting clicks that lead to malware installations. Simple solution? Don't click like a lab monkey looking for a reward! Facebook: -200 points. Florida resident Jacob Jock (and yes, that is his real name, not a Twitter handle) got kicked off a jury for trying to friend an attractive female defendant. He says it's an accident, but he may just have discovered the quickest way to get kicked off a jury. Of course, the next person to try it is likely to get a judge who doesn't want to be a "friend," sending the shyster to jail -- where he'll find a whole new kind of "friend" who won't "like" his "status updates." Facebook: -325 points. An Arizona couple was arrested for tying up their babies with duct tape and putting their photos on Facebook. Now, nobody likes to see tons of photos of their friends' kids -- so what made them think people wanted to see pictures of their tied-up kids? The parents are in jail and the babies are with relatives, who we have to presume don't see anything funny about tying kids with duct tape and putting their pictures online. Facebook: -550 points. Malicious software this week stole thousands of Facebook usernames and passwords. The computer worm, known as Ramnit (yet another name we couldn't make up if we tried) compromised 45,000 sets of Facebook logins. The social media site warned users not to click on strange links, to report suspicious activity on the social network and to become fans of the "Facebook security page" to stay updated. Facebook: -250 points. But Facebook helps people find kidneys, blood matches and all kinds of medical donations, which they may not have found without spreading their message far and wide. In this case, Facebook is really a life saver for many people who otherwise wouldn't get help. Facebook: 600 points. Facebook plans to honor its advertisers with its first annual Facebook Studio Awards, a move that won't only keep the site's ad revenues skyrocketing, but rewards campaigns that encourage social interaction, motivates people to share ads and "take advantage of Facebook's full potential." Facebook is changing the face of traditional advertising, as ads must now become interactive to elicit responses from Facebook users, making them a key component of advertising's success. Facebook: 500 points.The Score: Facebook: -370points What it means: Facebook is a great site, allowing all of us ways to communicate with our current friends and re-connect with people we thought we'd never speak with again. It offers games, videos, music and much more, and it's changed the way we communicate, even getting us to step away from e-mail and use our Facebook accounts instead. However, security may bring trouble in paradise. It's kind of like in "Fantasia", when Mickey Mouse used his magic to get the brooms dancing. It was really cool at first, but then he lost control of those dancing brooms -- and then things got scary. Has Mark Zuckerberg lost control of his magic, too? His site's going up for its first IPO, and suddenly there are some clouds over it. If he can't bring the brooms under control a bit better, people may leave and go somewhere that they can feel safer. And who wants to buy stock when people are leaving? It's time to lock down your site a bit, Facebook. The animals are starting to take over the zoo.
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:29 pm | By
The incident rate for identity theft is rising, as customers choose smartphones for a growing number of activities and the fight against potential hackers gains momentum.
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:14 pm | By
Vice President Joe Biden revealed plans to expand wireless bandwidth, lifting a political barrier to spectrum allocation as the crunch intensifies in the wireless industry.
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 1:08 pm | By
Samsung will partner with Blockbuster for a new streaming video service, as manufacturers race to boost content for connected entertainment systems.
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:46 pm | By
T-Mobile plans to exclusively sell the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G in March for $150 on a two-year contract, continuing the carrier's focus on high-end Android offerings.
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Wed Feb 22, 2012 12:35 pm | By
College basketball's March Madness is crazy fun for fans, but groups offering streaming of the 67 games are taking a new tack this year, debuting a rebranded service that will cost die-hard sports watchers who want to see every game.
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More Phones: New Phones |
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Editorials & Opinion
By Kate Knibbs
Apple CEO Tim Cook apologized for the Foxconn controversy and outlined the tech giant's strategy for the future, while Google ramped up preparations for its expansion into hardware following the approval of its Motorola deal.
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