So... I'm finally on Google+

In my last post about Google+ I was excited to join the site, and I also wondered if the new service would ever replace Facebook. After joining the service, I added people to my circles and finished my profile. Now what? I get that it is in trail mode and that you are supposed to invite your friends through email, but honestly I don't think  it is going to replace Facebook anytime soon. I know that I do not have a big email base because all of my friends are on Facebook and I can message them.

Google+ is a good concept, but the execution is a little bit off. If there was a way to transfer your Facebook friends over, it would be a little bit better. What I really like is that if you start a huddle, you can finish the conversation on your phone kind of like a mass text. But what is the fun of doing this if people are not leaving Facebook to adopt Google+?

All in All, I am pleased. Although, I feel like I will have to wait until they go completely public before this new service blows up. Facebook, beware! Google+ will pick up users left and right, and if you don't keep up, you may end up like MySpace! Rest in Peace!

NOT AGAIN!!! Facebook revamp

I will be the first to admit that I don't care for change. Facebook has yet again, tried to reinvent its self by updating the mobile version and the online newsfeed. Why had Facebook decided to do this? Because everyone complained the last time about how the "Top News" wasn't really what the users wanted to see. The users felt like there was a glitch in the algorithm that decided what stories were posted and which were left off.

I personally like the new changes to the newsfeed. Instead of liking a celebrity, you can actually subscribe to their feed. I feel like this is Facebook's way of competing with Twitter. With the new subscription button, it goes right to your rss feed so that you can make your own version of a newspaper. The updated online version also allows you to put your close friends on their own feed, so you do not miss a minute of what is going on in your circle.

As for the updated mobile version, the only word that comes to mind is FINALLY!! You can now tag people that you are with and put a location on your status! I also like the mobile version because you can see what the person does more easily because it is right next to their picture.

Not all change is bad! Some advice to those who are complaining yet again, just suck it up and get used to it. Facebook is like fashion, it is always evolving and is never finished!

Blog etiquette, rules for the real world

Since I am so far away, and I don't really feel like explaining the same story on the phone to 8 different people, I started a blog about my new life in Orlando and working for Disney. Since I am friends with people from work (and my blog is on Facebook), and since Disney would probably shut my blog down if it was bad or negative. I have come up with a few tips to keep your company, friends, and bosses happy with you and your blogging.

• Some people on the blogosphere do not realize that their blog is public and that some things they write could get you into trouble. People who blog need to mindful of what they are putting on the internet. A good example comes from The Social Network: "The internet's not written in pencil, Mark, it's written in ink. And you published that Erica Albright was a bitch, right before you made some ignorant crack about my family's name, my bra size, and then rated women on their hotness." What people say on their personal time is their business, but when you start writing your true, ugly feelings people get hurt.
• Do not for whatever reason bash your company, your co-workers, your parents or any relationship that you hold dear. Blogs can be searched on Google, Facebook, or any other site, and there are people whose sole job is to search the web and find people bashing the company. If you value what you do, keep your feelings off the web.
• If you have positive feelings, SHARE THEM!!!! People LOVE to be on the internet in a positive light. It is only appropriate to write about people online if you are praising them for being fabulous, or you get their consent. If you aren't sure if you should name them or not, play it safe! Use a code name or describe how you know them.
• Finally, keep it classy and PG. I know in my last post I shared how you can block certain posts from certain people. Same concept applies here. If you are going to talk about people, or break any of these guidelines, just be careful, smart, and be willing to deal with the consequences. 

Friend-ing people from work? Why you should and shouldn't

Why friend-ing people from work may seem like a good idea:

When you move to a new town, step out of your comfort zone, or start any new career you have the need to bond and make new friends. You fall under a false sense of security that the people that you work with care about you and genuinely care about you. This may be true in some cases, but most of the time it is not. You are working for a company with people that want to get ahead of you. In some cases they will even use what you post against you.


Why you should:
Some people are genuine. These aren't the people that you have to worry about. Some people that you will work with will become your close friends out of work. A good rule of thumb is that you should only friend people on Facebook that you have gone out with at least twice. Feel out the situation and do what you think is right. At first, I personally, put the new people on a limited profile and as they earn my trust, work them up to viewing my whole profile. Being in a sorority taught me about keeping it classy on Facebook and keeping my pictures, posts, wall, and general profile PG. This should be a good practice for everyone.


Why you shouldn't:
Some people use others to get ahead at work. People will sit on Facebook waiting for you to screw up so that they can bring it up at work, causing you embarrassment and a loss of respect. Which leads me to my next point: NEVER become friends with your boss. Nine times out of ten you will slip on a post and it could potentially lose you your job!! Again, use your common sense! Feel out your surroundings, get to know people before you let them in, and always use your best judgement online. Never vent about work if you have co-workers as friends. If you do vent, use the appropriate privacy settings! Happy posting!