Do you really like what you "LIKE" on Facebook

From facebook.com

A Facebook Hoax

Facebook.  Most of us use it, I would even bet a large number of you found our blog through Facebook.  Well today when I logged into Facebook, there are a number of post all over my newsfeed was another privacy hoax about Facebook starting to charge for the use of the service.  FYI, if the currency is not in US dollars, dealing with a US (granted multi-national) company, it most likely is a hoax.  Now this is trying to get you to click on a fake link and by now you have people calling out the hoaxes quickly, but it got me thinking about other posts on Facebook

Tugging at your Heart Strings

Images encouraging people to like and share if they love Jesus.  An image of a premature baby, pictures of military troops cuddling puppies.  Anything that's going to kind of tug at the heartstrings: the sick kids, the animal abuse, acting like it's some kind of pet shelter.  All of these post are created to get you to like and or share.  But here is the question that you need to ask, why did someone take the time to create this post?

Many Facebook pages are created with the sole purpose of spreading viral content that will get lots of likes and shares.  Once the page creators have piled up hundreds of thousands of likes and shares, they'll strip the page and promote something else, like products that they get a commission for selling. Or, they may turn around and sell the page through black-market websites to someone who does the same.  They do this to trick Facebook's News Feed algorithm, which is designed to give more value to popular pages than the ones, like scams and spam, that pop up overnight.  Thats why your post don’t always show up in chronological order.  The more likes and shares and comments and that sort of thing you have, the more likely it is to be seen by other people ( so make sure your like The Tech Ninja Blog Facebook page and this post).  

If you see a post like this, that seems to be focused only on gaining traffic, hover over the top-right corner of the post and click the arrow to report it.

Favorite Online Tools Part 3-1

     

     What a way to end the day.  It’s a new night, so I thought that I would highlight another online tool to use.   I know that everyone has their own favorite online tools that they like using.  There are so many out there that there are often ones that get forgotten about, or left out because there is not enough time during the day, so I thought that I would highlight some of the ones that are most useful in the classroom and other places. 

            So last night I introduced you to http://www.classtools.net/ .  Tonight I want to highlight one of my favorite resources on there.  Twister.  No, not the game, but a fake tweet generator.  http://www.classtools.net/twister/You plug in a person’s name, give them a nickname, pick a time (or date) and then you are able to make up your own date.  Now, it use the name you picked and find a picture from the internet that you use as your profile picture.  After first, this may not seem like a helpful tool, but using it for history projects.  Imagine using this to tweet our Caesar’s conquest of the Gaul’s from his point of view.  Students would really need to understand his point of view and events that happened to complete the project. 

Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog and now subscribe to our YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzFJ-VbCBBNKqu5sWH8KDg. 

Favorite Online Tools Part 3-2

     

     What a way to end the day.  It’s a new night, so I thought that I would highlight another online tool to use.   I know that everyone has their own favorite online tools that they like using.  There are so many out there that there are often ones that get forgotten about, or left out because there is not enough time during the day, so I thought that I would highlight some of the ones that are most useful in the classroom and other places. 

So two nights ago I introduced you to http://www.classtools.net/ .  Tonight I want to highlight another one of my favorite resources on there.  Fakebook.  http://www.classtools.net/fb/home/page .  Don’t worry, I didn’t spell it wrong.  Similar to the Twister http://www.classtools.net/twister/ it lets you create  a fact social network account, similar to a Facebook account.  Students see how much it looks like Facebook and they are immediately drawn to it, because it is not your average school activity, but something closer to what they would be doing at home. 

Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog and now subscribe to our YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzFJ-VbCBBNKqu5sWH8KDg. 

This weeks Tech Rumors- Ninja Style

Image by Hector Gomez

Google Buying fiber network in Provo Utah.

     This isn’t really a rumor, but it did catch my attention because Google is expanding their Google Fiber program and I am insanely jealous of those people in Provo who now get this wonderful service.  To help with the expansion Google bought a Provo fiber company and they only  paid only a dollar for it (value 39 million)  Best part of Google Fiber is its $30 for installation then free for the next 7 years.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because access is the largest limiting factor for technology now.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_GOOGLE_FIBER_UTAH?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-04-18-17-08-16

Siri keeps your data for how long?

      I always get a kick out of these privacy stories, because people get so worked up at certain companies.  I look at it like freebies you sign up for, there is a reason why they ask for your name and address and it isn’t to send you the freebie.  They sell all that info.  If there is a company you don’t want to have your info, don’t use that product.    But back to Siri, they will keep your info for up to two years.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because what Tech Ninja doesn’t love Apple products?

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2013/04/siri-two-years/

Next Xbox May 21??

      I am not an Xbox guy, I never was.  I use to be a PlayStation Guy, now I am a IPad and computer gaming type of guy, yet I am interested in the new Xbox that may or may not be announced on May 21^st.  Why?  Microsoft has said that they want the new Xbox to be the centerpiece of the home entertainment center.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because this is just the first step to have a truly usable and affordable Smart House. 

http://www.theverge.com/2013/4/8/4195954/microsoft-planning-xbox-event-for-may

Twitter #music

     Twitter is released their own music service.  Do you get the whole song?  No, but it integrates nicely with other music service and iTunes.  Music is one of the most shareable experiences out there.  I have never met someone who has heard a great song and tried to keep it all for themselves.  Plus its Twitter, while Facebook gets all the press, I see Twitter being the social network that is still around in ten years, not Facebook, twitter is more than social, its news and information and it and the desire for that will never stop.  Why is this so important to a Tech Ninja, because Ninjas love to rock out.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1112825723/twitter-music-app-out-now-iphone-web-041813/

Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog  and now subscribe to our YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzFJ-VbCBBNKqu5sWH8KDg. 

The Tech Ninja Weekly Round Up

Image by Hector Gomez

A stopwatch for the masses @ Online Stopwatch

Have Betty White read you a story with Storyline Online

Need some cool tools for your classroom? Check out Classtools.net

What would George Washington tweet, tell us using twister

What about GW’s Facebook file, Fakebook will let use decide

Will the Leap Motion disappoint?

Thinglink interactive images to use with your students

Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog  and now subscribe to our YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzFJ-VbCBBNKqu5sWH8KDg. 

Social Media Shyness

by Sofiaperesoa

     Why does social media not bring out shyness like public speaking will?  I find this to be true for both students and adults, ask them to speak or explain something in front of a group and you have never seen students so quiet or nervous giggles.  Yet they will post pictures of silly moments in their lives.  They tweet about stupid things they have done, or share their inner most thoughts through quotes.   I know they think it anonymous when they post something online, but those post get out to more people who if anything would judge them more harshly then people would in person.  I don’t know if there is ways we can help our students overcome this shyness easily, but I think it is something we need to try to do.

     Don’t forget that besides from just following the blog you can like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thetechninjablog/111528315703424, follow us on Twitter @Tech_Ninja_Blog and now subscribe to our YouTube channel  http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYzFJ-VbCBBNKqu5sWH8KDg.