Location-Based Platforms: They Know Where You are!

Location-based social media sites were a huge hit in 2010. Now not so much, because people are now realizing the dangers that are associated with letting the world know your exact location.

Mark Evans, from socialmediatoday.com never really gives specific reasons why using location-based social media is bad, though after I read his article I noticed a danger that I would have missed. Mark see’s no benefit in checking in everywhere you go every single day because, you are putting more information out in the open than you should. I can see the perspective he has on this, putting too much information on the Internet is like putting an ad out asking for someone to rob you blind. However, he does say that an app like Yelp is helpful on a need basis if you are in a new town and don’t know where the best place is for lunch. 

This article, though somewhat convincing, may not make you want to delete your Foursquare account. However, I still believe it is important to be aware of the dangers associated with location-based social media.

On the site sociallyactive.com, Amy Kelly writes about the dangers of using sites like Foursquare or Whrrl that are similar to that of Mark Evans. Constantly checking in to these sites leaves a virtual trail of bread crumbs so anyone can find where you are and follow you, in other words you are asking for creepy stalkers. Amy continues on by saying that it may cause you to run into people that you would rather not run into. Still don’t believe her? Go check your privacy settings on your account and see what you have set. Posting your exact location on the internet is not completely safe. However, as businesses jump on this social media bandwagon where they offer discounts if you check in, these sites will become more used.

Checking in on social media everywhere you go has its definite disadvantages. The important thing to learn from this is that all things are fine in moderation. 

Social Media Platforms ... What's Next?

Social Media Platforms have dominated how many individuals, groups, and organizations communicate and share information with each other. You know what I’m talking about- Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and many others have truly made the world a smaller place to live in.

The question that comes to mind is “What’s next?” Technology has advanced at such a rate that it has almost reached our wildest imaginations… almost.

Looking around the Internet you will find a variety of opinions on what they think will be the next innovation in social media. It really depends on what features you deem most important or if you are one who always wants “the latest and greatest.”

An article posted on socialmediatoday.com gives us insight on some new social media platforms that may be next to step into the spotlight. First, Friendica is not technically a social media site. However, it allows you to compile Facebook, Twitter and other sites into one convenient location. In addition, for those individuals who are worried about privacy settings, this site allows you to create your own. No corporate owns Friendica so any user can change the software to what he or she likes. Second, Cellufun is a social media site that was meant for mobile devices from its inception. This site excites me because I check my Facebook on my phone more than I do on an actual desktop computer or laptop. Cellufun combines gaming and chat among other features to entertain you when you are waiting in line at a theatre or if you are just on break and want to relax your brain a little bit.

What really caught my attention is a new social media site that has made its way on to the Internet. Pheed.com according to Forbes has become a direct competitor to Twitter. Pheed has taken sharing information to a whole new level. It puts the user in complete control of the information they put on the site; you can charge people to view your information. You can let people view your information for free but if you charge, Pheed takes half the revenue; this covers costs of keeping up the site and also goes into revenue. This new player in the social media market seems to be full of promise as more celebrities join the site but the question remains if it will rise up or crash like other sites that have tried to enter the social media market.

Aaron Swartz... Remember that name.

I have to be honest, before today I really had no idea who Aaron Swartz was. As I began to research this man I received a mixture of results, nevertheless, most of them either mentioned “his accomplishments” or “his prosecution”.  My first thought is “What kind of person was he?” This led me into further research.

In an article on CNN, Swartz is described through the statements from executives of other companies; so many people in the technology field praised him. Reading this article I also learned the break through he made in the field of technology with RSS feeds and also his company Reddit but also it gave me insight into the personality of this guy who started a company and sold it by the time he turned 21 years of age. He was someone who wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries that were set, bring an idea/product to the world that became a major player in how we share information today.

Matt Mullenweg, founder of WordPress, is quoted in the article describing Aaron as one who, “inspired a generation to share online, to move to (San Francisco), to not be afraid to start things, and to break down barriers." This gave me a solid foundation in thinking he was a good individual, but I had to know more about him.

His philosophy when it came to the Internet was that information was meant to be free flowing. Seems harmless right?

His prosecution of taking scholarly papers from MIT intrigued me greatly especially after hearing CNN give him an overall positive review.

After doing a Google search on the case, I got answers that ranged from he is a criminal computer hacker to someone wrongly accused of using a network that is not closed to the public. Keep in mind that these people range from the prosecutors to news writers to bloggers with an opinion.

My thought was did anyone ask what his intent was or his motivation for downloading those scholarly papers? I believe this will give some great insight into if he is a criminal or not. He was just living his philosophy, mentioned above, and to be told that’s wrong raises questions within itself?

My opinion, Aaron Swartz gave us tools that we use daily. Some people and companies might not be able to function without RSS feeds. It comes down to whom you want to believe.

In summary, I believe that a man should be remembered by his accomplishments and contributions and not his mistakes.