Deleting my FaceBook Account now!

[RAV TUX]

First there was the news that Microsoft bought a stake in FaceBook ads, & I thought I would hold out for a while, but now after the Beacon software fiasco on Facebook...

I am deleting my FaceBook Account now!

[Kingsley]

I am checking the status of my friends on FaceBook now!

[zachtib]

First there was the news that Microsoft bought a stake in FaceBook ads, & I thought I would hold out for a while, but now after the Beacon software fiasco on Facebook...

I am deleting my FaceBook Account now!

i just stripped a lot of personal stuff out of my account and left most of my groups.

the problem is so many of my friends use it to communicate, so i'm keeping my account solely for messaging

[RAV TUX]

First there was the news that Microsoft bought a stake in FaceBook ads, & I thought I would hold out for a while, but now after the Beacon software fiasco on Facebook...

I am deleting my FaceBook Account now!FaceBook Account Deactivated.

http://www.cafelinux.org/OptickleArt/albums/userpics/normal_deactivating_Facebook.png (http://www.cafelinux.org/OptickleArt/albums/userpics/deactivating_Facebook.png)

http://www.cafelinux.org/OptickleArt/albums/userpics/normal_Deactivated_Facebook.png (http://www.cafelinux.org/OptickleArt/albums/userpics/Deactivated_Facebook.png)

[LookTJ]

cool I deactivated mine as well :D

[RAV TUX]

i just stripped a lot of personal stuff out of my account and left most of my groups.

the problem is so many of my friends use it to communicate, so i'm keeping my account solely for messaging

My facebook friends can just jabber me at: ravtux@CafeLinux.org or Chat with me on gmail.
(btw anybody is welcome to sign up for a Jabber account on the CafeLinux.org Jabber Server, see the link in my Sig.)

Also I like StumbleUpon much better then Facebook/MySpace.

[frup]

Why not just remove all the personal information and sign up for all the Ubuntu and Linux groups etc?

[Rhubarb]

Deactivating your facebook account != deleting your facebook account.
So even though it may be invisible to the outside internet, your facebook details are still retained on the server, all the details.

If you wish to actually delete your facebook account, you need to contact facebook.
http://hughmcguire.net/2007/07/24/deleting-a-facebook-account/

Please note that facebook actually owns what ever content you upload to them.
If you have a myspace account, you will face similar problems to those encountered with facebook.

I wonder how many people have actually read the EULA agreement when signing up to social websites?

[LookTJ]

My facebook friends can just jabber me at: ravtux@CafeLinux.org or Chat with me on gmail.
(btw anybody is welcome to sign up for a Jabber account on the CafeLinux.org Jabber Server, see the link in my Sig.)

Also I like StumbleUpon much better then Facebook/MySpace.Dude, you get so many jabber ids and don't use them for some reason ;) just wondering why?

[RAV TUX]

Dude, you get so many jabber ids and don't use them for some reason ;) just wondering why?
Mainly because I uninstall and reinstall my OS so often I often don't have the time to reactivate them all the time.

[sloggerkhan]

i just stripped a lot of personal stuff out of my account and left most of my groups.

the problem is so many of my friends use it to communicate, so i'm keeping my account solely for messaging

Yeah, I pretty much have done the same thing.

[RAV TUX]

Why not just remove all the personal information and sign up for all the Ubuntu and Linux groups etc?

If it has anything to do with Facebook or Myspace I am not interested.


Deactivating your facebook account != deleting your facebook account.
So even though it may be invisible to the outside internet, your facebook details are still retained on the server, all the details.

Thats OK because all that is left is bogusbsaccount details.

literally even my email is set to my bogusbsaccount@rock.com email ;)

[init1]

My facebook friends can just jabber me at: ravtux@CafeLinux.org or Chat with me on gmail.
(btw anybody is welcome to sign up for a Jabber account on the CafeLinux.org Jabber Server, see the link in my Sig.)

Also I like StumbleUpon much better then Facebook/MySpace.
Just got a Jabber account. :D

[RAV TUX]

Just got a Jabber account. :D
Awesome I'll install gajim so I can add you as a contact.

the @CafeLinux.org Jabber server is very, very awesome!

[init1]

Awesome I'll install gajim so I can add you as a contact.

the @CafeLinux.org Jabber server is very, very awesome!
Nice, I'm running it in Meebo right now.
http://www.meebo.com/

[RAV TUX]

Nice, I'm running it in Meebo right now.
http://www.meebo.com/Cool! I have you added as a contact now! ;)

[tcpip4lyfe]

I have all fake information in mine. I find facebook to be handy as hell. Keeps me informed of my candidate via groups, I can send links to my friends, I talk to people in other states that have long since moved away. If only they would get rid of the apps...

[RAV TUX]

I have all fake information in mine. I find facebook to be handy as hell. Keeps me informed of my candidate via groups, I can send links to my friends, I talk to people in other states that have long since moved away. If only they would get rid of the apps...Actually I find Facebook pretty useless, I find Jabber, gmail, stumbleupon and even PokerTh better.

PokerTh is the coolest way to keep in touch with Linux geeks all over the world while playing Texas hold em.

[FuturePilot]

Sorry, maybe I missed something but what is this "fiasco" on Facebook?

[markp1989]

i deleted my facebook today aswell, but not because of your reasons, just because i found it to stalker friendly , call me paranoid but i didnt like it when every move i make on face book got told to my contact list

[RAV TUX]

Sorry, maybe I missed something but what is this "fiasco" on Facebook?

...

Protests force Facebook to change
Facebook members have forced the social networking site to change the way a controversial ad system worked. More than 50,000 Facebook users signed a petition calling on the company to alter or abandon its Beacon advertising technology.
When Facebook users shopped online, Beacon told friends and businesses what they looked at or bought.
Many considered the data sharing to be an intrusion that exposed them to more scrutiny than was comfortable.
Privacy please
In response to the demands, Facebook's 55 million members will have more control over whether data about what they do online is used for Beacon.
Before the changes, Beacon was an "opt out" system and many complained that they missed the chance to avoid using it when it was introduced in early November.
Now Beacon will be an "opt in" system that only tracks data if explicit permission is granted to Facebook to do so.
More than 40 websites, including Fandango.com, Overstock.com and Blockbuster, signed up to use Beacon software on their webpages and report what Facebook users did when they visited.


Activist site MoveOn was at the forefront of protests against Beacon and set up the petition to gather signatures on 20 November. "It also says a lot about the ability of internet users to band together to make a difference," said Adam Green, a spokesman for MoveOn.
Facebook apologised for its actions via a letter on its website.
"We're sorry if we spoiled some of your holiday gift-giving plans," read the letter. "We are really trying to provide you with new meaningful ways, like Beacon, to help you connect and share information with your friends."
Industry commentator Om Malik said Facebook users had to be certain to opt out completely from Beacon otherwise Facebook would still collect data from partner sites - even if that data was not shared more widely.
The changes to Beacon may not be the last that Facebook has to make to the technology.
Two rights groups, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and the Center for Digital Democracy, are believed to be compiling a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission about it.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/technology/7120916.stm

Published: 2007/11/30 13:09:50 GMT
Facebook founder apology over ads
The founder of social networking site Facebook Mark Zuckerberg has apologised to users for the way it launched a social advertising system. Called Beacon, the system tracks web shopping on partner sites outside Facebook and then sells adverts to the social network based on purchases.
After complaints the site was invading privacy, Facebook changed Beacon from an opt-out system to opt in.
Mr Zuckerberg has said users can now switch off Beacon completely.
Meanwhile, the UK's National Consumer Council (NCC) has warned that children need to be better protected from "opaque commercial practices" on some of the most popular websites.
The council has said children are being exposed to advertising on websites that they would not see around their favourite TV programmes because of strict regulation.
A quarter of adverts on children's best-loved sites are aimed at adults - such as gambling and dating services, the NCC found.
"Parents should be aware that the internet is highly commercial. Every hour that a child spends in front of the computer is like letting them run loose in a shopping centre," said Ed Mayo, chief executive of the NCC.
Facebook is one the most popular social networks in the world, and has more than 50 million members.
In a statement posted on the Facebook blog, Mr Zuckerberg said: "We've made a lot of mistakes building this feature, but we've made even more with how we've handled them.
"We simply did a bad job with this release, and I apologise for it."
He added: "I'm not proud of the way we've handled this situation and I know we can do better."
More than 50,000 Facebook users signed a petition complaining about Beacon. Initially, Facebook said it would not offer users a universal opt-out from Beacon.
Concerted pressure
The company relented after concerted pressure from privacy advocates and leading technology writers in the blogosphere.
But some writers have questioned whether the switch-off option goes far enough.
Om Malik has questioned if turning off Beacon merely prevents advertisers and Facebook "storing" purchase information.
If so, he wrote on his website, information from purchases could still be swapped in real time.



The controversy shows that consumers want to be in control of how their information is to be used
Nate Elliott, Jupiter Research
The Facebook apology highlights a growing debate surrounding privacy and advertising in the online space.
Many privacy advocates are concerned about the use of "web beacons" to monitor the surfing habits of users and to what use that information is put by websites and advertisers.
Facebook's system raised concern with some users because it meant friends could see which websites and which products they were buying online.
The adverts were presented as personal recommendations to users because people in their friends' list were, in effect, endorsing brands and products by purchasing items.
More than 40 companies, including Coca Cola, Blockbuster and Sony Pictures, signed up to Beacon when launched.
Nate Elliott, a senior analyst at Jupiter Research, said Facebook had "taken things too far".
"The controversy shows that consumers want to be in control of how their information is to be used. These are people who are clearly comfortable about putting a lot of personal information online but they want to be in control of who they share this with."
He added: "Facebook has taken too much of the control away from users."
Mr Elliott said Facebook could still salvage something from Beacon.
"There's a pretty good chance there is something interesting here still for advertisers. This has caused a tremendous stir but users still have to opt out.
"You are not going to see many people opting out, either because they don't know or don't care about the issue."
He added: "Other social networks will have been paying very clear attention to this and learning some lessons."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/technology/7130349.stm

Published: 2007/12/06 16:29:01 GMT

[FuturePilot]

Thanks RAV TUX ;)
I was actually going to get a Facebook account, but maybe not anymore :shock:

[RAV TUX]

Thanks RAV TUX ;)
I was actually going to get a Facebook account, but maybe not anymore :shock:Try StumbleUpon instead:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/138

[FuturePilot]

Try StumbleUpon instead:

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/138

Yes, I actually do have a StumbleUpon account. Gives me some good laughs sometimes.

[Sir Nose]

Please note that facebook actually owns what ever content you upload to them.
If you have a myspace account, you will face similar problems to those encountered with facebook.

I wonder how many people have actually read the EULA agreement when signing up to social websites?

Is this true? For instance, if I attach a file to a friend in private message, the file becomes Facebook's propertty? I'm a bit shaky on these legal issues.

[n3tfury]

lol, social networking sites. if you didn't see this coming, you got what was coming to you.

[koleoptero]

I suddenly feel better that I avoided all the invitations from friends to create accounts on social networks... The good old "ask me if you want to know something" works better for me.

[oldb0y]

I suddenly feel better that I avoided all the invitations from friends to create accounts on social networks... The good old "ask me if you want to know something" works better for me.

I must agree with you:)
I never felt the urge to join these places...

[shafin]

I must agree with you:)
I never felt the urge to join these places...
I joined and found some old friends there,but I've been cautious about the data,one site has my birth date at 1920 :D

[blueturtl]

You can avoid beacon by installing the BlockSite Extension (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3145) and blocking all beacon related URLs (http://www.wikihow.com/Block-Facebook-Beacon).

Took me less than 5 minutes to do this.

[Kernel Sanders]

i deleted my facebook today aswell, but not because of your reasons, just because i found it to stalker friendly , call me paranoid but i didnt like it when every move i make on face book got told to my contact list

That's a ridiculous statement. "Stalker Friendly"? You have got to be kidding me?

Your facebook account can be locked down with privacy protection if you so choose.

Complaining about facebook privacy is like complaining that Ubuntu is insecure while deliberately running as Admin all the time.

Facebook is only as "stalker friendly" as its users are inept at accepting friend requests, and modifying their own privacy settings.

[crisnoh]

I don't really feel like there is anything to worry about. Facebook doesn't have my credit card number, so I don't feel like I have anything to be scared of. I've had personal information on my page for a while now and haven't at any point gotten an influx of telemarketers calling or or junk in my mail box.

[justin whitaker]

I'm keeping my face book account. There is nothing there that is really private, and all the hoo-ha about ads, datamining, and the like seem to be oblivious to the whole idea of social sites.

That's the whole point, isn't it? Pandora, for example, mines my preferences, and finds things that I would probably like to listen to. Linked in allows me to extend my personal network by exploring the network 1-3 degrees of separation from me.

You give up some personal data, and hopefully the value you get back is worth the loss of some privacy. If it isn't, then that site is not for you, delete the account and move on.

But to complain that the site is doing something that it should be doing because that's what you signed up for...well, that's just naive.

[Tomosaur]

Easy - don't put personal information on the web. The whole POINT of Facebook is to allow people to see what you're up to, surely? If you don't like it, then don't sign up in the first place.

As for adverts and such - who cares? Do you even look at adverts? I doubt it - I know I never did. I installed Adblock so I wouldn't accidentally mouse-over those annoying 'HELLOOOOOO' adverts, but I have never looked at an advert and clicked on it, except by accident.

[Black Mage]

I'm lost, why is everyone deactiving there accounts?

[Lord_Dicranius]

I'm lost, why is everyone deactiving there accounts?
Did you read the thread at all?

[Black Mage]

Simple Solution, DON"T BUY PORN.

I mean, who still actually buys porn when you can dl it for free.

And don't buy whips, chains, handcuffs and *****'s online. Just go to the store and get it. Besides that, you shouldn't have much to worry about if people know what you buy online...

[Lord_Dicranius]

Different ppl are embarrassed about different things. While one person is embarrassed about ppl knowing they buy chains/whips/etc, other might be embarrassed if their friends know that they read romantic novels. Or what about if somebody purchases a gift for somebody online?

[christhemonkey]

I dont tend to buy stuff online so i dont really mind too much.

Plus with adblock no annoying ads at all.



So therefore, my fb stays! :D

[daynah]

Simple Solution, DON"T BUY PORN.

I mean, who still actually buys porn when you can dl it for free.

And don't buy whips, chains, handcuffs and *****'s online. Just go to the store and get it. Besides that, you shouldn't have much to worry about if people know what you buy online...

Er no. There are two points being made here.

Rav Tux (if you'll let me speak on your behalf) doesn't want to support Microsoft. Every time you load a facebook page, you give Microsoft money. You're just handing it to them.

I do not like (and I'm currently debating whether to leave FB due to this point) that facebook will soon be using our "likes" as recommendations. For example, I put on my profile that I like Doctor Who, so facebook will put a "Daynah recommends you buy Doctor Who."

No, no, no. Bad Facebook. I did not say that. I recommend you give a big F U to the BBC, and walk over to my house, and I will burn you some Doctor Who. Do NOT be putting words into my mouth, you filthy Facebook pigs (though I'm a bit hypocritical having just did this to Rav Tux. I do hope it's alright!).

But I have this need to have friends. :( Anyone wanna make an open source friendly social networking site? :D The less moral people in this threat (hey, I'm included in that group!) can advertise through facebook. ;)

[justin whitaker]

But I have this need to have friends. :( Anyone wanna make an open source friendly social networking site? :D The less moral people in this threat (hey, I'm included in that group!) can advertise through facebook. ;)

Isn't there one already? If not, I would be into coding that.

[Lord_Dicranius]

I know there's an Ubuntu social networking site (http://ubuntero.org/), but I haven't heard of just an "open source" one not geared towards a distro or something of the sort.

[EmilyRose]

I have accounts at both myspace and facebook, but I don't use them very much and have toyed with deleting them in the past... I wish there was a social networking site that was written in Open Source and didn't sell our info to big corporations...

Does anybody know anything about Orkut??

[justin whitaker]

So, basically, there is a need for an open source version of facebook/myspace?

How does the cost of the servers get paid? Donation? Subscription?

I'm willing to do the work, not go into bankruptcy! :)

[igknighted]

Facebook /is/ very open. They support and use lots of open source software. See here:

http://developers.facebook.com/opensource.php

and

http://mirror.facebook.com/

[EmilyRose]

Right. But they also sell your info to advertisers, and microsoft gets a big chunk too. And I'm just not cool with that!

[fatality_uk]

People seemed surprised that FaceBook a)got into bed with MS and b) can sell your data!

From http://www.facebook.com/terms.php


When you post User Content to the Site, you authorize and direct us to make such copies thereof as we deem necessary in order to facilitate the posting and storage of the User Content on the Site. By posting User Content to any part of the Site, you automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant, to the Company an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to use, copy, publicly perform, publicly display, reformat, translate, excerpt (in whole or in part) and distribute such User Content for any purpose, commercial, advertising, or otherwise, on or in connection with the Site or the promotion thereof, to prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such User Content, and to grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing.

So lets say I post a "great" idea on FaceBook for a GREAT new AMAZING product, the "next" iPhone for instance. Bang there go ALL your rights
Needless to say I do NOT have a FaceBook / MySpace or next "big" social, MASSIVE data collection exercise account

[RAV TUX]

Er no. There are two points being made here.

Rav Tux (if you'll let me speak on your behalf) doesn't want to support Microsoft. Every time you load a facebook page, you give Microsoft money. You're just handing it to them.

I do not like (and I'm currently debating whether to leave FB due to this point) that facebook will soon be using our "likes" as recommendations. For example, I put on my profile that I like Doctor Who, so facebook will put a "Daynah recommends you buy Doctor Who."

No, no, no. Bad Facebook. I did not say that. I recommend you give a big F U to the BBC, and walk over to my house, and I will burn you some Doctor Who. Do NOT be putting words into my mouth, you filthy Facebook pigs (though I'm a bit hypocritical having just did this to Rav Tux. I do hope it's alright!).

But I have this need to have friends. :( Anyone wanna make an open source friendly social networking site? :D The less moral people in this threat (hey, I'm included in that group!) can advertise through facebook. ;)


Isn't there one already? If not, I would be into coding that.


I have accounts at both myspace and facebook, but I don't use them very much and have toyed with deleting them in the past... I wish there was a social networking site that was written in Open Source and didn't sell our info to big corporations...




So, basically, there is a need for an open source version of facebook/myspace?

How does the cost of the servers get paid? Donation? Subscription?

I'm willing to do the work, not go into bankruptcy! :)


This is a great idea!!!!

We have a dedicated server with IPv6 and Jabber server that is powered by Ubuntu Server 7.10 with practically unlimited bandwidth, if there are people committed to coding an open source, Linux & GNU freindly social website at CafeLinux.org lets do it!

http://cafelinux.org/home/

If anyone here is serious and has the time, know how and dedication we can set this up on CafeLinux.org

e-mail me at: ravtux AT gmail DOT com & or post here.

[yabbadabbadont]

Sometimes a tinfoil hat is the appropriate attire...

(Don't surf the web without one ;))

[RAV TUX]

Sometimes a tinfoil hat is the appropriate attire...

(Don't surf the web without one ;))No TinFoil hat it is needed it is more basic and simple.

It is a matter of living an authentic life and standing up for basic principles you believe in.

[RAV TUX]

No TinFoil hat it is needed it is more basic and simple.

It is a matter of living an authentic life and standing up for basic principles you believe in.

On a much lighter note: this (http://www.stevenmansour.com/writings/2007/jul/23/2342/2504_steps_to_closing_your_facebook_account) is hilarious and somewhat informative. ;)

[justin whitaker]

This is a great idea!!!!

We have a dedicated server with IPv6 and Jabber server that is powered by Ubuntu Server 7.10 with practically unlimited bandwidth, if there are people committed to coding an open source, Linux & GNU freindly social website at CafeLinux.org lets do it!

http://cafelinux.org/home/

If anyone here is serious and has the time, know how and dedication we can set this up on CafeLinux.org

e-mail me at: ravtux AT gmail DOT com & or post here.

Email sent. Let's get this going.

[shafin]

Email sent. Let's get this going.
We are waiting. I just hope the ubuntu of social networking is born here:)

[shafin]

We are waiting. I just hope the ubuntu of social networking is born here:)
BTW,those of you who have ditches facebook,tough luck,seems like beacon wont desert you soon.


However, in the past week, CA security researcher Stefan Berteau (http://www.pcworld.com/tags/Stefan+Berteau.html) stunned many when he reported that Beacon tracks all users in these external sites, including logged-off and former Facebook members and even non-Facebook members, and sends data back to Facebook. He also found that logged-in Facebook users who declined having their actions broadcast to their friends still had their data sent to Facebook.


If a user has ever checked the option for Facebook to "remember me" -- which saves the user from having to log on to the site upon every return to it -- Facebook can tie his activities on third-party Beacon sites directly to him, even if he's logged off and has opted out of the broadcast, Berteau reported in his first note (http://community.ca.com/blogs/securityadvisor/archive/2007/11/29/facebook-s-misrepresentation-of-beacon-s-threat-to-privacy-tracking-users-who-opt-out-or-are-not-logged-in.aspx) on Beacon.


Berteau has said that it's particularly concerning that people aren't informed that data on their activities at these sites is flowing back to Facebook, nor given the option to block that information from being transmitted.
More than 40 Web sites have signed up for Beacon, although not all have implemented the system. Non-Facebook activities that can be broadcast to one's Facebook friends include purchasing a product, signing up for a service and including an item on a wish list.


Source (http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,140385-pg,1/article.html)

[RAV TUX]

Email sent. Let's get this going.
reponse email sent...I look forward to CafeLinux.org in going head to head in competition with FaceBook and MySpace!

[n3tfury]

a bit ambitious, but good luck.

[Rhubarb]

Is this true? For instance, if I attach a file to a friend in private message, the file becomes Facebook's propertty? I'm a bit shaky on these legal issues.

Sorry Sir Nose, I got it a bit wrong with facebook's user content policy.


When you post User Content to the Site, you authorize and direct us to make such copies thereof as we deem necessary in order to facilitate the posting and storage of the User Content on the Site. By posting User Content to any part of the Site, you automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant, to the Company an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to use, copy, publicly perform, publicly display, reformat, translate, excerpt (in whole or in part) and distribute such User Content for any purpose, commercial, advertising, or otherwise, on or in connection with the Site or the promotion thereof, to prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such User Content, and to grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing. You may remove your User Content from the Site at any time. If you choose to remove your User Content, the license granted above will automatically expire, however you acknowledge that the Company may retain archived copies of your User Content. Facebook does not assert any ownership over your User Content; rather, as between us and you, subject to the rights granted to us in these Terms, you retain full ownership of all of your User Content and any intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights associated with your User Content.

[K.Mandla]

Glad I never got into that stuff.

[fatality_uk]

In the EULA, it's quite clear.


By posting User Content to any part of the Site... even private messages and attachments become the property of FaceBook to do with as they want!

Wonder how many people are now slapping there forehead and saying "DOH!"

[Sir Nose]

In the EULA, it's quite clear.

even private messages and attachments become the property of FaceBook to do with as they want!

Wonder how many people are now slapping there forehead and saying "DOH!"

If you write an url pointing to a file into a private message, Facebook automatically downloads the file, and thus making it their property.! That's awfully nasty. I'm seriously thinking of leaving the site.

[fatality_uk]

That's not "quite" right. If you upload the file the their servers, they have the right to use that. If the file is linked to off-site hosting, they can't "LEGALLY" take control / ownership of that file.

People seem to have this misguided impression that facebook is still somehow run by a geeky kid in glasses in his back bedroom with a couple of servers and a smattering of web design. It isn't. It is a HUGE data mining factory with BIG server capacity.

Over 55 million users, all sending faceBook data. All allowing faceBook to hold whatever information they provide. Lets say each user, averaged out, has a couple of MB there. 110,000,000 MB of data! Not quite Google size, but not bad for, what 3 or so years!

[justin whitaker]

That's not "quite" right. If you upload the file the their servers, they have the right to use that. If the file is linked to off-site hosting, they can't "LEGALLY" take control / ownership of that file.

People seem to have this misguided impression that facebook is still somehow run by a geeky kid in glasses in his back bedroom with a couple of servers and a smattering of web design. It isn't. It is a HUGE data mining factory with BIG server capacity.

Over 55 million users, all sending faceBook data. All allowing faceBook to hold whatever information they provide. Lets say each user, averaged out, has a couple of MB there. 110,000,000 MB of data! Not quite Google size, but not bad for, what 3 or so years!

I think the idea is not "overnight success" but "we have to start somewhere",

[Pekkalainen]

When you post User Content to the Site, you authorize and direct us to make such copies thereof as we deem necessary in order to facilitate the posting and storage of the User Content on the Site. By posting User Content to any part of the Site, you automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant, to the Company an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to use, copy, publicly perform, publicly display, reformat, translate, excerpt (in whole or in part) and distribute such User Content for any purpose, commercial, advertising, or otherwise, on or in connection with the Site or the promotion thereof, to prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such User Content, and to grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing. You may remove your User Content from the Site at any time. If you choose to remove your User Content, the license granted above will automatically expire, however you acknowledge that the Company may retain archived copies of your User Content. Facebook does not assert any ownership over your User Content; rather, as between us and you, subject to the rights granted to us in these Terms, you retain full ownership of all of your User Content and any intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights associated with your User Content.

Would it bother people terribly to actually READ what it says???
As always you should be careful about what you post on the internet but please stop spreading all this FUD when the facts dont back them up.

[maniacmusician]

When you post User Content to the Site, you authorize and direct us to make such copies thereof as we deem necessary in order to facilitate the posting and storage of the User Content on the Site. By posting User Content to any part of the Site, you automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant, to the Company an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to use, copy, publicly perform, publicly display, reformat, translate, excerpt (in whole or in part) and distribute such User Content for any purpose, commercial, advertising, or otherwise, on or in connection with the Site or the promotion thereof, to prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such User Content, and to grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing. You may remove your User Content from the Site at any time. If you choose to remove your User Content, the license granted above will automatically expire, however you acknowledge that the Company may retain archived copies of your User Content. Facebook does not assert any ownership over your User Content; rather, as between us and you, subject to the rights granted to us in these Terms, you retain full ownership of all of your User Content and any intellectual property rights or other proprietary rights associated with your User Content.

So while you still may retain ownership of the content, you are also giving them a license to use it however they want, which is almost as good as giving them ownership. And you can always take it down and have the license expire, but Facebook will still keep the content archived on their servers.

[Pekkalainen]

So while you still may retain ownership of the content, you are also giving them a license to use it however they want, which is almost as good as giving them ownership. And you can always take it down and have the license expire, but Facebook will still keep the content archived on their servers.

This is a deal you do on ALL sites of this kind. Why single out Facebook?

[RAV TUX]

This is a deal you do on ALL sites of this kind. Why single out Facebook?

Whose singling them out? They are lumped together right up there with MySpace.

Like a two headed perverted twisted dog from hell, MySpace and Facebook are two heads that share the same body.

With out being so philosophically illustratively dramatic, they both are doing things that are questionable, ethically and morally. It doesn't help that Windows is involved. In this world you have to be careful who you go to bed with.

I look forward to Justin Whitaker's development of a "Free Social" website at CafeLinux.org, for an alternative that will be the right choice in the social networking wasteland.

[Pekkalainen]

With out being so philosophically illustratively dramatic, they both are doing things that are questionable, ethically and morally. It doesn't help that Windows is involved. In this world you have to be careful who you go to bed with.

I look forward to Justin Whitaker's development of a "Free Social" website at CafeLinux.org, for an alternative that will be the right choice in the social networking wasteland.

I look forward to seeing how a free-as-in-freedom site will solve the legal problems that comes with not having that perticular part in the EULA. Sure he can promise not to use information for evil (a very relative term) but he still needs the users concent to be able to legally have pictures and other info on the site otherwise it will be rather useless.

[RAV TUX]

I look forward to seeing how a free-as-in-freedom site will solve the legal problems that comes with not having that perticular part in the EULA. Sure he can promise not to use information for evil (a very relative term) but he still needs the users concent to be able to legally have pictures and other info on the site otherwise it will be rather useless.It will be and is an interesting challenge overall.

[Polygon]

if this beacom thing is now a opt in thing, doesnt that mean its 'fixed'? Just dont opt in to use it and your fine.

geez. lets make a big deal out of nuthin. You shoulden't be uploading personal stuff on facebook anyway.

[Bruce M.]

The good old "ask me if you want to know something" works better for me.

I agree, but see further below. Send an email, get a reply.
Don't need:

1. Open email client.
2. Email from Facebook (now refered to SWS - Social Web Site) saying "BillyBob just sent you a private message." (sorry BillyBob)
3. Close Email client
2. Open browser
3. Cruise to SWS
4. Log in to SWS
5. Read message
7. Send reply
8. Log out
9. Close browser

Let see:
1. Open Email client (mail downloads automatically)
2. Read mail
3. Respond to mail
4. Close email client.

Sooooooooo much easier!


I must agree with you:)
I never felt the urge to join these places...

I was there for 24 hours, and received 6 emails from Facebook. Closed my account the next day. Never got to do anything.


You can avoid beacon by installing the BlockSite Extension (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/3145) and blocking all beacon related URLs (http://www.wikihow.com/Block-Facebook-Beacon).

Took me less than 5 minutes to do this.

Going to check this out.


This is a great idea!!!!

We have a dedicated server with IPv6 and Jabber server that is powered by Ubuntu Server 7.10 with practically unlimited bandwidth, if there are people committed to coding an open source, Linux & GNU freindly social website at CafeLinux.org lets do it!

http://cafelinux.org/home/

If anyone here is serious and has the time, know how and dedication we can set this up on CafeLinux.org

Not a programmer, but looking forward to checking it out.


On a much lighter note: this (http://www.stevenmansour.com/writings/2007/jul/23/2342/2504_steps_to_closing_your_facebook_account) is hilarious and somewhat informative. ;)

It's a completely blank page! Now that is funny! :lolflag:
Somehow I don't think that's what this is about though.

[Jellicletrb]

I am deleting my FaceBook Account now!

I whacked mine several days ago myself. :(

[RAV TUX]

It's a completely blank page! Now that is funny! :lolflag:
Somehow I don't think that's what this is about though.

http://www.stevenmansour.com/writings/2007/jul/23/2342/2504_steps_to_closing_your_facebook_account

That is pretty funny, I should have copied and pasted it.


I whacked mine several days ago myself. :(
Good to see reasonable people on the forums. ;)

[yabbadabbadont]

Good to see reasonable people on the forums. ;)

A truly reasonable person would have known not to post personally identifiable information in the first place... ;)

In the past, many people have claimed that I always keep a tin-foil hat handy but, as time has passed, I've grown tired of telling them, "I told you so." :lol:

The only way to be safe is to always assume that anything you document may, eventually, end up in public view. That goes for personal photographs and videos as well as information posted directly to the internet. As the old adage says, "Better safe than sorry."

/me steps down off soapbox

[RAV TUX]

A truly reasonable person would have known not to post personally identifiable information in the first place... ;)

In the past, many people have claimed that I always keep a tin-foil hat handy but, as time has passed, I've grown tired of telling them, "I told you so." :lol:

The only way to be safe is to always assume that anything you document may, eventually, end up in public view. That goes for personal photographs and videos as well as information posted directly to the internet. As the old adage says, "Better safe than sorry."

/me steps down off soapboxTrue, but I honestly never posted any personal information on FaceBook in the first place.

Lets not assume anything here.

I make a stance based on principle not on ignorance.

[LookTJ]

http://www.stevenmansour.com/writings/2007/jul/23/2342/2504_steps_to_closing_your_facebook_account

That is pretty funny, I should have copied and pasted it.
Haha, funny. I asked facebook to delete mine after deleting everything on my account, and they did delete it. :)

[RAV TUX]

Haha, funny. I asked facebook to delete mine after deleting everything on my account, and they did delete it. :)You should post a HOWTO on that.

[graabein]

I'm glad I never signed up on Facebook... but since my girlfriend has an account she logs onto from my XP machine (same Windows user), is it possible that Beacon transmits my internet activity back to Facebook?

I added *.facebook.com/beacon* to AdBlock Plus on Firefox (still on my Windows XP user) but is that enough?

[Bruce M.]

A truly reasonable person would have known not to post personally identifiable information in the first place... ;)

But that goes against their "Terms of Use"


In consideration of your use of the Site, you agree to

(a) provide accurate, current and complete information about you as may be prompted by any registration forms on the Site ("Registration Data");

(b) maintain the security of your password and identification;

(c) maintain and promptly update the Registration Data, and any other information you provide to Company, to keep it accurate, current and complete; and

(d) be fully responsible for all use of your account and for any actions that take place using your account.

Let all go and sign up as:

Bob U. Smith
123 Any Street
Somewhereville, UF

Pick a birthday at random :lolflag:

[RAV TUX]

I'm glad I never signed up on Facebook... but since my girlfriend has an account she logs onto from my XP machine (same Windows user), is it possible that Beacon transmits my internet activity back to Facebook?

I added *.facebook.com/beacon* to AdBlock Plus on Firefox (still on my Windows XP user) but is that enough?Most likely not.

[andrewabc]

Most likely not.

You can turn off beacon in privacy options.

[yabbadabbadont]

But that goes against their "Terms of Use"



Let all go and sign up as:

Bob U. Smith
123 Any Street
Somewhereville, UF

Pick a birthday at random :lolflag:

That's why truly reasonable people don't use such sites in the first place... ;)

If I'm forced to provide information, I generally register as a 13 year old girl who lives in Antarctica... That generally keeps them from asking for any further information. :D

[RAV TUX]

You can turn off beacon in privacy options.Again, your missing the overall point based on principle alone.

[daynah]

RE: turning off beacon...

I think you also have to turn it off PER site. So when ever a new site is added, you have to go back and turn it off. (is this old info?)

ALSO, even though you can turn off the "beaconing" (SEEing the ad) they'll still get your info. You gave it to them. You CANNOT turn that off. The only thing they can't do with your info is email spam you.

[EmilyRose]

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't facebook basicly track you around via cookies? So if you don't accept cookies from them (or delete them imediatly after using facebook) doesn't that keep them from tracking you around? Or is there some other way they have of doing so??

[RAV TUX]

RE: turning off beacon...

I think you also have to turn it off PER site. So when ever a new site is added, you have to go back and turn it off. (is this old info?)

ALSO, even though you can turn off the "beaconing" (SEEing the ad) they'll still get your info. You gave it to them. You CANNOT turn that off. The only thing they can't do with your info is email spam you.

Easier to turn off Facebook/MySpace and turn on a "Free Social" website.

[sh1v]

loggin on to facebook now!

[tombott]

Blimey guys get a life!
FB have to make money, they do it through advertising.
If you don't like it don't sign up or delete your account. Bleating on about it in here will make no difference.
I really don't understand why people sign up without reading the small print then moan when they find out stuff they don't like.

[RAV TUX]

Blimey guys get a life!
FB have to make money, they do it through advertising.
If you don't like it don't sign up or delete your account. Bleating on about it in here will make no difference.
I really don't understand why people sign up without reading the small print then moan when they find out stuff they don't like.
NO moaning or bleating here instead we(CafeLinux.org Team (http://www.cafelinux.org/home/)) are actively developing an Open Source alternative to MySpace/FaceBook.

Look for progress to come at http://FreeSocial.org/

FreeSocial.org an ethical and Free(as in Freedom) alternative in the Social NetWorking world.

[tombott]

NO moaning or bleating here instead we are actively developing an Open Source alternative to MySpace/FaceBook.

Look for progress to come at http://FreeSocial.org/

FreeSocial.org an ethical and Free(as in Freedom) alternative in the Social NetWorking world.

Fair enough, but who is going to be liable / control how the data entered is used / maintained?
All good projects / ideas start out with a good ethos (google, ebay, microsoft), but they all get idea's above their stations and think they are god soon enough.

Anyway I jest, good luck with FreeSocial.org I shall keep an eye on your progress.

[wieman01]

Never had an account anyway since I don't like the notion of others being able to search my personal data & infringe my privacy. I don't think it does any good to be honest.

[RAV TUX]

Fair enough, but who is going to be liable / control how the data entered is used / maintained?


We will(The CafeLinux.org Team (http://cafelinux.org/home/)), and I expect community members such as yourself to contribute and help FreeSocial.org (http://freesocial.org/) to maintain a top notch higher calling that is reflective of the Open Source principles and prime directive.



Anyway I jest, good luck with FreeSocial.org I shall keep an eye on your progress.

Thank You and I look forward to you becoming an active participant and community contributor.