Facebook Bags Both ‘Most Blocked’ and ‘Most Allowed’ Site for 2010

There are two types of employers (or schools) in this world. Those that block Facebook and those that allow it. In line with this, Help Net Security reported that OpenDNS recently released stats on websites that were blocked and frequently given access to.

Facebook, the biggest social network in the web topped both extremes. This of course reflects the tug-o-war between the two views. To block or not to block? Yep, that is the question.

[via Help Net Security]

Pope voices out views on new media

The Pope may not have a Facebook account, but it’s not like he’s been living on a rock in the Vatican either.

For this year’s World Day of Social Communications, Pope Benedict delivered his views on social media in his message entitled, “Truth, proclamation and authenticity of life in the digital age."

The pope praised social media but also mentioned that while these networks present a lot of great opportunities, “virtual contact cannot and must not take the place of direct human contact with people at every level of our lives.”

Benefits of Social Media
The NY Times reported that the Pope acknowledged the benefits of social networks stating that they can enable “dialogue exchange, solidarity and the creation of positive relations.” He furthered that “if used wisely,” social media “can contribute to the satisfaction of the desire for meaning, truth and unity.”

“Friendly” Precautions
However, the Holy Father also flipped the coin, and voiced out his concerns and precautions towards new media and social networks. In his speech, he said that “In search for sharing, for “‘friends’ there is the challenge to be authentic and faithful.”

He commented on digital communication’s “one-sidedness” and warned the public about the “risk of constructing a false image of oneself.”

Pope Benedict positively addressed the effects of the new form of communication by saying that new technologies pave the way for “potential friendships” because they allow “people to meet each other beyond the confines of space and of their own culture.”

At the same time though, he cautioned members of social networks about the risk of “being more distracted” and “absorbed in the world ‘other’ than the one we live in.”

[via NY Times and EWTN]

Gaga Officially Becomes Twitter Queen

Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) is now the most followed person on Twitter with 5.72 million followers, overtaking Britney Spears who has 5.71 million. Aside from Twitter, it appears that Gaga generally rules most of social media as well. Not only does she have 16.37 million fans on Facebook, but Famecount also ranks her as the top celebrity on the Internet with a perfect score of 100.

So far, Lady Gaga has been gracious in accepting her title as the queen of Twitter. In her inauguration video, she thanks all her followers and wishes them “soft cuticles while tweeting” and that they “may never have carpool tunnel.” She further promises to “never partake in celebrity online shenanigans.”



[via Salon and Lady Gaga]

Google the Movie?

If you were one of those people who marked their calendars for the premier of The Social Network, then you’re going to want to make space for this as well.

It was recently reported that Michael London’s Groundswell Productions along with producer John Morris intend to acquire the rights to Googled: The End of the World As We Know it, a book by Ken Auletta that chronicles the rise of Google. The book will be used to map out the plot of the movie, which according to London, will focus on Larry Page and Sergey Brin (founders of the company).

“It’s about these two young guys who created a company that changed the world, and how the world in turn changed them.” London states. He furthers, “Can you stay true to principles like that as you become as rich and powerful as that company has become? The intention is to be sympathetic to Sergey and Larry, and hopefully the film will be as interesting as the company they created.”

[via TIME and Deadline.com]

The Story of the Fatal Facebook Feud

We understand how girls can go gaga over the bad boy, but isn’t getting into a deadly car chase because of a guy who’s in prison taking it a little too far?

Since we don’t normally write about murder cases, we’re going to spare you the gory details of how a Facebook rivalry between two girls over a guy in prison led to a car chase in Michigan that resulted in the injury of one of the rivals and death of her friend.

Instead, allow us to leave you guys some friendly social network advice: If you get offended by a wall post or something, just take a deep breath and swallow a chill pill. Otherwise, next thing you know, you’ve got blood on your hands and you’re testifying in court. And yeah, you’ll probably be behind bars just like that boy you were fighting over.

[via Yahoo!News and Wikipedia]

Users’ Discontent With Facebook is Now Quantified

There is a fine line between love and hate. That is definitely the case with Facebook’s abysmal user ratings. For a website with nearly 500 million members, we have to say we were a little surprised to find Facebook at the same level with cable companies and airlines in terms of customer satisfaction.

Apparently, privacy issues as well as the constant revamping of the site are the main contributors to its low consumer rating.

There were also reports that Mark Zuckerberg will have an on-air interview this Wednesday with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer.

Will Zuckerberg pull a Steve Jobs by saying “We’re not perfect” or will he give us full-length apology? Either way, there are about 500 Million people out there waiting to hear what he has to say.

[via MSNBC and Mashable]

Web Surfers Trust Internet Heavyweights More than Facebook and Twitter

Much to no one’s surprise, Web Giants Google, Apple and Microsoft are still better at keeping people’s trust than top networking sites Facebook and Twitter.

That’s according to a recent survey conducted by Zogby International. The market research company surveyed around 2100 individuals on their take on various types of media, and results indicate that overall, users nowadays trust new media more than traditional media.

And topping that new media bracket? None other than the top three internet bigshots. Of course, this isn’t to say that Social Networks such as Facebook and Twitter completely suck when it comes to privacy. It just means that big firms like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are doing a great job in leveraging their hard-earned resources, reputation, and corporate identities. Facebook and Twitter, being relatively new, may not be quite there yet. But we at Clement & Co really aren’t worried about our two favorite social networks. With their growing amount of followers and resources, it’s just a matter of time before they catch up with the big boys.

Nonetheless, if you ask us, the most important ramification of Zogby International’s study is the fact that it will get leading websites to spruce up their privacy settings. After all, nothing makes a company suck up to the public more than unflattering statistics.

via Telegraph.co.uk]