dexter roona's List: online business news today

"I still can’t believe there are some people who so brazenly abuse this great opportunity we call the Social Web.

You don’t really need to look around much to realise we’re in social media’s era of disruption. You only need to take a look at Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Blogs – do I need to mention email?

As I see that, despite our efforts, there are still many people who just don’t get it, I’ll make it easier for everyone: I’m going to tell you what doesn’t work. So, please, stop bugging us, don’t be a zit standing at the end of our nose. However much you insist, you won’t convince us. We’ll be squeezing you out as soon as we can."

"Posted: 05/19/2014 2:52 pm EDT Updated: 05/19/2014 3:59 pm EDT Print Article
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Just in case you thought Facebook’s “Relationship Status” wasn’t awkward enough, the site has now streamlined the process of asking people if they’re single and ready to mingle.

Over the past few months, Facebook has been rolling out an “Ask" button feature, which is displayed on parts of a person's profile that have not been filled out completely. These include a Facebook friend's phone number, alma mater and -- by far the creepiest one that most commentators are paying attention to -- relationship status."

"Expect workplace productivity to plunge today as everyone who ends up on the Google homepage -- basically, everyone -- starts playing with a digital Rubik's Cube.

It's Monday's Google Doodle, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the frustrating puzzle. Head here to try it out.

Alas, the virtual puzzle isn't easier than the real one, at least not during brief attempts to solve it that in no way interfered with work and were conducted entirely as research for this report.

Last month, USA Today spoke to Ernő Rubik, inventor of the Rubik's Cube, about its enduring legacy."

"Did you hear the one about Google+ being dead, walking dead, on life support, in a coma, finished, going away, and kaput?

If you didn't catch that by chance, last month TechCrunch was the big catalyst into launching a gazillion stories, stating the almost certain demise of Google+. Yup, they actually wrote, "Google+ is not officially dead, more like walking dead: "When you fire the top dog and take away all resources it is what it is." It will take copious amounts of work for it to un-zombie, if that's even a possibility.""

"GOOGLE PLUS GUIDE: 5 EASY STEPS TO GETTING STARTED
Let’s talk a little about getting started with Google+ and why you need to be there. At present, Facebook and Twitter are still the powerhouses of all things social media. Although that may not change anytime soon, Google+ is still a social media hub to be reckoned with. Google+ is the primary social media platform of choice for many. One reason for this is Google ties all your accounts into one; Gmail, YouTube, etc. Not only does it tie them together, but it also connects your website to your Google+ profile which gives you authorship credibility and can boost your SEO stats. And what blogger doesn’t crave more SEO, like a hormonal woman craves chocolate?"

"The article discusses several recent events that suggest Google may be ready to ditch the underperformer. That Google+’s creator, Vic Gundotra, has left the company is one indication. Other signs include media reports that Google+ is on the chopping block, despite company denials. The clue that cinches it for writer Casey Newton, though, is a new option that has quietly been offered to a few website developers: they can install a blue “Sign in with Google” button instead of the red Google+ button. Newton believes this is the first step in an effort to gradually fade Google+ out of existence. The article suggests:"

"While Facebook has talked a big privacy talk for a long time, today they’ve implemented a major change. A sweeping new update is making it simple for users to see who they are sharing content with and all new users will be defaulted to “friends” rather than “public.” Current users will be notified about their settings as well through the use of overlays, pop-ups and a friendly looking blue dinosaur:"