Reviewing Facebook Places

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Today’s Blog Post


Reviewing Facebook Places

I think the first time that I felt somewhat threatened with a “Privacy Issue” was in China in the about 1981. That was way ahead of any of the Privacy Issues that surround us today.

Maybe it wasn’t China, it was when I was a boy and was visiting my Grandparent’s Farm in southern Saskatchewan – long before the Privacy Paranoia of 2010.

In China it happened when I went to the Toilet in the Hotel Room. I sat down on the “throne” and looked to my right where the toilet paper was normally hung. Instead of the TP being in that place, there was a telephone within easy reach. No kidding! The intention was to make your stay in that room the most luxurious possible… when the telephone rang you could speak to the inquiring party – instantly without missing a beat… or losing concentration. Now that was funny… because I didn’t know anyone in China! DUH!

When I was a boy on the farm it was again the telephone that had caused the issue of privacy to appear. The wall telephone that was mounted for all to use… a wooden box with the receiver hanging on the side and a mouth piece mounted on the front, was activated by rapidly turning the crank to notify “Central” that you wanted to talk to some one. She would then send out a Ring Tone to the party that you needed to speak to with a combination of so many LONGs and so many SHORTs. Like Two Shorts and One Long was the Jones family… hearing it… the Jones Family telephone would be answered if they were home. Three Shorts and One Long would notify the Smith Family that they should pick up the ear piece.

Later on you could do your own Two Longs and Two Shorts – it was direct!

Along that rural telephone line there were “busy bodies” that would pick up to listen in on what you were saying. Privacy Issues were a problem with “some old biddies”.

Well here we go again… Facebook has announced last Friday that they have made it possible for Canadians to add to their Facebook experience something called “Places”. We are favoured country in that we can now allow our friends to know exactly where we are…. EXACTLY… the spot where we are situated at that moment!

Now it has to be done through your Mobile Facebook application… using something like a Cell Phone that has the ability to see your Facebook on the tiny screen. Lethargic people that sit at their computers at home can’t get in on this.

From what I gather the Cell Phone reports where you are, so that Friends know exactly where you are at that moment. Then following that revelation, the Facebook Friend can run to that exact spot that you are to talk to you – in person… or by texting across the table from each other.

Now let’s think about this cool application that is now available for all in Canada to use.

Using my China experience and the telephone in the bathroom while you are on the throne… you can see we have now caught up to the Chinese. Oh boy!

On the very positive side a smart mom or dad can now tell exactly where their teenager is at any moment… on a date, after the curfew has expired and/or their teen is sitting in their date’s car “just talking”.

A husband with a Cheating Wife could get to where she is at quicker… or visa versa.

And on and on…

Being 66 years old I am not sure why I would want all my friends to know where I am at that exact moment. With me there is a small privacy issue that I need to keep to myself… I need just a little time alone. How about you?

As I do the Tatting and Wood Carving demonstrations I have noticed the new phenomena around me. This summer more than ever it has been taking place. More and more people are walking by with their cell phone in two hands and staring at the tiny screen. Notice that they are walking, not standing still… unless the apparent message is startling… in which case they do stop… rapidly tap in words on the tiny keyboard… then start walking again.

No it is not just teens… it is old folk too… even people my age.

The one exception to this is the One Hand Wonders that hold the communication device and scroll through messages, tap out new messages and send new messages with one thumb only. They blow my mind.

Now a smart teen can loan their phone to another friend, or leave it in the car… or at home…

This is a whole new era as of Last Friday. Our life as we knew it has changed completely if you are connected. And you didn’t even know it happened.

When I was checking about the new “Places” feature it showed that 2,444,586 stated that they liked this… and encouraged me to be the first among my friends to try it out.

Sorry I can’t do that.

Most of my friends are of the very old school… when they are in the toilet and the phone rings… they yell at someone outside of the Throne Room, “Can some one get that… I am kind of busy!”

Facebook Folk – the feature looks great! I approve. Old people like me however will struggle a little as we get on to this new fangled idea of yours. BUT thanks for getting it ready for Canada.

BTW – my Friend did offer a good suggestion and an idea where he will be using this feature. When his loud mouthed Brother-in-Law is heading his way across town, coming for another free meal; they will have enough time to close the blinds, lock the doors and turn out the lights before he gets there!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/

Source:
http://www.blogger.com/goog_1467993807
http://www.facebook.com/places/