Daily Bits

Social Networks

Instagram Got a $525M Offer From Twitter

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Instagram
Instagram-Twitter

Everyone knows by now that Facebook owns Instagram. Launched in October of 2010, the free photo-sharing cum social networking platform quickly rose in popularity, in spite of the fact that it was initially limited to iOS devices. (Or maybe because of that fact as well?) In any case, when it was released for Android, Instagram got even more popular, with everyone and their mom suddenly transforming into budding photographers.

The story of Instagram does not stop there. Early this year, the social network we all love and hate made moves to acquire Instagram. It stated its desire, made known its plans for Instagram to continue being independently managed, the FTC did its thing, and in September of this year, Instagram officially became part of the Facebook family. [Read more…] about Instagram Got a $525M Offer From Twitter

The Lowdown on the Facebook Copyright Status Declaration

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Facebook copyright status declaration
You’ve probably seen the status updates yourself. Probably too much of it in the last few days. Just in case you haven’t, here it is.

In response to the new Facebook guidelines I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, comics, paintings, professional photos and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For commercial use of the above my written consent is needed at all times!
(Anyone reading this can copy this text and paste it on their Facebook Wall. This will place…them under protection of copyright laws. By the present communique, I notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents and/or any staff under Facebook’s direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punished by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).
Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be tacitly allowing the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile status updates…

Just so you know, this thing has been going around for quite some time now and is definitely not a new thing. For some reason, it was suddenly revived in the past few days, filling Facebook news feeds with legalese.

The question is: Does posting the “Facebook copyright status declaration” actually achieve something? [Read more…] about The Lowdown on the Facebook Copyright Status Declaration

Twitter Principle Applies to Birds IRL, Study Shows

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Nesting Birds

Oh, the amazing findings that researchers discover when given enough time and money to do whatever the heck they want conduct scientific studies!

So there are scientists from universities in Exeter, France, and Switzerland who conducted new research in order to study birds. Not the Twitter bird. Not whatever other bird you may be thinking of, but the kind that chirps and tweets and flies. Real birds.

Their study was about interaction between the baby birds and their parents and how this affected their ability to survive and thrive. Guess what? It looks like birds have a social networking system of their own. [Read more…] about Twitter Principle Applies to Birds IRL, Study Shows

Social Networks Linked to Socially Aggressive Narcissism

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Socially Aggressive Narcissism
Too Many Facebook Friends?

So much has been said about Facebook – both negative and positive; and perhaps if we take a close look, we will see more whining than praising. No one can deny that the social network has thrived over the years. And it is not alone. More and more, we see social networks expanding their reach and gathering more active users.

Various theories have been created to explain this boom, not to mention studies conducted to determine the effects of social networks on people who use them a lot. If you are not sick of these kinds of studies, here is something that might interest you: a study showing a link between social networks and socially aggressive narcissism. [Read more…] about Social Networks Linked to Socially Aggressive Narcissism

InstaCover: When Instagram and Facebook Cover Photo Collide

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Customize Facebook Cover Photo
InstaCover

The new Facebook Timeline has gotten the attention of countless users from all over the world for various reasons. One the one hand, some people loved the new layout. On the other hand, some users dreaded having to switch to the new look without being given the option of retaining the old. There are, of course, those who simply couldn’t care less.

Wherever you lie in the spectrum, it does not really matter if you want to continue using Facebook. Everyone will eventually get the Timeline. For what it’s worth, I am one of those who still have the old look. In the beginning, I really didn’t like the idea of having to switch. At this point, it does not really matter to me. What I am thinking is that one might as well take advantage of what the new layout has to offer.

And when it comes to that, the cover photo is one of the things that you can play around with. I have seen many awesome cover photos, and while I am not all worked up about that, it is easy to see how one can play around with customization. Eye candy for the win! [Read more…] about InstaCover: When Instagram and Facebook Cover Photo Collide

You Might As Well Admit It – You’re Addicted to Twitter

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140 Character Fix
140 Character Fix

Addiction to Twitter and its kindred platforms has never been really in question, has it? As much as some people might want to deny it, there is a tendency to get hooked on these platforms for so many reasons. Only recently, a study showed that it might be easier to escape the entangled snares of cigarette and alcohol addiction than Twitter. Yeah, they say that Twitter just might be more addictive. [Read more…] about You Might As Well Admit It – You’re Addicted to Twitter