While it may be redundant, it is now estimated that a Facebook IPO could be at a value of over 100 Billion USD

What's that in REAL money ..... about B200?

Librarian wrote:the point i am trying to make.. which wasnt directed at you in particular by the way.. is how can people say for example , facebook is unsafe and evil etc etc

and yet use sites such as these on a regular basis , to give or obtain information , and each time giving a little bit away of them selves
Librarian

and each time giving a little bit away of them selves

And that is what some people are overlooking. KD, who wouldn't dream of opening a facebook account
has posted on UM over 1,000 times. If one was so inclined to read all of his posts, a fair profile could
be made on him using the bits of information he posts.
Some assumptions could also be made about what valuables he may have and a general idea of where
he lives, assisted by the photos he has posted on his profile to narrow his location down
(assuming those shots were taken from inside his house).

My apologies for singling you out KD, but its a good example of why we should be careful about
the content of what we put on the WWW rather than what services we use.


"big brother" can find you without the help of facebook.

Librarian wrote:in fact , as a business tool , just by reading and thinking about this topic , has made me realise i dont need to have a new website built just yet.. i can create a new page on a new FB account

I would do both at the same time if I were you Jeremy. Websites are more important than a facebook page IMO.

The business website is, at least in the foreseeable future, going to be relevant. Someone who is searching for books in Udon is less likely to search Facebook for “books udon thani.” But rather they are heading to Google or Bing. Ultimately finding thebookhouseandcoffeeshop.com in position #3. And until Facebook can figure out a way to SEO their entire structure of pages. This will always be the case.

If I were you I'd build a new website first and integrate facebook into it. When visitors find your page via Google or UdonMap they can then use your facebook facility.

The following article is worth a read if you're thinking of a facebook only approach: http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/28496.asp

Jello wrote:but its a good example of why we should be careful about the content of what we put on the WWW rather than what services we use.

That's a fair enough point Jello.

Comparing what can be gleaned from this site versus Facebook and other highly ubiquitous sites which cross-integrate is a reeeeeeeeeeeeal stretch. Taking a position that criticism somehow should equate to that person taking a purist approach (ie not post anything anywhere) or somehow indicates hypocrisy is just plain [I'll be nice] and an overreach/overreaction. Sort of like saying someone who criticizes riding a motorbike should therefore never rollerblade. It's just plain [I'll be nice].

I'll save everyone the trouble and summarize a profile of my postings here (as if it matters):

I love my family, family issues, debating, helping, world politics (especially US), economic issues, law, playing devil's advocate, and fact checking. I strongly dislike Republicans (the politics and propaganda - not the person/people), revisionism, stupid fellow Americans, and pedophiles (in that order - lol). I am a passive atheist, technical, analytical, blunt, and drive a samlor.

I allegedly have a trillion or so gold bars stuffed up my [being nice] at any given moment which sometimes makes me seem anal (understandably, so). I don't drink alcohol or participate in most vices. I'm FCKIN AMERICAN BEEYOTCH! (not even making an attempt to be nice) no hyphen and no apologies! WOOT!

I try not to read or comment on threads which have nothing to do with the aforementioned interests and dislikes (still haven't managed to read OT's "Thinking" thread - maybe someday).

I think that just about sums it up. May be a few odds and ends and minor details here and there. Having said all that and to directly address some of the comments made about supposed hypocrisy in posting here:

Who are my friends and family and where are they? You don't know.
Where did I go to school and what is my occupation? You don't know.
What have I been doing recently? You don't know.
Where am I now? You don't know. Even if you could check my IP, I go through VPNs so often you may or may not know approximately where I am.

Now, if this were Facebook, you could probably answer each and every one of those questions and much, much more. Facebook is evil. A kid became a gazillionaire selling your info. To my knowledge, this site can be mined, but it's members have not been directly monetized (to my knowledge) and members have not yet lost control of what is made available about them.

KD ,
i know a guy who at around 50 years old has never owned a phone.. mobile or landline .. never uses a computer ( wouldnt know how ! ) and doesnt like TV .. i think the gist of his thinking is that he feels all of aforementioned are a type of invasion of his privacy .. if he wants human communication , he will do it face to face , on his terms and times of his choosing.

an analogy to me .. would be like him saying he,s a vegetarian and he doesnt eat meat .. full stop

another analogy , to me , regarding some of the comments here are like people saying i,m a vegetarian , i only eat chicken !!!

as a person who professes to enjoy debating , i,m rather surprised that because you dont agree with others viewpoints , you describe them as (something not nice here )

surely the very art of debate, is to offer others who have fixed opinions , an alternative viewpoint to consider and reason through?

i,m a vegetarian kinda guy .. if i dont eat meat , i dont eat meat period.

i think what it ultimately comes down to , is whatever internet based media being used , whether it be FB or Web Forums is the amount of information you disclose about yourself ,

in your opinion , you give *from the soul * comments about your thoughts and feelings regarding topics that interest you without divulging too much personal information about yourself .. and you say this is ok

and yet others , who dont give too much *soulful writings* but prefer to do it another way using pictures and images are (insert profannity here )

freedom of speech my friend.. allowing others the right to express opinions without censorship or restraint

Librarian

(Off topic comment removed)

Anyway Facebook. I canceled my account when an old flame caught up with me from the past saying she was coming to Thailand and could she pop in to see me .That was from 40 years ago when she was just 19 and I was 35. I just didn't want to see a dream turn into a 60 year old . Prefer to keep my memories .

Librarian wrote:...as a person who professes to enjoy debating , i,m rather surprised that because you dont agree with others viewpoints , you describe them as (something not nice here )

surely the very art of debate, is to offer others who have fixed opinions , an alternative viewpoint to consider and reason through?

Heeell, no. I just googled this site and I never said I was a gentleman debater. Screw that. Debate is a battle of words, wit, and knowledge. Anyone ill-equipped to battle with soft feelings and paper thin emotional armor need not bother with the cyber ink, IMHO. There are a lot of debates where people seem to show up expecting tea and crumpets and then get upset when someone whips out a cruise missile of fact. Clear mismatches are really funny to follow (he throws a left, then a right but OhNo! both miss and he loses the arms - lol!). I recently watched that new Conan movie. I do not recall a scene where he paused and said, "Excuse me, but I am about to thrust my blade through your eye socket. Would you mind removing your helmet? It looks nice and it would be a shame if it were soiled." No. He friggin' shoved it into the guy's skull hole and twisted it a few times to make sure that guy doesn't get up. Had he stayed in bed that day, he'd be ok. I can take it as well and there are a couple of very good debaters who have slapped me around a bit. As a result, I do not step into certain debates where I know I need to just stfu. Jackspratt and debating Thai politics comes to mind. If I ever decide to bone up on the subject and jump into the mix with him again, I will do so. It is not a subject I am passionate about. So, until then I know I need to stay in bed and just read along. [insert those wisdom cliches here].

So, to those who have stated (and you are not the first, certainly) I am not a gentleman debater. It's true. Deal with it. But in no way am I ever intentionally taking seriously hurtful personal cheap shots. Everything is meant to be related to and written in the spirit of the debate be it passionate or otherwise. It's a battle. Nothing more. Nothing less. Cheers and smile when it's done.

Sorry for the thread hijack. Back to discussing the wickedness of that sinister Facebook...

Anyway Facebook. I cancelled my account when an old flame caught up with me from the past saying she was coming to Thailand and could she pop in to see me .That was from 40 years ago when she was just 19 and I was 35. I just didn't want to see a dream turn into a 60 year old . Prefer to keep my memories .

I just didn't want to see a dream turn into a 60 year old

Very commendable TB ...... not wanting the young lady to see what her 35 year old heartthob had become 40 years on. (35 + 40 = 60 ..... how many 49's did you have TB :-" )

Librarian wrote:an analogy to me .. would be like him saying he,s a vegetarian and he doesnt eat meat .. full stop another analogy , to me , regarding some of the comments here are like people saying i,m a vegetarian , i only eat chicken !!!...i,m a vegetarian kinda guy .. if i dont eat meat , i dont eat meat period.

Positions based upon absolutes are ALWAYS (ha!) flawed and should be expected (without saying) to have exceptions. I say I'm a Black guy. How ridiculous would it be for someone to then think I really should be completely Black - eyeballs, intestines, and all? That is just plain [I'll be nice].

Darn. Sorry again about the hijack. Back to that devilish, pagan infested Facebook discussion.

stattointhailand wrote:Anyway Facebook. I cancelled my account when an old flame caught up with me from the past saying she was coming to Thailand and could she pop in to see me .That was from 40 years ago when she was just 19 and I was 35. I just didn't want to see a dream turn into a 60 year old . Prefer to keep my memories .

I just didn't want to see a dream turn into a 60 year old

Very commendable TB ...... not wanting the young lady to see what her 35 year old heartthob had become 40 years on. (35 + 40 = 60 ..... how many 49's did you have TB :-" )

I am not sure whether you have difficulty with reading comprehension or mathematics but seeing where you come from, I will tell you I met her in a club in Grey Street Newcastle. Those Geordie birds could never resist us smooth talking Southerners. :-" How old's your gran by the way? Is she on Facebook ?:lol:

(Off topic comment removed)

(Off topic comment removed)

"Where am I now? You don't know. Even if you could check my IP, I go through VPNs so often you may or may not know approximately where I am."

Not that I have any interest in knowing, but I wonder if I pm'd forum members of this forum, thaivisa, and udonmap, whether I could get the answer. Just wonderin'. After all there are not so many falangs driving samlors around the streets these days (not that there's anything wrong with that).

As for that 'kid' who became a gazillionaire, good for him! Even though I don't use Facebook, I wish there were a million more kids like him. They don't play in the same small sandbox that most of us use.

(Off topic comment removed) Lee

IMHO Facebook is an excellent tool HOWEVER putting too much personal info on there is a silly idea unless you have what people can see shut off and you know who all your 'Friends are personally' I have about 33 people as 'Friends on FB, while my nephew has over a thousand! I asked him one day how many of these people he actually knew and he said about 35 whereas I know ALL of mine personally. 25 year age gap between us but it seems all his generation are using it. Can cause problems in future! I was reading a stort a while ago that employers in the UK are checking their employees Facebook accounts to see what they are up to. Also people searching for employment are being looked up all the time by potential employers! My thoughts are yes its a good thing but only if used properly, If not its just a disaster waiting to happen!

(Off topic comment removed) Lee

(Off topic comments removed) Lee

(Off topic comments removed)

parrot wrote:So, the topic was facebook, social media! If you want to pm you miseries to each other, have a good time.

{sarcasm}
...and this proves my point about the EVILS of social media. Can I get a witness? How about an "Amen!"?

If we were all sitting around chatting it up, say at The Bookstore Cafe over a free meal and drinks courtesy of Jeremy (who I know to be a really nice, polite, and likable guy), there would not be all this flaming going on. We'd still be talking about Facebook and not each other.

The human, personal side gets lost and things go awry. We are all reduced to bits and bites stored forever in The Twilight Zone. Days, months, or years from now, people may read Librarian's posts, replies to him, and perhaps decide not to dine at his restaurant based on that (which would be a mistake because the food and the little extras they do are unparalleled in Udon and he really is a nice guy who should probably be logging in with some other alias when expressing himself). Now do detractors see my point?

parrot wrote:I wonder if I pm'd forum members of this forum, thaivisa, and UT, whether I could get the answer.

...and here we have someone else making my point again about how sinister Facebook et al really are. A demented stranger (ha! kidding!) or thousands like him, if interested, has the means to stalk and terrorize anyone from afar with little effort. The more information he has, the more emboldened he may become (heh, I got something FOR ya ). Facebook, gives people a false sense of security that they can protect themselves by clicking a few settings. Newflash: ALL of that "privacy protection" can be defeated rather easily by someone so inclined. So, with all the information typically provided by Facebook users, that looney may just try his luck whereas in the past the relative anonymity of not even being on his radar was plenty security against remote loonies. As Parrot effectively demonstrates here, that is not the case anymore.

My case stands at rest.