MyCube: Private Social Networking

eave

I wondered when I’d start seeing something like this: a social network that is a closed loop, so to speak. In case you didn’t know, social networking (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, even blogging to a certain degree) is VERY social. I mean, everything you say is open to the public. Oh sure, sure, Twitter and Facebook and all the others say they have controls for security, etc, but let’s talk reality– it’s pretty easy to be spied on, to be monitored, to be watched. I am not active on Facebook for this reason.

There’s a new social networking company, called MyCube, that is attempting to change some of the foibles of social networking. Currently, the social network is in private beta, but I did a little digging about the company. Here’s the scoop:

  • MyCube focuses on giving users more privacy and control over their accounts and information while still maintaining the content exchange that makes social networking so special.
  • After registration, you can connect with other people in MyCube that share common interests as you (such as pro-blogging or raising kids or selling books online).
  • MyCube has a virtual currency where users can buy and sell. This is WAY better than using “real” money, as it protects your financial information and allows you to freely interact with people from other countries and currencies.
  • MyCue is based in Singapore. According to MyCube’s Facebook page, someone complained that Singapore is a human rights violator. MyCube’s response was that Singapore “will not allow the US or any other government to spy because they do not have automatic access like the CIA do to the Facebook database!”

I’m still looking into MyCube. I do agree wholeheartedly about the great lack of privacy and security with the Facebook and Twitter networks. I have been wondering when someone would rise up to challenge the social network behemoths.

If you’re curious, do check out MyCube. The site is in private beta, but you can register for an account using the activation code blog at MyCube private beta. MyCube also has a blog and, according to the Facebook page, has been hiring interns for the new service.

It will be very interesting to see how this site develops!

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Superior Content Management

Smiling Group of Professionals

Ten years ago, a business might have been able to get by without a website. But today, EVERYTHING is online. And managing a website is, in my opinion, not easy, especially a networked business website where you have a constant stream of data and contributors.

Well, here comes EmpowerKit and their Network Marketing Software to the rescue. I just spent some time looking at the video of everything the software can do. Wow! It’s pretty impressive. It’s suited perfectly for MLM team sites where you have constantly changing data and many online content contributors.

I’ve always been a “do it yourself” kind of gal, but I don’t think I could handle the high demands of a rapidly and frequently changing website. I do check out sites like Freshout Web Development strategies for ideas and to see the latest developments in website content management (and stand in awe at the technology and talented developers!).

If you’ve got a business and are in need of an easy way to manage your online content, take a peek at the links. The video is very impressive and you can even try the software for free.

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Posted in business services, web design, websites. Tags: , . Comments Off »

Building a Business Social Networking Team

Smiling Group of Professionals

Perhaps your eyes crossed at the term “business social networking.” Business is business and social is social, no?

Well, yes and no. There’s a new movement in the business world (small and large business!): it’s social networking FOR the business. Every good business person realizes that a business is not efficient nor consumer-friendly when it is not truly working together as a team. A splintered business not only costs time and money, but it costs customers, too. The business world is extremely competitive, and consumers still want good, speedy service. A good business will meet that need. MSNBC has a great article about the rise of social networking in business environments.

Unfortunately, many businesses become tangled up in bureaucratic tape and managerial fiats. It’s very interesting to see a movement that embraces social networking within the business FOR the business. For example, let’s say a client requests a discount on goods or services. He asks the customer representative for this benefit. The customer representative does not have authority to offer a discount, and must go through the long chain of command to request it. (Anyone who has been “on hold” on the phone knows how long this process can take– often, the customer rep must file requests with accounting, inventory, and managers before obtaining a yay or nay for the client). Social networking within the business connects all these departments using typical social networking tools (such as Seismic or a desktop app) to obtain data very rapidly.

I find this interesting because, in the past and even now in many businesses, social networking is taboo at the office. It’s used for frittering away time, reducing productivity and increasing costs. But through the use of enterprise activity streams and other means, data and ideas flow freely from one department to another. And when a customer has his needs met in a timely and courteous fashion, that customer is much more likely to become a devoted client, even if it means paying a little more for the exceptional service.

Well, there’s certainly much more to business social networking than I mentioned here. Mine is a very simplified, condensed example of the incredible increase and power of social networking. If you want to learn more, or surf around for additional teamwork tips , check out the websites in the links.

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Even the Kitchen Sink

shopbuttn

We renovated our kitchen last summer. WHAT a job. We did everything ourselves. The cost of professional labor around here is terrible. I don’t know how people afford it. I could easily have spent $65,000 on my kitchen by hiring out. Much, much too expensive– it’s more than I paid for the house!

So we did everything ourselves, including the new wiring, plumbing, and heating system. The kids and I also installed our new kitchen sink. I tried to order as many materials as I could online, as the store here charge a lot, plus there’s the nearly 10% sales tax on everything in Upstate NY. Ouch. But we did it! I even ordered my wood countertops online! Those were fun to haul to the house. :S

Anyway, we opted for a cast iron sink, but maybe next time I’ll go with a stainless steel sink. I love the white enamel of the cast iron, but the material stains, chips, and gets scruffed up. It’s pretty scruffy right now. I dislike the coldness of stainless steel sinks, but they are so durable. And at Shop Sinks and Faucets, they are extremely affordable. They offer same day shipping, too!

While I don’t plan on re-doing the kitchen any time soon, we do have to redo the bathrooms, and would like to make a utility sink area in the basement. Thank God for the Internet!

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Posted in chatty, websites. Comments Off »

Got Bugs? Scan Your URL

urlv98147

I discovered a great site that will scan your website or blog for malware, exploits, and other nasty vermin: URL Void. It’s great! It’s free to use and it works well.

In this age of profligate hacking, something like this is almost a requirement for any webmaster. I have heard numerous horror stories from my blogging peers that their website had been hacked. Usually, it’s a prank and the webpage displays a “Hacked By” sign with foul language. Sometimes, it’s a little more malicious– a webmaster or blogger may install a plugin or theme or widget that has malicious code in it. This code may spew juice-drying links from your domain, or assault your visitors with filthy popups.

Now you can fight back. :D I’m so grateful to the dudes at URL Void. Thanks for doing this!

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Posted in blogs, crime, security programs, web design, websites, Wordpress. Tags: , , , . Comments Off »

What Do Websites Know About You

eave

When you connect to the Internet, you not only receive information, you release information. Your computer has identifiable data that is displayed for others to see (mostly advertisers and tracking counters such as Google Analytics or StatCounter). Some information is necessary, such as the web browser you use. This information helps the website properly load the website for your browser. Your time that you visited is also logged. You can check out Kim Komando’s privacy check website to see exactly what data is gathered when you surf online.

Some of the data is extraneous, and is harvested by advertisers to monitor your surfing habits. This way, you are more easily targeted with ads to which you are more likely to respond. For example, I rarely see ads for baby diapers and strollers at the sites I visit, because I have no interest in them. I am, however, targeted with a plethora of ads for gadgets, cell phones and computers. Obviously, advertisers are tracking my surfing habits.

I think this kind of monitoring is unethical. So I use browser plugins such as AdBlock Plus and NoScript to block ads and scripts on my browser. I also clear out my cookies and cache folders periodically. And I use programs such as CrapCleaner and MalwareBytes to scan and remove adware and tracking cookies.

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Posted in ad blocks, browsers, crime, Internet, surveillance, websites. Tags: , , . Comments Off »