Radical Gravity » Social Media

Facebook Page Changes – A Quick Guide

Manny Sanchez — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 02:57:31 +0000

Facebook announced major changes today to the design and functionality of its Pages, bringing them closer to individual user profiles in look and functionality. We’re excited about these updates, as they will improve the ability of our customers to connect with audiences. The changes impact the user experience visually, giving a more compelling look and feel to Pages; functionally, allowing brands and companies to operate more the way individual users do; but also by greatly increasing your ability to build richer application experiences using iFrames. In addition to having applications that perform better, brands will also have greater flexibility in the way they name them.

The changes go into effect for all Facebook Pages on March 10, which gives you four weeks to preview the new format and switch over at any time before then. Below is a map of the new features, followed by an additional summary of the changes, many of which we expected:

1-Photo strip above the Wall (with the most recent photos you posted or tagged) TIP: To optimize your photos size them to 96x67px in order to fit in the space provided and plan for them to be in random order.
2-Tabs move over to the left panel, in the form of a list (maximum of 6 above the fold)
3-Profile picture reduced from 200 x 600 pixels to 180 x 540
4-Blurb box that was below the Page picture moved to info tab
5-Pages can Like other Pages, not just favorite them
6-Featured Pages and Admins
7-Page category
8-Choice for Wall posts between “Everyone” and Page posts only
9-Mutual Friends and Interests section
10-Ability to interact on Facebook as your Page
11-Ability for admins to post and comment around the site under their Page’s alias
12-News feed of updates from Liked Pages
13-Pages can now feature iFrame tab applications
14-Email notifications when users post or comment
Note, very important: You can preview the new layout but once you upgrade, there is no way to revert back to the old design.

Photo Strip Instead of Tabs Above the Wall
The replacement of tabs with the photo strip at the top adds a dynamic, colorful element that will significantly improve the look of the average Facebook Page. The photos are drawn from the most recent ones you posted to your Wall and those you tagged, but does not include photos posted by fans. Users can hide undesirable photos. The new left nav placement of tabs also allows for longer tab names.

Expanded Functionality For Fan Page Admins
By enabling Fan Page admins to comment in the name of the page itself and to interact with other Fan pages, Facebook has finally made it possible for brands to truly engage in tremendous interactive engine which powered its growth among individuals. Your power as a page administrator is increased in a number of other ways, including the ability to set filters on your Wall so that visitors see relevant posts first, and to view all the content and get notices whenever someone posts to your wall.

Preview the new look by clicking preview at the top of your Page before making the changes, as you will not be able to go back once you’ve made the update.

Finally, you should review the new policies. While many applications like Flash will now function better on your Page, Facebook’s restrictions require you to limit their functionality until a user interacts with it.

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Original article: Facebook Page Changes – A Quick Guide

Its official, windows live spaces will close

Manny Sanchez — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 23:58:47 +0000

On March 16th, 2011 windows live spaces will close. Who really uses it?

They have the option to migrate to wordpress.com, a great option. I guess this social network from Microsoft has not been doing great.

There explanation:

Our customers have asked for richer blog functionality including an integrated statistics system, continuous saving of drafts and improvements to spam-fighting technology. To deliver the best possible blogging experience, we are collaborating with WordPress.com to provide their free service to you. For those of you that already have a blog on Windows Live Spaces, we will make it easier for you to get started while helping you move what you’ve already built up on Spaces.

The timeline:

Starting the end of September, 2010, when you visit your Windows Live Space you’ll be given the opportunity to upgrade your blog by migrating it to WordPress.com and to download your content to save for later.
As of January 4th, 2011, you won’t be able to make changes to your Spaces blog, but you can continue to review past posts, download your content to save for later and upgrade your blog to WordPress.com.
On March 16th, 2011 Windows Live Spaces will close and you will not be able to access or migrate your blog on Spaces.

For live spaces it was time to upgrade or step aside. There services can connect to about three docen social networks and update the stream. I guess the blogging feature was not being used much since then. Only the future will tell if this was a good decision.
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Original article: Its official, windows live spaces will close

Language Networks

Manny Sanchez — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:37:07 +0000

I have been researching various social networks dedicated to learning languages. Interestingly they all have there unique twist. From embedding flash cards for your websites to writing and becoming official translators (like yahoo answers).

Here are the few good ones I found:

Byki for example lets your create your own flash cards, with voice and share them on websites and other social networks. VoxSwap and iTalki reminds me more of a MySpace for learning languages. But very professional looking with interesting methodologies are LiveMocha and Babbel.

Pick your choice, how do you want to learn or teach a language: like a geek, like a teen or like a traveler.
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Original article: Language Networks

Open Data – socially publish data tables

Manny Sanchez — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:41:47 +0000

This new online tool is pretty cool.

With Factual, it’s easy to collect and present content that will keep your readers coming back for more. By using open data sets and building a community of contributors, you can create enormous databases of useful information – and keep them up to date – at almost no cost.

Why should you care about open data? Keeping proprietary data fresh and accurate costs money and time. But “open data” is emerging as an alternative sourcing model that can keep costs low and quality high. It’s like what “open source” has done for software, but absolutely anyone can contribute to open data. To that end, we created Factual to help people and companies manage this new web of information, and make it easier to mix, mash, and share. Whether your motivation is to build cool applications or better the world, we’d love your help in starting new data projects on topics you’re passionate about. Just follow a few easy steps.

Example: SEOmoz Top 100 Most Visited Domains

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Original article: Open Data – socially publish data tables

uStream and how it can help your business

Manny Sanchez — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 02:44:44 +0000

YouTube is great for sharing videos, easy and fun. But what about live events, specially events talking place in your business. Well you could use YouTube, Vimeo or other video services, but nothing gives you the power like uStream.tv.

Its a free live streaming service you can use for security your own cams, live cams in business and streaming events. It gives you the power to add text, videos, polls, twitter, viewer stats and communicate live with your viewers. If you can learn to wield the power of this storm your into quite the surprise. Basically you can have your own online TV station without the expense.

All you basically need is a computer and web cam, but if you really want to spice it up you can connect a handycam or if you have a video switcher, many cameras and stream from various angles. Add a analog to video converter and you can stream movies, shows, news programs, etc.

The best part of it all is you can embed this live stream like a YouTube or Vimeo video. Add a box to you Facebook profile, website, blog, etc. All your websites and networks can be windows to your live program. Now all these features are sweet.

Check out the live stream channel we are working on

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rockypointgo
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Original article: uStream and how it can help your business