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Category: viralSpoof offers some real perspective on how important Facebook has becomeA spoof film trailer making its way around the Web is offering a real glimpse into just how important Facebook — and other social media platforms have become. In the two-and-one-half-minute YouTube video, comedians Dan De Lorenzo and Ben Stumpf equates in an over-the-top way not having a Facebook account to living an isolated existence in the wilderness. It’s worth a watch:  Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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Unprecedented assault rages across Twitter networkAn assault is raging on Twitter. Thousands of accounts on the popular social network have been hijacked and turned into spammers at a speed never before seen, Mashable reports. It may be tied to the recent attack against Gawker and its 1.3 million commenters. The tweets link to domains containing “acainews,” the technology blog reports — and it is strongly advised to steer clear of such links. Many of the tweets seem to advertise a berry-based product that will help folks to lose weight. Folks operating compromised accounts should immediately change their passwords and then check if their accounts have been linked to unknown third-party accounts. Tech Talk advises folks never to use the password for more than one account, that all passwords are at least 12 characters long and contain special characters, numbers and capital letters and to change all passwords every 30 days. Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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PETA uses DKNY’s Facebook page against it PETA sent Tech Talk this screen capture of a message its members posted on DKNY's Facebook page. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals used Donna Karan New York’s own social media presence against it on this, one of the largest online shopping days of the year. PETA members posted a vertical message that reads “DK BUNNY BUTCHER” for the fashion titan’s more than 204,700 fans to see in the past hour in reference to the company’s decision to sell fur. “PETA has sent Donna Karan executives detailed information about the suffering of animals who are raised and killed for their fur, and thousands of people have taken action against the designer, who continues to use rabbit fur from China,” a PETA spokesperson wrote to Tech Talk. “Undercover investigations have revealed that animals on Chinese fur farms are hung upside down, screaming and kicking, and are forced to watch those ahead of them die violently before their own throats are cut.” The 16 accounts posted seemingly positive messages on DKNY’s Facebook wall — with the real message hidden in each user’s profile photo. Among the wall posts:
Of course, after understanding the context of the overall message, the individual wall posts take on a different meaning. DKNY appeared to be unaware of the messages as it posted at least once after its wall was defaced:
Administrators are not notified each time a person posts on a fan page and must monitor comments. Regardless of one’s opinions on either company, PETA’s strategy is a smart one — and one that will likely be repeated more often as more brands turn to the Web to disseminate their message. “This is the first time that PETA has used this particular approach on Facebook,” Ashley Byrne, a senior campaigner for PETA, told Tech Talk. “We have, however, used Facebook many times to get our message across. When Brookstone was selling live frogs inside cheap plastic enclosures — misleading customers and causing the deaths of countless frogs in their stores by hiding sick animals in back rooms — we asked our members and supporters to post comments on Brookstone’s page expressing their concern for the frogs’ welfare. It was not long before the company’s Facebook fan page was taken down.” Byrne said her company believes the use of social media is an effective tool for online advocacy and virtual activism. “PETA uses social media in a variety of ways to interact with supporters on a personal level and share information,” she told Tech Talk. “PETA members took over Donna Karan’s Facebook page in order to pressure Karan to drop fur from her designs. We knew that Facebook would be an effective platform for letting Donna Karan’s fans know that Karan continues to design with fur even though she’s aware that gentle rabbits endure tremendous suffering because of the fur industry.” Byrne said PETA hopes that by posting on the DKNY Facebook page, a new audience may be reached. “Social networks have allowed PETA to connect with supporters on an individual and immediate level,” Byrne said. ”We are able to interact with any one of our 1 million Facebook fans or 100,000 Twitter followers. We can address specific questions and concerns, offer advice, and share in joint victories.” Byrne said social media allowed PETA to stay in constant touch with supporters. “By using social media, we can deliver information to our supporters in real time. We are able to update them on developments relating to campaigns and victories as they happen,” she said. “We knew that by targeting Karan’s Facebook page on Cyber Monday, we could convince more people to boycott her designs until she drops fur for good.” Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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Finally proof time travel is possible — sortaOne of the smartest people I know and Stamford’s own Matthew T. Comer once hypothesized that if time travel will ever be possible, it has already happened. He went on to explain that chances are a time traveler from the future would likely want to explore history hence going to a time earlier than today. Logical. So is time travel possible? Comer believes so. If he is right, and he almost always is, then why hasn’t a time traveler been identified yet? Perhaps at least one has. The Web is alive in talk about a man captured talking on what appears to be a cell phone during the filming of Charlie Chaplin’s 1928 silent movie, “The Circus.” You can read more about it in this New York Daily News article. Of course, if it is a cell phone, Tech Talk would have to believe it is far from the distant future as there would not be the satellites or towers to allow for conversation and it would need to have technology within it to do without them. And one would think it would transcend transcontinental communication. It would very likely be transtime chat — and just imagine the possibility of that. Above all, it is a fun idea to think about. Similarly seemingly irrational ideas have been proven possible. So why not this? Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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‘Dry Erase Girl’ revealed to be a hoax One of several dozen photos posted on theCHIVE.com Hold on to your marker board! The young woman who became an overnight Internet sensation for seemingly quitting her job through a series of 33 simple, but clever photos — each with another detail about her resignation and supposed former employers — is an actress hired for a viral hoax. The stunt was so successful that it even sparked a Facebook group calling for her to pose in “Playboy”. Fittingly, the hoax was revealed through another series of messages told in photographs and posted online. “The last 24 hours have been surreal,” the woman who identified herself as Elyse Porterfield wrote as she grinned broadly. “And this has been a HOAX … by theCHIVE.com.” She wrote that she “had a blast, and more than anything … I hope you’ve been ENTERTAINED.” We were. You fooled countless bloggers, journalists and talking heads — and nobody got hurt, except for maybe a few egos. Tech Talk commends you on distracting us from reality, if only for a few minutes, and bringing smiles to the faces of thousands. Of course, this should also remind us all how important it is to screen information before running with it — as far too many writers failed to do. While this incident did not cause any damage or harm, similar ones could. So, please, tread carefully. Remember, it’s not about being first, it’s about being accurate — something Tech Talk strives for. If you haven’t checked out the photos, please do so. They’re fun. The brothers who run theCHIVE.com have fooled the press before — most notably with a story that Donald Trump left a waiter a $10,000 tip on a $82 meal, a story appeared on FOXNews.com for several hours. Still want to read more? Check out more details from TechCrunch here. Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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Controversial site honored with a WebbyA controversial website known as much for the naked men who seem to frequent it as for its innovative concept is being recognized by one with one of the Internet’s highest honors. ChatRoulette, a site that allows users to connect via video chat with a stranger somewhere on earth, will be honored with the Webby Breakout of the Year Award at the 14th Annual Webby Awards ceremony in New York on June 14. Andrey Ternovskiy, the Russian teen who created the site for his friends when he was just 17 in his native Moscow, will accept the award. “By combining video-chatting technology and randomization, ChatRoulette pairs users from all over the world in arbitrary video conversations, creating an new type of online experience that can be both thrilling and exhausting,” a company press release sent to Tech Talk stated. “Described by New York magazine as ‘one of those gloriously simple ideas that manages to harness the crazy power of the Internet in a potentially revolutionary way,’ Chatroulette.com now boasts tens of thousands of users online at any given moment.” Most ChatRoulette users seemed unaware of the award, and by-in-large told Tech Talk that they were happy about the site’s recognition. B.J. Novak, of NBC’s “The Office” will host the Webby awards. “ChatRoulette’s success offers a refreshing reminder that the Internet still offers a level playing field where anyone with a great idea or product can flourish,” David-Michel Davies, executive director of The Webby Awards, said in a statement sent to Tech Talk. “The product of a simple yet utterly original idea, launched without any concern for profit or growth, ChatRoulette embodies the sort of accidental innovation that only the Internet can produce.” Other winners include:
Please click here to see a full list of this year’s winners. The Webby Awards honor the year’s best websites, ads, mobile sites and special achievement honorees. Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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Teen treks to N. Pole to raise awareness, earn Foursquare badge Parker Liautaud is trekking to the North Pole, sponsored by Fairfield-based General Electric, to raise environmental awareness. Parker Liautaud, with help from the General Electric Co., is going to the top of the world to raise awareness about environmental issues facing our planet — and to encourage young people to get involved in working toward solutions. Liautaud, a 15-year-old California native, is scheduled to become the first person to unlock the exclusive Last Degree Badge on the popular location-based social networking site Foursquare early Saturday morning local time. The teen became passionate about the polar region last year when he participated in an expedition to Antarctica, he told Outside Magazine. “I learned about the significant changes in ice conditions and wildlife that are taking place there today and decided that I wanted to do something about it,” he told the adventure publication. “After the trip, I decided I wanted to do something to change the situation, which is how I came up with the idea of skiing to the North Pole and engaging my peers in a social media campaign that would help them learn about the issues facing the Arctic and provide them with the tools to make their voices heard.”  Liautaud is vying for this coveted Foursquare badge. Liautaud departed a base camp in Norway nine days ago on skis headed toward the North Pole with expert guide Doug Stoup, of California-based Ice Access Expeditions. He has posted numerous updates on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr and a blog as he participates in the expedition. Web surfers also can sign a virtual petition, donate their Facebook status, track Liautaud on Google Earth and submit video pledges on how they’re reducing their carbon footprint. He plans to show the video pledges to world leaders at the United Nations’ environmental conference next month in Germany. To achieve his goal, Liautaud contacted Fairfield-based GE in September and asked if the industrial and financial giant would be his primary sponsor. “He told us that he wanted to inspire, inform and engage young people on the need for action to take on environmental actions,” said Megan Parker, GE communications specialist for social media. “We were incredibly impressed that a 15-year-old would take on a mission to the North Pole.” Through its five-year-old Ecomagination initiative, GE encourages global action to solve environmental challenges while making money for GE and its customers. His mission aligned well with GE’s endeavor, Parker said, and enabled the corporation to reach a new demographic. “He’s very impressive, articulate and passionate about what he’s doing,” she said. “We like to be part of collective action to solve problems.”
“It’s been very tough, white-out conditions for a few days,” Parker said. “He’s been skiing and trekking through worse conditions than many of us could even imagine.” Some 20 miles of open water separated Parker from his goal of reaching the North Pole on Friday evening, so a helicopter was deployed to transport him to the top of the world and his goal. Although the multinational conglomerate has participated in many sponsorships in the past, this appears to be the first time GE sponsored such a unique adventure, Parker said. “It’s a very exciting project,” she said. “And the more people who hear about it, the more are interested.” PLEASE NOTE: This story is scheduled to appear in the Hearst Connecticut newspapers on Saturday. Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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Media turns to Twitter to break the storyWhen news of a potential shoe-bomber allegedly trying to bring down a large commercial airliner over Denver raced across America two and a hours ago, I heard about it first on Twitter — which has become the rule more than the exception. @breakingnews, an NBC-operated Twitter account, as far as I could tell, first broke the story — both on the social network and in general. About two hours ago, the folks behind the account tweeted:
Since then, the account published four updates, most recently reporting:
As soon as I came across the story, approximately five minutes after @breakingnews reported it, I scoured the Internet for a similar report from another outlet. From Washington, D.C. to Denver, no one seemed to have anything. So, I cited NBC News and @breakingnews in subsequent tweets. In all, I tweeted and retweeted about 40 times about the incident. I cited several news outlets and reported on how various networks were covering the story. I also spoke with news officials from across the country via direct message and public tweets. You can check out my public Twitter trail here. It’s wonderful to see how much the mainstream media is recognizing the power in Twitter. It can take several pain-staking minutes — as many as 10 — for an update to go live on a news site, believe me I have been the guy responsible for updating national news sites sweating with every second it takes for the homepage to refresh with the latest news bulletin. It can take double that time to disseminate breaking news e-mails. But Twitter allows news agencies to disseminate the latest details in moments. News outlets across platforms and around the world, including the Hearst Connecticut newspapers, posted relevant and breaking information about the quickly-changing story on their Twitter accounts throughout the hour-long saga. You can check out what the Connecticut Post, for example, tweeted here. Twitter is the ideal tool for both the casual news consumer and news junkie alike. Of course, it is important to consider one’s source when evaluating the information at hand. It’s easy to forget that, but that’s where professional journalists who understand the difference between rumors and a confirmed reports make all the difference. I tweet the latest news from trusted news organizations around the clock @jdeloma. If you are considering joining Twitter and/or have questions, don’t hesitate to e-mail me at techtalk@jamiedeloma.com. I would be happy to help you in any way that I can. If you have a news tip or know of a really good tweeter I should consider sharing, I would be delighted to read your note. Jamie DeLoma
Jamie DeLoma is both an experienced journalist and a computer nerd. He joined the Connecticut Post in August, 1998 and has been involved in every facet of editorial content. He is the vice president of communications and a former president of the Connecticut Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Jamie is also a part-time A1 copy editor and page designer for Hearst Connecticut newspapers. He is an avid tweeter, Facebook user and general news junkie. He is also the assistant director of public relations and social media at Quinnipiac University where he is completing a master's degree in the interactive communications program.
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