Facebook Apps

Facebook is a massive social networking site. However, unlike previous networks, where you are simply provided with a web page to edit, with some basic online apps for photos and friends, Facebook is more focused in communication. One big advantage of using Facebook is the thousands of small applications which can be installed into your profile. Despite only having been on Facebook for a month or two, I already have some favourites:

10: FlogBlog
This is a really small application, which only has one function: to display your online blog on your profile. This may sound really basic, but only having a hyperlink to your blog, or copying and pasting it into your profile is a real hassle. It’s not what I would call a “fun” application, but it’s very useful.
9: Wrestler
This app is much like many others: battle someone you know, using either chance or a rock-paper-scissors style decision maker, this using the latter. It’s not bad, but it is excessively slow if the opponent isn’t online.
8: HomeWorld
Similar to the RTS equivalent, its very similar to petrol heads, but you can battle anyone on facebook
7: TheWall
Included with every profile, the wall is a small area on your profile for friends to post small messages and images. It’s actually quite useful; whether it be that your friend isn’t signed into an instant messenger, you don’t have their address, or they could be in a different time zone. This small area to keep in contact is really nice, and a great way to communicate against E-mail.
6: Groups
Another in-built application, it does exactly what it says on the tin: it allows you to join online groups in Facebook. Currently I am a member of “Games concepts is clearly the best course at UCLan” , “I turn my pillow over to get to the cold side” and “drunk text appreciation society”.
5: Top Friends
Facebook’s built in friends app simply lets you add friends, to see your profile. The Top Friends allows you to send gifts and drinks, rate your friends, and organise them in order; from your best friends, to your close social circles, to people your friends brother’s mate knows, to the people who you dint want to add as friends, but kind of had to.
4: How british are you?
Annother “does exactly what it says on the tin” application, but now you can show off your britishness on you profile.
3: Texas Hold’em poker
This app does exactly what it says on the tin, but thankfully, no money is involed. Just for fun
2: Super Poke
Built into Facebook is an option to “poke” someone, but this gets very old, very fast. Super poke fills that void. Basically it allows you to perform pretend actions toward friends. Tazing, detaining at the airport, giving cookies, waving at among some of the hundreds of different pokes you can send to your friends. This app is just for laughs, with new options constantly becoming available by super poking x number of people. I would strongly recommend it.
1: PetrolHeads
This small but adictive game involves racing your friends, the better you get, the more cars you can chose, and the more probability you have of winning a race. It doesn’t sound like much but its one of the most satisfying feelings,beating a sports car with a cinclair C5.

Ethics

Creating a digital log of your life, sharing it with others, and expressing your views is a great idea, however the whole ethics of exposing your life is questionable.

Firstly, as it’s open for anyone to see, this in itself is a risk. It could attract unwanted attention or abuse. Their have been several high profile cases of people having to close their blog and their online identity.

Another big problem with blogging is the repercussions of blogging about other people. Blogging about yourself is perfectly acceptable, but extreme care isn’t taken, a case of libel could be brought against you. Even joking about a person, group or subject may land you in seriously hot water.

Then their is the danger of your account being broken into, and some unknown party broadcasting, offending, inappropriate or phishing.

So my advice is thus: Never give out any personal details, regardless of how insignificant, keep your username and password safe, never ever express radical, degrading or insulting comments, and most of all, don’t get addicted. As nice as a virtual life can be, constantly blogging will leave you with little of real life to blog about.

Good luck, and safe blogging
=g= Caboose

Papin

This week we were sent out of our comfort zone, with nothing more than a large camera and the idea “a day in the life of…”. My aspiring artistic group consisted of Wilson, DJ Searle, Lewis, Jamie, Mazz, Ryan and Phil. Initially we came up with the un-original idea “A day in the life of a student”, so we went to the pub, as to portray student life in the most accurate way. After a few pints and a couple of games of pool, during which Dan used a combination of magnets, well aimed draughts and slight of hand to cheat his way to victory over me, we decided that all students know how the life of a student works. So while the team were formulating a crack plan, me and Dan were “Paping” (Paparazzi) each other. This lead to the idea of following some random public member, taking pictures of them and not getting caught. This was deemed to be a little extreme, so we concocted the following plan:
1 Person #1 wakes up with person #2, and isn’t happy. This was shot outside CM033 on the seats, as we couldn’t find any nearby beds. It was at this point that person #1 should be Wilson, and person #2 should be Mazz (as he had already exposed himself earlier, so he fits the character profile)
2 person #1 identifies person #2 in a police line-up
3 Person #2 tracks down person #1 to the top of the Greenbank building for revenge
4 Elaborate fight scene, with a matrix-style thing (which didn’t look that good)
5 person #2 throws person #1 off balcony
6 Shots of #1 on floor below
With this super plan, we set out and caught it all on film, at various locations across the university campus. Despite the plot being as clear as a Stephan Segal movie, we had lots of fun, and gathered a lot of quality blackmail material, as shown below. Here’s looking at you Nikki!