Technology Tip: Facebook Privacy

Facebook is at it again. If you haven't revisited your privacy settings recently, now is the time to do so.

This week, Facebook announced its new data-sharing policies which make much of your profile information publicly available to 3rd-party websites unless you OPT OUT.

There are 2 major features that were introduced this week. Social Plugins add Facebook "Like" buttons to popular websites that allow you to easily post news or information you like to your Facebook profile. This one is not as much a problem, because you are actively choosing to "Like" something. The 2nd feature is called Instant Personalization. This feature will allow partner websites to use your public information to tailor your experience on their sites. Currently there are only 3 partners: Pandora, Yelp, and Microsoft Documents. This feature is the one you need to pay attention to. By default, a box is checked in your settings allowing Instant Personalization. If you do not want to share this information you need to actively go in and uncheck the box.

Now, the most important thing to know is that even if you uncheck the box, your friends can still share your information with these partner websites unless you block the application.

Here are very clear instructions from the EFF (Electronic Frontiers Foundation) on how to opt out of Facebook's Instant Personalization.

http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2010/04/how-opt-out-facebook-s-instant-personalization

Another change that Facebook has made concerns your profile information. Now when you go to your Profile (the first time after these changes were implemented), you will see a big box that asks you if you want to link to pages that match any interests you listed in your profile (for example, if you have listed on your page that you are a UNT alum, it will ask you if you want to link to the UNT Facebook page). You can choose to link to just one or two or to all of the suggested pages. However, what Facebook has not made clear is that if you choose not to link to the pages, the information you have previously entered in those sections will appear as empty in your profile. There's really nothing you can do about this other than decide which you would prefer (linking to public pages and sharing your interests with the world or showing no information at all), but it is worth mentioning here that you must make a choice.

~Somer

Technology Tips & News

Somer and I will start posting technology news and tips here on Fridays. In case you didn't know, we started a NextReads newsletter back in January, Technology Dashboard. Take a look at the inaugural issue and March's issue here.

Let us know what you think or what you would like to see - I thought it would be better to post something short and sweet here rather than starting a new blog. Saima

Friday Trainings

What type of trainings would you like to participate in on Fridays? Database, subject specific resources, web 2.0, Office 2007, other computer/technology related topics? Please submit your suggestions via the comments feature.

Thanks,
Saima

P.S. We also need to think about creating database pathfinders and subject guides.
Saima

A Thank You From a Telephone Patron

Mr Wacasy called and wants to thank all of the librarians who have helped him over the phone through the years. So a big THANK YOU to you all!
Lw

Test guides on 2

Should only uncataloged test guides be in the little bookcase that is by the CORE?

With the exception of the CORE book display, I think all tests guides that are cataloged should be in their respective shelf place. This will make things easier for customers and for staff retreiving items for title page or TR.

~katie

Odiferous Men's Bathrooms

This needs a Sprockets order.
Saima

The doors to the men's bathrooms are always propped open and the smells practically knock a person down. Can we shave a bit off the bottom of the doors so they automatically close upon entering and leaving? Or can we issue air freshener to each floor? Something?
L Reeves

Reservations, Blogs and movie stuff

David will update the docent blog.
Saima

The meeting room reservations on the Cen Blog have not been updated since the week onfFebruary 23rd. The Docent blog is way out of date. Would it be possible to have a slot in the bins on each floor or on the meeting room tables were movie posters, bookmarks and giveaways(that Hiawatha receives) are placed? It goes to waste stored in the workroom. Patrons are always looking for bookmarks so at least display those.
L Reeves

Flash Drives

***That's a great question Lisa! We have purchased flash drives and headphones but the Smart Money Manager cash register hasn't been set up to allow this type of function. Perhaps it will in the near future?***
Saima

Could we sell flash drives, the same way we're selling tote bags?

If that's not possible, could they sell them at Inversion?

I get asked for them fairly often; it would be great if we were able to meet the need for them.

Lisa