FB Discrimination

I just posted my first 'negative' comment on a business' page.

I am all for business' have pages on Facebook and Twitter (even though I don't use Twitter), heck even my work has a Facebook Page. But here is the thing, companies need to be careful what they advertise on social sties in relation to their stores.

This issue came up at my work where we had a major one day discount which was posted on our page. I also assumed we were going to advertise it to customers who came into our store too. But it was 'Facebook Exclusive.' I however, not knowing at the time gave the discount to customers who did not hear about it on Facebook but happened to be in our store. I felt like they deserved it too, even if they didn't 'like' us on Facebook. I felt if not our company was discriminating to our current customers.

I went to enter a contest just today on a comany page (Tupperware! they have good stuff..) and this is their United States and Canada page. So, I go to enter the contest giving away all of my information, selecting 'BC' and 'Canada' from the drop down menu. Then I submit it. Wait, there is an error...hmmm it says it cannot processed it because I am not a resident of the United States. But WAIT, this is the United States AND CANADA Facebook page!! I was upset, it took me like 3min to fill it out! and not anywhere did I see a ** or any small print about this. I had to open the official rules fine print. I felt this company was discriminating. 

Check out the page for yourself. Is it just me who can't see it says US residents ONLY.

Tupperware US and Canada site

So... that is why I left a 'lovely' comment on Tupperware's page.

It got me thinking back to my work and with this contest about how Facebook although has a large demographic of people (700+ million) , it does not include everyone. We can't forget who it doesn't include and we need to be cautious of who we exclude.

Anyone else experience Facebook Discrimination?

radio frequency identification or RFID, too close for comfort

Radio Frequency Identification or RRID has been used for awhile it was designed for convenience, employing a small radio chip to hold and transmit personal information. That chip makes it fast and easy to perform tasks such as scanning items in stores, tracking shipments and entering secure buildings.But just recently within the last year or so it is now used in some Visa/Mastercard, debit cards, and enhanced driver's license. What it means is that all you have to do at some stores is hold up your Mastercard or Visacard to a card scanner called Visa Wave or PayPass and the transaction is complete.

It's simple,  fast, and convenient just what we like.

So what's wrong with it then? Well, on an episode on 16x9-The Bigger Picture shows how anyone can create their own RFID scanner and connect it to a bluetooth connection then hook it up to a laptop and walk around and pass by  bystanders. 16X9 Taking Credit: Identity Theft in the technology Age Card information is picked up including the 16 digits and the expiration date on your card. The information is then transmitted to the hackers laptop or phone via bluetooth technology.  Where they could make a purchase using your card information. It's demonstrated in the video and all a person has to do is hold their makeshift RFID scanner up to your purse or wallet  within 1 foot or so and within in a few seconds they have all they need.

Now what is even scarier is this technology is also in enhanced driver's licenses in Canada, the ones that allow you to drive through the border to the US without a passport. On this RFID chip in your driver's license contains all of your personal information. But these can be read from  up to 30 feet away! Another way for someone to get all of your information.

I thought well, I'm safe from this I don't have an enhanced driver's license or nor I have ever used Visawave/Pay Pass before but I happened to take out my Visa and the white wireless radio symbol is on it!!


The only way to be completely safe is buy a special made sleeve for you credit card or diver's license which has metal plates in it that blocks the RFID signal.

Be aware of this little symbol and as always be cautious with your cards.  I know I will be!

  

Social Media-Too good to be true?

When watching the Social Media Revolution YouTube Video, I knew how quickly social media sites like Facebook and YouTube have grown but I was shocked to learn Facebook reached 100 Million users in less than 9 months! It goes to show how giving users the ability to interact while using the Internet has proven to be the most popular thing ever since the Web 1.0! In the past few years we have seen more people become famous from social media sites in particular YouTube. Including:

• Justin Bieber who signed on with Usher and is now the biggest star at age 17
• Greyson Chance after being seen by Ellen DeGeneres for singing his version of Lady Gaga's song Paparazzi she signed him
• David Tong known for his character as Peter Chao who does comedic skits in an over exaggerated Chinese accent. He has been featured in the Vancouver Sun as well as performed at the Global ComedyFest.
• Ted Williams in which a video of him went viral just a few weeks ago for his amazing radio voice. He went from being homeless to numerous job offers along with interviews and celebrity treatment.

All of these people, along with thousands of others have become instant stars because social media has enabled users to post, comment and interact on the Internet. So far it has proven to be another great invention allowing people to communicate in another way like cellphones are. But all of this instant fame will it really last? And it's scary to think of how many people are connected to sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Our lives are becoming almost too exposed, so now you can't post anything on Facebook without a future employer or even one of your parent's friend from seeing what you did on the weekend. Is Social Media too good to be true? Will there be a time when it will get the best of us?