Social Web http://www.npr.org Sites like Facebook and Twitter have revolutionized the Web, altered how we interact with each other and even changed the way news is gathered and delivered. Read about the impact of social media and its continuing evolution. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 20 May 2013 16:29:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Social Web http://www.npr.org Yahoo's Other Billion-Dollar Bets: Where Are They Now? Tumblr joins GeoCities, Broadcast.com and Overture in the small fraternity of Yahoo's $1 billion-plus acquisitions. What can the company can learn from its previous purchases? Mon, 20 May 2013 16:29:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/20/185573937/yahoos-other-billion-dollar-bets-where-are-they-now?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/20/185573937/yahoos-other-billion-dollar-bets-where-are-they-now?ft=1&f=125104516 Tumblr joins GeoCities, Broadcast.com and Overture in the small fraternity of Yahoo's $1 billion-plus acquisitions. What can the company can learn from its previous purchases?

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]]> Facebook Users Question $20 Million Settlement Over Ads Facebook is expected to pay out $20 million in a settlement over its "Sponsored Stories" advertising service, after placing user images in personalized ads. But the settlement doesn't stop the service, and a legal expert says Facebook's option to let users opt out creates more problems. Mon, 13 May 2013 15:14:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/14/182861926/facebook-users-question-20-million-settlement-over-ads?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/14/182861926/facebook-users-question-20-million-settlement-over-ads?ft=1&f=125104516 Facebook is expected to pay out $20 million in a settlement over its "Sponsored Stories" advertising service, after placing user images in personalized ads. But the settlement doesn't stop the service, and a legal expert says Facebook's option to let users opt out creates more problems.

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]]> Make Your Own Comics: Storytelling With Friends Bitstrips is a popular website and Facebook app that has teens and others making their own cartoons. Using templates they can modify, users can tell stories or jokes online and share them with friends. And the app is catching on in several foreign markets, including Mexico and Portugal. Sat, 11 May 2013 20:33:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/11/182925867/make-your-own-comics-storytelling-with-friends?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/11/182925867/make-your-own-comics-storytelling-with-friends?ft=1&f=125104516 Bitstrips is a popular website and Facebook app that has teens and others making their own cartoons. Using templates they can modify, users can tell stories or jokes online and share them with friends. And the app is catching on in several foreign markets, including Mexico and Portugal.

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]]> When It Comes To Productivity, Technology Can Hurt And Help With more employees working on the road and more distracting technologies in the office, some companies are creating new ways to improve efficiency. One software firm helps identify wasted time, while another makes it easier for co-workers to collaborate. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:07:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/06/179072692/when-it-comes-to-productivity-technology-can-hurt-and-help?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/05/06/179072692/when-it-comes-to-productivity-technology-can-hurt-and-help?ft=1&f=125104516 With more employees working on the road and more distracting technologies in the office, some companies are creating new ways to improve efficiency. One software firm helps identify wasted time, while another makes it easier for co-workers to collaborate.

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]]> As Its Influence Grows, Twitter Becomes A Hacking Target The Associated Press, NPR and the BBC have all had their Twitter accounts hijacked in recent weeks. Hacks of high-profile accounts have real-world consequences, and the security at Twitter is coming under increased scrutiny. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:18:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/25/178846087/as-its-influence-grows-twitter-becomes-a-hacking-target?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/25/178846087/as-its-influence-grows-twitter-becomes-a-hacking-target?ft=1&f=125104516 The Associated Press, NPR and the BBC have all had their Twitter accounts hijacked in recent weeks. Hacks of high-profile accounts have real-world consequences, and the security at Twitter is coming under increased scrutiny.

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]]> Social Media's Rush To Judgment In The Boston Bombings As Internet users injected themselves into the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings, false rumors began to spread about possible suspects in the attack. One of those falsely accused in social media was a 22-year-old Brown University student who has been missing. The general manager of Reddit has now apologized to the student's family. Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/23/178556269/Social-Medias-Rush-To-Judgment-In-The-Boston-Bombings?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/23/178556269/Social-Medias-Rush-To-Judgment-In-The-Boston-Bombings?ft=1&f=125104516 As Internet users injected themselves into the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombings, false rumors began to spread about possible suspects in the attack. One of those falsely accused in social media was a 22-year-old Brown University student who has been missing. The general manager of Reddit has now apologized to the student's family.

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]]> Deciding The Fate Of Your Digital Stuff After You're Gone Google seems to think of everything for everyone, and the dead are no exception. It has introduced Inactive Account Manager, which lets you select who should have access to your Gmail, YouTube and other Google services after you pass on — or whether the data should be wiped out. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:25:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/12/177031885/deciding-the-fate-of-your-digital-stuff-after-youre-gone?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/12/177031885/deciding-the-fate-of-your-digital-stuff-after-youre-gone?ft=1&f=125104516 Google seems to think of everything for everyone, and the dead are no exception. It has introduced Inactive Account Manager, which lets you select who should have access to your Gmail, YouTube and other Google services after you pass on — or whether the data should be wiped out.

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]]> Facebook's Online Speech Rules Keep Users On A Tight Leash Social networks now hold tremendous power to regulate online speech. Their rules for allowable comments, art and video govern billions of posts worldwide each day. And while Twitter users enjoy a great deal of freedom, Facebook has relatively tight restrictions on what users can say and see. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/03/176147408/facebooks-online-speech-rules-keep-users-on-a-tight-leash?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/04/03/176147408/facebooks-online-speech-rules-keep-users-on-a-tight-leash?ft=1&f=125104516 Social networks now hold tremendous power to regulate online speech. Their rules for allowable comments, art and video govern billions of posts worldwide each day. And while Twitter users enjoy a great deal of freedom, Facebook has relatively tight restrictions on what users can say and see.

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]]> On Its 7th Birthday, Is Twitter Still The 'Free Speech Party'? The first tweet was posted seven years ago. Since then, the social media site has been used as a free speech platform to spread information, report on the Arab Spring and stay connected with millions worldwide. But critics say that as Twitter has grown, it has sometimes compromised its principles. Thu, 21 Mar 2013 02:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/21/174858681/on-its-7th-birthday-is-twitter-still-the-free-speech-party?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/21/174858681/on-its-7th-birthday-is-twitter-still-the-free-speech-party?ft=1&f=125104516 The first tweet was posted seven years ago. Since then, the social media site has been used as a free speech platform to spread information, report on the Arab Spring and stay connected with millions worldwide. But critics say that as Twitter has grown, it has sometimes compromised its principles.

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]]> Like This Post On Facebook — It Might Reveal Something About You Researchers say a study of more than 58,000 U.S. Facebook users says their "likes" can be used to accurately predict everything from their sexual orientation to their political views. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:04:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/11/174052818/like-this-post-on-facebook-it-might-reveal-something-about-you?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/11/174052818/like-this-post-on-facebook-it-might-reveal-something-about-you?ft=1&f=125104516 Researchers say a study of more than 58,000 U.S. Facebook users says their "likes" can be used to accurately predict everything from their sexual orientation to their political views. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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]]> May You Tweet In Peace: Social Media Beyond The Grave Social media has definitely ingrained itself into our lives, but now it's seeping into our afterlives as well. A few companies are building services to maintain your online presence once you're six feet under. One's slogan is: "When your heart stops beating, you'll keep tweeting." Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/28/173183049/may-you-tweet-in-peace-social-media-beyond-the-grave?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/28/173183049/may-you-tweet-in-peace-social-media-beyond-the-grave?ft=1&f=125104516 Social media has definitely ingrained itself into our lives, but now it's seeping into our afterlives as well. A few companies are building services to maintain your online presence once you're six feet under. One's slogan is: "When your heart stops beating, you'll keep tweeting."

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]]> In Open Source Rocket Competition, Collaboration Takes Off The challenge, launching during the SXSW festival Saturday, asks anyone with an Internet connection to try to create a rocket engine. The 3-D designs can be edited by users around the globe, a model the organizers hope will decrease the cost of space innovation and unleash "untapped potential around the world." Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/08/173769058/in-open-source-rocket-competition-collaboration-takes-off?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/08/173769058/in-open-source-rocket-competition-collaboration-takes-off?ft=1&f=125104516 The challenge, launching during the SXSW festival Saturday, asks anyone with an Internet connection to try to create a rocket engine. The 3-D designs can be edited by users around the globe, a model the organizers hope will decrease the cost of space innovation and unleash "untapped potential around the world."

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]]> The Life Cycle Of A Social Network: Keeping Friends In Times Of Change Facebook has unveiled a redesign of its News Feed, but any social network knows that drastic changes come with risks. Just look at Friendster, a site that fizzled after changes to the interface and a subsequent exodus made it less valuable to users. Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:12:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/08/173772488/the-life-cycle-of-a-social-network-keeping-friends-in-times-of-change?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/03/08/173772488/the-life-cycle-of-a-social-network-keeping-friends-in-times-of-change?ft=1&f=125104516 Facebook has unveiled a redesign of its News Feed, but any social network knows that drastic changes come with risks. Just look at Friendster, a site that fizzled after changes to the interface and a subsequent exodus made it less valuable to users.

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]]> Twitter's Vine App Raises Questions About Social Media Age Restrictions Twitter's Vine video app is just 2 weeks old, but it's already been updated to add a 17+ rating. However, any user can just click "OK" to get around the age limit. Internet safety advocates say social media sites aren't doing enough to protect younger users from inappropriate material. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/07/171419497/twitters-vine-app-raises-questions-about-social-media-age-restrictions?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/07/171419497/twitters-vine-app-raises-questions-about-social-media-age-restrictions?ft=1&f=125104516 Twitter's Vine video app is just 2 weeks old, but it's already been updated to add a 17+ rating. However, any user can just click "OK" to get around the age limit. Internet safety advocates say social media sites aren't doing enough to protect younger users from inappropriate material.

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]]> Is Online Gambling Legal If Bitcoins, Not Dollars, Are At Stake? With no government ties, Bitcoin is used to buy everything from blogging services to Brooklyn-made cupcakes. Theoretically, millions of dollars are being kept in the digital currency. And it's increasingly being used by specialized websites to offer online gambling. But is Bitcoin gambling legal? Wed, 06 Feb 2013 03:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/06/171182974/is-online-gambling-legal-if-bitcoins-not-dollars-are-at-stake?ft=1&f=125104516 http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2013/02/06/171182974/is-online-gambling-legal-if-bitcoins-not-dollars-are-at-stake?ft=1&f=125104516 With no government ties, Bitcoin is used to buy everything from blogging services to Brooklyn-made cupcakes. Theoretically, millions of dollars are being kept in the digital currency. And it's increasingly being used by specialized websites to offer online gambling. But is Bitcoin gambling legal?

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