I have some questions about the new Facebook Like button developers are now able to add to websites. I know how to implement it, but how is it supposed to be used? Should each of my blog posts have both a Like button and a Share button?
I’m the head web developer for four websites (including my personal site) and a contributing developer for one other site. Facebook has been making a lot of work for me lately. They recently changed the way outside sites connect with its services. They announced the eventual shutdown of Facebook Connect, the existing protocol, in favor of a new JavaScript SDK that makes heavy use of the Like button through social plugins. Strangely, there isn’t a Share button social plugin that runs on the new SDK. You still have to use Facebook Connect for that feature.
But here’s the real kicker: a website cannot run Facebook Connect and the JavaScript SDK at the same time. Trust me, I’ve tried. So did the good people over at AllFacebook, and they came to the same conclusion. Developers must choose between the new Like button and the existing Share button.
Continue reading ‘Like Button Best Practices’
A couple weeks ago my now-former roommate Joe got married. Like most couples Joe and his bride Mandi had wedding pictures taken on the big day, and like most twenty-first century couples those photos hit Facebook not long after. My friend Scott and I have been having a lot of fun with one of those pictures. Here’s the original shot, taken by Krista Stone, depicting Joe jumping for joy.
Continue reading ‘The Jumping Joe Meme’
Does anyone else dislike Facebook’s “Reconnect” feature? It’s on the home page, under the box that suggests people or pages you might want to connect with. Suggesting a first-time connection with someone is actually somewhat helpful. But suggesting I contact a friend I’ve been out of contact with for a while because some Facebook algorithm thought it’d be nice? That’s nearly useless. And because I can never leave well enough alone I found a way to block the bothersome nag.
Continue reading ‘How to Remove Facebook’s "Reconnect" Box’
I’ve become pretty serious about the responsible use of social networks after hearing so many stories of digital mishaps that have proven costly offline. I’m sure you too have heard a number of anecdotes about people who have shared something publicly that should have stayed private or posted a status that slammed a boss that was read by that supervisor. Personally I have very strict privacy settings on Facebook, whereas on Twitter I have an open profile and thus am guarded about what I post there.
Furthermore, I’ll soon be making a Facebook Page for where I work. In preparation I’ve been reading up on the ins and outs of the site’s privacy settings and policies. As a rule, they’re pretty good.
However, there are two features on Facebook which each lack a privacy filter, and I would argue each needs one. I’ve sent numerous inquiries to Facebook, but since they haven’t replied or tightened things up I figured I’d point them out.
Continue reading ‘Two Facebook Features that Need Privacy Filters’
Published on
9/4/09. Categorized under
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THIS CONTEST HAS ENDED. View the results.
I’m one of the Thomas Nelson book review bloggers. Earlier this week they were looking for bloggers to review Donald Miller‘s upcoming book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Now, Donald Miller is one of my favorite contemporary authors. So I had already preordered the book. Months ago, actually. But I couldn’t resist being one of the first to have it.
I got my copies on Thursday afternoon. Wait, they sent me two?! The note included with the books suggested the second copy could be given away to one of my blog readers. I’ve never had a contest on my blog before. Sounds like a great idea!
Continue reading ‘CONTEST: Win Donald Miller’s New Book’
