Just read that Facebook has done a u-turn on it’s terms and conditions change. For anyone out of the loop the changes meant that Facebook could keep user generated content even if a user cancelled their account. This raised a lot of questions like why, what will you use it for.
There was uproar from the community and they have reverted back to their previous terms. In my view user generated content should be removed once the user decides to no longer participate. Otherwise that content could be used for anything outside of the user’s control.
So a good move by Facebook. Read the retraction here: http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=54746167130
I’ve just finished my second WP plugin. Again, for a client but I’ve built something to administer a custom database. It attaches itself into the “Manage” menu and works really well. I followed the same principles as my previous post on this, but used the Administration Menu documentation on the WP site. This was invaluable for me getting the plugin just right.
My next steps is to apply these principles to themes. I’ve built many custom themes but I’ve not added an easy to use administration menu. I’m guessing that I can pretty much just take what I’ve done and apply it to the theme. So as it activates, it hooks into the correct places.
I’ve just finished my first WordPress plugin. I’ve put it off for a while but today I had to wade in and build one. It’s for a client to work within WPMU, so not something I can put up here. But I was suprised how straightforward it was. It didn’t take long to pull it together and there are some powerful hooks with WP.
So don’t be put off, have a go, it’s easier than you think. To help out I’ve included a Plugin Template for you to get started. This also includes the functions to add it to the admin menu to update the plugin options. Just Right-click and save the link.
Good luck. If you get stuck, give me a shout. In the meantime, I’m going to write another!
So it seems that Twitter has hit the mainstream media here in the UK. I was reading that there has been a massive increase in Twitter traffic. I’ve only dipped my toe in the Twitter waters. I mean, does anyone want to hear my ramblings in real time? My girlfriend and work colleagues get enough of that, without subjecting the rest of the world to it.
During this media storm there’s been lots of focus on Twitter. I found the Celebrity Tweet website earlier that claims to track celebrities. I’m not 100% convinced they’re all genuine. I could be wrong though. Worth a look.
I may even get Twittering again. Embrace the internet!!!
Today the NHS Pregnancy Desktop widget has been released. This was developed by us at The Team. It’s a desktop widget that runs with Adobe AIR and provides articles and tips for pregnant women.
It’s a very nice piece of work and we’re all very pround. Download it and take a look. It’ll be even more relevant if you’re expecting!
http://www.nhs.uk/pregnancydesktop/pages/default.aspx
I’ve just started my new London ad campaign. Not really, just found this cool bus slogan generator.
http://ruletheweb.co.uk/b3ta/bus/
Just been reading that MySpace has signed up to Google’s OpenSocial platform. OpenSocial is designed to allow developers to build applications that work on any website. It’s the big competitor to FaceBook which opened it’s API to deveopers in May 2007. Another battle brewing here.
My question is this. Why? Based on my experience of FaceBook applications, 99% are a waste of time. Do we really need hundreds of incarnations of the “X Me” application, or “FunWall”, “BigWall”, “WallWall” and the other thousands of clones? The tools are being developed ahead of the actual need. There’s no “need” for most of the applications on FaceBook, but the tools exist to create them very easily.
Sounds like a clear case of technology moving quicker than the wisdom to yield it.
Just stumbled on this, recaptcha.net.
I’ve got to say this is a very clever idea. To summarise, the reCAPTCHA replaces a standard CAPTCHA box. If you don’t know what CAPTCHA is, wikipedia has a good description.In this case, the user is presented with two words to type in the box. One is know to the system and the other comes from a error in using OCR on an old book. So at the same time as protecting your site from spam, you can also help digitise old books.
Simply clever.
By the end of October, Facebook profile will begin to appear on the major search engines. There was concern when some profiles could be search by anyone through the front end, and they are now opening them up to the world. Users can turn this off to protect their security though.
My question is this. Is Facebook succumbing to greed? By opening up to the major search engines they will get millions of addition traffic, boosting their coffers. When they first started it was a protected community. Now, almost a year after the public launch, we’ve had security problems, privacy issues and hundreds of pointless apps. Where are they heading?!?
I’m just on the train back from Leeds, more on that in another post.
To pass the time I decided to play sollitaire on my Treo phone. I’ve been playing for about half an hour and I cannot win a game. I’m convinced its not possible. Has anyone beat it?
Just read that Facebook has done a u-turn on it’s terms and conditions change. For anyone out of the loop the changes meant that Facebook could keep user generated content even if a user cancelled their account. This raised a lot of questions like why, what will you use it for.
