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stupidity posts

Filed under: Internet, Social Software, web 2.0

Warning: Facebook can get you fired and make a cop kick your ass

We've warned you before about the risks associated with social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. There's that nasty Koobface thing floating around infecting people left and right. There are the myriad privacy concerns. But what about some more tangible, real-life risks?

Little things, like getting fired from your new job like the poor sod who forgot she friended her boss. There's a good lesson here for all of us.

If you're still working off your probationary period and can be let go without warning you should probably 1) try not to screw up all the time and 2) not badmouth your employer on Facebook when he/she can see your updates.
It would probably be a tad humiliating to have your termination notice posted right where all your friends can see it, dontcha think?

Moving on, it's probably also a good idea watch what you post to someone's spouse. Lieutenant John Sherman of the Martinsburg, PA police has been suspended with pay for his...er...reply to the messages a man sent his wife on Facebook. Unlike the firing incident, we don't have an incriminating-but-hilarious screencap to clarify.

But hey, for all we know the messages could have been along the lines of "I really hope your husband punches me in the face outside the old church," or "I'd pay John $5,000 to beat me silly in a field." Whatever the posts said, they clearly rubbed Sherman the wrong way.

There's still no Facebook App that will coldcock someone through their monitor, so I suppose kicking the guy's ass in a field near a church was the best way officer Sherman could think to say "back off."

Moral of the story: just as in real life, it's a good idea to watch your mouth on social networking sites.

Photo credits: Crime stopper via Flickr user kolix. FB fail via Reddit.

Filed under: Fun, Internet, Security, Analysis

5 Ways To Surf Like a Complete Moron

I just can't take it any more. I don't understand how people actually use their computers like this, but they do. Just take a look at Kaspersky's figures for August 2008. I look after a lot of computers for friends and family, and a dozen machines at work - and none are infected. Then again, all of them are well-protected and used responsibly.

Now, it's not my intent that anyone actually follow this horrible, horrible advice. It's just that so many people seem to think this type of behavior is perfectly normal computer use.

So here it is: my 5-point method for turning your computer into a quivering pile of malware-infested, hacker-friendly trash.

1. Don't bother updating your software. Things like Java, Flash, and your web browser are constantly updating. How annoying is that? If your Flash games play, and the little Java thing is always near your system clock, it's probably working just fine. Security holes in your outdated internet apps let the information move through faster.

2. Believe everything you see. If a pop up window tells you that Windows has found spyware on your computer or that you have 324 errors in your registry, you'd better click on it. That's not the kind of thing you want to take a chance on. I mean, the registry is where stuff...registers. And spyware removal software that advertises Shamwow style must be trustworthy, right?

Read more →

Filed under: Windows, Microsoft, Commercial, Troubleshooting

Windows Home Server eats files for lunch

Oh no!When Microsoft first announced its Windows Home Server product, it sounded rather appealing to many users. Rather than having to go through the trouble of setting up, say, a Debian server, it became possible to run a powerful server using a familiar environment.

At least that was the concept. However, a distressing bug has surfaced on the Microsoft Knowledge Base. According to the article, Windows Home Server can corrupt or eat files created by several popular Microsoft applications, Quicken, Quickbooks and even Bittorrent downloads, yikes!

We'd think people might want to be able to reliably save such obscure things as pictures, presentations, and torrents on a home server, but maybe we're just weird like that.

[Via Computer World]

Filed under: Internet, News, Web services, Social Software

Online dating bill gets dumped


Anytime you attach the word "Internet" to something, politicians are ready to jump in and try to save us from ourselves. Take "Internet Dating" for example. Since time immemorial, we as a species have gathered in social places, imbibed adult beverages and looked to hook-up with what flips our romantic switch. In the modern age, we go to bars and clubs, even to speed dating events and, last I remember, no one stands at the door running background checks to make sure we were felony free before letting us mingle.

In Illinois though, State Rep. John Bradley is convinced that people meeting and hooking up through online dating websites should undergo background checks or be warned in rather strong language that no background checks have been performed. The same bill, introduced by Bradley last year, passed the Illinois House of Representatives but, died a crash-and-burn death in the State Senate.

Fortunately for the millions of people living in Illinois -- who are perfectly capable of making their own decisions -- the rest of the state Representatives display a little more common sense this time around, and have soundly defeated the bill. Common Sense; 1, Illinois Politicians; 0

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