Why blame social media for the behaviour of its toxic users? We’re letting the people spreading hate off the hook

Posted by & filed under Social Media, Social Networks, Social Responsibility.

Social media platforms have become the latest villains in the headlines. I find it alarming that we are looking to vilify the sites rather than the users that abuse them. As soon as we start blaming the platforms for wrongdoing, we are allowing the people who are spreading toxicity to simply throw their hands up… Read more »

Social media giants continue to harm democracy and it’s evident during this election

Posted by & filed under AI/Artificial Intelligence, Ethical issues, Social Media, Social Networks, Social Responsibility.

The trolls accosting Justin Trudeau at campaign stops across Canada are hardly the first to bring the worst of Facebook to real life. “Death to Trudeau” memes have been dominant on Facebook for years. The guy who packed his truck full of guns and drove through the gates of Rideau Hall in search of the… Read more »

Facebook plans satellite to deliver space-based internet service ‘in 2016′

Posted by & filed under Competitive Advantage, IT Infrastructure, Social Media, The Internet.

Facebook is to launch a satellite that will provide internet access to remote parts of Africa, the social network’s founder Mark Zuckerberg has announced.  In partnership with French-based provider Eutelsat, Facebook hope the first satellite will be launched in 2016.  “We’re going to keep working to connect the entire world — even if that means… Read more »

Is it the beginning of the end for online comments?

Posted by & filed under Business Intelligence, E-Business, E-Commerce, Ethical issues, IT Trends, Social Media.

Vibrant online communities? Or cesspools of abuse? Have comments had their day? The debate about comment sections on news sites is often as divisive as the comments themselves. Recently outlets such as The Verge and The Daily Dot have closed their comments sections because they’ve become too hard to manage. And they’re far from alone. Moderating comments… Read more »

Webscape: A toolkit for start-ups

Posted by & filed under E-Business, E-Commerce, Social Computing, Social Media, Social Networks.

From sites which offer tips from successful entrepreneurs and business people to a daily email of key news events, this video rounds up some of the best tools for those starting a business. Source: BBC News Date: January 30, 2015 Link (to be pasted into browser): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02hv80g Discussion 1) Why do you think these entrepreneurs… Read more »

Starbucks offers Twitter gift cards

Posted by & filed under Social Media.

Discussion: E-Commerce was taken to a new level this week when Starbucks announced that they are offering gift cards through Twitter. This service allows Twitter users to gift their friends, family members, and co-workers with a coffee of their choice. It is just required that an user have an account with Starbucks and Twitter, then they… Read more »

Snapchat has a bright (and long) future

Posted by & filed under Social Media.

Discussion: Snapchat has become a huge player in the Social Media market. They have become such a big competitor that they are on track to sell for more then Instagram or YouTube. Over the Summer they obtained five key investors, bringing up their estimated value to $80 million. It is hard to comprehend how Snapchat can… Read more »

Analytics Company Mines Twitter for Stock Picks

Posted by & filed under Social Media.

Discussion: Social Market Analytics “provides investors with actionable, meaningful intelligence on publicly traded securities based on social media inputs.” They are currently partnering with New York Stock Exchange, to provide their information on their Safety Feed for hedge funds and money mangers. However, they are putting together a product for active traders that well enable them to receive… Read more »