Legal Policies and Ethics

                Libel and slander are common words for anyone who has taken a basic US Government class.  We all know that we have rights and laws in America that we have to abide by when writing information.  But with the new explosion of online and social media, some of those lines and regulations have become blurred.  Do we really understand what is and is not legal to post on the internet?  I know that I certainly do not comprehend all of the rules.  And what happens to us if we break the rules, even unknowingly?  I, for one, have worried on occasion that I will get slapped with a fine for using a picture I did not know was copywrited or mentioning a business that does not want publicity through my Facebook status.

                I think we have grasped that we need to cite academic sources found on the internet when we put them into research papers.  But it is the social media portion of the world wide web where things get sticky.  (haha get it?)

                But seriously, legalities and policies can be serious issues.  When I was looking up some specific policies I found this checklist of how to keep yourself safe and make sure your bases are covered.   http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/ANowDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=46342

                Once your blog, Twitter, or whatever you are using is legal, it is also a good idea to make sure you are being ethical.  Are the things you are posting harmful to an individual or business?  Even if they may be true, it is not always relevant or ethical to post about your distaste of an individual all over their wall.  It is also ethical to make sure what you are saying is true.  For example, did Edward Cullen’s actor (whatever his name is) really die, or is this just a spoof?  You may want to ask yourself questions like this before reposting.  It is also important to take responsibility for what you say.  Your online reputation should be a reflection of your real world reputation, not an imaginary identity.  And, as always cite your sources.  Like this one I used to learn more about internet ethics J http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-internet-ethics.htm

                Have fun with your social media! But make sure you are doing it legally!

Collaborative and Distance Communication Platforms and Tools

                Any college student away from home will tell you that Skype is their best friend.  Skype (along with other distance communication platforms and tools) allow you to connect with people anywhere in the world.  These tools are useful for a number of different reasons.  Some of this these reasons are outlined here:  http://www.ehow.com/about_7230201_distance-communication-technology.html

My favorite use for these platforms and tools is reconnecting with my family and friends.  Being away from home, it is nice to be able to see and hear those I care about.  There is something truly helpful and nice about not only being able to speak with loved ones, but see them as well.  It brings people together in a way that other social media platforms can’t.  Distance communication becomes so much easier through these platforms and tools.

                The beauty of Skype and other distance communication tools is that it can help businesses just as much as it can help personal lives.  Holding interviews, meetings and other business items over the internet is priceless.  It allows for international communications to flourish.  It is no longer necessary for people to meet with people in person.  Collaborative tools also help projects to be completed.  Some examples shown here:  http://www.psfk.com/2012/08/social-tools-collaboration-future-of-work.html

Using these tools, multiple authors can edit documents without ever being in the same room.  Distance communication tools help save money and speeds up processes.  It makes professionals more efficient.  These types of platforms truly help to open borders and shrink the world.  It brings us all closer to each other with just the click of a button.

                Collaborative and distance communication tools help advance education for everyone.  Another well-known and positive benefit for college students.  Even if a spectacular professor or lecturer is not available at a university, students will still be able to hear their lectures and learn from them.  Overall, it benefits students at any university throughout the world. 

Applebee's Reddit Woes

                Social media can be a source of humor and entertainment, and let’s be honest we would hate it without it!  But in this world where anything and everything posted on the internet can be shared with the whole world, we need to be super careful.  Very recently, Applebee’s has been a prime example of social media gone wrong.

                Apparently, a pastor wrote on his Applebee’s receipt “I give God 10%.  Why do you get 18%?”  The waitress, finding it humorous, posted a picture of the receipt on Reddit.  After seeing his receipt viral on the internet, the pastor called and demanded the waitress be fired.  And she was.  If you haven’t heard the story or want to know more, you can read about it here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/applebees-waitress-fired-god-tip-receipt_n_2591794.html

                Personally, I disagree with the decision to fire the waitress.   I found the receipt to be funny, and honestly thought it was rude of the pastor to respond in the way he did.  Of course, 18% gratuity is a little steep, but he could have simply opted out of the tip without bringing insults in the picture.  If I were in the waitress’ shoes, I’m not certain that I would refrain from sharing the funny receipt with people either.

                The issue is not whether or not the receipt, and frankly entire situation, is hilarious.  Because we all know it is.  The issue is that the waitress was representing a company and put the company name and customer privacy in danger when she posted the picture.  It was not professional and went against company code to post private information on the internet.  The fact that it went viral did not help either.  In this situation, I see both parties at fault over a trivial matter.

                But despite my thinking that the incidence is trivial, this news has blown up all over the internet. In response, Applebee’s has been scrambling to make up for their PR fiasco.  They even released a news statement explaining how they plan to handle situation.  And, in my opinion, they seem to handling it well.  You can read more about their statement here:  http://finance.yahoo.com/news/applebees-strategy-dealing-receipt-debacle-001500427.html

                Although it is still a hot topic, I believe Applebee’s is taking the right steps to amend their name.  First, they admitted the mistake.  Second, they are doing their best to make sure the public knows the facts.  And ALL of the facts; no half-truths.  Third, they are taking measures to monitor all of their social media sites.  They want to know what people are saying and want to respond accordingly.  Fourth, they are not removing any statements or comments from their social media sites.  They are taking the situation as it is and doing their best to deal with it.  Certainly, the entire ordeal is not the best for Applebee’s, but at least they are doing the best that they can.

                Overall, I find the story hilarious.  I understand why it has gone viral and had as much publicity as it has.  But I think everyone is overreacting.  But hey, blowing things out of proportion is the beauty of social media isn’t it?

Location Based Platforms

We have all heard of “Facebook stalking,” right?  And, let’s be honest, we have all done it at one point or another.  But ever since Facebook became a location based platform, the ability to stalk has increased.  Now, on Facebook and numerous other social media sites, we can not only know WHAT people are up to all hours of the day, but we can also have a play by play on WHERE they are all hours of the day.

Sound a little creepy?  I think it is.  So why “check-in” on Foursquare or any other social media site?  Is proving that you do fun things or promoting a business really worth your personal safety or privacy?  I don’t think so.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to tell people where you have been, which restaurants are great to eat at, which movie theater has the best popcorn, and promote businesses and causes you are proud of.  Many businesses even offer discounts or rewards for checking into their page, as it explains here:  http://www.iacpsocialmedia.org/portals/1/documents/fact%20sheets/Location%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

But it is not the check-ins that scare me; it is the instant update that scares me.  I don’t like the idea that the entire cyber world knows where I am, and when I checked in there.  There are even sites (illegal ones of course) that are dedicated to helping you track where people have checked in on the internet.  Ideal for robbers if ask me.  Maybe I’m much too sheltered, or a little paranoid, but you have to admit it seems a little sketchy.  And I’m not the only one who has had these worries.  It has even been debated as a legal issue:  http://www.siia.net/blog/index.php/2011/10/lbs-location-based-services-not-stalking/

But location based platforms are still here, and I don’t imagine they will disappear anytime soon.  So how can we utilize these location based platforms and still be safe?  I’m not really sure we have an answer.  Please comment if you do!! All I’m saying is if you check in that your stranded in the SLC International Airport for three days, you better hope you locked your doors before you left.