JULIE•PERRAULT

Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

The Seven Deadly Sins of Facebook

In Social Media, Technology on November 1, 2009 at 9:44 PM

facebookI admit it, I love Facebook. It’s a great way to keep up with long-lost and current friends while satisfying my voyeuristic and nosy side. I love clever status updates and seeing photos of Friends’ kids. I like seeing where others travel and I appreciate the links to cool sites and funny videos. But with that, comes a lot of crap that one must sift through. Some of it boring, some aggravating and some shocking.

Don’t get me wrong — in real life, with real friends, I appreciate shock value probably more than most, but Facebook’s a whole different world. And often, I can not believe what people post. So, as the good book says, Let she who has blog, cast the first stone.

The Highest Offenses:

1. Chronicling your every move. If something interesting happens to you at the grocery store, post it. Otherwise, I don’t need to know that you went nor do I care what you purchased.

2. Being vague. Don’t make me ask why you are “tickled pink.” If you want to say something, then say it.

3. Bashing an ex. So you’re totally over a former friend, boyfriend or spouse; bashing them on Facebook tells me otherwise.

4. Referring to a bodily dysfunction. It’s simple, keep your carbuncle to yourself.

5. Chronic complaining. Save your woes for your real friends. If you have over 100 Facebook Friends, chances are, you have a Friend who’s really lonely, struggling to have a baby, battling a disease or recently lost a loved one.  Remember that, when you constantly complain about traffic, having a stuffy nose or it being Monday.

6. Diving too deep. Share your deep thoughts on Facebook and rest assured, someone somewhere is making fun of you. Save it for your journal or as I say to my three-year old, tell it to your pillow.

7. Preaching to the choir. You know how in real life, you really shouldn’t bring up your politics and your religion in social settings — well, the same applies here.

Remember, it’s never too late to repent.

Did I miss one? Feel free to add your own in the comments.


If I Were An i-Phone App Designer

In Technology on August 25, 2009 at 12:19 PM

bw1If you are reading this and you don’t have an i-Phone, this post is not for you. Back away from the computer and head to the nearest Apple Store or AT&T outlet immediately. I promise, you won’t regret it. Granted, I joined the i-Phone revolution after a stint with the Palm Treo – the Maytag Neptune* of PDAs. Clunky and dysfunctional, the Palm Treo and its stupid stylus belong in a tech museum right next to the bag phone. Clearly my initial enthusiasm may have been skewed by the pathetic Treo.

Regardless, the i-Phone has change my life. With each new app, I have grown more attached to it than my Cinnamon Dolce Latte. If it had a kissing app, I would make out with it. I love that new apps are continuously being released. If I had the time, money or tech skills, here are the top five apps that I would design:

#1 Mirror – Apply gloss, check for food in your teeth or look at the person behind you at Target with your screen.

#2 Breathalyzer - It happens to the best of us – you wake up in the morning and realize that you should not have driven the night before. i-Phone breathalyzers could revolutionize the designated driver movement.

#3 Babysitter Finder – Schedule babysitters (from a pre-determined list of my sitters) based on a click from i-Cal.

#4 Superior Grill Waiter – Order fajitas y margaritas with a few clicks and avoid trying to rekindle your espanol speaking skills over the phone.

#5 Garage Door Opener – Strolling the kids? Open and close your garage door with your i-Phone and take one less thing with you.

*see July 27 post

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