Can I boycott Facebook for 24 hours?

With Social Networking sites such as Bebo, Myspace, Twitter and Facebook becoming such a large part of everybody's everyday life, being online and being connected is becoming a new type of addiction.

If anyone was to ask me if I am addicted to anything, I would probably have to say my main addiction is being online, using social networking site Facebook...

I am sure that I am not the only one who uses Facebook and other social networking sites many times through the day.
(I don't even know how much a person has to use a site such as Facebook before it becomes excessive! Although whatever that figure is, I am quite possibly in that percentage...)

Which is why I decided that for 24 hours, I would completely boycott the use of Facebook. I wouldn't log on, update my status, upload any photos or check other "friends" online content. I would make a note of how I coped through the day.


I call this experiment: ANTI-SOCIAL NETWORKING.


8:27 AM
Normally when I get up, the first thing I do is grab my iPod, head into the toilet and have a quick blast of Facebook whilst I do my morning business...
This morning however, apart from switching the alarm clock off (several times I must add - drat that "snooze" option!) I have only used my iPod to record my thoughts for transcribing later. For once my iPod hasn't been anywhere NEAR Facebook!

I must admit, I have thought about logging on since I have got up though... I have a feeling the next point that I will want to log on will be after the school run... We shall see!

Luckily this morning, I have quite a few "distractions" that will keep me offline and away from Facebook... (It's called LIFE!)

My Facebook app had to go!

8:38 AM
I was scrolling through all the apps installed on my iPod, and I came across the Facebook app icon. The icon had changed to inform me that I had 2 notifications. I had an overwhelming urge to click to see what they were! In order to kerb my urgeto click on the app, I have had to delete the app to prevent me from accessing Facebook from my iPod!

Is this cheating? Possibly. I don't know!

It will certainly be easier to refrain myself if I don't have access to Facebook. However, I do know that any time I am in a wi-fi area I could always download the app again!

It's amazing how much of an urge you get when you know you have notifications...

However, the notifications could be anything - even something as pointless as somebody clicking "Like" on a photo I have uploaded or a status I have written; or somebody "poking" me... In which case, the notifications don't really mean anything.
On the flip side the notifications could be comment, in which case by refraining from checking I am not receiving the comments... (I must admit I am starting to ponder what they are, now that I'm thinking about it!)

However, they can wait until tomorrow!

8:50 AM
On the way to school, and Dom has just made a comment that my camo trousers matches my jacket... At that moment, I thought it was funny, and my immediate reaction was to take a photo on my mobile phone and upload it to Facebook!

Nope! Not today!! :)

9:10 AM
By now I would have normally logged into Facebook at least once. However, because today I am NOT logging on, I have decided to try and focus my thoughts, energy and mind into doing other stuff... So far I have managed to clean up the dog mess in the garden and put the bins out. I think I will get started on gutting the kitchen after I get Makayla up and fed!

10:01 AM
Well, so far so good. I've managed to get through about 2 hours of my day without logging onto Facebook! It's starting to get trickier now, because I am getting a feeling that I should have logged on by now, checked in, updated my status, etc.

Already, I have had a few thoughts that I would have shared as a status on Facebook (for example, as I was hanging up the washing, I noticed that it was all inside out. I thought about posting a silly status about trolls that live inside the washing machine and turn clothes inside out...) However I couldn't do as I am not ON Facebook today!

10:09 AM

Pushchair for sale: £40!

As I have been pottering away this morning, I have ben thinking about this blog. I have thought about what it means to be ANTI-social networking for 24 to some people. It occurred to me how ironic it is going to be when I post a link to this blog ON Facebook about AVOIDING Facebook!

I have also wondered about how people use Facebook nowadays... As an example, we are trying to sell a push chair, (£40 if you are interested, btw!) and my girlfriend Jan has been using Facebook to try and advertise it. She received a message last week from one person who wanted to buy it. Since then, for about 10 days it doesn't appear as if they have been on Facebook...

I wonder if the avoidence has been through choice or lack of availability; I also wonder how people react when they find they can't access their social networking sites.

If you have any thoughts on this subject, please leave your comments below!

11:09 AM
I have just sat and went through my internet history to document my job search... Obviously on my history there are records of various different pages on Facebook I have clicked on. As my rule states that I am not allowed to go on Facebook at ALL, I had to skip over them and avoid them!

My girlfriend Jan and I were talking about a bus crash we had heard about this morning. She had a Facebook page loaded up - it was a news report about the bus crash posted on the Council's own Facebook wall - which she asked me to read... I admit I read it over her shoulder, sure! BUT I don't count that as USING Facebook!

My reasoning is that I could have read the news report from any source - any newspaper website, council website, news websites etc... I didn't actually INTERACT with Facebook directly, and this is why I dismiss this as a breach of my own rules!

12:08 PM
I have managed to reach lunch time without logging on to or checking Facebook! I can't say it's been that difficult to be honest, however I have been quite busy this morning.
Nobody yet knows of my experiment yet, but they will do. The interesting thing will be tomorrow - when I'm back on Facebook - to see how many people realise that I haven't logged in for a full 24 hours... Should be interesting!

13:42 PM
Just finished my meeting with my job coach and I am heading home now. So far I haven't felt much of an urge to log onto Facebook, however I have a funny feeling that now is going to be the point I find it most difficult - in the hour or so between getting home and getting the kids from school!

I automatically typed in facebook.com...

14:30 PM
When I got home, I had to email my CV over to my job coach. I logged onto my computer to do so, and the first thing I did when I launched my internet browser is start automatically typing "Facebook.com"...

It is kind of worrying that your internet history and sites you visit becomes automatic...

After I corrected myself and loged into my email and there is a large advert to connect your services to Facebook, Myspace and LinkedIn... It just goes to show that even huge corporations such as Microsoft actively encourage social networking - encourage the addiction! But so far, I've refrained! :D

Encouraging online addiction seems good for business!

15:09 PM
I've still managed to stay clear of social networking sites! I have, however, found that today I've been a lot more active doing other things rather than sitting about on a computer all day, so I don't know if it's a fair test or not.

I was quite interested to see that there was an article on MSN about modern addictions! I will read through it and offer my views!

15:56 PM
I've been reading the article on MSN about modern addictions. The first part of the article is about "Internet Addiction Disorder" which is now a recognised disorder. The symptoms include "forgetting to eat or sleep, withdrawal, fatigue, irritability and a feeling of isolation from society".
From what I have read previously on various dirorders, these symptoms sound similar to depression...?

Clearly, if people are spending far too much time online, surfing the internet and being connected to social networking sites, then I think there could easily be a link between internet addiction and depression - which is quite worrying really!
:s

16:03 PM
I was reading the article I discovered on MSN about modern addictions when Jan asked me if I was on Facebook so she could send me a link to something posted on Facebook... When I said I wasn't, she called me over to read a post...
(The post was an urban legend warning style message, the type that is shared because although it is probably a hoax, if anybody is in the situation described they know what to do to survive).

It occured to me that Facebook is obviously a perfect platform to spread this type of information. People can read it and then share the information very quickly with others.

I don't think sites such as Facebook are particularly bad, unless they are abused and used for malicious purposes.

19:25 PM
I have filled up my day today with activities that have taken me away from the computer. We went out for a drive, and I wouldn't have had much of an opportunity to log into Facebook anyway.
Saying that, I know that now I face the ultimate test - the evening - as I tend to sit for hours online once the kids are in bed.

I tend to sit on my computer during the evenings.

I have decided that instead of going on my computer, I am going to do something different! I feel quite positive already, and I feel that my day without Facebook has went quite well!

19:52 PM
We have just got the kids down to bed. My usual routine from this point tends to involve sitting down and logging on to Facebook... Which is not what I am going to do tonight - I am going to have to find other things to occupy myself!

(I will probably end up playing computer games or something). I am starting to wonder if substituting social networking for similar activities - browsing the internet or playing computer games - if there is any real difference?

What are your views on this? Leave your comments below!

20:17 PM
My girlfriend Jan has just found a photograph of her 13 year old neice on Facebook. The photo features her neice and has been tagged, along with her new boyfriend.
Jan's neice hasn't mentioned anything about having a boyfriend - the only reason we know about it is due to the tagged photo on Facebook.
It is slightly worrying that simply by tagging somebody - who may not even realise they have been tagged - in a photograph, it can allow that person's contacts to see the photo and potentially open a big can of worms!

I am aware that Facebook has recently reviewed their tagging policy, offering better privacy options and security. However it is possible that many users of Facebook are not offay enough with the technology (or perhaps too young to understand what the privacy options are), and they don't realise that anybody can "tag" a photograph featuring them (be it good, bad or indifferent).

As far as ME looking on Facebook is concerned, I still have not used it at all... Yes, I have had passing glances at content that Jan has shown me, however I have not used Facebook (and don't intend to use it) until my 24 hours are up!

21:09 PM
After waking up for a bottle and a clean nappy, Makayla woke up and walked into the bathroom, banged on the bath and started saying "Dirty! Dirty!".
It was a really cute and funny moment, the sort of event that would normally trigger me to pick up my iPod and either take a photo, record a video or post a comment on Facebook...

But I didn't! :D

22:38 PM
I've been distracting myself for pretty much the entire evening. I've kept clear of my computer and watched TV instead. I've had a few urges to update my status in response to some of the programmes I've seen (such as An Idiot Abroad).


I don't feel like these urges have been "addiction level", where I must log on to Facebook to satisfy them. I can only describe the feeling like years after you quit smoking and occasionally you have a mild craving... If you wait ten minutes then the craving usually goes away, or you can find other things to occupy your mind...

Is Facebook as addictive as smoking?

I think I am about an hour or so away from going to bed, and that staying away from Facebook for 24 hours is going to be possible!

01:00 AM
I've just watched a film, and now I am on my way to bed. I know that I won't be logging on to Facebook until the morning now, after my 24 hours are up!

SUMMARY:

Despite my initial thoughts about how difficult it would be, this experiment wasn't particularly difficult to accomplish - I have managed to last a full 24 hours without logging into Facebook despite feeling the occasional desire to update my status a few times throughout the day.

One thing this experiment has made me realise is how much I actually think about Facebook and other social networking sites, even if I don't actively use them.

I have also discovered that funny or humourous moments tend to be my trigger for online connectivity - if I think something is funny, witty or interesting I feel the need to share it with others.

Perhaps I need to learn to just enjoy the moment within myself, and that just because I find a moment, a thought or a visual element stimulating, others will feel the same way.

As I commented earlier in the blog, I wondered how much of an impact I make to others with regards to social networking.

I mentioned the fact that I hadn't used Facebook for 24 hours to Jan and her first reaction was to call me a liar! The woman I live with didn't even realise that I hadn't logged on all day!

I also decided to ask who realised I hadn't logged on... The response almost speaks for itself!

This is the reaction I got after boycotting Facebook for 24 hours...

The following day, even after my self imposed ban was lifted, I have not been as active on Facebook as I would normally have been. I haven't really felt the urge I did before I spent 24 hours without it.

One question I asked myself after returning was "What did I miss by avoiding Facebook for 24 hours?"

The real answer: Hmm... So, I didn't play on a couple of games that require Facebook, or respond to random and fairly irrelevant comments... So what?! Life goes on!

I didn't even miss playing BackYard Monsters!

I don't actually feel that I have missed out by being ANTI-SOCIAL NETWORKING rather than SOCIAL NETWORKING.

I do feel that I should call my parents this weekend though! :D

- TheLittlerich

QR Codes - gimmick or the gap between printed and online content?

There is probably a good chance you will have seen a QR codes recently. These small squares of pixels may look like random nonsense... 
However, they are actually a 2D barcode matrix that use a very clever method of encoding text, phone numbers, web addresses and other data into a small area.
They can be read by special QR code readers, as well as most new smart phones and mobile devices with the addition of a reader application installed.

They were initially designed in Japan in 1994 and was initially used by vehicle manufacturers to track components. Other sectors then began to adopt them because of their high data capacity, accuracy and speed of use.

Today, they have been adopted by many businesses. They enable people who use "smart phone" technology to scan a printed image (the QR code) using the built in camera. The software then automatically decodes the data within the image and takes the relevant action, depending on the type of information.

This means that QR codes can be encoded to allow mobile devices to scan a code and:

• Visit a website.
• Download an MP3 track.
• Buy tickets for any event.
• Automatically dial a mobile phone number.
• Send an email; as well as much more.

By the very nature of design, QR codes can be printed virtually anywhere you see text or images. This means you can place a direct link to your website or product on limitless formats - t-shirts, business cards, posters, advertising boards, in newspapers etc.

This provides new and exciting ways for businesses to market themselves, utilising cross-platform marketing tools.

However, this is not a new technology. It has been around since 1994, and has only started to catch on in a big way. Even then, it appears that technologically advances countries, such as Japan and Korea tend to be the leaders in using QR codes.

There are issues with this technology unfortunately. These include:

• Not everybody has a compatible smart phone or mobile device that can be used to scan the codes.
• The mobile devices do not come pre-installed with a QR code reader, so it is up to the individual to install the app on their device.
• Not everybody know what a QR code is, or how to use it.
• There are several different standards of QR codes, which means sometimes you have an incompatible reader.
• If the code is connected to a website, you might not have access to internet services when you scan it.

I personally think QR codes are quirky and slightly cool, if you are a bit geeky (I certainly am!) I was at a bus stop the other day, and noticed a poster for an alcoholic beverage. Out of curiosity I scanned it on my iPod.

Once I got home I loaded the URL contained within the QR code and looked through the website.

Now, if the poster only had the website address, I don't think I would've bothered, which goes to show they can attract potential visitors who wouldn't otherwise visit the website.

So, as far as being a bit of a gimmick, I agree they can be, however gimmicks can lead to successful marketing in business and for this reason I believe QR codes are the perfect gap between printed and online multimedia!

What are your thoughts on QR codes? 

Have you ever scanned a QR code? 

Please leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich

A brief history of Richard M Stewart

Born survivor

Born in Glasgow in 1981 with major heart problems, Richard

fought his early days for survival.

It was as he grew up with constant hospital visits and heart operations, Richard realised he wasn't kit out to be a physical child, and running about, football and sports activities that most children participate in were replaced with computers, gaming and video editing.

Having moved to Cambridge at an early age, Richard was always interested in new technology and computers, and discovered a natural interest in video production when, at 11, he was given the chance to play with the family camcorder.

Richard became the main person in the family who dealt with all video projects, from documenting family christmases and holidays, to filming birthdays and other events.

It was no surprise that a keen interest in film making soon caught Richard, and his earliest pair of films, Attack of the Killer Teddies really captivated his interest in how a film could be recorded and put together.

Starting a career in TV

In 1998, at the age of 17, Richard heard about a local cable TV channel, Cambridge RedTV.

Starting in Cambridge, RedTV was recruiting

volunteers to help make television programmes.

Armed with an application form and a carrier bag full of

home-made portfolio tapes, Richard approached RedTV to see if he could become involved.

He was introduced to Harriet Wallace (who went onto produce Big Breakfast and Watercolour Challenge, amongst other things), given a tour of the building and then asked if he wanted to help on with the broadcast of the RedTV's flagship programme, 528.

Of course, he accepted, and the result was his first television credit EVER: Executive Producer.

Richard's career in television had immediately started, and over the next four years Richard worked for RedTV (completely voluntary!), gaining as much experience and insight into television as he could.

Filming, editing, presenting, graphic design, titles, programme development, vision mixing and broadcasting were all part of the hands-on skills Richard learned.

Often, Richard was given the responsibility of keeping the channel on air, running to schedule, vision mixing and presenting (quite often in the same shift!).

In 2000, Richard was one of four key personnel who helped RedTV at their biggest production ever – an attempt to break the Guinness Record for the Longest live TV broadcast - This meant 18 days of 24/7, completely LIVE broadcasting!

Alas, the record was not officially recorded by Guinness but internally everyone involved knew what they had achieved!

Over the next few years, Richard continued working at RedTV as well as working for other companies, including The Warehouse, a live internet broadcasting house who broadcast live events every weekend. 

His roles involved setting up the network, attending live events and filming / web streaming them online for others to see.

Back to his roots

In late 2003, Richard decided to relocate to his birthplace, Glasgow.

It was during his time working within various temporary office jobs that he discovered the

Glasgow Metropolitan College, and applied for the HNC course to study Television Production and

Operations.

However, with the amount of experience already under his belt, he was accepted straight onto the HND course, and spent the next two years learning the full process of television production, from initial programme concept  through the entire production process, post-production and delivery.

At the Glasgow Metropolitan, Richard was given hands-on training in many different roles within television. 

Training in the first year included camera operations, lighting directing, sound recording, sound dubbing mixing and editing, using Final Cut Pro.

During the first year of his course, Richard shot, edited and directed a 7 minute documentary called "Room 2 Talk" about internet chat rooms, which was nominated for an award.

On the second year, as well as learning editing on Avid, more studio work was introduced, and his roles varied from floor manager and dolly grip to director, production assistant and producer.

During the second year of his course, Richard directed two projects, a short narrative entitled The Cycle of Love and a corporate video about the TV courses, Making TV at The Met.

The latter production was actually used by the college as their promotional DVD for prospective students!

Working for a National broadcaster in Scotland

Having proved in college how much enthusiasm Richard had for the industry really paid off.

After an informal discussion with the head lecturer of the TV course (who was a former employee within the industry), Richard was head hunted by Scottish Television!

Initially this role was a two-week trial within the audio department, however Richard keenly proved himself and was soon working as a VT Assistant, alongside seasoned editors with credits including Fun House, Finders Keepers, Take the High Road, High Times, How2 and Taggart.

As well as assisting with stv's daily promotions, Richard worked on a huge variety of different productions, including Taggart, Rebus, The Making of Rebus, Scotsport, various Setanta football programmes and many, many others.

A position within stv opened, and Richard started working in the transmission area of Setanta Sports, which covered broadcasting of Setanta Sports 1 and 2, Rangers TV and Celtic TV.

Another position opened up within stv to work on Scotland On TV, one of stv's Scottish themed video based websites.

It was here that Richard gained a huge amount of practical experience working with a new media environment.

Over the next two years, the New Media department grew significantly. Richard found his role continued to be extended to include filming and editing new and repackaging broadcast media for the web, seeding content to relative online sources and management of the archival process to store the edited video and data.

Richard was also involved in the initial development of the STV player - an in-house developed catch up service that rivals the iPlayer, 4OD, ITV Player, Sky Player and other online catchup services.

The future?
In Janurary 2010, Richard relocated to Darlington, and is currently seeking an exciting new challenge.

If there are any video production companies or visual businesses who are looking to hire a motivated, enthusiastic individual with the flexibility to work in a variety of media formats, please email Richard on richardmstewart@live.com

I can provide a portfolio of past work and current CV.

Thank you!

- Thelittlerich.