Funny, I was having an email conversation last week with an old “colleague” about some old projects we use to be a part of. Now, like allot of projects with lots of people in different countries, time zones and jobs, it failed and we moved on to other things. However, what we learn from these projects is always useful for the next one. But, keeping a backup of this files or memories is very important. Now I am a whore for knowledge and I hoard backups of any file I get my hands on. I keep every file that’s uploaded to my server and only delete files that have become truly useless (notes for instance).

But, it also made me think about all the old files, images or websites that are left around on the net, forgotten or abandoned, for a number of the reason. Either the uploader is no longer about or no longer has need for them. I cannot come to calculate how much wasted storage is used to keep theses file online. What’s even worse is the fact; I am a contributor of this junk too. I have committed Littering… online!!

I worked it out; I have:

• Four MySpace Accounts
• Three Freewebs Accounts
• Eight Forum Ids
• Three Instant Messenger
• Two Free Forums
• Uncountable number of Uploaded photos/images

All dead, inaccessible and unused; Undeletable and unable to be disabled due to the facts either the system cannot delete accounts or the email account they are attached to, is no longer in my control, there by stopping me from verifying the deletions. It just seems such a waste.

I can only hope that when we finally start to inhabit space, we don’t leave as much junk lying around as we do in virtual space.

There has been a lot of info and cries of witch craft when it comes down to how social sites use your info or how it displays it, and not everyone that uses theses sites understands what is really going on. I sat down with my brother last year and told him not to get a Facebook account as he would not understand what information other people could get from your updates and what he adds to his profile. Being 11 years old he smiled at me and said “Sure, I won’t get one”…
Next day, I get an invite to join as a friend on his Facebook page. Failure on my part to not explain my point better or was it the allure of his friends online and free games to steal as many hours as your will to give! I’m gonna go with 20% not understanding me, 75% the allure and 5% not to do as I ask, little bugger!

Now, I am not worried about what he is going to say to his friends on Facebook but I am worried about the privacy settings that he doesn’t know about and allot of people don’t either. What could they find out about him? Where he is playing with his friends? Where he goes to school? Worrying thoughts for anyone trying to look after a child. Now, before you cry “Well the parents should be keeping a better eye on him!” I ask, should they really? Facebook is advertised as a Private way to keep in touch with your friends and family members; and we have all fallen for the allure it offers. And if no one tells you what’s really going on, how can you know because they aren’t going to tell you outright what’s really going on.

As for myself, I have come to understand after 12years of being online that nothing you post online is private! Even in private messages to your friends and family via social networks or even emails are now scanned by a number of systems, either by ISPs or bot crawlers locking for advertising opportunities just to name a few. I’ve come to the outlook that there is a level of privatising info you want people to see or limiting information that can be found out about yourself. But understanding the methods and ways to do so are so complicated and numerous that it is simpler not to!

My other huge worry is down to the copyright of what goes onto theses social networks. You do not own what you post! Anything you post on Facebook becomes theirs! Those photos you added, owned by Facebook. The information you added to your profile can be used by Facebook to create advertising aimed solely at you, on any website you go to. Go on a shopping site that uses Facebook API and the things you just posted that you were thinking of buying will magically appear! Just for you! Good/Bad up to you, or do you really have the option?….

My Social Site Breakdown:

• Personal Facebook: For keeping in touch with people I know in person or family. I do not post important/private information or location. I do not add anyone I do not know in person and I limit everything added to the site about myself.
• Facebook Fanpage: Anyone can read and used solely to advertise my site (s).
• MySpace: Anyone can read and used solely to advertise my site (s).
• Google Profile: Public… not much else to say when it comes to google!
• Twitter: Used as a public shouting board and for advertising. Nothing is privately posted.