Official Rules of Social Networking: Part2

photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

You know what I could write about, Internetz? Well, I could write about all the drama. But I'm not going to today. Know why? Because it's against The Rules. And I always follow the rules while I'm making them up.

The long-anticipated (hush, you know you were anticipating) "Part 2".

I am angry at (insert name), he/she doesn't read my blog, and I'd like to write a tell-all post about them so my followers will write me nice, supportive comments about what a wonderful person I am. Is that allowed?
No, Internetz. Please stop typing while angry. I beg of you, this has to end. Think of the object of your rage, and imagine reading your post to them in a room full of their friends and also the rest of the world. If you wouldn't do that, don't write it. You may think they don't read your blog, and perhaps they don't. But never rule out Kevin Bacon. Sometime, somewhere, somebody will read that post and know who you've scorned. Links are easy to share. The person you've roasted in your blog WILL eventually read it. If you think I'm lying, call the last person you complained about on the Internet. Was that call uncomfortable? They know.


I'd like to tell My Personal Story on my blog. Is that all right?
Of course you can tell your story. That's what blogs are, a one-sided spotlight on YOU and how WONDERFUL you are! (Not this one, though - THIS blog is saving the world.) Just remember the above rule. If you want to lash out at someone in the midst of your personal story, they will see it.

Is it all right to post to all of my social networking accounts at once?
Convenient as this may seem, you really should never do this. Especially if you are on LinkedIn. I have a LinkedIn connection who constantly updates on the #BestCheeseburger and #whateverhe'sdoinginthebathroom. Twitter may care about this. Facebook doesn't. And I'm sure future employers on LinkedIn are running the other direction. (Don't worry, guys, he doesn't read my blog.)

Does Facebook care about my privacy?
No. Nobody in the world but you cares about your privacy. You know those pesky Terms of Use nobody ever reads? Anything you put on a social network is public. Here's what I can see about people I don't know on Facebook:

• where they live
• where they work
• who they're "in a relationship" with and every listed family member
• all friends
• photos
• every group they belong to, who added them (or if they requested to join), and how long they've been a member
• the address to their (gasp!) blog 

I don't say this to frighten you. If you have nothing to hide, you're just fine. If you think you have a little secret on Facebook, you're wrong.

This is all I have left, the rest is common sense. (Grammar, though - for real.) (Also spelling.)