The cyber sins of Facebook

 

While they might not be in the same league as the Seven Deadly Sins (although pride, gluttony and lust play a part), Facebook users would do well to avoid these  somewhat niggly cyber sins.

To be fair, I really doubt anyone is entirely guilt-free when it comes to annoying Facebook habits.  At some stage we’ve all posted a selfy (yes, yes you have), or been guilty of flooding our friends’ news feeds with bandwagon statuses (I mean, how many of you actually really cared it was 11 past 11 on the 11th last November?).  When there’s an element of self-awareness, these phases on Facebook can be forgiven. But be warned, there are some things that just simply should be avoided when managing your online social interactions.Users, take note.Checking-In.Potentially a contentious one here as I know many a fan of the old check-in. I understand the functionality and every now and then I’ll tap into the nearby friends feature when out and about. But there is a line here. The Petrol Station? The Supermarket? The Harbour Bridge? Sure it uses GPS technology, but that doesn’t mean you should take it literally and mark your territory everywhere you go. And please, please don’t check in at the gym. It actually makes people not like you.Complaining about Facebook’s updatesPeople, it’s gonna happen. Sure, by comparison to previous updates Timeline was almost “move that bus!" worthy, so the general conversation and complaining was expected. But it gets a little tiresome when every time there’s a bit of reshuffling everyone logs on to have a winge about it. I can’t even remember really what Facebook looked like 6 months ago, can you? Just go with the flow, man, join the revolution.Unoriginal Facebook hacks (or as they’ve come to be known as ‘frapes’)“Joe Coates love c*ck” Really? I’ve only ever seen one seriously good Facebook hack that’s even worth a mention. Under the guise of an open profile, a friend took a screen grab of an ultra sound and announced “I’m gonna be a Dad!”.  Even that was a little lackluster, but it sure got some bite. The lesson here: exercise some originality, otherwise, honestly just log out.Lazy grammarThis may just be because I’m a stickler for correct grammar and punctuation. I mean, I undrstnd shortng a txt msg 2 fit mre wrds in if need b. But, we’re on keyboards, guys, There doesn’t really seem to be the same need shorten your words, does there? AnD tHiS? That’s a fast road to a permanent block, my friend.Posting about foodThere’s no doubt that Master Chef really tapped into the underlying domestic god/goddess in all of us. But exercise a little journalistic discretion here. Your sandwich? Not really all that thrilling. A salad you made? Yes, we get it, you are healthy, but it’s almost like passively checking in at the gym. Until they find a way to transport the food posted to a plate next to my computer, just do it like the old days - eat and enjoy, photos aren’t required.www.cooksuck.com – I rest my case.Uploading photos the morning after the night before.Oh the dizzying heights of university life. Nothing will beat the freedom of midweek partying. I think it was after Cassette in Auckland’s coolness peaked when Thursday mornings suddenly saw partiers and their teapots flooding Facebook. We get it, you have a social life. There are some people though who, it seems, only go out so they have going-out photos to post. Bit lacking in logic that one.PokingDoes this mean something different in the northern hemisphere to the southern hemisphere? Seriously, unless you want to enter a never-ending cycle of awkwardness, just don’t.It’s complicatedSimilar to poking, it’s just awkward.