Kevin Meyers

Business, tech, sports, media, and other cool stuff.

The problem with blocking Facebook

I'm working at a client site today.  A client that has blocked Facebook.  In fact, not only have they blocked Facebook, but they have set up some sort of alert that sets off a loud siren alarm whenever you try to access Facebook.  Something like this.

However, now that Facebook has installed "Like" buttons all over the web, the system is setting off those siren alarms whenever you access a page with a Facebook "Like" button on it.  Like, for example, every single article on the Wall Street Journal website.  Or every Posterous blog.

Seriously, folks, blocking Facebook on your office network is one of the most futile things an employer can do.  First of all, you're treating your employees like children.  Let them make their own decisions about how they spend their internet time.  I understand that you don't want them to be accessing offensive content, but there are actually legitimate reasons to use Facebook.  And now that Facebook is attempting to dominate the "social web," the business reasons for using Facebook will only increase.

Don't block Facebook.  And if you work for a company that does, ask them why.  Because it probably means they don't understand the future of the internet.  And you might want to think about working for someone that does.

Great night for a ballgame at US Cellular Field

Pretty cold, though

Jack's new favorite toy - the bike pump

Stuck at Midway Airport waiting for a flight. @MLBTV to the rescue.

Bad Parenting 101

via metro.co.uk
"Dominic Deville stalks young victims for a week, sending chilling texts, making prank phone calls and setting traps in letterboxes. He posts notes warning children they are being watched, telling them they will be attacked. But Deville is not an escaped lunatic or some demonic monster. He is a birthday treat, hired by mum and dad, and the ‘attack’ involves being splatted in the face with a cake."

Yes, I love paying taxes - USATODAY.com

Besides the crucial social goods that taxes yield (schools, roads, soldiers, embassies, air traffic control), there are key business-related dividends that benefit people, including Tea Partiers, in the long view. Tax-supported research propagates new ideas to help make companies profitable and hiring. The microchip, the Internet, cellphones: Pick your daily necessity, and the government played a fundamental and pro-active part supporting the research and development necessary to get that product launched and its industry humming.
via usatoday.com

Just ordered room service sushi

Hope this wasn't a bad idea

The real reason airlines want to encourage carry-ons

They get to put all this cargo on commercial flights.

Good on ya, FitBit

A few months ago I ordered me up a FitBit, one of the coolest new tech doodads, a thingy that you slip in your pocket to monitor all of the calories you burn throughout the day, as well as your sleep, what you eat, and all kinds of other stuff. Thought it sounded cool. And so, apparently, did a ton of other people. And this thing has been hampered by major delays. This is what my dad calls a "high class problem." And it is one that would be frustrating if it weren't for the tremendous outreach from the company, in emails like the one I'm copying below. This is a start-up that seems honest, humble, and, most importantly, genuinely happy for my business. As one of my English friends would say: "Good on ya, FitBit!"

Makes me look forward to checking mine out as soon as they're able to ship it. Maybe I'll even let you know what I think of it. **************************

Dear Kevin,

We are writing to inform you of an update with the status of your Fitbit order. We now expect to ship your order by May 31st at the latest.

We know how frustrating the changing ship date can be and we work hard to provide accurate shipping estimates up front. We continue to receive Fitbit shipments from our factory every week, and we ship them out to customers as soon as we receive them.

We apologize for any inconvenience this causes you, and will continue to work hard to get this item to you as soon as possible.

You will receive another email when your order is ready to ship. We'll ask you to reconfirm your order at that time, and you will also be able to update or change your credit card information. If you need to update your order you can do so on the order status page.

We will not charge your credit card until we ship your order.

If you have any further questions you can contact orders@fitbit.com at any time for resolution.

We appreciate your patience and hope to serve you in a more timely fashion in the future.

Sincerely,

The Fitbit Team