Tech for Luddites

Remove the Facebook Ticker in Firefox and Chrome

Elizabeth — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 20:51:14 +0000

One of the most controversial changes in last week's Facebook redesign was the addition of the Ticker in the top right-hand corner of your News Feed page... Fortunately, if you're using Firefox or Chrome as your browser, there's a simple way to get rid of the Ticker altogether.

Worst Facebook Update Ever? (And a Partial Solution)

Elizabeth — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:00:09 +0000

Here's what I don't get. For at least two years, Facebook has been trying to tell us that it knows better than we do what information we're going to find interesting... And, in my case, their selections have never been close to right.

The Facebook Subscribe Button: What Is It and How Do You Use It?

Elizabeth — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:15:19 +0000

Last week, Facebook added a new "feature" that lets you subscribe to another Facebook user. It has a similar function to following people on Twitter or Google+ but, not surprisingly, it's a lot more confusing. Because Facebook already has a model for connecting people—it's called being friends with them. So let's take a look at what this Subscribing stuff is all about...

Tech for Luddites Is Back!

Elizabeth — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:59:23 +0000

I really did have the best of intentions to keep this blog going when I uprooted my whole life (new city, new job) last year. But good intentions, the road to you-know-where... well, you know.

QuickTip: You Can Now Like Comments on Facebook

Elizabeth — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 14:40:43 +0000

For a long time, you've been able to Like a status update or link or photo that your friends have posted. However, in a lot of cases, the comments that other friends made on the post were more interesting/funny than the original. Then you'd often see comments along the lines of, "I wish I could 'Like' your comment!" Well... now you can!

Apologies from the Black Hole

Elizabeth — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 14:03:23 +0000

I've received a number of comments and emails over the last couple of weeks I haven't been able to respond to. I just moved across the country (from California to the D.C. area) and so May was pretty much a wash in terms of doing anything non-move related. And now that I'm here, I don't [...]

Facebook Users: Your Face Is Now on the Washington Post Website

Elizabeth — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:34:11 +0000

Facebook Users: Your Face Is Now on the Washington Post Website

Thesis: Using the New Page Redirect Feature in Version 1.7

Elizabeth — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:12:11 +0000

In my earlier post about new features in Thesis 1.7, I mentioned that I was having a problem with the new page redirect feature. I now have a solution to the problem, so I'm going to explain how the feature works and then what to do if you have the same problem.

Not Liking All This Facebook Liking Stuff

Elizabeth — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:48:38 +0000

Okay, I'll be the first to admit I wasn't a big fan of the term "fan page" to describe Facebook's pages for businesses and other branded entities. But at least the invitation to "Become a fan!" worked pretty well as a simple call to action. Now what are we page admins supposed to say? "Please [...]

How To Stop Facebook’s Latest Attacks on Your Privacy

Elizabeth — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:12:47 +0000

Yes, Facebook is at it again. Now they're making us have to opt out of sharing information with certain third-party websites. They call it "Instant Personalization." I call BS.