Thursday - May 26, 2011
Let’s say you witness a newsworthy event, whip out your smartphone and snap a picture. Or maybe you see a celebrity and take a picture. Then you upload it to TwitPic and post a link on Twitter or put the image on your Facebook page. Do you still own the rights to your image?
First, some background:
When you open an account with almost all online services, you have to agree to its Terms of Service (ToS). Few of us read the lengthy legalese. We just click “Agree” and jump in, oblivious to what we’ve agreed to or what the company can do with our content.
If you use TwitPic, with one click, you’ve given away some of your rights. Here’s its ToS:
“You retain all ownership rights to Content uploaded to TwitPic. However, by submitting Content to TwitPic, you hereby grant TwitPic a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicenseable and transferable license to use, reproduce, distribute, prepare derivative works of, display, and perform the Content in connection with the Service and TwitPic’s (and its successors’ and affiliates’) business, including without limitation for promoting and redistributing part or all of the Service (and derivative works thereof) in any media formats and through any media channels.”
Earlier this month, TwitPic signed a licensing agreement with World Entertainment News Network, a London photo agency that specializes in celebrity images. Under the agreement, WENN has exclusive rights to distribute images posted to TwitPic. Apparently, WENN will not pay the owners any royalties for sale of the pictures.
The deal has raised concerns with professional photographers who use the service to publicize their work. Their worry is that it can be sold without any compensation. But what if you’re an amateur?
The most popular place by far to post photos is Facebook. Did you read its ToS when you joined?
“You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it is shared through your privacy and application settings. In addition:
1. For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (“IP content”), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy andapplication settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (“IP License”).”
The bottom line is that in exchange for using these services, you have relinquished some rights to your content. If you’re concerned about this, then be sure to carefully read the ToS for the sites you currently use. If the agreement is unacceptable, the best action to take is to remove your content and possibly close your account.
The good news is that there are alternatives. With some photo-sharing services, like Flickr, you own complete rights to your work, at least at the moment. The bad news is that most ToS agreements state that the terms can change at any time.
Wednesday - May 18, 2011
Take a look at picture on the left. Looks like a laptop, right? It is, but with a 21st century twist.
Google has reimagined the personal computer. The search giant’s theory is that since we spend so much time online, why not design a device that harnesses the power of the Web. Good point, but possibly a fatal flaw.
Called the Chromebook, the laptop runs one software program–Google’s Chrome web browser–relying on online applications, like Google Docs, Gmail and Picasa and lightweight web apps (similar to ones for smartphones) for its computing muscle. Since it has no internal hard drive, all your files are stored in the cloud.
Some of you may remember “dumb” terminals–computer screens and keyboards networked to mainframes. Without the connection, though, the terminal was useless, just a putty-colored paperweight. How will the Chromebook function without Net access? Google claims to have devised a way to work offline using the features of HTML5. If you’re technically inclined, here’s a video that explains the process. How well it works remains to be seen, since Chromebooks won’t be available for another month.
Leaving that question aside, the bigger issue is this: Do you feel comfortable giving Google control over your computing environment, the programs you use and access to all your data? In other words, how much can you trust them?
The recent outcry over location tracking with Android smartphones underscores the problem. With Chromebook, Google will have a record of everything users do. How will Google use it? Can they keep this data secure? Given the epidemic of hacking and data breaches, storing sensitive information online poses a serious risk.
With notebooks, netbooks, tablets and smartphones, there’s no lack of mobile devices for working and playing on the go. So why is Google introducing yet another gadget?
Since the invention of the personal computer in the early 1980s, there’s been a battle for control of the desktop. The chief combatants, Microsoft and Apple, have reaped rich rewards from powering PCs. Now Google wants to cash in. Just as its Android operating system now controls 1 out of 3 smartphones, it wants to do the same with Chromebooks.
A great feature for non-technical types is that the messy task of updating and upgrading software will all be accomplished behind-the-scenes. Just leave it to Google. For the cost-conscious, there won’t be new software to buy.
But all new technology comes with bugs. Google is a culture of engineers who aspire to automate everything. Although the company employs over 26,000, try reaching one of them on the phone for advice. If you need tech support, email or check out a message board.
Last year Google launched a new smartphone, the Nexus One. The Android operating system generally got good reviews; product support didn’t. Early adapters howled their disapproval. Will Chromebook support be any better? Maybe.
The Chrome website indicates that you can schedule a phone appointment. How long it takes is anyone’s guess. Are you willing to wait for an appointment with a mission-critical task to complete? Personally, I want tech support NOW.
Finally, Google faces huge competition. Chromebooks will reportedly sell for around $500. For somewhat less, you can buy a netbook; for around the same price, a laptop or tablet PC. Will business and consumers embrace this new product? Will you?
Wednesday - May 11, 2011
In tough times, paying the rent or mortgage takes precedent over most other expenses. It was no surprise then that a friend’s family therapy practice was hit hard by the recession. But business has picked up lately. Almost every week brings another client or two. How do they find him? On Yelp, the review site.
It seems that satisfied patients are spreading good words about him, resulting in new clients.
The takeaway for any business, small or large, is that in a Webbed world, customer reviews matter. But what happens if they post bad ones?
The most extreme action you can take is to threaten or actually file a lawsuit. Before you even consider this, analyze the review dispassionately (if you can). Is it false or misleading or is it a matter of opinion? (If you’re still hot under the collar, ask people you trust to weigh in.)
In the U.S. and many other countries, voicing one’s opinion is protected speech. While you might intimidate someone with a lawsuit, it’s expensive, you probably won’t win in court and you may make the situation worse by stirring up the pot.
A better tactic is to contact the disgruntled customer. Try to address his or her concerns. Was there a misunderstanding? Was someone just having a bad day and you got in the way? Now that the heat of the moment has dissipated, maybe he feels differently and will agree to change or retract the review.
But what if the reviewer refuses to budge?
Many sites like Angie’s List, TripAdvisor and Yelp now let businesses respond to reviews. A persuasive explanation from “management” can go a long way to educating prospective customers. At the very least, they see that you monitor reviews and take them seriously. They also get to read two sides of the story and then make up their own minds.
All this takes time and effort, which is always in short supply. But the stakes are too high for most businesses to just do nothing. People have loads of options these days, so don’t give them a reason to write you off.
