The Facebook Break-up

It has been a few weeks since I decided to deactivate my Facebook account and I don’t find myself missing it all too much. Or at least I don’t know what I am missing and I am OK with that. I wondered how I would react to deactivating the account having read articles about the addictive nature of the social media site. The only behavioral thing I observed was that my use had become habitual. We had the Facebook app on the iPod Touch, and each morning as I was making breakfast I would see what was new with people. Or if I had posted something the night before, I would see if anyone had responded to it. I remember feeling let down if I didn’t receive any recognition via a ‘Like’ or a comment. This is sad that I was using the site as some form of validation for who I was. That is exactly why I felt the need to break-up with Facebook. I just have to be careful not to repeat the same sins on this Blog.

Some interesting InfoGraphics:

Are We Too Obsessed With Facebook?

Facebook versus Twitter

Television Options in the Digital Age

A while back I wrote about my homemade television antenna and how I had given up on it. Well it has made a comeback. Across Canada recently, television signals switched from analog to digital to free up bandwidth across the airwaves. When that happened, the local station that used to come in slightly snowy stopped coming in at all.

I initially tried the store bought antenna that was supposed to be able to pick up the new digital signals with no luck. Then I decided to try the homemade antenna (pictured to the right) and was happily surprised when it worked like a charm. The local channel come in with 95% signal strength much better than it did when the signal was analog. Plus I was able to get another channel come in crystal clear which was TVO. (Which by the way has some pretty cool programming, check it out.)

This inexpensive solution helps support our decision a long time ago to cut the cord on our cable service. Of late a lot of people I know have also cut the cord on their traditional television subscription. Often the argument is "Why am I paying for all these channels that I don't even watch?"

Now with more TV programming services showing up on the internet and television sets becoming smarter and able to able to access that content, I am not surprised by the trends we're all seeing. This infographic at http://dailyinfographic.com/cutting-the-cable illustrates what I'm talking about.

Personally, I am waiting until Netflix offers Canadians more current programming but the price point is exactly the amount I want to pay. Plus I just learned that I can now get AirMiles through that service. I would need to upgrade some hardware to connect the internet to my TV, but I never find that task a hardship. (This is what I would buy.)

Until then I will continue to enjoy my two channels; CKCO and TVO. You won't hear me complaining about how much I've spent since it was very minimal and it was a one time expense.

How do current Netflix users find the service? What will the cable and satellite TV companies have to do to compete with online services? Do you want instructions on how to make your own antenna?

Three reasons why I deleted my Facebook account

I have done what might be considered social media suicide; I have deactivated my Facebook account. If you're looking for the steps to delete your account, this isn't the place to find answers. Instead I want to list the three main reasons why I decided to part ways with the popular site. Please leave me a comment if you can relate or think I'm out to lunch.

Why I deleted my Facebook account?

1. What I don't know can't hurt me - Too many times I would come across a posting from someone I knew that makes mention of some event or upcoming opportunity that I was not included in or not even considered as a participant. It left me feeling depressed and sad and that isn't how I like to feel. So I figure ignorance will be bliss.
   
   
2. Active versus Passive - I don't want to just be reading about what others are doing, I want to be a part of it. Participation is much more satisfying and it actually nurtures the relationship. It isn't always possible but it is a better option. Plus when I feel the need to share something, I want a response. I don't need someone to 'Like' a post on Facebook, I'd rather have someone ask me a follow up question or have actually been there as well.
   
   
3. Setting a good example - I don't want my two kids to see their dad sitting at the computer reading about his friends and family. I want them to see how relationships get strengthened by actually being face to face with someone. I don't want them to feel the need to be plugged into a social network. I don't want the stories of how I used to get together with friends by actually picking up the phone and planning something to sound foreign to them.

Are these the only reasons, maybe, maybe not. They are the first three I thought of. We'll see if there is any fallout from this. I suspect not. I hope that no one takes my actions personally. I am simply cancelling an online service, not cancelling any friendships.

Besides, I am going to try and increase the frequency of this blog if someone wants to read about me online. There is always Twitter, a service I actually prefer to Facebook. But best of all, if anyone wants to get a hold of me, give me a phone call or show up at my doorstep. I will never turn you away and you'll always be greeted with a smile.

Has anyone else made the same choice? Or has someone else quit Facebook and regretted it? Let me know.

Crafting the Cucumber

2011 is the 'Year of the Cucumber' in our home. We are building a website, www.craftycucumber.com, to marketplace the beautiful cards that my wife Rachel creates. It is an exciting project as it combines our two passions into one project. She loves creating things out of paper and I love creating things digitally.

I plan on blogging about the creative process from a web site development perspective. A lot of thought should go into a website if you want it to be successful. So to ensure we do it right (hopefully the first time) we are doing our research and documenting our thoughts and progress.

During the research phase I've come across a lot of great articles and resources that I feel are worth while sharing. It will be great for those starting a website for the first time or for those who just enjoy reading about website design and development.

Please check out the website www.craftycucumber.com and watch the site evolve. Follow me on Twitter to get the latest posts to this blog.

Has it really been a year Blogger??

Has it really been a year since I posted something on my Blogger account??

I can't say that I am too surprised by this as I haven't been updating my other means of social media as much lately either. Here is the rundown.

FACEBOOK: I find that I am not as fond of this medium as I used to be. It occasionally is a great tool to find out what is up with others and to share what is going on with yourself. But I don't get any real value out of it. It isn't enriching my life in any real way. Of the people I have listed as friends, maybe a handful have actually been over to my house in the last three years. (If anything that can be seen more as a judgement on me versus them.)

YOUTUBE: Has the value of content gone downhill or do I just subscribe to lame channels. I used to visit this site at least twice a day a year ago. I've taught myself so many handy tips on how to use Adobe PhotoShop and InDesign for work via the site. But lately I just don't find myself going there anymore. Nor am I posting as many videos as I did.

TWITTER: This is now my favorite social media tool. I can think of so many uses for it. Plus I find the community more engaging then those on Facebook. Or it could be because you can easily follow people who you can relate with more, either personally or professionally.

Anyways, I am going to try and post some new blog posts while I am working on my website project and as I come across any great articles on web design that are worth sharing.

Until then, keep creating,

Steve