Another angle on the Facebook privacy row

Ryan Olson's Facebook profileThe social-networking Web site Facebook decided to roll back its terms of use after its users protested.
As I understand it, Facebook removed a clause stating that users could remove their content at any time. Many users want to ensure that if they decide to leave the site, Facebook would delete all the information pertaining to the user.
That sounds fair enough, but I’m concerned about losing comments from friends who at some point decide to leave the Web site. If they opt to delete their profiles, does that include the comments that they left for their friends?
According to BBC News, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said the terms were changed to recognize that a deleted user’s comments and messages to others would remain.

“We think this is the right way for Facebook to work, and it is consistent with how other services like email work. One of the reasons we updated our terms was to make this more clear.” — Mark Zuckerberg

I look at Facebook as a chronicle for the lives of my friends and myself. I wouldn’t want the loss of people’s thoughts that they left for me and others. I guess it’s a good reminder to save early and save often if there are memories you want to keep.
UPDATE: There’s some more details and commentary from the BBC’s dot.life blog.

Ticketmaster and Live Nation to merge and devise new fees

Today’s announced merger of Ticketmaster and Live Nation is big news. The two companies are trying to quell fears that the deal will increase ticket prices. Here’s what Ticketmaster Chairman Barry Diller said about prices:

“Ticketmaster does not set prices. Live Nation does not set ticket prices. Artists set the prices,” Diller said.

The Associated Press writer was keen to point out that Diller did not mention the ticket surcharges that Ticketmaster is well known for.
While artists may set the ticket prices, Ticketmaster seems to find new and fun ways to charge its customers new supplemental fees. When I bought tickets for an event in San Jose last year, Ticketmaster wanted to charge me to print my tickets at home. This hardly seemed fair — while Ticketmaster paid to invest in the ticket-generating technology, I would have to pay for the ink, paper and printer in addition for this added fee. Needless to say, I opted for the cheapest method possible — delivered via first-class mail.
Public radio’s Marketplace had an interesting story about the fees last year. It also noted that Ticketmaster could have lost 10 percent of its business if a partnership between the company and Live Nation fell by the wayside. Clearly, this isn’t going to happen now.
With this merger in the works, who knows what fun ways Ticketmaster will charge people. Any ideas?

No stinkin’ diet needed with ‘Bacon Explosion’

Going through old e-mail messages can be rewarding. For example, I was introduced to the meaty goodness that is the Bacon Explosion.
The New York Times delved into the creation and publicity of the 4-pound roll of bacon and sausage. Apparently, the product has caught the eyes of many Web surfers and it has drawn people to BBQAddicts.com, the Web site of the Burnt Finger BBQ team.
Several people have pointed to the Explosion as an example of gastronomical excess, but I don’t think it’s too outside the box. The amount of meat involved seems excessive, but I think I used nearly that much for my Super Bowl chili last year.
At the same time, I can practically feel the artery-clogging poundage that would come from a slice.

Searching for Super 3D glasses

I nearly missed kickoff for today’s Super Bowl XLIII. I was running errands … and trying to find 3D glasses. The glasses are for an iced tea commercial airing during the game, but I wanted them for the 3D episode of “Chuck” Monday.
I checked three stores and none of them had those darn glasses.
This whole “go to the store” for promotional glasses stinks anyway. I wish they distributed the glasses through direct mail or inserted them into Sunday newspapers. It’s true they wouldn’t get to everyone, but at least they would cover a large amount of households. Still, I may be a little biased on that score.
As the game is starting to unfurl, I think the Steelers will prevail, but the Cardinals have been surprising teams and fans all season long. Perhaps Arizona has one last surprise.