 Why Facebook Should Be Fired
Facebook is wreaking havoc in the workplace. Employees are getting fired -- or never getting hired -- thanks to Facebook posts. But I say keep the employees and fire Facebook instead.
Here's why.
Facebook is a brand-new phenomenon. The public hasn't had time to master it yet, and the structure of Facebook itself is no help at all. As a result, people are posting things they later regret.
As one HR attorney recently pointed out, reading an employee's Facebook page is perfectly legal. At least here and now.
The German government may pass an employee-protection law this year that, among other things, bans hiring managers from checking the Facebook profiles of prospective employees. If so, Germany may be the first country to illegalize the practice. But for the time being, it's legal everywhere.
But legal or not, is it ethical for employers to read the Facebook posts of employees? I've been thinking a lot about this question recently, and I surprised even myself by concluding that I believe the answer is no. Here's why.
Mike Elgan
http://elgan.com
(Have you tried the new Digg? It's just like the old Digg, but with improvements that enable you to control exactly the kind of thing you like to read about -- and to emphasize the postings of specific people. Follow me on Digg by going here and clicking "Follow"!)
Big Brother is Searching You
Is it OK to violate the Constitution's 4th Amendment, as long as you use new technology to do it? While everyone is concerned about privacy violations from Facebook Places, government agencies may be using powerful new technology to violate 4th-Ammendment protection against unreasonable searches. Here's what's going on, and what might come next.
Google Tests 'Live Search'
Google is testing "live search," which means that new results pop up as you're typing. If you want to search for "pizza," for example, the results start flowing in as soon as you type "p." Typing the "i" narrows the search further, and so on. It works from Google's "Search Suggestion" feature. Go here to see the video.
Dude, Where's My Apple iCar?
Iran announced plans recently to create an alternative to Google searches and the Internet itself with a new service called " Oh Lord."
A Google Street View car was pulled over and searched yesterday in Paris, France, by agents of France’s privacy regulator.
Geek 'Fashion'
I told you previously about the Think Geek catalog receiving a Cease & Desist order against the use of a slogan for their Canned Unicorn Meat product (which was an April Fool's prank). Think Geek used the slogan "the new white meat" in their prank, and the  pork industry lawyers thought that was too close to their slogan, "the other white meat.") Yeah, well, now there's a t-shirt.
And when it comes to geeky man jewelry, nothing says "power" like the power symbol. If the symbol turns on your PC, why wouldn't it turn on the ladies? This $40 hand-finished rhodium plated ring "boasts the elegant look of platinum without the heavy price."
News You Can Lose
Microsoft tells gamers that if they play the leaked 'Halo: Reach' game they'll be banned for life!
Toyota to offer Prius owners system that makes fake engine noises because the car is too quiet.
Awful Auctions
Now you can buy this $39.95 Ghost Detecting Meter on eBay. According to the seller, ghosts emit a "pulsating electromagnetic field." It also detects cell phone radiation. I'm not sure they've discovered the secret to finding ghosts, but I'll bet they find some suckers. Comes with a full warranty.
Mystery Pic
What is it? Post your guess on the Mike's List web site! If you're first with the right answer, you'll earn the dubious honor of getting your name in the next issue of Mike's List! (You must include your name and city to "win"!)
 LAST WEEK'S MYSTERY PIC: No, it's not a "Transformer-like desk lamp," an "RC beer can smasher" or even a "traveling pannini maker" as suggested by some readers. In fact, it's a concept design for a tree-planting robot. Designer Anna-Karin Bergkvist came up with this idea for a robot that goes off into the forest and plants trees without human control. Best of all, it's powered by forraged fuel such as wood chips and "animal pellets." Mega props to Andre Marcil of Buckingham Qc, Canada, for being first with the right answer -- and our first-ever back-to-back winner! (Andre was first with last week's Mystery Pic, too!)
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