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Google’s recent announcement of its yet to be publically unveiled social networking site Google + is a welcome addition to the social networking space. Primarily focused on clawing back from the competitive pressures of the success of Facebook, Google realizes it need to establish itself in social networking/social media space as one of the fundamentals it must address in this ever evolving marketplace.

As some one who works in search engine marketing & social media marketing there are a few things I’d like to see Google accomplish that will clearly differentiate it from Facebook.

Create an environment that encourages sharing

The main reason Facebook is so successful is that it has created a platform and environment for bounteous sharing. Recall that according to StarCom MediaVest Group and Rubicom Partners, nearly half of all content sharing happening in Facebook. Quite a feat! Google should move in the same direction with its terms of: creation of an atmosphere that is sharing positive, is very easy of use and is noticeably integrated with other Google services.

Offer enhanced & integrated social media marketing options

Coupling together Google’s suite of marketing & advertising solutions from AdWords PPC, to Youtube, to Google Buzz, Google Picasa, Google Blogger allow Google a powerful set of options to anyone looking to market through search engine marketing or social media. Envisioning them integrated and enhanced can only prove to be an ever more powerful platform.

Offer users better privacy options

It would be hard to do worse than Facebook on the issue of privacy. With numerous onerous incidents Facebook has shown it will not address the privacy issues in any salient way. Personally, I see this as a great opportunity for Google + to do just the opposite. As current press indicates Google plans to do just that but I’d like to see it take leadership in the market in this space.

Give users control of IP (Intellectual Property)

Many websites like Facebook directly or indirectly take ownership of user generated content. Users are generally unaware of these issues of the potential consequences. For example if you take a look at Facebook terms of service you will read the following excerpt from the Facebook Terms of Service: “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”).”

User generated content is the mainstay of these social sites and drives their revenues by targeted advertisements based upon it. But shouldn’t users have a choice as to how their content is treated and the type of license it might use? YouTube just went in this direction with the addition of Creative Commons and I think it would be a smart direction for Google +. Users will share even more if they feel their rights and choices are respected rather than scorned. Users should be able to choose how they share their content (what every key license they see fit) and control their own IP (Intellectual Property). Giving users this choice doesn’t conflict with its business model so its a win for consumers and a win for Google.

Opportunity Knocks

With the departure of the venerable Eric Schmidt as CEO there was an admission of a lack of focus on the social opportunity at Google. Perhaps this is the beginning of a new era of Google & social networking. Google + could turn out to be a very good thing.

Evolutionary IT would like to thank everyone who gave to the ACC in support of our running team. Our team ran well and enjoyed our experience but most importantly we made a difference. We raised nearly $1000 to help the MA AIDS Action Committee to provide for programs and services for those suffering with HIV/AIDS. All of your help is deeply appreciated!!! Our team was fantastic and should be commended for their efforts. We will be running again next year and look forward it whole heartedly.

Free Vs. Commercially Supported Anti-Virus

I consistently get the question from small business owners & others: “Why should I pay for anti-virus/anti-malware if I can get it for free?”  Well now!  Free, how can you beat that?!?  In simple non-technical terms it boils down to how effective your anti-malware suite will be at protecting you.  There are several unbiased 3 party testing labs (Virus Bulletin, AV-Comparatives, Av-Test, ICSA Labs) and they come to a consistent consensus on this issue.  Generally, I recommend that companies invest in a quality, commercially supported anti-malware suite as part of a coordinated defense in depth focused security  strategy.

Commercially Supported Anti-Malware is More Effective

Paid anti-virus/anti-malware solutions are generally much for effective on the broad range of threats your organization faces.  Security threats go far beyond traditional viruses to the whole class of malware such as trojans, rootkits, remote access toolkits, worms, etc.  Free solutions don’t address the full depth and breath of these threats.

Ever Evolving Malware

Cybercriminals have a strong and often singular motive – profit.  They use malware to profit to the tune of billions of dollars a year.  Malware development has all the trapping of professional software development – so we can expect that the malware itself will continue to adapt to our attempts to detect and disable it.  Don’t expect this to change but rather expect the ever present evolution of these devious technologies.  That said, it makes sense to go with commercial solution which has its development efforts on the pulse of these threats.

There is NO Cure-all

Anti-malware suites are in no way a panacea for security concerns but a important part of a larger security picture.  I.e. simply having an anti-virus solution doesn’t shield you from security threats but it does lessen and potentially control your risk.

In conclusion, investing in an anti-malware suite is a smart choice.  It is one that I & others in the security space emphatically recommend you have as a component of your IT efforts.

Evolutionary IT’s Joseph Guarino is proud to sponsor and run the Boston 2011 AIDS 5K Run. As a group (Evolutionary IT) we will be running the 5k and helping to raise over $1000 in funds for the AIDS Action Committee programs and services.  If you are so inclined you can join our running team and get a free Evolutionary IT running shirt and post event festivities!

Wish us the best and help us by donating, so we can meet our >$1000 goal! Visit our link on the AAC website and donate today to this great cause!

Constant queries from friends with children on the subject of parental control software brought me to explain the options in depth on this blog.  In previous posts, I’ve explored the options embedded in your operating system (Windows/OSX) and using your router/firewall for content filtering.  Today I will explore how to use 3rd party software to control & keep safe your child’s Internet experience.

These third party products offer much more elegant options to control a child’s online experience than the two previous options alone.  These advanced features include:

Blocking objectionable content
Managing and observing activities
Scheduling allowed Internet access
Monitor online activities
Etc.

Three products do this very well and offer advanced features you may need to protect your child’s online experience.   Depending on the features you seek, one of the three may best meet your needs:

Spectator Pro – Windows/Mac/Mobile
http://www.spectorsoft.com/
Net Nanny – Windows/Mac/Mobile
http://www.netnanny.com/
Web Watcher -  Windows
http://www.webwatcherkids.com/

All are great programs but your needs should match the chosen application.  It is my hope that you demo which ever one that most closely fits your parental control needs.  A happy and safe Internet experience will then awaits your children.  Let me know how it goes!