Pet Society Expands to PetSociety.com with Facebook Connect

Pet Society, the addictive virtual world of fluffy animal, is one that Playfish has always kept in motion. The denizens of the game experience everything from the daily running of track races to the trading and gifting of furniture and clothing.

While Playfish has added new shops, rewards, and rooms for Pet Society users, its latest addition doesn�t actually appear inside Facebook � it�s on the �public� web. Now that the Facebook version of the game has grown to nearly 11 million monthly users, Pet Society has expanded its reach beyond the Facebook platform with its new website, PetSociety.com.

Using Facebook Connect, visitors can play directly from the site. It�s one of the smoothest implementations of Facebook Connect we�ve seen, allowing users to play the same version of the game in a simple popup. The site also has links to Playfish forums, downloads, links and videos submitted by fans. While the videos might seem strange, it shows us what is beyond those fuzzy, cartoon critters in hats.

PetSociety.com also shows visitors everything they would want to know about the game, such as an informational web version of the virtual world�s town. The site updates users on the latest gifts or weekly drawings. It also provides free newsletters and Pet Society merchandise. If you are a frequent player of Pet Society, this site is worth a bookmark.

source here

Facebook users hit by hoax sexy video

Thousands of Facebook users have been the victim of a fake video that's designed to infect PCs with adware, says Sophos.

According to the security firm, hundreds of social networkers said the video, which claims to be the "sexiest video ever", looked as though it had been posted on their Facebook page by friends.

However, those clicking on the video are warned that the video won't play unless the correct software is installed. Those that download the software instead install adware on their PC.The message with the video read "this is without doubt the sexiest video ever! :P :P :P. Candid Camera Prank [HQ] Length: 3:17" and featured a thumbnail of a woman on an exercise bicycle wearing a short skirt.

"You may want to watch a sexy video, but you're more likely to end up being plagued by pop-up advertising," warned Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos.

"Not only is adware being installed on your computer, but the rogue Facebook application is posting the same message to all of your friends' accounts. It's no surprise that your friends might click to watch the movie when it looks to all intents and purposes that you are the person who has sent it to them."

Cluley urged web users not to click on the link, and said those who have been attacked should scan their computer with anti-virus software, change their passwords and remove the application from their Facebook profile.

"70 percent more Facebook users are reporting being attacked by malware via the site in the last year, and the problem only seems to be getting worse," added Cluley.

"Social networking users need to learn not to fall for simple but effective social engineering tricks like this in future."

source here

Kids On Facebook � Facebook Briefs Parents in Palo Alto: Where does Facebook�s Business Model Fit into Protecting our Kids?

My kids have Facebook accounts and we have a Facebook policy in our house. I guess that you�d put me in the camp of �parents for Facebook�. As a new and avid user of Facebook and someone keenly interested in social science and child development, I attended a Facebook meeting last night with parents in Palo Alto with great interest.

Every social media network is searching for the best method to create large audience leading to large amounts of advertising revenue. With over 200 million users and increased R&D budget to develop 35 new foreign language interfaces�.I would say that Facebook�s goals are clear � to increase the social graph as quickly and dramatically as possible. It is working. 70% of Facebook�s users are outside of the US. Every day new members are added. Friends of friends become friends of friends�and so on and so on. Facebook is our children�s present social communication culture. Bravo to Facebook.

How many of those �friends of friends� do you want your child interfacing with�regularly, publicly & not in the real world? Being the inquisitive parent I am, I attended a local high school Parent Ed meeting last night.

The event l was billed as an event to increase your knowledge of your kids� cyber culture on Facebook. The Facebook employee panelist was informative enough, but I couldn�t help feel that he really didn�t �get it�. His youth was indicative of the Facebook employee culture, but I am guessing he has never worried about a child getting home safely or being stalked on the Internet.

Questions were answered relating to privacy settings & Facebook procedures for blocking inappropriate posts and or members. The slide show was informative, but didn�t really reach the heart of the matter. The high school principal spoke with us about how the administration disciplines kids who post inappropriately in the high school network. The two high school age panelists spoke to their methods of protecting and sharing their information on Facebook. Yes, interesting, but I still left the event feeling hungry for more parenting tools.

I was left wondering, who is monitoring cyberspace outside of school hours? Whose responsibility is it? Should Facebook default to the most restrictive privacy settings for minors? Wouldn�t restrictions to spreading networks be highly counter to their business goals. Is Facebook�s sharing and connecting utility and business growth plan in conflict with the best interest of the kids?

Some parents felt that the school needed to become more proactive in teaching our kids to be safe, and even went so far as to suggest a mandated course. Others indicated that the cyber businesses which interact with youth need to take more responsibility.

My take: This is a new parenting frontier � an opportunity. We are two steps behind our kids, even if we think we know what they are doing online. It is a parent�s responsibility to discipline (Latin root = teach) our children how to protect themselves. Many kids balk at the idea of sharing their online communications with parents. Until my children are 18, I am the authority. We need to set expectations for our kids & walk them through this uncharted territory with guidelines. Parents: require your children to share passwords with you. Set time aside to see what your children are doing online. Invite them to browse through their accounts with you. Ask questions and really listen.

It is only with the cooperation of the businesses, schools and parent communities that we can hope to enjoy the benefits of social networks AND keep our kids smart & safe online. source here

Earning More Money on Facebook's Yoville

Zynga Games, creator of applications such as FarmVille and Mafia Wars, has created a Sim-style application for Facebook. YoVille is a virtual world that will appeal to players of games like The Sims and Animal Crossing. Players, called YoVillians, can chat and interact with friends, decorate their homes and dress their character. YoVille uses two types of currency within the game - YoCash and YoCoins.

Earning YoCoins - The Basic YoVille Currency

YoCoins are the basic currency of YoVille. They are used to purchase furniture and decorations for apartments, clothing, music or even a larger home. YoCoins are easy to earn, with a large number of activities paying them out.

• Visiting Friends - Having friends on YoVille is an easy way to earn extra YoCoins. Simply visit friends in their apartments and perform an action, such as joking, fighting or leaving a message. YoVillians can only earn coins for 20 unique friend visits a day.
• Working - The other basic way to make YoCoins is to go to work at the factory in the upper left-hand corner of the map. Four work options are available, offering a variety of YoCoins, YoPoints and bonuses. Players can only visit the factory once every six hours.
• Larger Crew - The more members a player invites to their crew, the larger bonus they receive when working at the factory. Players can invite all friends that already play YoVille, plus anyone else from their Facebook friends list that may be interesting in joining.
• Speedway - The YoVille Speedway is a racing game. Winning a race will net 10 YoCoins. Click the left mouse button to gain speed, but do not click while over oil slicks or the player will fall. Only 20 wins from games are paid out each day.
• Fishing - Fishing can be found just behind the apartments on the main YoVille map. The fishing competition is a race to catch the most, and largest, fish during a three minute time span. The winner receives 10 coins, plus a bonus if they catch the pearl.
• Tic-Tac-Toe and Rock Paper Scissors - Click on other players who are online to find the option to play games against them. Winning at either game will earn 10 YoCoins, while a draw will earn 5.
• Purchase YoCoins - YoVillians who are in a hurry and have some extra cash can purchase YoCoins using either PayPal or a credit card. The smallest amount available for purchase is 5,000 YoCoins, costing $10. Click the �Buy More YoCash� option to purchase YoCoins.
• Visit YoVille.com - YoVille.com offers players more information about the game, as well as the opportunity to hunt for pots of gold on other player�s profiles.

Getting YoCash to Buy Rare Items

YoCash is more difficult to acquire than YoCoins. It is required to purchase many of the rare and collectable options. Unlike YoCoins, YoCash cannot be traded with other players. However, most items that are purchased with YoCash are tradeable. The simplest way to acquire YoCash is to purchase it. Five dollars will purchase $25 of YoCash, with discounts for larger purchases. The purchase options are the same as with YoCoins.

The other method for getting YoCash is to complete offers and surveys. YoVillians who choose this method should scrutinize the information carefully. Many of the surveys that seem simple are actually methods of collecting personal information and distributing it to their partners. Higher paying offers typically require a purchase, while free offers pay less but will not need a credit card number. There are several important factors to think about before completing offers.

• Research Offers - There are also many threads available on the YoVille.com forums offering advice about the best free offers.
• Limit Personal Information Given - Set limits before handing over addresses and phone numbers. Think about whether the YoCash is really worth providing your personal details.
• Use �Junk� Email Account - Free offers all still require an email account. Players should use an account that is set up specifically for use on websites. Some offers will result in spam.
• Get Parental Permission - All players under the age of 18 should talk to their parents before completing offers.
• Check Before Buying - Players who are intending to sign up with companies such as Netflix, Gamefly and DirectTV should check the offers on YoVille before they do. Companies like these often have offers available.

YoVille is also available to play on MySpace. Visit YoVille.com to find contests, message boards and other extras to enhance game play. To learn more about the game, read about Learning to Play YoVille or Earning YoPoints to Level Up.

http://internet-games.suite101.com/article.cfm/earning_more_money_on_facebooks_yoville

Learning to Play YoVille on Facebook

Fans of character-based simulation may want to check out the hot Facebook application, YoVille. The creators of YoVille, Zynga Games, are one of the top social gaming companies on the internet. Mastering the basics of YoVille does not take long.

Navigating YoVille - The Main Screen

Upon starting the game, YoVillians will find themselves in the living room of their apartment. At the top of the screen are buttons to go to the map of the city, edit the layout and contents of a room, change the appearance of the character and view inventory. The next line down includes the energy meter, which is used as the character performs actions, and the level gauge.

Below the view of the apartment are all the social tools that players need to interact with other YoVille residents. Characters can perform actions, throw water balloons and chat with other players they encounter.

One important aspect is the friend ladder. This ranks a player�s Facebook friends and YoVille buddies by the YoPoints level they have achieved. Clicking on a buddy takes the player to their friend�s home.

Places in YoVille - Understanding the Map

Clicking on �Show Map� will display the entirety of YoVille. There are two ways to navigate through the city. Either visit the main map screen and click on the desired location or use the arrows on the street level to head to the next shop over.

Though other features are coming soon, these locations are currently available for all players to stop by:

• Widget Factory - Head to work every six hours to earn YoCoins and YoPoints.
• Your Apartment & Houses - Players all begin with an apartment near their buddies, but can purchase a house later in the game.
• Furniture Store - Decorate homes in a variety of styles, using YoCoins and YoCash.
• Vinny�s Diner - Get something to eat or meet new players to chat with.
• Lucky Casino - YoCoins can be gambled on a slot machine in the Casino.
• Realtor Office - Move from the apartment to a new home by visiting this office, with the appropriate amount of YoCoins or YoCash.
• Pet Shelter - Adopt a pet for the home. Most options require YoCash, however a few can be purchased for coins.
• Gifts & Flowers - Buy gifts for buddies or decorations for the home at this store.
• YoDepot - Pick out new wallpaper, flooring and fixtures for the bathroom and kitchen at this store.
• Sky Nightclub - Visit the nightclub to socialize, or to grab a snack.
• Gym Equipment - Turn a spare room into an exercise area with purchases from this store.
• Coffee Shop - Grab a quick snack to help renew energy.
• The Bank - At the bank, YoCash can be exchanged for either YoCoins or crew.
• Clothing Store - YoVillians can buy new outfits, accessories and shoes here.
• Music Store - Play music in an apartment or home with stereos and CDs.
• Speedway - Play a racing game to earn YoCoins and YoPoints.
• Beach & Fishing - The beach offers a fishing game, which gives players another way to earn coins.

Things to Do in YoVille

There are many things that residents of YoVille can complete every day. Each of these tasks will help players become more familiar with the game and earn them a combination of YoCoins, items and YoPoints:

• Daily Scratcher - A daily lottery scratcher is available to YoVillians. Once per day, players can scratch off a space on the ticket. Match three to win a prize. Every ticket is a winner, so players should log in daily even if they only have a moment to play.
• Go to Work - Every six hours, players are eligible to go to work in the Widget Factory. Here, they can earn YoCoins, YoPoints or even furniture.
• Chat with Friends - YoVille is a social environment and playing with friends has advantages. Inviting more friends to join a crew will result in bonuses from the Factory as well as the opportunity to purchase better homes later in the game.
• Earn YoCoins and YoCash - Getting new items requires YoCash or YoCoins. YoCoins are earned by completing tasks within the game, while YoCash must be purchased or earned by completing offers.
• Play Games - Fishing, YoMoto, Tic-Tac-Toe and Rock-Paper-Scissors are all available to play. Earn up to 200 YoCoins a day by playing games.
• Go Shopping - Furnish an apartment, listen to music or buy new clothing at the stores available.
• Level Up with YoPoints - A higher level allows YoVillians to access new items, actions and rooms for their apartment.

YoVille is also available to play on MySpace. Visit YoVille.com to find contests, message boards and other extras to enhance game play.

http://internet-games.suite101.com/article.cfm/learning_to_play_yoville_on_facebook

free facebook themes/skin for facebook user

If orkut and twitter user personalized there theme with third-party themes , then why can�tFacebook users? Today we listed 45 free facebook themes/skin for facebook user . Some of them add more Beauty to your own Facebook user profile and user friendliness to a Facebook. We obviously cannot cover all the best from the web, but we have tried to cover as much as possible.
The life-span of these themes is not much as Facebook keeps changing their code. The themes given below have been hand-picked by me and were all working fine. They are also being regularly updated by the original designers.
Requirements:
There are 3 basic requirements before you can use the themes.

1. Mozilla Firefox (Download it from here!)
2. Grease monkey add-on for Firefox and Opera users
3. Stylish add-on for Firefox

I recommend you to Install Stylish add-on for Firefox . you can easily customize facebook themes/skin as per your choices or you can create your own facebook themes/skin with help of CSS . If you already meet all the requirements, then let the themes begin! To Download your favorite theme click on image of facebook theme. if you have any problem with changing your facebook theme please see the video tutorial to easily change your facebook theme.

transparent Green colour 2009 theme

windows Green black transparant

Window Vista Ultimate Skin for Facebook

Theme for Facebook - Jonas Brothers

Pink & love Skin Transparent theme

Facebook Yellow - Transparant Skin

My Chemical romance facebook theme

Facebook theme - Mickey mouse 2009

Facebook Skin - Blue facebook 2009

Theme for Facebook - Football - Liverpool

Beyonc� facebook theme

Bob Marley (Reggae ) facebook theme

Green Hill facebook theme

Super Mario-facebook-theme

The Simpsons-facebook-theme

Blue theme/skin for Facebook :

Facebook DARK Theme/ Skin

Facebook Black v2

Spring Theme

Summer Theme

Facebook - Pink Transparant

purple Facebook Theme:

simple white textured theme

white baroque-floral facebook theme

green rendered pattern facebook theme

facebook sky background theme

Hello Kitty facebook theme

Steel facebook theme

Yellow facebook theme

Blue facebook theme

Naruto Facebook theme

Batman facebook theme

High School Musical facebook theme

Theme for Facebook - Football - Milan

Theme for Facebook - Football - Manchester United

Facebook theme - Football - Arsenal

Facebook theme - Hannah Montana

Facebook theme - NFL - Washington Redskins

Facebook - Batman Skin 2009

facebook Spiderman theme

Transparant blue black facebook theme

FaceBook theme - EMO skin Green Black

Facebook theme - Galaxy Blue, transparency

Facebook - skin green transparant

http://www.dreamcss.com/2009/06/45-free-facebook-themesskin-for.html

source:

FacePAD: Facebook Photo Album Downloader

FacePAD, better known as the Facebook Photo Album Downloader will allow you to download your friends� facebook albums, events albums, and group Albums, en masse, with the click of a button.

download here

10 Facebook apps you might actually want to install

Facebook apps are pretty controversial, as far as developments in the world of social networking. When they first arrived on the scene, some people rejected them as ugly and useless, while others loaded their profiles with as many apps as they could find. I admit, I was in that first camp for quite a while. But, while I'm still disappointed with Facebook apps in general, I also have to admit that we've come a long way since the days of pirates versus zombies and throwing virtual sheep at one another. Here are 10 Facebook apps that I think represent the best of Facebook:

Integration With Other Social Sites

1) Dopplr: Where Next?

What It Does: Displays your upcoming trips from the excellent travel-centric social network Dopplr on your Facebook profile.

Why You Need It: Because telling people where you are by manually changing your "current town" on Facebook is pass� and a waste of time when you have Dopplr. With this app, friends can easily see when you're leaving town and when you're getting back.

2) Upcoming

What It Does: Integrates your Facebook events with local events from Upcoming. Lets you add events and view events from either site.

Why You Need It: You're using Facebook to create, browse and confirm events anyway. You might as well make sure you don't miss anything because you forgot to check both sites. Upcoming also suggests events in your area, so you might find out about a cool opportunity that would have otherwise passed you by.

3) Ping.fm

What It Does: Lets you post updates from Facebook to tons of other social sites, including MySpace, Tumblr, Twitter, Hi5, and even LiveJournal.

Why You Need It: Logging into one site is enough of a pain. If you're updating your Facebook status, you might as well cross-post to a few other sites as well, to make sure you reach your friends who remain Facebookless. There's also posting by email, over AIM or GTalk, or through mobile apps.

File Sharing

4) Drop.io Feed Connect

What It Does: Lets you share files directly through your Facebook feed, by updating the feed whenever you upload something to a Drop.io "drop" that's connected to Facebook.

Why You Need It: File sharing on Facebook has always been a hassle, and Drop.io seems to have the best solution going right now. The "feed connect" idea was developed spefically for the latest iteration of the Twitter design, and works with it where some apps work against it. Drop.io made a name for itself by building an easy drop-to-upload interface, and it's a natural fit for Facebook.

5) Divshare

What It Does: Adds file sharing either directly to a friend, through your profile, or in your stream.

Why You Need It: Divshare can't touch Drop.io connect in terms of sharing in the stream, but if you want to zap a file to another Facebook user, or just keep it on your profile, Divshare is the app for you. It has the added bonus of having been around for a while, so there's a good chance some of your friends are already using it.

Games

6) Scrabble

What It Does: Lets you play Scrabble with your Facebook friends, and also has a matching iPhone app so you can play on the go

Why You Need It: After Scrabulous, the popular unofficial version of Facebook Scrabble, got shut down, it was replaced with this licensed version. Although it can be glitchy and unreliable at times, Scrabble is still the best game on Facebook.

Music

7) Last.fm Music and 8) What I'm Listening To

What They Do: Last.fm music lets you share playlists with your friends on Facebook via the popular Last.fm social music site, and What I'm Listening To shows your recently-played tracks on Last.fm.

Why You Need It: Because everyone knows that the way to impress people on Facebook is by declaring your awesome musical taste. It's one thing to carefully pick the bands you list in the favorite music section of your profile, but you can walk the walk instead of just talking the talk if you show people what you're listening to on Last.fm. Last.fm Music also compares musical compatibility with your friends, just for fun.

9) Pandora

What It Does: Links your Facebook account with your Pandora account, so it can display your favorite artists and songs, and your recent stations.

Why You Need It: Maybe you don't use Last.fm, but Pandora is your music discovery engine of choice. In that case, this app makes an attractive addition to your profile. It shows 4 recent stations, 3 favorite artists, and some of your bookmarked tracks from Pandora. Friends can open your Pandora stations with one click, too.

Other

10) Appear Offline

What It Does: Allows you to see who's signed on to Facebook Chat without having Facebook chat activated. You can poke and send Facebook messages to your online contacts from the Appear Offline page.

Why You Need It: Because sometimes Facebook chat is a nuisance, and you just want to turn it off. This way, you can turn it off without losing the ability to see which of your friends are online.

source: http://www.downloadsquad.com/2009/03/31/10-facebook-apps-you-might-actually-want-to-install/