Problems or opportunites!

"Every problem has in it the seed of its own solution.If you don't have any poroblems you don't get any seed" 

- Norman Vincent Peate - 

When we started creating oldtraffordbook we were dreaming about a new digital community a new digital sevice to connect millions of Manchester United friends.

It was like a fairy tale. Without real strong resources, far away from United Kigdom and the most important of all we where the first to try a social networking site as oldtraffordbook.com is!

Honestly after a year the lessons and experience that we have gain are valuable. The valuation of the site according to recent reports is beyond my estimations and forecasts in realtion with time and resources used. 

In my oppinion it was only the beginning. A non profit social networking site to check the waters. 

To see if our conceptions have a value, if we can develop a digital product and most of all to apply our skills in the field of internet marketing. 

So, after a year. I can say "Happy Birthday" ! 

Thank you,  for your support and help. It was only the first step on a long way to the top. There are mountains to climp, rivers to cross and most of all demons to win. 

Elias Stoikos 

P.S. Honestly the most strong demon of all is our bad attitude, mentalite and habbits.   

One year Oldtraffordbook!

There is only one United!

Safety Tips for Social Networking Sites

Unfortunately beside the benefits of using Social Networking Sites there are dangers. As development team of oldtraffordbook we are very interested to keep our young niche social networking site as safe as it is possible. We are at the early phase of development (pre official launch) but safety, reliability and trustiness matters in oldtraffordbook.

Oldtraffordbook offers you the change to restrict the access of your personal information and your posts through “profile edit suit”. Think before you post, free of speech is a fundamental right but you have to respect others and also you have to limit the exposure of your ideas to strangers.

The US Federal Trade Commission recommends to :

(1). Think about how different sites work before you join.

(2). Think about keeping some control over the information you post.

(3). Keep your information to yourself.

(4). Make sure your screen name doesn’t say too much about you

(5). Post only information you are comfortable – other to see.

(6). Remember that once you post information online, you can’t take it back.

(7). Flirting with strangers online could have serious consequences. Because some people lie about who they really are, you never know who you really dealing with.

(8). Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person.

(9). Trust your gut if you have suspicions.

For more information you can visit the following links.

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/tech/tec14.shtm

http://www.onguardonline.gov/

http://www.getnetwise.org/

http://ikeepsafe.org/

http://www.i-safe.org/

http://www.staysafeonline.org/

http://www.microsoft.com/security/default.aspx

http://www.wiredsafety.org/

We are creating a new page in oldtraffordbook with online safety tips, tutorials and videos.

Elias Stoikos

Oldtraffordbook Cofounder

Risks associated with Social – Networking Sites.

Despite benefits, social – networking sites have a dark side. Because of the anonymity in virtual life users can take risks they may not otherwise take.

Risky behaviors associated with social – networking sites include unsafe disclosure of personal information addiction to internet, risky sexual behavior, cyber – bulling, exposure to dangerous communities and cyber threats.

Particularly

(1). Unsafe Disclosure of Personal Information –

Social networking sites are more dangerous than chat rooms because users share more identifying information and information placed on profiles maintains a level of permanency that is non – existent in chat rooms.

(2). Addiction to the sites –

Risks associated with increased Internet use range from interference with children’s academic s and other activities to an increased risk of solicitation online.

(3). Risky Sexual Behavior –

Often users post very suggestive pictures and provocative language on their profiles. Also there is a certain level of competition to add more friends in social networking sites.

(4). Cyber – Bullying – Cyber Threats –

According to National School Boards Association thirteen million children between the ages of six and seventeen have been cyber – bullied. The faceless nature of posts and comments contributes to a sense of anonymity that promotes sometimes inappropriate postings in comparison to face – to – face communications.

(5). Dangerous Communities –

Communities, groups on social networking sites while offering some benefits also can be dangerous.

(Part 2 of 3)

Elias Stoikos

Cofounder of oldtraffordbook.com

Benefits to participate in Social Networking Sites!

The Internet generally and the social networking sites (SNS) particularly can be a positive influence to individuals. There is the opportunity for individuals to express themselves in their own ways. They are also a meeting place for all to interact with other individuals, to participate, to communicate and to share mutual interests with other like minded – people. SNS also can offer the possibility for individuals to collect information such as in business, academics, lifestyle etc. Technology is the main factor for lifestyle changes and changes in consumer behavior. SNS can be helpful but also dangerous. In this small article I would like only the benefits tomorrow I will try to present some of the dangers.

The common answer is why to join to a social networking site?

Because

(1). You can practice Social Skills – SNSs can promote the socialization of individuals and can help in the development of self identity that is accepted by peers. Through the features and applications of SNSs users can better express their feelings and moods. By using a large number of digital applications users are encouraged to make new friends and to create a larger network of friends. SNSs provide the opportunity to users to add comments under posts, this feature promotes the development of conversation.

(2). You can define / guide Social Interactions – SNSs to help members to meet other like – minded people, social networking sites support areas that focus on subjects of interest. Also chat application can help user to participate in a large number of discussions on an equally diverse number of topics. These more narrow groups help individuals to connect with similar individuals, helping provide a sense of belonging and support they may not feel in their own job, university, offline communities etc.

(3). You can create a private social space – Having a place to go with just friends give users a place to visit and explore, helping them develop independence.

(4). You can experimenting with identities – The anonymous nature of the social networking sites allows users the opportunity to escape stereotypes and images that have been labeled in their offline environment (job, university, school, clubs etc). In SNSs exist the opportunity to create an online identity and to socialize with like minded people from all over the world.

(Part 1 of 3)

Stoikos Elias

Co founder of oldtraffordbook.com