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It felt like it had been there all along, but broadcasting live video on Facebook is a relatively recent addition to the life altering app that has found its way onto almost all of our tablets and smartphones. 

The idea that we no longer have to update the world about our breakfast or exotic holiday location simply using words feels like a historic moment but we’re already use to that right? After all we have Ustream, Youtube Live (Although that feels like it’s gone away) periscope and snapchat. So what does Facebook Live actually allow us (or more to the point, me) to do that’s different and moves us along the platform sharing world… 

Well I currently use it in two ways, firstly I’m overseeing the use of the app to develop a student led commentary team that covers university sports at UEL. So far we’ve covered several sports played both on and off campus. The technology has worked extremely well and as long as there’s a good internet connection I don’t see why we can’t take the stream from strength to strength and at the same time encourage other institutions to do the same. (I’ll be posting a ‘how to’/our best practice guide soon)

Bringing people to ‘the party’ is the real gem of facebook live and not just anybody, but bodies you’re actually friends with. 

But like all things tech does it detract or enhance the viewing experience..? In the case of the university commentary it definitely enhances viewing and brings in new audiences – you just have to look at the comments on the post. However in the case of the music event I run (Allsortz Open Mic) where i also use Facebook Live I’d argue that the human touch is very much needed and simply liking the post with an emoji isn’t enough – the audience needs to be there live too. I know I’ll hear shouts like, it’s all about perception not reality, but should we be happy with that status quo? I don’t think we should and especially not in the case of a live music event. It’s not to say that broadcasting live isn’t a good experience in this case, it’s just that it’s not the best… in my humble opinion.

So how else will we (i) use Facebook live, I don’t know just yet but I’msure  something will come to me as it evolves. 

Are Facebook doing another grand job at cornering the marketplace- yes.

The rise in the use of social media and related technology has been phenomenal over the last 3-5 years, but despite this I think there is still a lack of education in how to use it and the repercussions it can have in our lives.

The recent hacking of celebrity iCloud accounts is just another example of the dangers that the Internet can hold and how we must try and maintain a good level of security at all times. The other lesson to learn is that once you upload something on your smart-phone or other device you really have no control over it.

When we store data on our smart-phones like, photos documents or messages, unless we change certain settings that data can be automatically uploaded to an associated computer server like, iCloud for Apple. Once on the server we hope that this is the only place they’ll stay, but realistically our info is copied again and again to numerous other servers to be stored for us to be able to access when and where we want. Because our info is copied almost instantly, it means that when we think we’ve deleted something from our device and from the cloud space, it might still be out there somewhere.

In case you’re interested in doing some further reading on this do check out the following articles that have recently been published… It’s pretty amazing what’s possible with just a little bit of money and the ability to follow some fairly simple instructions.

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing.htm

http://mashable.com/2014/09/04/i-hacked-my-own-icloud-account/ 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-02/apple-says-icloud-not-breached-for-hacked-actors-photos.html

My advice is to check your upload settings and be careful what you choose to store on your device or upload. You just never know where it might end up.

Saw this article today – Did London 2012 fail to inspire a generation?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/25356001

Simple answer – no. But I think it failed to show the realistic side of sport and the costs and dedication involved!

It’s not just a case of turning up at your local track and getting a coach and a sponsorship deal.. There’s also lots of support required from sporting bodies and especially families.

If we really want more sporting participation I think there needs to be proper structured and accessible, (affordable) provisions… Obvious? Maybe….

Rant over.