Today’s Technology for Baby Boomers & Beyond

“Learning Technology to Live

a More Connected Life”

Today's Technology for Baby Boomers & Beyond

Copyright Andy Livingston 2012

Published at Smashwords

Table of Contents

Chapter 1- Cell phones/Smartphone’s, I-pod/ITunes, Mobile apps & much more!

Chapter 2 - Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, YOU tube & much more! Chapter 3 - Computers (Mac/pc), Wii, Skype, Netflix, Super cook, Flickr, webcam & much more!

Chapter 4 - GPS and Mapping, weather sites & other out/about resources

Chapter 5 - Gadgets\kindle\digital cameras & much more!

Chapter 6 - Microsoft Office/E-mail, Fun things to email your grandkids, Informative websites for seniors & much more!

Chapter 7 - Useful Internet Resources, 50 Best Websites 2010/11 & much more!

Chapter 8 - Today’s Teen Technology & the Grand/parental role

Chapter 1

Cell phones/Smartphone’s, I-pod/ITunes, Mobile apps & much more

The Basics:

The Carriers: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile & Verizon, Virgin Mobile (These are the major vendors in the US)

Voice Plans (calls) – this service gives you the ability to make a phone call

Data Plans (Internet) – This service gives you the ability to use the Internet

e-mail on your phone

Text Messaging – This service allows you to type a message and sends; it’s not an e-mail!

Prepaid plans (Pay as you go) – for those who are budget conscious, great way to control your costs.

What is a Smartphone?

A smartphone is a high-end mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a contemporary feature phone. The first smart phones were devices that mainly combined the functions of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a mobile phone or camera phone. Today's models also serve to combine the functions of portable media players, low-end compact digital cameras, pocket video cameras, and GPS navigation units. Modern Smartphone’s typically also include high-resolution touch screens, web browsers that can access and properly display standard web pages rather than just mobile-optimized sites, and high-speed data access via Wi-Fi and mobile broadband

Features and Things you can do with a Smartphone:

Caller ID:

Caller ID (caller identification, CID), also called calling line identification (CLID) or calling number identification (CNID) or Calling Line Identification Presentation (CLIP), is a telephone service, available in analog and digital phone systems and most Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, that transmits a caller's number to the called party's telephone equipment during the ringing signal, or when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. Where available, caller ID can also provide a name associated with the calling telephone number. The information made available to the called party may be displayed on a telephone's display or on a separately attached device.

Caller ID may be used to display a caller's telephone number (and, in association with a database, name) on a called user's telephone

Phonebook:

Your work, personal and social networking contacts, all at the tip of your fingertips.

Photo Sharing:

Photo sharing is the publishing or transfer of a user's digital photos online, thus enabling the user to share them with others (publicly or privately). This function is provided through both websites and applications that facilitate the upload and display of images. The term can also be loosely applied to the use of online photo galleries that are set up and managed by individual users, including photo blogs. Sharing means that other users can view but not necessarily download the photos, users being able to select different copyright options

Widgets:

It's a small application that can be installed and executed within a web page by an end user. Widgets often take the form of on-screen device (clocks, event countdowns, auction-tickers, stock market tickers, flight arrival information, daily weather etc.) A Mobile Web widget is a web widget that is made or designed for access on mobile device.

Customizable Home Screen:

Widgets can be moved and resized to further personalize your home screen panels.

Standby Time:

The amount of time you can leave your fully charged cellular portable or transportable phone turned on before the phone will completely discharge the batteries.

Talk time:

The length of time you can talk on your portable or transportable cellular phone without recharging the battery. The battery capacity of a cellular portable or transportable is usually expressed in terms of so many minutes of talk time or so many hours of standby time. When you're talking, the phone draws additional power from the battery

Camera:

The megapixel debate is a favorite topic of discussion in favor of this phone or that phone. Most phones have a 2-megapixel camera as the bare minimum or a 3.2-megapixel camera. The difference in image quality and details between the 2 and 3-megapixel camera is visible, but not much. Mid-to-high end phones settle between a 3- and 5-megapixel camera. Camera features like auto white balance, auto focus, and auto exposure improve image quality. Camera apps should geotag photos, recognize between portrait and landscape, and provide basic image (JPEG) and video (MOV/MP4/3GPP) compression settings. Many phone cameras shoot video, but this can also depend on the software support.

Multimedia Messaging:

Multimedia Messaging Service, or MMS, is a standard way to send messages that include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extends the core SMS (Short Message Service) capability that allowed exchange of text messages only up to 160 characters in length. The most popular use is to send photographs from camera-equipped handsets, although it is also popular as a method of delivering news and entertainment content including videos, pictures, text pages and ringtones.

GPS & Location based Services:

LBS include services to identify a location of a person or object, such as discovering the nearest banking cash machine or the whereabouts of a friend or employee. LBS include parcel tracking and vehicle tracking services. LBS can include mobile commerce when taking the form of coupons or advertising directed at customers based on their current location. They include personalized weather services and even location-based games.

Voicemail:

Voice mail (also known as voice-mail or voice message) is a computer based system that allows users and subscribers to exchange personal voice messages; to select and deliver voice information; and to process transactions relating to individuals, organizations, products and services, using an ordinary telephone. The term is also used more broadly to denote any system of conveying a stored telecommunications voice messages, including using an answering machine. Most cell phone services offer voicemail as a basic feature.

Predictative text:

Predictive text is an input technology used where one key or button represents many letters, such as on mobile phones and in accessibility technologies. Each key press results in a prediction rather than repeatedly sequencing through the same group of "letters" it represents, in the same, invariable order. Predictive text could allow for an entire word to be input by single keypress. Predictive text makes efficient use of fewer device keys to input writing into a text message, an e-mail, an address book, a calendar, and the like.

The most widely used, general, predictive text systems is T9.

What’s up with all of the G’s - 3G vs. 4G:

4G is the shorthand for fourth-generation wireless (3G is third-generation), though the version of 4G currently available in the United States could be more accurately be described as advanced 3G. A 4G network can be up to 10 times faster than 3G, letting consumers browse the web, download songs and stream movies more quickly -- and potentially -- more often.

Voice Dialing:

A voice command device is a device controlled by means of the human voice. By removing the need to use buttons, dials and switches, consumers can easily operate appliances with their hands full or while doing other tasks. This lets you speak a name to dial a number instead of entering a number manually or choosing it from the phone book. There are two types: speaker-dependent (recorded) and speaker-independent (recognition). With speaker-dependent, voice dial entries (or "tags") must be explicitly created by speaking and recording the name 1-3 times. The phone will only respond to recorded names, and usually only when spoken by the same person who recorded them. The maximum number of voice dial entries is usually limited to a fraction of the size of the whole phone book. With speaker-independent voice recognition, no recording is required. The name can be spoken by anyone, and the phone will automatically match the spoken name with the closest name entered in the phone book. Speaker-dependent is the most common type, especially on older phones. If the type isn't specified, it is usually speaker-dependent.

Speed Dial:

Speed dial is a function found on cell phones and landline phones that allows users to dial a number by pressing one or two keys instead of the entire phone number. Before you can use your phone's speed dial function, you will need to assign different phone numbers to the speed dial numbers.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances (using short wavelength radio transmissions in the ISM band from 2400-2480 MHz) from fixed and mobile devices. (Typically 30 ft)

Where is Bluetooth found?

Cars: Bluetooth headsets and handsfree calling systems have always helped drivers focus on the road. Today, new versions of these devices are better than ever, with features that ensure a completely handsfree calling experience.

Consumer Electronics: From Wireless headphones and speakers to the latest TV’s and A/V Receivers with Bluetooth technology, you can listen to music, share photos and videos and keep yourself entertained without the hassle of wires.

Computers: Laptops and tablets are the central devices that can stream your music to wireless headphones or speakers, display your photos and videos on your TV, even collect and analyze your workout data-all without wires. Apple iMac computers come with wireless keyboards & mice that operate off of the Bluetooth frequency

Health & Fitness: Health and fitness is one of the fastest growing areas for Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth enabled sensors let you track and record your heart rate, measure your speed and distance, even check your glucose levels and other vital signs-no wires required.

Phones: Mobile phones are at the heart of most uses of Bluetooth Technology, and you can take your phone practically anywhere.

Smart Home: Bluetooth wireless devices in the home offer a painless path to control lights, temperature, household appliances, locks, security systems and more. You can monitor and control everything you care about in your home, even send alerts to your phone or PC.

Bluetooth pairing:

Bluetooth pairing occurs when two Bluetooth devices agree to communicate with each other and establish a connection. In order to pair two Bluetooth wireless devices, a password (passkey) has to be exchanged between the two devices. A Passkey is a code shared by both Bluetooth devices, which proves that both users have agreed to pair with each other. This is the normal process that occurs with Bluetooth pairing: Bluetooth device A looks for other Bluetooth devices in the area In order to find other Bluetooth devices, Bluetooth device A must be set to discoverable mode. When set to discoverable, Bluetooth device A will allow other Bluetooth devices to detect its presence and attempt to establish a connection. You may set your discover setting off if you like (It is recommended that you turn it off when not using the Bluetooth). When the discover setting is off, no other Bluetooth device will be able to find it. Undiscoverable devices can still communicate with each other but they have to initiate communication themselves.

Bluetooth device A finds Bluetooth device B

Usually the discoverable device will indicate what type of device it is (Such as a printer, cell phone, headset, etc.) and its Bluetooth device name. The Bluetooth device name is the name that you give the Bluetooth device or the factory name that originally was programmed. Bluetooth Device A prompts you to enter a password (PassKey). With advanced devices (i.e. computers, smart phones), both users must agree on the Passkey and enter it into their device. The code can be anything you like as long as it is the same for both Bluetooth wireless devices. On other devices, such as Bluetooth headsets, the Passkey stays the same. Refer to the product’s manual for the default passkey. Most often, the default passkey is "0000". Bluetooth device A sends the Passkey to Bluetooth device B. Bluetooth device B sends the Passkey back to Bluetooth device A. If both Passkeys are the same, a trusted pair is formed. This will happen automatically. Bluetooth device A and B are now paired and able to exchange data

Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi:

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are both wireless networking standards that provide connectivity via radio waves. The main difference: Bluetooth’s primary use is to replace cables, while Wi-Fi is largely used to provide wireless, high-speed access to the Internet or local area network. Bluetooth is a low-power, short-range (30 feet) networking specification with moderately fast transmission speeds of 800 kilobits per second. Wi-Fi connections can be made up to about 300 feet away from a "hot spot" (slang for a Wi-Fi networking node)

Wi-Fi: What is it?

Wi-Fi is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point (or hotspot) has a range of about 20 meters (65 ft) indoors and a greater range outdoors. Wireless networks are easy to set up and inexpensive. They're also unobtrusive. A computer's wireless adapter translates data into a radio signal and transmits it using an antenna. A wireless router receives the signal and decodes it. The router sends the information to the Internet using a physical, wired Ethernet connection.

Smartphone Operating System: Android vs. iPhone: What’s the Difference?

The feature/Smartphone is the #1 selling electronic product in the world. Two in three people have mobile phone subscriptions; 48 million people worldwide have cell phones but no electricity, often charging their phones using car batteries. 1.7 Billion people will have phones but no bank account, with cell phone subscriptions outpacing bank accounts in many countries.

The two big players in the Smartphone market are iPhone and Android. Let’s start off by having a little look at the history of these two and what they currently offer to someone looking for a smartphone.

The iPhone is offered by Apple and has been a sensation since it was first launched in 2007. It has now come out in several versions and the latest (the iPhone 4) generated as much expectation and excitement as the previous ones.

The Android system has been part of the Google group since 2005 and the first version was released in 2008. The system is used in a number of phones from different manufacturers. Ok, that’s the background done, so let’s have a look now at the main differences between iPhone and Android.

The phone: The big difference here is that the Android operating system comes on a lot of different phones. This means that you have a wider choice of models when it comes to choosing one. With the iPhone you are restricted to either the current model or any of the previous ones.

The features: The iPhone is widely regarded as being a great phone with outstanding features. The number of different phones running the various versions of Android makes it really difficult to do a straight comparison. If you are looking for a smartphone, then the best advice is to note down the features you want and check whether the iPhone and any of the Android devices match your needs.

The apps: There are the pieces of software that you can easily download onto your phone to run games, organize your documents, carry out your hobbies, etc. The general principal is the same for both types of machines but there are some differences in how they are implemented. The Android applications are developed by both Google and third party developers. There are currently believed to be over 300,000 Android apps on offer and many of them are free. iPhone apps are only available through the Apple App Store, and third party developers need to have their software approved by Apple before it gets put on there. There are currently over 500,000 apps on offers at the Apple store. Most users will find that both systems offer more than enough applications to keep them busy for a long time.

The carriers: The iPhone at present can only be used with the AT&T in the U.S., although long running rumors of other carriers getting involved should come to fruition in 2011. Android is currently supported by a number of carriers.

The popularity: The iPhone has undoubtedly got a far bigger market share at the moment, although Android is quickly eating up the distance between them. A lot of the public perception around the phones seems to be shaded by the fact that every new iPhone launch is seen as a huge event in the industry, while the large number of different smartphones running on Android make launches a lot more common place

RIM Blackberry

BlackBerry is a line of mobile email and smartphone devices developed and designed by Canadian company Research In Motion (RIM) since 1999. BlackBerry devices are smartphones, designed to function as personal digital assistants, portable media players, internet browsers, gaming devices, and much more. They are primarily known for their ability to send and receive (push) email and instant messages while maintaining a high level of security through on-device message encryption. BlackBerry accounts for 3% of mobile device sales worldwide in 2011, making its manufacturer RIM the sixth most popular device maker (25% of mobile device sales are smartphones. The consumer BlackBerry Internet Service is available in 91 countries worldwide on over 500 mobile service operators using various mobile technologies. As of October 2011, there were seventy million subscribers worldwide to BlackBerry.

Prepaid

On a Fixed Budget? Prepaid refers to services paid for in advance. Unlike postpaid or contract-based services, prepaid accounts can be obtained with cash. As a result, they can be established by people who have minimal identification or poor credit ratings. Minors, immigrants, students, defaulters, and those on low incomes are typical prepaid customers.

Some of the better prepaid options:

Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk:

T-Mobile

TracFone

AT&T Wireless Go Phone

Great Call/Jitterbug

Text Messaging/SMS

Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written text messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network. While the original term was derived from referring to messages sent using the Short Message Service (SMS) originated from Radio Telegraphy, it has since been extended to include messages containing image, video, and sound content (known as MMS messages). The sender of a text message is known as a texter, while the service itself has different colloquialisms depending on the region: it may simply be referred to as a text in North America. There are 4.2 Billion Texters Worldwide, that’s 3 out of 5 humans on earth. That’s more than the population of the world in 1975 and 5X the number of Facebook members. Texting is the #1 most used data service in the world. In 2010, 6.1 trillion texts were sent worldwide. That’s 193, 430 texts sent per second.

Text messaging language

BRB - Be right Back

Thx -Thanks

TLC - Tender love and care

ILU - I love you

XOXO = Hugs & Kisses

NM - Nevermind

TTYL - Talk to you later

LOL - Laugh out Loud

ROTFL - Rolling on the floor laughing

AFIK - As far as I know

ASAP - As soon as possible

B3 - Blah, Blah, Blah

BM&Y - Between me and you

CTN - Can not talk now

CUS - See you soon

CWYL - Chat with you later

H&K - Hugs and kisses

ILU - I love you

OMG - Oh my god

MYOB - Mind your own business

Keys too small on smartphone ?

Having trouble typing e-mails using the default portrait keyboard on your smartphone, get the Big Keyboard Email app to make your keyboard bigger.

Apple iPod, iPhone, Apps & iTunes

The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, the number-one music vendor in the United States. Feature length movies and television episodes are available for purchase. Movies tend to be priced below a DVD of the same film while television episodes are approximately double the cost of a song. The iTunes Store also includes over 20,000 hours of audiobooks. As of October 4, 2011, the store served its 16 billionth song. Steve Jobs announced (Sellers, 2004) that an unnamed person had purchased US $29,500 worth of music. You can purchase movies, music, TV shows, podcasts, books and apps!

Setting up syncing

Before setting up syncing you should download and install the latest version of iTunes. Wi-Fi syncing requires iTunes 10.5 or later and iOS 5 or later. You can change your sync options at any time. Each time you sync, content is synced between your iOS device and computer to reflect new, updated, or deleted content.

USB syncing

Open iTunes.

Connect the iOS device to your computer using the included USB cable and select it in iTunes under Devices on the left-hand side. Some tabs may not appear if you do not have corresponding content in your library. For example if you do not have any podcasts in your library, the corresponding Podcast tab will not appear. Click Apply, in the lower-right corner of the screen, to sync.

Wi-Fi syncing

Open iTunes, To set up Wi-Fi syncing, connect your iOS device to your computer with the included USB cable. Select your device under Devices on the left-hand side.

In the Summary tab, select "Sync with this [device] over Wi-Fi".

Whenever the computer and the iOS device are on the same network, the iOS device will appear in iTunes, and you can sync it. The iOS device will sync automatically when all of the following are true:

The iOS device is plugged in to power, iTunes is open on the computer, The iOS device and the computer are on the same Wi-Fi network

While the iOS device appears in the left-hand column of iTunes, you can select the content tabs and configure sync options. Click Apply or Sync to sync the iOS device.

Apple App Store

As of May 2011, Apple approved its 500,000th app and 37 percent of all apps are free with the average price $3.64. At early July 2011, 200 million iOS users have downloaded over 15 billion apps from its App Store. The App Store is accessible from the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad via an iOS application by the same name. Among paid apps, Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D, by Activision Publishing, was ranked first, while Facebook enjoyed the same position among free apps, followed by Google Earth. Other popular apps include Angry Birds

Useful iPad/iPhone Apps for Seniors:

ABC. The stunning quality of iPad videos is showcased by this app, which lets viewers watch recent ABC shows at no charge. The iPad speaker produces decent sound. Connect earphones for excellent audio quality.

Netflix. Most people use Netflix to order movies and other videos on DVD. This iPad app makes it easy to get many movies and TV shows streamed directly to the iPad for immediate viewing. Although the app itself is free, you need a paid Netflix account to download videos.

NPR. Get free access to NPR programming, including radio broadcasts and text versions of NPR stories.

iBooks. This is Apple's E-book app. Look for free books to download from Apple's iTunes store. Use the iBooks controls to change type size and lighting and see if online reading is for you. Apple does not have as broad of an E-book selection as Amazon, but you can download a free Kindle reader app that connects to Amazon and lets you read Kindle purchases.

Google Earth. Cohen is right. Being able to see just about every location in the world is awesome. With the GPS capabilities of the iPad, you can always know where you are and how to get where you want to go. Use this app in conjunction with the Maps feature that is already loaded on the iPad.

Zinio. This app provides free access to the current feature stories in a number of magazines. These periodicals are leading the way with visually lush and typographically crisp iPad editions. Of course, the magazines are hoping you will purchase paid online subscriptions after seeing their free selections.

The Weather Channel. Find weather conditions and forecasts in any ZIP code, including maps, radar sweeps, and weather videos. WeatherBug is another recommended free weather app.

Virtuoso. This app is just a simple introduction to the amazing world of music accessible via the iPad. Use the Virtuoso keyboard to play the piano by yourself or set up this app to let you play a duet with the person sitting across from you.

Epicurious. Find recipes plus their ingredients. Build a shopping list. Search for foods you like and see them used in recipes. Develop a list of favorites. If you're a foodie, Epicurious will whet your appetite for the growing volume of iPad food and nutrition apps.

Pandora. More music, via Internet radio. Use Pandora to find the music you like from the countless radio broadcasts that are now available online.

How do I purchase stuff from Apple?

An Apple ID is a user name you can use for everything you do with Apple. Shop the iTunes Store, log in to iChat or iCloud, buy from the Apple Online Store, make a reservation at an Apple Retail Store, access Apple.com support and more.

To create your Apple ID, all you have to do is enter your primary email address as your Apple ID. This will be used as the contact email address for your account. Please note that this email address must be verified before you can use certain Apple services. There is some additional information needed to complete your profile, however it’s quite easy and very intuitive to do.

Suggested Assignment

Go to the nearest Apple Store & Explore iPhones, iPods and Pads.

OR Go to your nearest Best Buy & Explore the various wireless devices.

I challenge you to push a button and BREAK something !!

Ask Lots of questions !

Chapter 2

Social Media and the Internet

Who invented the Internet ? Al Gore

NOT ! Al Gore didn’t invent the Internet but he did make up Global Warming ! In all seriousness, It was 1957 when the then Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. Americans were shocked by the news. The Cold War was at its peak, and the United States and the Soviet Union considered each other enemies. If the Soviet Union could launch a satellite into space, it was possible it could launch a missile at North America.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in 1958 as a direct response to Sputnik's launch. ARPA's purpose was to give the United States a technological edge over other countries. One important part of ARPA's mission was computer science.

In the 1950s, computers were enormous devices that filled entire rooms. They had a fraction of the power and processing ability you can find in a modern PC. Many computers could only read magnetic tape or punch cards, and there was no way to network computers together.

ARPA aimed to change that. It enlisted the help of the company Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN) to create a computer network. The network had to connect four computers running on four different operating systems. They called the network ARPANET.

Without ARPANET, the Internet wouldn't look or behave the way it does today -- it might not even exist. Although other groups were working on ways to network computers, ARPANET established the protocols used on the Internet today. Moreover, without ARPANET, it may have taken many more years before anyone tried to find ways to join regional networks together into a larger system.

In 1973, engineers began to look at ways to connect ARPANET to the packet radio network (PRNET). A packet radio network connects computers through radio transmitters and receivers. Instead of sending data across phone lines, the computers use radio waves. It took three years, but in 1976 engineers successfully connected the two networks.

Technicians joined the Satellite Network (SATNET) to the other two networks in 1977. They called the connection between multiple networks inter-networking, or the Internet for short. Other early computer networks soon joined. They included USENET, BITNET, CSNET and NSFNET.

In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee developed a system designed to simplify navigation on the Internet. In time, this system became known as the World Wide Web. It didn't take long for some people to mistakenly identify the Internet and the Web as the same thing. The Internet is a global interconnection of computer networks; the World Wide Web is a way to navigate this massive network. In sailing terms, it's like comparing an ocean to a ship.

Most early Internet users were government and military employees, graduate students and computer scientists. Using the World Wide Web, the Internet became much more accessible. Colleges and universities began to connect to the Internet, and businesses soon followed. By 1994, Internet commerce had become a reality.

Today, the Internet is more complex than ever. It connects computers, satellites, mobile devices and other gadgets together in a massive network millions of times more intricate than the original ARPANET. And to think, we owe it all to a silver beeping ball that once orbited miles above the Earth's surface

Exactly how big is the Internet ?

According to the recent survey, till December 2011 around 353 million. Interestingly, the number of active sites is only 172 million. That suggests that two thirds of all the websites in the world are not actually being used – but why not?

A lot of folks think it is because many of these will be domain names bought to cover every possible eventuality e.g. a large company like Apple might buy the Apple .info and .net and .org domain names to prevent cyber-squatters misusing them to profit from the goodwill of the Apple trademark. Website names are BIG business. Sex.com sold for $13 million in October 2010, Business.com sold for $7.5 million in December of 1999, Wine.com sold for $2.9 million in September of 1999, Autos.com sold for $2.2 million in December of 1999.

Facebook.com…800 million people and counting…A billion before you know it, there are seven billion on the whole planet.

People on Facebook

More than 800 million active users

More than 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day

Average user has 130 friends. The average Facebook user visits the site 40 times per month, spending an average of 23 minutes (23:20 to be precise) on each visit.

Each user spends an average 15 hours and 33 minutes on Facebook in a month

Activity on Facebook

More than 900 million objects that people interact with (pages, groups, events and community pages)

Average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups and events

On average, more than 250 million photos are uploaded per day

Global Reach

More than 70 languages available on the site

Approximately 80% of users are outside of the United States

Over 300,000 users helped translate the site through the translations application

Platform

On average, people on Facebook install apps more than 20 million times every day. Every month, more than 500 million people use an app on Facebook or experience Facebook Platform on other websites. More than 7 million apps and websites are integrated with Facebook.

Mobile

More than 350 million active users currently access Facebook through their mobile devices. More than 475 mobile operators globally work to deploy and promote Facebook mobile products.

Facebook Factsheet

About Facebook

Founded in February 2004, Facebook is a social utility that helps people communicate more efficiently with their friends, family and coworkers. The company develops technologies that facilitate the sharing of information through the social graph, the digital mapping of people's real-world social connections. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment.

Product

Facebook, the product, is made up of core site functions and applications. Fundamental features to the experience on Facebook are a person’s Home page and Profile. The Home page includes News Feed, a personalized feed of his or her friends’ updates. The Profile displays information about the individual he or she has chosen to share, including interests, education and work background and contact information. Facebook also includes core applications – Photos, Events, Videos, Groups, and Pages – that let people connect and share in rich and engaging ways. Additionally, people can communicate with one another through Chat, personal messages, Wall posts, Pokes, or Status Updates.

Technology

Facebook is one of the most-trafficked sites in the world and has had to build infrastructure to support this rapid growth. The company is the largest user in the world of memcached, an open source caching system, and has one of the largest MySQL database clusters anywhere. The site is largely written in PHP though the engineering team developed a way to programmatically transform PHP source code into C++ to gain performance benefits. Facebook has built a lightweight but powerful multi-language RPC framework that seamlessly and easily ties together infrastructure services written in any language, running on any platform. The company has created a custom-built search engine serving millions of queries a day, completely distributed and entirely in-memory, with real-time updates. Facebook relies heavily on open source software and releases large pieces of its own software infrastructure as open source.

Privacy, Safety and Security

Facebook has always focused on giving people control over their experience so they can express themselves freely while knowing that their information is being shared in the way they intend. Facebook's privacy policy is TRUSTe certified, and Facebook provides simple and powerful tools that allow people to control what information they share and with whom they share it. More information can be found at http://www.facebook.com/privacy/explanation.php. From its beginning, Facebook has worked to provide a safe and trusted environment by, for example, requiring that people use their real names. Facebook also works with online safety experts around the world and has established a global Safety Advisory Board that it consults with on safety issues.

PASSWORD SECURITY

Make sure you use different passwords for your different online accounts. You should also make your passwords long and complex and change them regularly. Remember to avoid using dictionary words, words spelled backwards, repeated characters, or personal information.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Don't respond to requests for personal information from unknown sources. Providing information such as your social security number or financial details may expose you to identity theft or other types of crime.

MESSAGES AND LINKS

Always use caution when clicking on a link or opening an attachment, even if it's been sent or posted by a friend or other reputable source. If you have any doubt, get confirmation directly from the sender. Be especially wary of messages that include attractive offers or urgent requests, and watch out for links that require you to immediately provide a login and password. If you're not sure whether the site you're on is real or phony, type the URL (for example, www.facebook.com) directly into your browser address bar.

BROWSER SAFETY

Make sure you have the most up-to-date version of your web browser, and that it's equipped with anti-phishing protection. You can do this by checking the website for your browser company, or by going to the "Help" or "About" section in your browser program. Popular browsers include Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari.

COMPUTER SECURITY

Keep a clean machine. Make sure you've set your operating system to update automatically. You can do this from the "Settings" or "Preferences" menu. You should also have up-to-date comprehensive security software installed that includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, and a firewall.

ACCOUNT SAFEGUARDS

Facebook provides easy tools to help you keep track of your activity and logins, control the information you share, and prove your identity if you ever lose access to your account. Learn how to use these tools and similar ones on other sites so that you're always in control.

REPORTING

If you come across a scam, report it so that it can be taken down. Facebook and other sites provide report links next to most pieces of content, as well as ways to report spam messages and emails. You should also report scams to the relevant authorities in your country.

Funding

Round one: $500,000 from Peter Thiel, Summer 2004; Round two: $12.7 million from Accel Partners, April 2005; Round three: $27.5 million from Greylock Partners leading the round, Meritech Capital Partners participating, and Accel Partners and Peter Thiel increasing their investment in the company.

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