The CFPVA is on Facebook. On April 25, the chapter opened a page on the popular social-media web site, and quickly gained a following. This is thanks in large part to Past President Mike Combs promoting the page to his friends. At this writing, about 70 people have linked to the page – many or most aren’t PVA members. By May 14, the page had about 500 visits.
The chapter has at least 81 members on Facebook. If you’re one of them,
please search “Central Florida Paralyzed Veterans of America” and
“like” the page. Once you’ve done this, items on the page
will go to your news feed and e-mail (depending on your Facebook settings) making
it easier to keep up with the chapter.
Facebook offers an unusually good opportunity for folks of like minds and interests
to find and talk with each other. If you’re not on Facebook, think about
joining and meeting up with other veterans, former classmates, or whoever else
comes to mind. However, remember that everything said and done on Facebook becomes
its intellectual property, and is exposed to any Internet user with sophistication.
There are a few things to remember when using Facebook and other web sites.
Use partial or no birth date on your profile to help thwart identity thieves.
If you’ve already used your full birth date on Facebook, go to your profile
page and edit it off. Also, think twice about revealing your city of residence
on Facebook, especially if you own your home. Property appraisers have their
records online, and it’s amazingly easy to find out a lot about people
through them. Once you’ve given your name and city on Facebook, any- one
who knows how, can visit various government web sites to get additional information.
Put contact information on Facebook you wouldn’t mind anyone having. If
you’ve already used private or semiprivate contact information, such as
a mobile phone number, go to your profile and edit it off. If you don’t
recall what information you gave Facebook when you signed up, go to your profile
and double check it. If you’re joining Facebook, give as little personal
information allowed. You can add information later, but can’t really take
any back.
Think of social-media sites, such as Facebook, as public cafes or parks full
of nosy people. Know, too, Facebook is quite nosy. The company makes money by
sweeping up information you give and selling it. This isn’t unusual on
the Internet. Someone is always watching what you’re doing on the Internet
to sell that information.
Remember, Facebook still has and can sell information after you’ve removed
it from your profile, but others will no longer have relatively easy access
to it.
None of this should dissuade you from using the Internet and social-media sites. Just use much caution when you do. For example, if you’re going on vacation, telling friends via Facebook is foolish – doing so gives ownership of the information to a profit-motivated corporation, and exposes it to anyone with Internet sophistication.
Consumerreports.org has done some great articles about using social-media sites,
including Facebook, more safely. Visit www.consumerreports.org and search “Facebook”
for good tips.
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