“I’ve decided to stop wearing underwear” Facebook Update Explained

Don't be confused when you see a lot of friends suddenly stop wearing underwear (on Facebook)

It’s a 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness game and you will get caught up in it if you liked or commented on your friend’s Facebook status. If you haven’t been tricked into it already, here’s what you can accept the second you respond to the status!

A message that reads as such:

LOL, you should not have liked or commented!!!! Now you have to pick one from these below and post it to your status. This is THE 2014 BREAST CANCER AWARENESS game. Don’t be a spoilsport, pick your poison from one of these and change your status, 1) Damn diarrhoea 2) Just used my boobs to get out of a speeding ticket 3) Anyone have a tampon, I’m out 4) How do you get rid of foot fungus? 5) Why is nobody around when I’m horny? 6) No toilet paper, goodbye socks. 7) Someone has offered me a job as a prostitute but I’m hesitant. 8) I think I’m in love with someone, what should I do? 9) I’ve decided to stop wearing underwear. 10) It’s confirmed, I’m going to be a Mummy/Daddy! 11) just won £900 on a scratch card 12) I’ve just found out I’ve been cheated on for the last 5 months. Post with no explanations. So sorry I fell for it too!!!!! Looking forward to your post Ha ha.

Haha, it might be funny, but when too many people do not get it, it may quickly stop being funny. Well now you know what's going on.

If you have been pranked, now at least you know why...

-- Robin Low

How to turn off video autoplay on Facebook

Have you noticed that on some browsers, your surfing speeds become reduced once you are on Facebook? As some people may have a limited mobile plan, Facebook actually autoplay videos for you.

To turn it off, the most straight forward way is to go here.
https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=videos

Don't worry if you do not have the tab. If you don't, it means autoplay does not happen for you.

Enjoy!

Remember, on your mobile phones, there is also an autoplay setting which you need to turn off.

For Apple products go to iOS settings, not Facebook. Scroll down to under app settings and then click Facebook. Click settings. 2nd section down there is choice for autoplay. Click it and change to off.

For Android, go to Facebook, click on settings. Scroll down to under app settings (Not Account settings)
Click on a section on Video-Autoplay and click it and change to off.

-- Robin Low

Sri Lanka with my 75 year old mom

I've recently visited Sri Lanka with my 75 year old mum and updated the "Visit Dambulla, Sri Lanka" webpage. And I've asked my mum her thoughts after visiting Sri Lanka.

I love Sri Lanka, it has great beaches, nice waterfalls, great wildlife, interesting ruins, beautiful temples and cool highlands and tea plantations. However it does have its problems. Recently, I was in Sri Lanka in July 2014 with my mom and here is her thoughts I'd like to share so others will know if it is suitable for them to go.

1) Sri Lanka is much better now. With a highway connecting the airport to Colombo, travel time from 2.5 hours is cut to slightly over an hour.

2) Everyone is out to get your money. Within a week of travel, you can hear plenty to horror stories.

• Cab driver (or Tuk Tuk driver) never have change. A 300LKR ride becomes 1000LKR
• Driver does not recognize roads or read maps. Very often a tourist with Google Maps have to direct driver.
• Prearranged fee to airport can change. 2500LKR can become 3300LKR with a 300LKR toll on the highway and sometimes 3300LKR per passenger if passenger decides to pay more.
• Taxes and Service Charge is not shown till you get the bill
• Entry to some locations is US$30 to Tourists and less than $1 for local. (or even free)
• There is always a local menu and local price for food and things.
• Traffic is a mess, 40km trip can take 1.5 hours.

3) Service in many hotels is simply amazing. Luggages carried, rooms made with nicely folded towels, and staff happy with 100LKR tip.

4) Weather can be very bad for people not used to the tropics. Its HOT, MUGGY or RAINY. Humidity is always high and showering 3 times a day is common. On top of that, you get lots of bugs, mosquitoes and such. To make it worse, not a lot of places have airconditioning.

5) Many locations are very relaxing, the beauty of nature, amazing star gazing opportunities makes your troubles go away.

6) Quality of food is hit or miss. Buffets generally have low quality food and the spices are especially strong. May make your stomach upset. Outside Colombo and Kandy, it is hard to get options if your stomach does not agree with Sri Lankan food.

7) Tea is amazing... Simply amazing... Nothing like the ones you get overseas.

8) There is a lot to see, ruins, temples, waterfalls, beaches. And what do they have in common? LOTS OF WALKING AND STAIRS! OMG! Stairs everywhere! Wore kneeguards cushioned insoles and comfortable shoes and still have aches and pains everyday.

On the bright side, this 75 year old lady made it up Dambulla and Temple of Buddha's tooth in Kandy.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience for my mom. She liked it and enjoyed herself  but will never do it again.

-- Robin Low

Cat + Man = Batman

How to be Batman with low cost?

1) Find black cat
2) Befriend a black cat
3) Put cat over your head.

You are now Batman! (For photos)

No cats hurt in making this photo.
Caution, be gentle or be prepared to be clawed.

Popularity of Transmedia

Transmedia is gaining popularity

There is even a TEDxTransmedia in 2013

Transmedia storytelling (also known as transmedia narrative or multiplatform storytelling) is the technique of telling a single story or story experience across multiple platforms and formats using current digital technologies. It is not to be confused with traditional cross-platform media franchises, sequels or adaptations. From a production standpoint, it involves creating content that engages an audience using various techniques to permeate their daily lives. In order to achieve this engagement, a transmedia production will develop stories across multiple forms of media in order to deliver unique pieces of content in each channel. Importantly, these pieces of content are not only linked together (overtly or subtly), but are in narrative synchronization with each other. (Wiki)

Transmedia storytelling from Robin Low

In terms of digital media, I feel that the understanding Transmedia and the trends is very important and definitely a must in any movie franchise. When telling a story of several parts, after launching a successful book, understanding Transmedia can develop a fan base, crowdsourcing fan fiction and co-creating a rich world where fan can identify with is more important than merchandizing and making money, giving parts of a story away.

Imagine "Lord of the Rings", "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" if you sold the merchandizing after book 1, how much of your story and brand will you have lost.

-- Robin Low