The much anticipated new Edinburgh trams project is to use online social networking services to improve its communication with the public, providing regular ongoing development updates.

The £545 million works have received much press and bosses wanted to find a way of communicating more effectively with the public.

“Followers” of the trams’ Twitter feed will be able to see brief news flashes as and when they are released, and an in-depth Facebook page is being developed.

Mandy Haeburn-Little, TIE’s director of customer services and communications, said: “It is vital that we engage with members of the public during the construction of the Edinburgh Tram system.”

It’s another example of the power of social networking and its ability to communicate effectively with a target audience.

Article by Creative SEO – Search Engine Marketing

A recent report released by Sophos Inc details the use of viruses to hijack or mimic user accounts on social networks. It seems as though the virus will pretend to be a contact or friend on your social networking account. And send you direct messages asking you to visit websites or click on links. The messages are taking you to locations where your computer could potentially be infected.

“What’s needed is a period of introspection — for the big Web 2.0 companies to examine their systems and determine how, now that they have gathered a huge number of members, they are going to protect them from virus writers, identity thieves, spammers and scammers,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, in a statement. “The honeymoon period of these sites is over, and personally identifiable information is at risk as a result of constant attacks that the Web sites are simply not mature enough to protect against.”

This new form of virus is growing in popularity, so if it looks strange, don’t click on it, report it.

Article by Creative SEO UK