Could Twittering about your vacation put your home at risk?

[proud2BlibKansan]

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-06-08-twitter-vacation_N.htm

Israel Hyman posted to approximately 2,000 followers on Twitter that he and his wife were "preparing to head out of town," that they had "another 10 hours of driving ahead" and later, that they "made it to Kansas City."

When he came home, he found that someone had broken into his house and stolen thousands of dollars worth of video equipment he used for his video business, IzzyVideo.com, which he uses for his Twitter account.

And while this story might spotlight the inherent dangers of social media . . . For me it simply confirms my suspicion that most tourists visiting Kansas City are idiots.

http://www.tonyskansascity.com/

[KharmaTrain]

1. Same Goes For Facebook Or Any Other Site...

I'm amazed at the crap someone will "twit" out there..."going to the store" "at the bar"...even the status of their bodily functions. It's all but asking for trouble...if not just making an ass out of one's self. On many of these sites, you either use your real name or your identity is known to all...that makes it even easier for someone who wants to help themselves to your nice HD TV or grandma's vase. As usual, technology outpaces common sense.

[malaise]

5. I avoid all of them

Every time I receive an email about someone else wanting me to join some other social network, I send the same reply. You have my email address. Then I delete.
People are really stupid.

[KharmaTrain]

7. It's Not Bad For Business...

That's all I use 'em for. I've connected with people I haven't seen in decades and watch the comings and goings. However, I rarely discuss my personal life on there and will not discuss politics. That's what I'm here for.

[lib2DaBone]

2. Good point. In this day and age..

.. if you put all your private data on Twitter.. you are a TWIT. You might as well post your PIN number on the bumper of your car.

[Ian David]

3. Fortunately, the criminal posted on Twitter, "Just robbed Israel Hyman's house." n/t

[MrScorpio]

4. OOPS!!!

[SoCalDem]

6. Years ago, our hometown newspaper used to have a section called "Out & About"

They chronicled the travels of local hoity-toity types who loved to brag about their month-long European trips, and would send postcards to the reporter.. We used to joke about how it was a great time to load up on some of their cool stuff:)

They also had hospital admissions, and even told the room number, so people could send cards..

[Sigh Sister]

8. I just don't get Twitter

Why do people feel the need to broadcast their every move, thought etc....Who cares?! My daughter and all of her friends are constantly plugged in and never actually call each other on the phone. It's very weird.

[customerserviceguy]

11. I still don't get texting

It takes way less time to say something than it does to type it on a keyboard the size of a teabag.

[Sigh Sister]

13. I don't get it either

The other downside is that it's hard to convey the tone of what you're saying sometimes and people can take things the wrong way. The thing I do like about it is that I can keep in touch with my daughter when she's out, and she doesn't have to be embarrassed by her mom calling her all the time.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. I spend a lot of my day in meetings

So if my family needs me, it's usually easier for them to text me than to call. I find texting very convenient for that reason.

[tabbycat31]

23. I get texting, and use it all the time

there's certian times when you're out and can't necessarily hear your phone ring (such as at a sporting event or concert), and when you're trying to meet up with someone it comes in very handy (that was the first time I used texting).

I also hate talking on the phone, so I text more than I talk.

[customerserviceguy]

34. I was out at a really loud pub last Friday

and there were several of my younger co-workers texting, so I guess I can understand that. But I put my phone on vibrate as well as ring, so when my lady called to see if I needed a ride home (I didn't) I still was able to take the call.

I just refuse to return text messages, it's not the dime they cost me, but I just don't care to communicate that way. It took me long enough to use a full sized keyboard with my computer!

[tabbycat31]

35. I couldnt even hear myself talk the first time I used it

let alone the other person on the phone.

[earthside]

14. I Hope Twitter Fails

This has got to be the most childish, adolescent developments thus far in the internet age.

Why supposedly 'grown-up' people, alleged adults participate is beyond me.

Frankly, I am disheartened that my worst fears about the "dumbing down" of the American people is coming true -- and Twitter proves it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. I like it. I follow Claire McCaskill and a couple reporters too.

It's the best late breaking news feed I have ever received.

I don't send many tweets though; I am not interesting or important enough. :)

[earthside]

19. Encourages Illiteracy

Really ... we have entered an era when reading more than about twenty words is just too much? Breaking 'news' on Twitter? Don't strain that attention span.

Is it any wonder that the ability of young people to read and comprehend and compose is declining when the 'hot' and exciting and trendy direction is towards My Space, Facebook, Twitter and incessant texting?

It is further disappointing that while they are talking about the need to improve education, you have politicians so eager to cater to young voters and lazy voters that they themselves are buying right in to the Twitter fad.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. It's a quick and easy way to keep people informed

Claire has sent out tweets during breaks in Senate hearings. If she sent out more than a tweet, that would require a longer piece and she wouldn't have time to do that as often.

I prefer staying informed :)

[Generic Other]

22. i follow rob cordry and roland hedley because they are amusing

I never say anything because I am mostly not.

Roland Hedley's latest tweet: Roland_Hedley: More cuts @ Fox, shutting down 9 tweet feeds. These are real people w/ families, all of them fair + balanced. Tragique.

[Sigh Sister]

18. I agree.

We're on a path to where we'll be dumbed down so far, we'll all be sitting in the corner drooling.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. And I see a more well informed electorate

Twitter is just a communication tool.

[madmom]

24. I still don't understand why people have to have a cell phone stuck to their ear 24/7...I

can understand the need for emergencies and the like, BUT, people who are always chatting away while driving, marketing etc.WTF? My cell is off 99% of the time. I turn it on when I leave the house in case of emergencies. Turn it off when I get back home, most of the time it is not used.

[Sigh Sister]

25. I rarely use my cell phone either

I do carry it when I go out in case my kids need me, but always feel annoyed when someone calls while I'm out. I feel like I can never have alone time.

[madmom]

31. Exactly, I have to have my alone/quiet time.

[AndyA]

9. People are really stupid when it comes to stuff like this.

Years ago, I was looking at houses, and went to an open house not far from where I lived at the time. It was for sale by owner, and the lady of the house was on duty to show people around and tell them about the house.

The owner was a record producer, and his wife told us all about the things they'd done to the house, the pool had been refinished, new paint, the mortar had been tuck pointed, etc. Then, to my horror, she explained that if we were interested, we'd need to call her on her cell phone, as she was leaving the following day to join her husband in Florida for a couple of weeks, and that no one would be at the house during that time. (It was fully furnished at the time, and some of the things were very expensive.) She said a friend had a key to show it again to people who wanted to see it again while they were gone.

She told us about the neighbors, many of whom spent weekends at their lake homes, and explained that the house sat so far back from the street that you couldn't see or hear the neighbors, nor could they see or hear you.

Then we were shown the location of the hidden, built-in wall safe.

I almost said something, but figured since the open house was about to end, any damage was already done. The house had an alarm system, but the woman said they were leaving it off so one of her friends could show the house while they were away.

If she wasn't robbed or burglarized, it was a miracle. :shrug:

[supernova]

10. Not a good idea to broadcast that you will be gone for a while

People are very stupid.

Burglers us PCs too, now.

[bridgit]

12. While you're still *on it* no doubt

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. Sorry?

Not following you.

[bridgit]

36. Dirt simple; if you tweet while you're not *at* home but lazing round...

on a deck near some mountain stream somewhere reminding everyone in tweet-shot just how far from home you are I would think it possible to contribute to the enhanced likelihood that your home-alone possessions become a matter of interest to still others yet again

[Catherine Vincent]

20. "For me it simply confirms my suspicion that most tourists visiting Kansas City are idiots."

LOL.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. This guy is a pretty funny blogger

[11 Bravo]

21. I am insufficiently narcissistic to imagine that people whom I've never met ...

could give a flying fuck about my hour-by-hour existence.

[Stevenmarc]

27. Twittering doesn't put your home at risk, an egotistical need to share minutia of your life does

[Blue_Tires]

29. i'm surprised this doesn't happen more often

[Robb]

32. I had a former tenant who tweeted about how she was

going to take her boyfriend out to a fancy dinner and "try to convince the landlord to pay rent later." :eyes:

I knew it was time to advertise again. Fortunately I was ready when she finally told me she was moving out.

[ecstatic]

33. And all the celebrities seem to be using it now to share their whereabouts

It's a stalkers' dream come true! People see a cute new service and all common sense goes out the window. Even I know better than to give out that type of info. It's absolutely INSANE of them to be using that service! :crazy: