here's the thing
  • how-tos
    • iOS (iPhone & iPad)
    • Android phones
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Facebook
  • categories
    • Phones
    • Tablets
    • Laptops
    • Social networks
    • Privacy
    • Online security
  • about
    • About us
    • Community policy
    • f.a.q.
  • tech deals
  • ask ben
Select Page
Facebook tip: How to hide the ticker (or get it back, if you want)

Facebook tip: How to hide the ticker (or get it back, if you want)

by ben patterson | Feb 3, 2015 | how-tos, social networks

(Update 12/11/2017) Many readers have noted (and it’s happening to me too) that the ticker has disappeared from their Facebook sidebars, without explanation or any apparent fix. My guess is that Facebook is doing what it always does: fiddling with its features....
Social tip: FTW! FML! TL;DR! 6 head-scratching acronyms explained

Social tip: FTW! FML! TL;DR! 6 head-scratching acronyms explained

by ben patterson | Dec 4, 2014 | how-tos, social networks

Sure, everyone pretty much knows what “LOL” means, and most of us have grown familiar with the “ROFLs,” the “LMAOs” and the “<3s.” But at the risk of showing my age (I haven’t been 25 in about 20 years),...
Facebook tip: Make your news feed default to “Most Recent” rather than “Top Stories”

Facebook tip: Make your news feed default to “Most Recent” rather than “Top Stories”

by ben patterson | Aug 18, 2014 | how-tos, social networks

Steve writes: Is there a setting in Facebook where I can keep “Most Recent” stories as default instead of “Top Stories” in News Feed? Hi Steve! So yes—by default, the first stories that appear in your news feed are so-called “Top...
Facebook tip: Good article in your news feed? Save it for later

Facebook tip: Good article in your news feed? Save it for later

by ben patterson | Jul 28, 2014 | apps, how-tos, social networks

Spot an article in your Facebook news feed that’s too enticing to miss, yet you don’t have time to sit down and give it a good read? Sure, you could save the story as a bookmark in your web browser, but that could be a little tricky if you’re on the...
Facebook tip: How to keep your list of Facebook friends private

Facebook tip: How to keep your list of Facebook friends private

by ben patterson | May 14, 2014 | how-tos, privacy, social networks

Danelle writes: Love your tips about Facebook. Do you know of any way to not allow Facebook friends to view other friends profiles? I have a friend that snoops and I don’t want any comments made to any of my other friends that would cause harm. Any thoughts?...
Security tip: 5 ways to keep your passwords (mostly) safe from hackers

Security tip: 5 ways to keep your passwords (mostly) safe from hackers

by ben patterson | Apr 15, 2014 | how-tos, online services, security

If the scary Internet security bug Heartbleed has taught us anything, it’s that none of our passwords are ever truly safe. Discovered only a few weeks ago, Heartbleed is the code name for a gaping hole in a commonly used security protocol that’s supposed...
Facebook tip: Muzzle oversharing friends with a custom “Friend List”

Facebook tip: Muzzle oversharing friends with a custom “Friend List”

by ben patterson | Mar 10, 2014 | how-tos, social networks

Not all that long ago, you could fine-tune the Facebook news feed settings for a specific friend, checking off which of their photos, likes, updates, and other miscellaneous activities would pop up in your scrolling feed of Facebook stories—and, more importantly,...
Facebook tip: Reframe your photos just the way you want

Facebook tip: Reframe your photos just the way you want

by ben patterson | Jan 29, 2014 | how-tos, social networks

My wife recently posted an especially cute snapshot of our two-year-old on Facebook, but when the photo appeared in her news feed, something was missing: namely, our little one’s head. Sure, you could see the snowflake on our cutie’s sweater perfectly, as...
« Older Entries
Next Entries »
  • how-tos
  • deals
  • about
  • f.a.q.
  • ask ben
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
© 2011 - 2019 here's the thing | privacy policy | terms & conditions