A previous article on TechUserFriendly.com dealt with how to change Facebook’s Instant Personalization Pilot Program privacy settings, so that it would be disabled for your account.

But depending on if Facebook has applied these "Improved Privacy Controls" to your Facebook account, those instructions may no longer apply to you, and instead the instructions below may be applicable.

The Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program, acts to personalize your visits to other selected partner websites such as MicrosoftDocs.com, Pandora, and Yelp. This will make it so that information is tailored towards you on these external partner websites, based on your "public Facebook information". But it may be difficult for you to know exactly what information in your Facebook profile is public (i.e. your Facebook Friends list).

Check your privacy settings, to get greater control over your online privacy with Facebook. If you do not want this feature activated, then make sure it is disabled in your Facebook Privacy Settings, using the steps shown here.

Does Your Account Have Facebook’s Improved Privacy Controls?

If under Facebook’s Privacy Settings, you have the following control layout as shown in the image below, then these basic instructions apply to you.

How To Turn Off The Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program

1. Go to Facebook’s Privacy Settings page, and at the bottom in the "Applications and Websites" section, click on "Edit your settings".

    

2. For "Instant Personalization", click on "Edit Settings".

    

3. On the "Instant Personalization" settings page, make sure the box is unchecked for "Enable instant personalization on partner websites".

    

4. You are now opted out of Facebook’s Instant Personalization Pilot Program.

Related Information

How To: Disable Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program
How To: Hide Your Facebook Friends List On Your Profile

To get greater control over your online privacy in relation to Facebook, you may choose to opt-out of this program. If you do not want this feature activated, then you can disable it through the Facebook Privacy Settings, using the steps shown here.

Update: Facebook recently changed their privacy setting layout. New and slightly different instructions for Facebook’s "Improved Privacy Controls" are here.

How To Turn Off The Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program

1. Under Facebook’s Privacy Settings, select "Applications and Websites".

    

2. For the "Instant Personalization Pilot Program" select "Edit Setting".

   

3. Make sure to uncheck the box that will "allow select partners to instantly personalize their features with my public information when I first arrive on their websites".

   

4. You have now opted out of Facebook’s Instant Personalization Pilot Program.

Related Information

Updated: Disable Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program
How To: Hide Your Facebook Friends List On Your Profile

Facebook has gone through many changes to their privacy settings and policy over the past several months. For a while, you could not completely hide your Facebook Friends list from people who had access to your profile page. But now, you can prevent others from viewing your Friends list if you wish.

How To Keep Your Facebook Friends List Private

Here are the steps on how to keep your Facebook Friends list totally private, so that it will not show on your profile page.

1. Go to "Privacy Settings", and click on "Friends, Tags and Connections".

    

2. In "Friends, Tags and Connections", select the drop-down options box for "Friends".

   

3. In the drop-down options box for "Friends", select "Customize".

   

4. In the pop-up window showing the Custom Privacy options for "Friends", under "make this visible to" select "Only Me". Then click on "Save Setting".

    
   (Alternatively, if you would still like some other people to see your Facebook Friends list on your profile page, you can adjust these settings to the appropriate level for you. You can also choose to hide your Facebook Friends list from only certain people, by entering names under "hide this from".)

5. Now, your Facebook Friends list on your profile page will only be visible by you (if you selected "Only Me"). Click on "Preview My Profile" and enter some of your friends’ names to confirm that they can no longer see your Facebook Friends list on your profile.

Related Information

How To: Disable Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program
Updated: Disable Facebook Instant Personalization Pilot Program

Skype software allows you to make low-cost long distance calls from your computer, to phones or other computers around the world. Fring is a free software application for mobile phones, that easily allows you to make calls from your mobile phone, with your Skype account. Fring needs to connect to the internet to make calls, so use an existing Wi-Fi or wireless network connection to make calls without paying any extra costs. In other words, with Fring on your mobile phone, you can save money with Skype’s low long distance rates, and you can use your mobile phone when making long distance calls, without being stuck at your computer.

Why Use Fring to Make Skype Calls

The mobile phone version of Skype, Skype Mobile, may not be available for your phone, or it may not be reliable on your mobile phone (causing dropped calls or poor call quality). If you have problems using other mobile Skype software to make clear calls with good and stable connections, Fring may be a valuable free alternative for you to try.

Using Fring on a mobile phone does not require any additional costs, as compared to using Skype on a computer. If you use Fring from your mobile phone through an existing Wi-Fi or wireless connection (at your home, office, or free wireless public hotspot), then you will not need to pay any extra data fees to your phone company. This is the preferred method of using Fring, so that no additional fees are charged. Also, using Fring will not use up your phone plan’s voice call minutes.

Note: If you don’t have access to an existing Wi-Fi or wireless network, then you can use your phone’s data plan to connect to the internet. Then you would need to check if your plan covers the amount of data transfer needed. Fring’s website states that a one minute call with Fring uses about 133 Kb of data (i.e. a 20-minute long distance call would use about 2 Mb of data).

How Fring Works

Fring works on your mobile phone by logging into your Skype account and listing all of your Skype contacts. From there, you can make calls as if you were using Skype at your computer, and all applicable call charges will be charged to your Skype account (as if you were using Skype from your computer). Of course, if you have a Skype Subscription, then there will be no additional call charges for calls within your subscription area. Fees for calls outside of your subscription area will be deducted from your Skype Credit, with the amounts determined by Skype’s calling rates. If you don’t have a subscription, then you will need to have Skype Credit in order to call other phones from your mobile phone, with Fring.

How To Make Skype Calls From A Cell Phone With Free Fring Software

The following is a general guide on how to setup Skype and Fring, so that you can make long distance calls from your mobile phone, using Fring software at Skype’s calling rates (or using a Skype Subscription). Screenshots are from the Android phone version of Fring; versions on other phones are similar but instructions for different phones will have slight differences.

1. If you do not have a Skype account, download the latest version of Skype to your computer. Install and run Skype to setup a free account.
2. Purchase Skype Credit or a Skype Subscription, if you want to use your Skype account to call mobile phones or landline phones.
3. Download Fring in one of several ways. It is available for the iPhone, Android phones, Symbian phones (Nokia, Sony Ericsson), and Windows Mobile phones.
4. Make sure your mobile phone is connected to the internet, either through a Wi-Fi connection or through your phone’s data connection.
5. On your mobile phone, open Fring.

   

6. In Fring, if you do not already have a Fring account, select "New User". Setup your new Fring account and continue.

   

7. Enter your Fring login details and continue. 

   

8. In Fring, go to "Add-ons" and select "Skype". Enter your Skype login details (user ID and password) and log in. A green checkmark will appear next to "Skype" in the Fring "Add-ons" list, after your Skype and Fring accounts are successfully connected.
    
9. Go to your Fring contact list and you should see your Skype contacts are now displayed, if you have any. You can now make Skype calls to your Skype contacts using Fring, by selecting the option to call as a "SkypeOut" call or by choosing "SKP" when calling a contact.
10. Use the Dialer to make Skype calls to other phones, not listed in your contacts. Make sure to dial the phone number as a Skype call by selecting the option to call as a "SkypeOut" call or by choosing "SKP" when calling.

     

Skype Mobile

If you prefer to compare with Skype’s own mobile phone software, Skype Mobile, then you can learn more about the different versions here:

• iPhone App for Skype
• Skype Mobile for Android
• Skype Mobile for Symbian phones (Nokia, Sony Ericsson)
• Skype Mobile for Blackberry phones

Summary

Use Fring to make phone calls from your mobile phone, while saving money on long distance with Skype’s low calling rates and subscriptions. With Fring you are not limited to making calls while sitting at a computer. No voice call minutes are used up from your mobile phone’s plan. If you use an existing Wi-Fi connection, then you will not need to pay any extra fees, when compared to using Skype from a computer.

More Information on Skype and Fring

Skype Users Are Now Blocked From Making Calls Using Fring
Fring – Official Website
Fring – Supported Phone List (Click on "visual list")
Skype Subscription Prices
Skype International Calling Rates
Skype Mobile
Skype "Pay As You Go" Credit vs Monthly Subscription

CrossLoop is an easy-to-use alternative to the Remote Assistance tool in Windows, because it requires no additional work on by either user, other than for both sides to start the CrossLoop program and for the Needy-User to giving an Access Code to the Helper (likely through phone or email). The Access Code ensures a secure connection. Neither modifying firewall settings, or changing router settings, is needed as CrossLoop is able to establish a connection on its own, saving a lot of time and trouble, since the Needy-User is likely not an expert on firewall or router settings.

Overview of How CrossLoop Works

Both the Helper and the Needy-User will need to have CrossLoop installed on their computers to proceed.

Signing up for an account is not necessary, but it is free to sign up for an account if you do.

The Needy-User will need to pass along an Access Code to the Helper, in order for the two computers to be connected. Once connected, the Helper can control the Needy-User’s mouse movements, and thus control the Needy-User’s computer, until one of the sides ends the session.

Detailed Step-By-Step Instructions for CrossLoop

The same procedure can be followed every time you need to help another person via CrossLoop.

1. Both users start the CrossLoop remote assistance software program.
    
2. Users then can either login with their CrossLoop account email and password, or they can skip the login if they don’t have a CrossLoop account. You don’t need an account to use CrossLoop.
    
3. Both users will then need to connect using CrossLoop.
    
   a. The Needy-User will need to click on the grey “Share” tab. There will be a 12-digit “Access Code” there that will need to be passed along to the Helper, for example, by phone, email, Skype, or instant-message.
    
   b. The Helper will need to click on the green “Access” tab, if it is not already displayed. The 12-digit “Access Code” from the Needy-User will need to be entered here, in the “Access Code” blank space.
    
4. When the Helper has the Access Code and is ready, then both users can click on the green “Connect” button in the bottom right corner of the CrossLoop program.
    
5. For the Needy-User, CrossLoop will then ask if they want to allow the Helper to be able to control the mouse on their computer. Once the Needy-User clicks to allow this, then the two computers will be connected and the Helper will be able to control the Needy-User’s computer. The Helper can then proceed to fix whatever problems the Needy-User is having with their computer.
    
6. When finished, in the CrossLoop software window, either user can click disconnect to end the session, then close the program.

Why CrossLoop Is Useful

CrossLoop can be a free, quick, and simple way to help fix the computer problems of a parent, friend, or relative who is not very knowledgeable with computers, and may be in another city or country. Or they simply have a computer issue that you know how to solve, but it would take too much time or trouble to walk another person through the instructions to fix it.

Used in combination with a service such as Skype, which you can use to exchange the Access Code or to exchange information on the issue to speed up the process, CrossLoop can be a hassle-free way to help someone else with their computer problems.

Download CrossLoop

More Information

Skype “Pay As You Go” Credit vs Monthly Subscription
CrossLoop Website

Free to Share Manuals on a Variety of Topics

From makeuseof.com:

Over the past months, we’ve written quite a few PDF manuals for you, on all kinds of diverging subjects, including BitTorrent, iTunes, iPhone, Twitter, Mac, Linux, Photoshop and several other topics.

Initially available only for subscribers, there are now multiple manuals released every month, for everyone to enjoy. After releasing 15 manuals and nearly half a million downloads we thought it was about time to look back and review what has been published so far.

Enjoy! No sign up need, downloads are free, no strings attached.

Do us a favor by sharing those manuals friends!

Topic Listing for Free Manuals

1. Movies on the Internet: About downloading movies, streaming movies, fixing video files.
2. Music on the Internet: About free music sharing, music downloading, tracking your favourite music acts online.
3. Mac: Tips, tricks, and free applications for the Mac.
4. iPhone: Details on how to get the most out of your iPhone.
5. Twitter: Features, tips, and tricks.
6. Windows Mobile Phone: Features and applications.
7. Productivity: Productivity mistakes, time organization, and workflow.
8. Building a Home Media Center: Hardware, software, and media extender options.
9. Networking: Network setup and overall guide.
10. BitTorrent: Using BitTorrent.
11. Linux: Getting started with Linux for newcomers.
12. Photoshop: Photoshop basics and shortcuts.
13. iTunes: Tips and tricks.
14. Building a PC: Beginner’s guide for building a computer.
15. Buying a Laptop: Buying guide for 2009.
16. (Bonus Guide) PSP Upgrade/Downgrade: For beginners, methods and tricks.

Xomba.com uses Google Adsense, so that Xomba.com itself does not pay you, but rather, you are paid through your Google Adsense account, which is free if you do not have one. For those who are new to online income, the process of making money online, with a free Xomba.com account, is simplified here.

Reasons to Join Xomba.com

From the Help section on Xomba.com:

Everything you write on Xomba then gets placed into powerful search engines which deliver an audience of interested readers directly to your work. Others have the opportunity to read your article, thus allowing them to discover fun, interesting, and useful information. Your chance to earn money comes from this audience, and your chances of article exposure are much greater than any standard blog or forum, because of this community.

How to Make Money Online with Xomba.com

Typically, to earn revenue online involves a combination of getting paid for advertisements or getting paid for creating content (i.e. writing articles). Xomba.com combines these two on its web site, in a very user friendly way, that only requires users to do two basic steps after registering:

1. Get a free Google Adsense account and link it to your Xomba.com account, or use your existing Adsense account if you have one.
2. Write content.

There’s no need for any further set up, maintenance, or promotion, such as that which would be necessary with a blog.

In exchange for the convenience and large community of readers, the revenue generated through the user’s content, is evenly shared (50/50) by both the user and Xomba.com. Revenue is generated when ads are clicked by someone while reading a user’s content. This is explained in a bit more detail below.

How Xomba.com Works

There are two types of posts on Xomba.com:

1. Xombytes: A full piece of writing (150 word minimum) that can be a blog-type post, article, review, or fictional piece. While Xombytes can include links to other web pages, the main focus of a Xombyte is the text of the Xombyte itself.
2. Xomblurbs: A short and descriptive piece of writing (50 word minimum) that is meant to function more like a social bookmarking tool. A user would write a Xomblurb if they want to share a link to another web page, with other Xomba.com users. The main focus of the Xomblurb text is the content of the linked web page.

In both cases, the writing should be unique and in the user’s own words. Direct quotes can be used, but not as the focus, and so they should be kept to a minimum.

There are a few basic restrictions to keep in mind when writing either Xombytes or Xomblurbs:

• You can write about whatever topic you like within reason, but you cannot copy another writer’s work. Also be careful about using too many quotes, as this may be seen to be copying and could result in your account being temporarily suspended.
• A Xomblurb cannot link another to another Xombyte. One reason for this, most likely, is to stop lazy users from profiting by quickly writing Xomblurbs that just link to another Xomba.com user’s work in a Xombyte.

Xomba.com Shares Google Adsense Revenues with Users

Just how much income do you earn with Xomba.com? Your Xombytes and Xomblurbs are published on Xomba.com along with Google ads. These ads are rotated so that half of the time, the displayed ads will pay you if clicked (these are linked to your Google Adsense account), and the other half of the time the displayed ads pay Xomba.com (these are not linked to your Google Adsense account). Revenue generated by your work is essentially split 50/50 between you and Xomba.com.

So basically, if you have interesting content with interesting titles, then you would potentially have more readers for your work. Xomba.com would likely have more readers than a new blog, and more readers means more potential ad clicks and more revenue for you.

More Information

Click here to join Xomba.com (or to just look around first).