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We’ve Discontinued ‘The Holy Grail Of Facebook Privacy’ And Instead Give More Up-To-Date Content Away For free

Posted by Nick O'Neill on June 23rd, 2009 11:00 AM
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Social media technology has changed so muchsince we first published The Holy Grail Of Facebook Privacy that we no longer carry this e-book. Instead, you can get more up-to-date content for free by clicking here.

 



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72 Comments »

  1. Nice job Nick, love it. This is the best way to get all the questions answered. Thank you, I'll pass it on today.

    Comment by Erika Miller — June 23, 2009 @ 7:29 am

  2. Ah! Money! Got none! Give it!

    Comment by Facebook User — June 23, 2009 @ 8:28 am

  3. New low.

    Comment by Thomas M — June 23, 2009 @ 8:49 am

  4. This post is what is causing me to unsubscribe from your rss feed today. It's just a little too spammy for me. What's the point in my subscribing to a feed if when I look at it in google reader, all that comes up is an advertisement?

    Sorry — I really did like a number of your posts, but I just can't handle seeing an ad like this.

    Comment by Eric Herboso — June 23, 2009 @ 10:38 am

  5. I admit that I've not been regularly reading this site like I used to, but this is the first time I've ever seen Nick sell something. Also, it's his site, he can sell his stuff if he wants to, and I'd hardly say he's shoving this down anyone's throat. It's a decently written post, telling us that a lot of people liked his original post, and that he's deciding to sell something with even more information. Let's not jump on his case for trying to sell something that people apparently find useful.

    That said, I can't imagine why anyone would want to pay 10 bucks for this, let alone 20. Stick it up at $1.99 or $0.99 and then I could see where some people would grab it. More power to you, Nick, if you make some money, but I just don't see how it's worth that much.

    Comment by Jeremy Herbel — June 23, 2009 @ 12:10 pm

  6. Eric: dude. One post is not spam.

    Sorry you'll be missing Nick's great news about Facebook.

    Don't let the door hit ya in the tuckus on the way out!

    Comment by Jim Burnell — June 23, 2009 @ 12:15 pm

  7. Is this satire?

    Comment by Facebook User — June 23, 2009 @ 1:19 pm

  8. More than 24 pages, I hope.

    Comment by Frank — June 24, 2009 @ 6:05 am

  9. Before I buy, is it in a Kindle-friendly format? Since the term "e-book" covers many different possible formats, it would be good to put the actual format in the description.

    Comment by Bill Callahan — June 24, 2009 @ 6:25 am

  10. Oh, one more thing: $10 is the going rate for a full novel length e-book. Twenty-four pages for $10 (let alone $20) is a bit pricey. You may have shot yourself in the foot since it can't possibly have much more new or updated information over the previously released free version.

    Comment by Bill Callahan — June 24, 2009 @ 6:31 am

  11. I feel like a broken record: how *exactly* do you set different privacy settings for friend lists???

    This was Privacy Tip #1!

    Example: I have two non-overlapping friend lists: one personal, one professional. I'd like to set different access controls to my profile and feeds for each group list member.

    How do I do this???

    I'm not seeing the answer anywhere, despite promises to the contrary in the "book" I just bought.

    I think that the claim that "Friend Lists can have specific privacy policies applied to them" really only applies in *highly limited* circumstances, such as limiting who can view tagged photos of you taken by others. Even then, it is excrutiatingly difficult to find that setting.

    For managing personal and professional personas, I want stronger and more intuitive tools and settings (I've created entirely separate FB accounts with my same name).

    Facebook should offer its users the ability to create and manage different personas.

    Comment by Frank — June 24, 2009 @ 12:01 pm

  12. Seems pricey to me too. For 24 pages and $10 I had better be getting something I can't find elsewhere. But I'd spend a buck or two…

    Comment by Silvia Ceravolo — June 24, 2009 @ 2:39 pm

  13. :) …a bit pricy

    Comment by AXULL ZN — June 24, 2009 @ 4:52 pm

  14. I have to disagree on the price. I think the price is great! A good ebook from a reputable person is never $10 for a full novel length. I have yet to see anyone reputable charge so low. Standard pricing is $29 and up. Don't lower your price. $10 is the perfect price for 24 pages. I specialize in providing e book design, ghostwriting and marketing services and have not had any clients sell a full length ebook at $10. People sell eBooks on Amazon at a low price because there information is not worth more than that. Chances are you will find the information for free on the web and the topic or information is not up to date and current. I personally will not buy a book that is a low price. To me that tells me there is not very much valuable information that I don't already know.

    Comment by Serena Carcasole — June 24, 2009 @ 6:13 pm

  15. By the way there is nothing wrong with advertising on your blog as long as you don't do it all the time. You can't expect everything to be free.

    A person that unsubscribes to your rss becuase you are trying to make a living and promote your product that you worked very hard for, obvisouly does not appreciate your hard work and knowledge.

    It is obvious you have many great readers that appreciate what you have to offer and what you have to say. Look at all the comments on your post!!

    Good Job!

    Comment by Serena Carcasole — June 24, 2009 @ 6:20 pm

  16. and what if next month Facebook will be rechanged again and redesigned for the third time in a row? uhm, maybe Twitter will make another smart move so Fscebook, the copycat, will need to roll out a new layout?

    and why something that should be simple, easy and intuitive to handle (like it was 2 years ago) has become so difficult and tricky that now we need to purchase a manual to set it up? Where's the fun? Facebbok has become worse than a homework. No wonder I stopped using it 5 months ago.

    Anyway, good luck Nick..

    Comment by X-Active-FB user — June 25, 2009 @ 3:25 am

  17. Serena, my favorite author (who has been on the NYT Bestseller list, so I would consider that reputable), has e-books available for less than $10. Full length novels. In fact, all of the NYT bestsellers and new releases (from reputable authors, again, both fiction and non-fiction), are available for $9.99 for digital download, so I'm not sure where you're getting your numbers from.

    The $9.99 "promo period" seems a lot like an infomercial to me, except they never raise the price again. But for a 24 page book that may be outdated in a short period of time, no thanks.

    I'll still be reading the other articles here, just not the ads.

    Comment by CP — June 25, 2009 @ 7:09 am

  18. I found the link misleading and I think the book is overpriced. Oh well.

    Comment by d. dunbar — July 6, 2009 @ 4:59 pm

  19. I just bought and donwloaded "The Holy Grail". When I went to the New Media School, it said that the "privacybook609" code was expired. may I have a new one?

    Thanks for the article,

    Bob

    Comment by Bob Borochoff — July 25, 2009 @ 5:37 pm

  20. I just purchased in the hopes of being able to set different settings for different friends or groups. I still have not figured it out. It was stated in "Friend List Mastery" that this was possible. I'm I missing something in reading this section of your book? Did the recent changes to Facebook effect this? I have Family Groups and Business Groups and I can't get different settings in Privacy under what they view. This was the only reason for me to purchase the book. Any ideas?

    Comment by Cathy jo Appleby — July 26, 2009 @ 12:57 pm

  21. This has got to be a joke? ! its not that complicated. spend a little less time on facebook a little more time in the real world.

    Comment by privacy setting — August 10, 2009 @ 8:41 pm

  22. Yes, is the book up to date with current Facebook, August 2009? For example in “10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know”, Public Search Setting is not shown under privacy settings, so I do not know if today I can restrict Google searches or not.

    Comment by Rick Urquhart — August 15, 2009 @ 10:22 am

  23. Why can I not pay with my mastercard?

    I get the following message in Dutch:

    De ingevoerde kaart kan niet worden gebruikt voor deze betaling. Voer een ander creditcard- of betaalpasnummer in.

    Comment by Tom Bijlmer — August 18, 2009 @ 2:23 am

  24. You had me right up to where you wanted money sorry i will just keep not posting anything personal including my real last name ever

    Comment by Firestorm — August 20, 2009 @ 9:28 am

  25. Sorry, it's just wrong to have to BUY info on how to use a site that's free……

    Comment by Kathy — August 25, 2009 @ 7:40 am

  26. Is it available for Kindle?

    Comment by mark — August 27, 2009 @ 6:48 am

  27. There *is no* privacy on any current "social networking" sites, nor will there be in any future ones. No matter how many books you read.

    When we say "no privacy" We mean absolutely zero.

    Comment by classified — September 2, 2009 @ 10:09 am

  28. I paid for this now how do I download it. regards myrna

    Comment by myrna — September 8, 2009 @ 9:56 am

  29. For $3 (c £1.70 in real money!) this is a bargain

    Comment by Steve Somers — October 1, 2009 @ 4:23 am

  30. I enjoy talking to family members that have grown up and have their own kids. I enjoy finding old friends that I haven't seen in a long time.

    Comment by Patti Hintz — October 6, 2009 @ 3:17 pm

  31. Forget it – I imagined it was free

    Comment by John Studley — October 12, 2009 @ 4:56 am

  32. I have to agree with a number of the comments here — once you asked for money, you lost me. This is facebook, a free service. My suggestion to others: Find a little time here and there, and do the research yourself.

    Comment by Tony Capella — December 2, 2009 @ 12:20 pm

  33. That's almost $3 too much to spend especially from a site pushing NINE sources of advertising [that people without adblocking might see].

    Comment by nix — December 13, 2009 @ 6:27 pm

  34. I want to connect to my family and friends,but, private from outsiders.

    Comment by Edith Williams — December 16, 2009 @ 8:58 am

  35. apa kabar?

    Comment by ikoh — December 21, 2009 @ 6:26 am

  36. how to sign in invisible to facebook?

    Comment by salama mohammad — December 23, 2009 @ 1:56 am

  37. This is unreal what you are doing .I can't get on my site at all . I can't even put my conformation e-MAIL IN iT SAYS IT IS NOT LEGAL SO THIS IS GOOD BY FOR I CAN'T GET ON MY SITE

    Comment by Linda — December 23, 2009 @ 6:23 am

  38. It said for a free copy of the privacy book to enter here and subscribe to the newsletter. Well I did that and now it's asking me to pay $2.99 for the stinking book. That's not fair and I don't like it. I want my name removed. What a rip off.

    Comment by Kathrine — December 30, 2009 @ 10:04 am

  39. I know quite a few people who could use this. Nice to see the price dropped so low.

    Comment by PUA — December 30, 2009 @ 4:57 pm

  40. Nick, please remind me never to offer anything for sale on my blog! I don't think I could put up with the whining, whinging and moaning — pure rudeness — from people!

    Good Grief, people! Even $10 was hardly anything for good advice. And where were the thumbscrews? Huh? I didn't see any! For heaven's sake — this was a nice polite suggestion from Nick. Didn't have to take any notice, did you?

    And now I'll get off my soapbox and say — thank you, Nick! Its' info I need and I'm happy to pay such a trifling amount for it.

    Oh, and Happy New Year!

    Comment by Jane Howitt — January 2, 2010 @ 12:34 pm

  41. Nick, thanks for the great blog and the offer is wonderful– I understand all of the commotion and the opinions- Manners people, please. This is Nick’s site and he does offer great information and has he not been helpful– ???

    The ebook is great and selling it is not a crime– nor buying it– certainly– the rules will change and well, hopefully there will be nice guys out there handing out information for free- as well as for sale. We all have to calm down and understand that our time is important inside FB as well as outside of it and we are all better for it if we share in a more polite manner.

    If Nick’s research and time invested in the book is sold for a profit that is his choice and if someone wants to rant or rave about it that is also a choice— It’s all in how it is said and done—

    Comment by Tina — January 7, 2010 @ 2:27 pm

  42. hi yay i think i downloaded it when i wasent suppose to

    Comment by Lydia Springer — January 12, 2010 @ 5:01 pm

  43. the ebook is great& selling it is not a crime

    Comment by muhammad khalid sind — January 16, 2010 @ 8:07 am

  44. What Teknologi FaceBook

    Comment by Fanny Dien Stephanus — January 30, 2010 @ 2:16 am

  45. i need this free issue

    Comment by ranjan kumar — February 4, 2010 @ 10:56 am

  46. I can't open my page. There is a dull film covering my page preventing me from accessing. I also have another email address jwynn@anibic.org. Is that the reason why? Can someone assist me ASAP please?

    Comment by Jacqueline Watson Wy — February 4, 2010 @ 7:53 pm

  47. I can’t access my facebook page. Please help me

    Comment by Jacqueline Wynn — February 4, 2010 @ 11:49 pm

  48. nice work

    Comment by chris — February 22, 2010 @ 1:57 am

  49. I suggestion you ,depent on members.If you kind please

    offer,thanks

    Comment by Panjaporn Phoemkamla — February 24, 2010 @ 8:27 pm

  50. Oohh My Godd I Cant Get On Face Book :@ Some One Help Me Before I Slit My Wrists I cannot go a day with out going on facebook liekk :@:@

    Comment by emma — March 16, 2010 @ 2:21 am

  51. It should be free… like Zeitgeist. If you got the knowledge to help the little man protect himslef against the Machine, then it should be freely distributed IMHO! Cheers

    Comment by Butsu — March 27, 2010 @ 9:40 am

  52. I was going to get this, but I refuse to pay for it! I mean, I sit here in the rain selling my cheap tweed suits so that I can pay for an eBook that I hardly need? Really! I loved your articles until THIS! Disgrace!

    Comment by Mina — March 31, 2010 @ 2:34 pm

  53. Hi Wymen,

    You have successfully linked your Yahoo! Account with Facebook.

    If you did not initiate this link or if you would like to revoke access to Facebook please click here.

    Regards,

    Yahoo! Account Services

    Comment by wymen — April 15, 2010 @ 10:55 pm

  54. It really sucks that you have already said that the regular price is $9.99, because laws in many places forbid announcing a sale on a new item and then never raising the price. The only way that you'll ever make money on this is taking advantage of the ignorant. Feel good?

    Comment by anonymous — April 22, 2010 @ 10:45 pm

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    Comment by Bg Ayub Tiravanov — April 30, 2010 @ 9:16 am

  56. anyone here can recommend the PDF (somebody who actually bought and read it) — thanks, z

    Comment by z — June 6, 2010 @ 9:33 am

  57. This should be free !!!! I refuse to pay for it!! Your not going to sucker me into paying any money for this !!!

    Comment by Mike — June 21, 2010 @ 12:26 pm

  58. I signed up for a free e-book for Facebook Privacy, now in further reading I find people are talking of paying for the book. I have no desire to pay for the book, I'd rather forgo the Facebook experience than pay to correct someone's oversights when designing this space.

    Comment by Carolyn — June 21, 2010 @ 1:59 pm

  59. Fb was a good social website…that's why i joined that.Pls improve your system…You suggest that "Robina! You will be knowing Mr/Ms…..with 4 mutual friends"…when you invite them ….this one already has much friends.In the first place why this contradiction…secondly..threat to close the account.If I had been in U.s…Take my words…I have sued you in the courts for "MENTAL TORTURE"…now world is a global village….we know all the tricks….keep on Earning money.

    YOU ARE A BROKER ONLY NOW…..it was a good website..NO MORE!

    Comment by Robina Yasmin — August 14, 2010 @ 6:06 pm

  60. Facebook should make rules and hint also when one is out of one's dress!But,technically speaking,you are earning more from ASIA….so you should make it more user friendly…like microsoft INC…..We are a big market….Every one is born with one mouth but two hands.

    After every message comes…Security Check…You ask to write those "abstract Arts" which computer even will fail…what to talk of human……FB…pls stop such old -fashioned Tactics!

    Comment by Robina Yasmin — August 15, 2010 @ 1:56 pm

  61. i cant open my account

    Comment by shanaiah — August 25, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

  62. Can I avoid everyone knowing I am online?

    Comment by JAGM — September 10, 2010 @ 11:14 pm

  63. [...] what kind of input do you have for the FTC regarding privacy policy? addthis_pub = 'biznickman';   Tags:facebook, Legal, Privacy .intro{ [...]

    Pingback by WANTED: Your Input On Facebook Data Privacy In FTC Proposal — December 2, 2010 @ 9:02 pm

  64. i want to be took of of face book how do you do this my name is mary stanley

    Comment by mary stanley — January 2, 2011 @ 10:53 pm

  65. MY sister is going through a hard time and I'm trying to support her, but she is posting to my wall all the time and its often personal or embarrassing. I don't want to de-friend, but I'd like to hide her wall posts and for her not to be aware of that as it will upset her I'm sure. Is it possible? Thanks

    Comment by Martin — January 9, 2011 @ 5:21 pm

  66. I just want to play the games, no hassl

    Comment by Dan ryckman — February 19, 2011 @ 4:30 pm

  67. Ta ta

    Comment by Mitch — March 5, 2011 @ 8:43 pm

  68. I would like to have the grey game scrips that come up all the time even when facebook is not on. How can I remove this ? It is very annoying. It started when I made facebook my cover page.

    Comment by Linda Boyd — March 18, 2011 @ 8:19 pm

  69. I see that it is now only $2.99 promo so maybe Nick got everyone's message and lowered his price.

    Comment by Bobbi — May 4, 2011 @ 7:11 am

  70. OMG…WTF IS HAPPENING TO OUR SOCIETY…FORGET FACEBOOK AND FORGET COMPUTERS….YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET OUT IN THE REAL WORLD AND SOCIALIZE. LIKE MAN KIND HAS BEEN DOING FOR 100,000 YEARS…IM ASHAMED FOR ALL OF YOU WHO MAKE FACEBOOK YOUR LIFE….THE LIFE YOU SHOULD BE LIVING NOT WASTING HOURS OF ON…JUST SAYIN!!!

    Comment by WHATHAVE WE COME TO — July 7, 2011 @ 8:36 pm

  71. Thanks

    Comment by JeffmiaN — December 22, 2011 @ 3:54 am

  72. Thanks… Good job..

    Comment by JeffmiaN — December 22, 2011 @ 4:18 am

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