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The team at Facebook has created the Open Graph Protocol. Once implemented on a web page it becomes a rich object in a social graph. This can then be used, for example, to turn any web page into a Facebook fan page.

So what does this all mean? Facebook is providing another means of generating publicity for web pages. If a loyal patron to your organization visits your web site and clicks a Facebook "like" button (see my article about the Facebook Like Button for more details), the Open Graph Protocol will interact with the Facebook Like Button and will treat your web page as a Facebook Fan Page. This provides the opportunity to use your loyal patrons to help generate publicity through viral marketing. When that patron clicks the "Like" button it will then be displayed to all their friends that they like your organization's web site. This in turn can lead to their friends visiting your web site to explore the products and/or services your organization offers.

For more information about how the Open Graph Protocol can be implemented on your web site please contact us.

A company launched back in December 2009, named Square Inc. (www.squareup.com), has figured out a means to let business owners accept credit card payments through their tablet devices (such as an Apple iPad) and smartphone devices (such as Apple iPhones, Android phones, and others). A small device they developed plugs into the headphone jack. Then with the Square software you can accept payments securely. The customer can even provide their signature by signing their name on the device with their finger, plus have a copy of the receipt e-mailed to them. The software further lets the customer specify a tip account, if appropriate. The transaction rates are very competitive and there are currently no set-up fees. This is a really neat device and a very impressive innovation.