Trouble at Facebook

mayo | sci-tech | other press Saturday October 04, 2008 06:44 by bace fook

Dismay as Shell to Sea profile page removed

Sometimes coincidences happen in a timely way, while at other times they appear to happen but are actually coordinated events.

On Monday, the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan announced that Facebook, the popular social networking site, was setting up its head office for Europe in Dublin. Since Facebook doesn't actually make anything, it will have a negligible effect on the economy, but it sends the right sort of signal. At the same time (around midday on Monday) the profile page for the Shell to Sea campaign was removed from Facebook.

Some Shell to Sea groups remain, but as anyone who uses Facebook will tell you, having a profile page is where the action is. Shell to Sea had a popular one, with lots of "friends" and activity on the page. It was very useful in spreading information about the campaign, especially outside Ireland.

So Mary Coughlan goes on the radio to talk about Facebook and how its arrival in Ireland sends a strong signal. At the same moment, the Shell to Sea page is removed. Coincidence?

Some Shell to Sea groups remain on the site, but as anyone who uses Facebook will tell you, having a profile page is where the action is. Shell to Sea had a popular one, with lots of "friends" and activity on the page. It was very useful in spreading information about the campaign, especially outside Ireland.

So Mary Coughlan goes on the radio to talk about Facebook and how its arrival in Ireland sends a strong signal. At the same moment, the Shell to Sea page is removed. Coincidence?

Irish Times report here: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/1003/....html