Currently it's not possible to send a private direct message (DM) to someone on Twitter unless you are both following each other. While this keeps your Twitter inbox nice and spam-free it requires asking someone to follow you back just so you can message them. A new feature will allow for DMs from anyone in your follower network. The downside is obvious: anyone can follow you and proceed to send spam. It will be interesting to see who turns this option on but it is potentially useful for those using Twitter as part of their work eg those in the media or marketers.

theverge.com/web/
2013/10/15/4840190/
twitter-direct-messages-from-any-follower-option


Benedict Cumberbatch talks on Reddit
British actor Benedict Cumberbatch visited website Reddit recently to discuss his role as Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate. He took plenty of interesting questions from fans but of specific interest to us was his discussion of the letter Assange sent him asking him not to take the role.

Assange accuses Cumberbatch of being a "hired gun" but the actor defends the film, saying that the intention was to portray someone who "changed the way we view both social media, [and] the power of the individual to have a voice in that space".

reddit.com/r/IAmA/
comments/1o8l5f/i_am_benedict_cumberbatch_ama/

Maintain online privacy with Tor
Anonymous internet access is useful for many reasons. Some people don't wish to be tracked across the web by various websites. Others, such as software developers, require security when working with sensitive information.

Tor is a free open source download that creates a network of virtual tunnels for privacy and security on the web.

The Tor Browser allows for anonymous internet browsing.

To use Tor within the Chrome browser install the Proxy Switchy! plug-in, which can be toggles on and off as required.

torproject.org/about/
overview.html.en