Facebook Reader is a utility that runs in the background on the data server, such as TweetOut or Super Ticker. The Facebook Reader utility connects directly to the TweetOut or Super Ticker database. This utility reaches out to Facebook and returns valid content based on your topics and searches created in Flow.
The Facebook Reader utility requires you to sign in with a valid Facebook user account because Facebook does not allow anonymous access to posts. Any client application requesting post information must have valid credentials. As a result, posts and groups that you have access to as a Facebook user are available to you in Flow for playlists and output.
When you sign in, no information is used or shared and you can control application visibility for the Bannister Lake application via Facebook. You can also revoke access to the application at any time.
Important:
- This utility must be running, and you must be signed in with a valid Facebook user account in order to receive new content.
- The system running the Facebook Reader utility must also have Microsoft® Internet Explorer® version 9 or higher installed.
- If you are troubleshooting a lack of new content, ensure that the Facebook Reader utility is running and functional. Your troubleshooting steps differ depending on how you access your Bannister Lake solution. See the following sections for details.
In this section:
Running a Cloud Instance?
Customers using a cloud instance of TweetOut or Super Ticker do not need to manage the Facebook Reader themselves; Bannister Lake manages it for you. For assistance with your instance of Facebook Reader, contact Bannister Lake Support.
Running a Local Instance?
Customers using a local instance of TweetOut or Super Ticker can access and manage their own instance of Facebook Reader.
- In a standard installation, Facebook Reader is available on the server, also known as the Flow Server or database server.
- In a custom installation, Facebook Reader may be located elsewhere. See your local system administrator for details.
Note: The system where the Facebook Reader utility is installed must also have Microsoft® Internet Explorer® version 9 or higher installed.
Access Facebook Reader
To access the Facebook Reader utility, run the utility from its desktop icon on the server.
When the utility opens, you can configure the following:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Countdown For Next Read | By default, Facebook Reader attempts to retrieve data every two (2) minutes. The countdown frequency can be adjusted via File > Preferences; however, the minimum value must be one (1) minute or more to avoid having more incoming content data than a human can process. |
| Read Now | Trigger an immediate data retrieval by clicking Read Now to bypass the countdown clock. |
| Review Facebook account status | You can review all of the Facebook accounts configured via Flow, and review whether or not they are currently enabled. |
| File > Preferences | The Facebook Reader utility must be configured to connect to your database. Connection and user authentication values would have been correctly configured by your system administrator initially during installation. Use caution when modifying these values.  From this dialog you also:
|
| Help > Open Today’s Log | Facebook Reader generates a log file each time it goes out to search for posts. You can review this log file. Using the date and time, you can confirm that Facebook Reader is connecting and returning posts successfully. |