The weekend read

The days of this week fell away like leaves on an autumnal tree, communicators--all piled up by Friday. Time to kick the pile in celebration of the weekend. I've gathered up all my finds of week, shared on Twitter, and curated them here, just for you:

• Loose leaf: Google is reportedly working on a standalone messaging app that won't require a Google login. Stand by...
• Closed for the season: After users complained, Facebook is adjusting its guidelines for researchers who want to use the site's data.
• Can I opt-out of these leaves? Forrester says Americans are reading more email spam, er, newsletters than ever before.
• Leaf peepers? LinkedIn will now tell you more about why someone may have viewed your profile.
• A little leaf or two: A Harvard professor came up with a standing desk you can fit in a laptop bag, and Tricaster Mini gives you a whole TV studio in a carry-on.
• Yellow leaves: Post-It notes have a new app that lets you take a picture of your wall of notes and digitize them, something you've been able to do on Evernote for a long time. Just sayin'. Click on that Evernote link and get a free month of premium service with your new free account.
• I'll pay you a dollar to rake those leaves: Here's a great example of what a $1 Facebook ad budget can buy.
• Make like a tree and leave: Marketing firms are mining your selfies for ads.

Are you following the DGC blog in all its many places? In addition to @dontgetcaught on Twitter, check out our Facebook page, boards on Pinterest about social media savvy and communications skillz. and posts on Google+. The weekend read appears in all those places, so follow where you will.

I fall for you every time you show up here on a Friday, weekend readers. Have a great weekend!