Getting depressed over Facebook, bribing students to learn, converting real books into ebooks, the Humble Star Wars Bundle, mourning Monty Oum, and HTC gets into the rap game.

Facebook Envy May Cause Depression

Facebook can cause depression, at least according to researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia. A survey of 700 students found that those who "browse the website to see how their friends are doing compared with their own lives” can experience the "symptoms of depression."

While using Facebook simply to keep in touch with family and friends is a "fun and healthy activity," negative feelings can grow when the social networking site is used to compare your life to the lives of others. Essentially, feelings of envy can lead to depression.

The sample size means this study is far from definitive. However, it should act as a warning not to get too wrapped up in what your friends are posting and boasting about on Facebook. Even if it is true (which isn't always guaranteed), concentrating on improving your own life is always more rewarding.

Students Bribed To Ignore Smartphones

Pocket Points finally is motivating me to not be on my phone during class, not the fact that I have loans and want a future lol.

— Shan. (@WOAH_its_Shanda) February 3, 2015

Students at several U.S. colleges are being bribed into choosing to study rather than constantly checking their smartphones. This is thanks to Pocket Points, an app developed by a student at California State University, Chico.

Pocket Points lets students earn points for keeping their smartphone locked while they're on campus. One point is earned for every 20 minutes the phone is kept locked in class, with points used for money in local businesses.

Any initiative able to persuade students to study more and mess around on their phones less is a positive. However, it's shocking to discover that students are more likely to concentrate on studying for 10 percent off a cheesesteak rather than to secure themselves a good future.

Kindle Convert Turns Paper Into E-Ink

Bookstore where books are wrapped with short descripts so no one will 'judge a book by it's cover' pic.twitter.com/OMFMhBvyeK

— Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) February 3, 2015

Amazon has released Kindle Convert, a Windows program which lets you turn printed book into digital books. Currently priced at $19 (but with a list price of $49), Kindle Convert requires you to scan each page of the book you want to convert into the Kindle format. Which will require a lot of time and patience.

While this is likely to put most people off, it's still good to have this option, especially for those who want to digitize rare or out-of-print books. Unfortunately, Kindle Convert is only available in the U.S. for the time being, though that's likely to change in the future.

Buy The Humble Star Wars Bundle, You Will

http://youtu.be/K3yTt7sBjAc

The Humble Star Wars Bundle has dropped, offering nine classic Star Wars games for just $12. Titles include Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars Battlefront II, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition.

As with all Humble Bundles, the buyer can choose how much to pay and how the money is assigned between the developers and the charities being supported. Which in this case are UNICEF and Star Wars: Force For Change. Both of which are thoroughly worthy causes.

Rooster Teeth's Monty Oum Dies Aged 33

http://youtu.be/QmsAH20mO10

Monty Oum, an animator for production studio Rooster Teeth, has died at the tender age of just 33. Oum, best known for writing and producing RWBY, passed away following "a severe allergic reaction during a simple medical procedure." Oum will be missed by colleagues and fans alike.

HTC Raps Against Its Competitors

http://youtu.be/kvjDtaCkacQ

And finally, HTC has some strange ideas when it comes to marketing. And its latest attempt to persuade you all to buy an HTC One instead of an iPhone or Galaxy S5 is a rap song and accompanying video starring Doc G of P.M. Dawn fame.

Yes, it's as eye-watering and ear-splitting as you assumed it was going to be, but you may not be able to stop yourself from watching it more than once. As some kind of punishment. [H/T Engadget]

Your Views on Today’s Tech News

Has your mood ever worsened while browsing Facebook? Is bribing students to ignore their smartphones the way forward? Would you ever convert your book collection from paper to digital?

Let us know your thoughts on the Tech News of the day by posting to the comments section below. Because a healthy discussion is always welcome.

Image Credit: Ryan Melaugh via Flickr