Time Magazine just did a story on Facebook, which is good timing because I’ve been wanting to write about this social-networking platform for a couple weeks now. I’ve known about Facebook for a couple years now, but didn’t know if I had the time or energy for another “Friendster.” To tell you the truth, the biggest reason I didn’t join, was because I wondered how many of my friends were actually using Facebook. That’s the problem with being an early adopter - nobody’s there yet. The main reason I don’t like MySpace, other than the horrible design, are the ridiculous amounts of “friends” people had. Come on! Are you really telling me you have 1284 friends???
What I really like about Facebook, are the privacy options. Even if you find me on Facebook and add me as your friend, I also have to agree that we’re friends. Until then, you can’t even look at my profile. The 21 people that are currently my “friends” are actually my friends. Whoa, what a concept! Every “friend” is someone I know, have talked to, or interacted with. They know my real name and know something about me. If you search my first name, you’ll only find two people with that name on Facebook, and I’m one of them. The security features make me feel safe enough to list my phone number and address in my profile. Why? Because the only people able to see it are my friends.
So far, there are two big things that annoy me regarding Facebook.
1. People who list themselves with fake names or nicknames. The point of Facebook is for people to FIND you and reconnect. This is especially bad when you only list your first name, and it’s a common name like “Sarah” or “David” or “Mike.” Even if you’re afraid your future boss will find out that you hooked up with a ladyboy during a Full Moon Party in Thailand… remember, you don’t have to add him as your friend. Plus, EVERYTHING you post on the internet will be seen by someone. If you’d be embarrassed that a boss might see it, you shouldn’t post it. Common sense.
2. I hate it when people use a profile picture that includes a group of people. Like I said, people are trying to find you. If I haven’t seen you since high school, how am I supposed to know if it’s really YOU if you’re one of 6 heads the size of my mouse cursor?
Overall, Facebook has been a good experience because I’ve reconnected with people I haven’t been in contact with for YEARS.
Even though some friends warned me Facebook would be as addictive as crack, that’s been hardly the case. I mean, it’s fun and all, but I probably only spend an hour a week on the site. I’d rather watch a tutorial on Microsoft Excel or research ways to fund my retirement account. Really.
Anyway, if you’re on Facebook, look me up! I’ll leave you with a quote from a friend. This was his reply when a 20-something year old friend told him he should get a Facebook account: “I’m a 40 year old gay man. What the hell do I need a Facebook for?”
Some related articles:
Facebook closes in on MySpace [Telegraph.co.kr]
PluggedIn: Facebook lets friends share private view of the Web [Reuters]
Facebook popularity Soars [Washington Post]
July 7th, 2007 at July 7, 2007 - 7:03 am
I’ve seen you on facebook, must be a friend of a friend. I think Facebook is good for keeping up to date with people that I am not really close enough to bother emailing…I’m currently agonising over whether regular mutual blog readership and commenting qualifies for facebook friendship or whether I should actually meet the person first…
July 7th, 2007 at July 7, 2007 - 7:24 am
Good luck when you want to deactivate your account. I decided that it wasn’t for me and once I deactivated the account, poeple were still able to get my name and email from Facebook. So, I changed my real name to that of an alias and re-deactivated it. People are now emailing me about the alias.
Facebook won’t delete my account. Something fishy is going on there. Do you know how to get them to actually delete it?
July 7th, 2007 at July 7, 2007 - 8:01 am
daeguowl - in your case, I would let them see my limited profile. I only have one friend I’ve never met, but I’ve chatted online with them regarding our blogs. If we didn’t live in different countries, we’d be actual face-to-face friends.
John - This is from the Facebook website. Let me know it completely deactivates you:
“How do I deactivate my account?”
You want to leave Facebook? Really? How else are you going to spend your time? Well, if you really want to leave you can deactivate your account from the “Settings” tab of the Account page. (at the very bottom.)
July 7th, 2007 at July 7, 2007 - 8:29 am
No, it won’t “delete” the account, and deactivation keeps my name and email in the system for people to still track down. I have people I really don’t want to be in contact with trying to get me to reactivate an account I don’t want via emails now.
July 8th, 2007 at July 8, 2007 - 4:03 pm
Change your email to a fake one or a new hotmail account, update it in Facebook, then deactivate the account.
I was pretty much a Facebook skeptic as well until I started grad school. It was and is a pretty valuable tool for staying in touch with friends who are now scattered across the globe. Those of us still in Boston use it regularly to plan events, cookouts, etc.
It’s a great tool, and just like any other can be abused if you allow it to dictate your life to you like so many mobile phone users do.
July 8th, 2007 at July 8, 2007 - 4:56 pm
I actually don’t mind Myspace. I also don’t like all those who add thousands of friends for the sake of it. I myself only have those I know, and decline request of those I don’t know. But myspace does have private option, many times I’ve searched for people I know, whom I went to school. Though I had trouble adding as a friend because you have to know their email address.