Facebook.....Yea or Nay?

[devilsadvocate]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I disagree. I have complete anonymity here. People that I went to high school cannot find me by my username. Its the difference between chosing to put your real name out there, which some users have done here, and it being a requisite for admission on places like facebook.

This place is very social, and some people do eventually meet up, but it is not for networking in the sense that a place like FB is. FB was designed for real people (i.e. using real names) to promote themselves to other real people who are as apt to meet or to have known one another outside the internet.

2 years ago I'd have agreed with you. Now, however, FB has become the Wild West; you can be anyone you want, just like here. Zuckerberg couldn't control half a billion users if his life depended on it, just as Alex Turcic has the Star Chamber to moderate as he can't be everywhere. I've had the same privacy concerns in the past regarding FB (as have many others) because I also don't want those ex-high-school classmates finding me, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. I'm in IT and I'm pretty fascist about security, but like anything else it all depends on whether the user thinks the effort is worth it. I know people on FB who are using phrases and slogans as their usernames and putting up sports logos for their photos; some have multiple accounts. All of this is possible both here and there, as well as any other social networking venue. It doesn't matter what their creators have in mind; just like a tavern owner doesn't pick his crowd, they pick his tavern.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by astrangerhere

I disagree. I have complete anonymity here. People that I went to high school cannot find me by my username. Its the difference between chosing to put your real name out there, which some users have done here, and it being a requisite for admission on places like facebook.

This place is very social, and some people do eventually meet up, but it is not for networking in the sense that a place like FB is. FB was designed for real people (i.e. using real names) to promote themselves to other real people who are as apt to meet or to have known one another outside the internet.

Ah, but you don't have to put your real name into Facebook as a requisite. I didn't, the first time, I put my username on most digital scrapbooking boards on it; because at the time, that's who asked me to get on Facebook. I know people who have joined ONLY to play the games and they have names like "Anna Nimity".

Chris is right. Both MR and Facebook fit in the definition of "social networking" It's just that one is driven by interests (MR) and the other is driven by who you know (FB). Same thing, different ends of the spectrum.

[Vandy]

Ah... Now THIS is what I like -- a good debate!

Great comments, folks!

Regards,

Vandy

[desertblues]

I got invited for FB a year ago and I joined, for about a week. Next I knew, I got all kind of emails from complete strangers saying things like: just going out for a coffee/oo, I am so down.......etc etc

As I was absolutely baffled by all these messages, and didn't have much time; I decided FB was not my thing.

It took me a few hours/weeks to delete my account; it behaved like a kind of virus.

Perhaps its a generation thing. My daughter (21) just loves it.

[Piper_]

I joined and provided just the barest amount of information - state, city, a couple of interests - to avoid complaints from friends and family that they weren't sure which [my name] on facebook I was. Didn't want them sending messages to others with my name, thinking it was me. lol

I've never used it beyond that. I don't even accept friend requests. There are some I wouldn't mind friending, but then it would be taken as rude if I didn't friend someone else.

I also can't remember half the people I went to school with who send requests, and that would get messy.

In general, I'm a very private person, and Facebook is all just TMI in public for my comfort.

[desertgrandma]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Chris is right. Both MR and Facebook fit in the definition of "social networking" It's just that one is driven by interests (MR) and the other is driven by who you know (FB). Same thing, different ends of the spectrum.

I have yet to see anyone say about MR "I think its a timewasting, brain draining site, and I hate it." Or "I
would not go there to enter a contest, and I ignore any contest that sends me there."

[Piper_]

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

2 years ago I'd have agreed with you. Now, however, FB has become the Wild West; you can be anyone you want, just like here. Zuckerberg couldn't control half a billion users if his life depended on it, just as Alex Turcic has the Star Chamber to moderate as he can't be everywhere. I've had the same privacy concerns in the past regarding FB (as have many others) because I also don't want those ex-high-school classmates finding me, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. I'm in IT and I'm pretty fascist about security, but like anything else it all depends on whether the user thinks the effort is worth it. I know people on FB who are using phrases and slogans as their usernames and putting up sports logos for their photos; some have multiple accounts. All of this is possible both here and there, as well as any other social networking venue. It doesn't matter what their creators have in mind; just like a tavern owner doesn't pick his crowd, they pick his tavern.

Zuckerberg is another reason I avoid using it, because of his obnoxious comments that show a disrespect for privacy.

He has had to retract some, but the fact that he ever thought that way makes him not trustworthy to me.

And haven't there been a few occasions when the software bugged out and allowed things like email and private conversations to be revealed to people they shouldn't have been?

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I have yet to see anyone say about MR "I think its a timewasting, brain draining site, and I hate it." Or "I
would not go there to enter a contest, and I ignore any contest that sends me there."

That's why I said, "different ends of the spectrum". I do actually know people who won't join MR, though, for myriad reasons, among them: "they're all arrogant jerks there" "it's too advanced for me, I never understand what they're talking about". These are both reasons I have been given by friends when I have recommended MR as an informational source. How much of it is true perception on their part, and how much is simply laziness (it's easier to ask me), I couldn't tell you, though.

ETA: Mobile Read *can* be a time waster, though I definitely agree that is FAR from brain draining.

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

I have yet to see anyone say about MR "I think its a timewasting, brain draining site, and I hate it." Or "I
would not go there to enter a contest, and I ignore any contest that sends me there."

Hey Grandma what about that mad man from the intro forum. I think he implied the above.

Most of my family are on FB. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters and about 30 friens. It's great for catching up regularly. I have the privacy set to friends only and dont friend anyone unless I know them. That's only happened twice. I don't make comments on the stupid nephew's page with his twerp friends otherwise people I respect would end up with his crap on their wall.

[wannabee]

Originally Posted by GA Russell

Can someone help me out? I don't understand what it means to "like" a company with a Facebook page.

I have been to a number, and they all want me to "like" them. What will happen if I do click on the "like" button?

By the way, I am a member, not active except for one private forum I frequently check into.

Originally the LIKE button was placed next to FB comments posted and it informed the postee that you liked their comment without having to type it back to them.

But now retailers and other institutions that have a like button and when you click it all your freinds get told you like them. Advertising! Soon, if not already, they'll know who likes them and can direct their advertising at that demographic.

My conspiracy theory is that everyone that clicks a like button in the future will have all their LIKE details put in a container so that the conspirators can profile you.

So if you go to a Anti Capitalist Socialist Propaganda Forum don't click the like button.

[Piper_]

Kind of eerie timing after all I wrote above, but tonight I got a friend request from someone I haven't talked to in years, and I would actually like to add him, to see family pics, etc.

Is there a way to add someone without letting the other four friends on there know I added someone else? I looked all through the options, but couldn't find a way...

[wannabee]

Send them a personal message. Instead of reply. Use the "Send so and so a message link under their profile picture on their page. You get there by clicking their name in the message rather than the friend button.

[wannabee]

Forgot to add. You'll need to correspond by email not FB because FB will inform all his/her friends if you are added.

[Piper_]

I was afraid of that. Problem is, then i can't see all his pics and do all the other friend stuff.

LOL I seriously can't believe this popped up tonight. In over a year, I have had no use for it. Tonight, I post about how I have no use for it, and ...I hear from him.

I remember seeing a setting awhile back that allowed me to choose what things - like pages I joined, or comments I made - were sent to my friends... Is there nothing like that anymore, or for keeping friend-adding from being sent out?

[recluse]

I don't use Facebook.
Can't really see a reason to do so.

If I want to reconnect with someone from my past, I go find them in the physical world, sneak up behind them and scream "BOO"!

I also don't "Twit".