Friday, August 29, 2008

Do you FB?

Facebook. It's become impossible to ignore but I feel like I'm not really getting the point.

- Friend requests ... most are not really my friends but acquaintances, writing contacts, and distant contacts of more distant friends.
- Packrat invitations... what does that even mean?!
- Green Patch requests ... patch of what?
- Wall writing ... can't I just send you an email?
- Cyber gifting ... what's the purpose?
- Hugs, events, groups ... ARGH!

I joined Facebook after pressure from all those trying to "friend" me but, truthfully, I just don't GET it!

All of you who are successfully using/enjoying/loving Facebook please enlighten me. What am I missing?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's bad enough I'm on MySpace and Bebo. There's no way I'm Face-Booking. In fact, I'm thinking of cancelling my Bebo account and just sticking with MySpace. MySpace can be fun, but it's time-consuming, and I'm not sure I see the point anymore. But I worked hard on my two pages, so up they will stay.

Unknown said...

I know what you mean, Wendy. I, too, only joined after much pressure from friends, but I have to admit it can be fun (for a bit). Although, the main point does seem a bit, well, pointless, it allows you to stay in contact with people who never check their emails. It seems most vital to the younger set, who seem to think that nothing is important unless it's been photographed, documented on FB, and then commented on insessantly by everyone they know!! I like it b/c I can stay in touch with old students and university friends, but you're right, email does the job too! I do really hate all the applications and requests for innane things like "which disney princess are you" etc. If you blog, myspace, email, etc then there is no need FB. But for some people, it's become a necessity (ahem... for example, a certain teenager that we both know!).

Chandra Rooney said...

Facebook is good if there are people that answer their "wall posts" sooner than they answer email.

And it reminds me when people's birthdays are. Plus you can import your blog so all your friends can see it.

(Mostly it's for the young'uns to play scrabble.)

Anonymous said...

I don't really get it either though I'm on there. Plus I'm addicted to PathWords. *g*

Anonymous said...

I use Facebook for keeping in touch with friends and family, simply because most of my friends and family are on Facebook (those who are on the Internet, anyway), but they don't have blogs or Twitter accounts.

But here's what I do with Facebook. I basically have my Facebook profile set up on automatic, so I can have maximum presence there with minimum effort. Here's how: I set up my Facebook profile to import all my blog posts, so they automatically show up as notes there. Then I used the "Twitter" Facebook application to automatically import my Twitter tweets as Facebook status updates. So my Facebook profile automagically updates, and I don't have to do anything special for that. (However, I do occasionally post photos or whatever on Facebook, things I want to share only with friends and family and not with the rest of the world.)

I also have my Facebook friends' status feed in my RSS reader, as well as their posts and notes (each in a separate feed), and I wish Facebook provided more feeds. I occasionally check my Facebook page to see what else my friends are up to, but I'm not religious about it. That gives me maximum contact with people who know me personally--who are also some of my biggest fans--without going too far out of my way.

BTW, I pushed your book on my blog and tagged you for a meme. Probably wouldn't have done it if you hadn't posted this post, so that'll teach ya. <grin>

-TimK

conley730 said...

I just now joined myspace. I'm not on facebook. I'm even finding myspace frustrating. Why can't I just e-mail or instant message people? I'm with you, Wendy. I just don't get it!

Anonymous said...

I don't even get texting, if a person wants to talk to me just phone me. I use my email to get in touch with family and friends; and agree that I don't really see what the big deal is with Face Book but I know both my boys have them, my youngest spends hours Facebooking. I can hardly wait until school starts so that my computer can cool down.

Dru said...

I Facebook to keep in touch with friends. In fact, despite emails, I re-connected with a couple of people via facebook and the status keeps us updated.