Do you Facebook?

[aquablob]

Yes, but I check it maybe once a month... it's a good way to get in contact with long lost friends, and it's also like a giant address book. Quite useful in these ways, actually, but no, I don't "Facebook" in the sense of actually checking up on what "friends" are posting or whatnot. And I don't use MySpace, which -- from what I can tell -- performs some of the same functions but is a much slower site. If I start a band I'll probably get a MySpace going.

[tjguitar]

Facebook USED to be a good college tool. You could list yoru coursses and you could find other people in your classes (if they listed their courses).  But now facebook is just like any other social networking site, with a boatload of 3rd part applications, i'm on it but i dont use it that much anymore.

When Facebook started allowing regional networks (i.e. anybody, not requriing a .edu or a business email addy), and removed the official courses application, that was the end for me.

[DavidW]

Myspace and facebook are too young a crowd for you Mark, well maybe even for me too.  Though they are different, I got the impression that they are not different in the sense of age group.  Know what I mean?  If you have forums for your interests, I don't think you need networking sites anyway, except for professional networking sites.  Which again, you would not find on myspace or facebook.

[Mark]

Myspace and facebook are too young a crowd for you Mark, well maybe even for me too.  Though they are different, I got the impression that they are not different in the sense of age group.  Know what I mean?  If you have forums for your interests, I don't think you need networking sites anyway, except for professional networking sites.  Which again, you would not find on myspace or facebook.

My thoughts precisely, David.

[mahlertitan]

Another marketing ploy targetted at teenagers...luckily I didn't fall in it.

wait until you get into college!

[DavidW]

wait until you get into college!

I know of the temptation of drinking, drugs, parties, unprotected sex etc but I've never heard of the temptation of myspace/facebook when you go to college.

[aquablob]

I know of the temptation of drinking, drugs, parties, unprotected sex etc but I've never heard of the temptation of myspace/facebook when you go to college.

You poor, naive little thing! 

[mahlertitan]

I know of the temptation of drinking, drugs, parties, unprotected sex etc but I've never heard of the temptation of myspace/facebook when you go to college.

I don't give a damn about myspace. when i got into college, the first thing my friends FORCED me to do is to sign up for Facebook, i guess it's useful, since most of my high school friends are probably elsewhere, this is an easy way for us to keep in touch.

[DavidW]

I don't give a damn about myspace. when i got into college, the first thing my friends FORCED me to do is to sign up for Facebook, i guess it's useful, since most of my high school friends are probably elsewhere, this is an easy way for us to keep in touch.

This is so funny!   You're so emotional about the two sites, and I don't even know why I should really consider them as seperate entities.   What is it like greasers vs preppies?  And which one are you?

I bet you can't be bothered getting into fights after school anymore, it's just now insults by blogging or something equally passive aggressive right?

[Tancata]

Facebook is a social networking site pretty much like any other. For whatever reason, it tends to be college and "young professional" types that use it. Myspace more for the crowd with less aspirations. Bebo for younger teens.

[DavidW]

Facebook is a social networking site pretty much like any other. For whatever reason, it tends to be college and "young professional" types that use it. Myspace more for the crowd with less aspirations. Bebo for younger teens.

Yeah as I thought, it had to be cliqueish, that's the only way that MahlerTitan's emotional response would make sense.

[greg]

i really should.... everyone at Sunday school wants me to, but i still can't remember half of their names (let alone their last names) to find them.
still, i'll sign up anyways sometime this week

[mahlertitan]

Yeah as I thought, it had to be cliqueish, that's the only way that MahlerTitan's emotional response would make sense.

there is nothing to it, i am always emotional. WHAT! you son of a bitch, i ordered Pepsi, not Coke!

[Catison]

Myspace was originally started so that independent pop bands could have a place to put their music.  It soon caught on after teenagers used it to communicate with friends.  Myspace's interface hasn't changed since it started, and it looks like something from the 90's.  Why it is extremely popular, I don't know, but sometimes on the internet, the fittest doesn't survive.

Facebook was started originally by a Harvard undergrad to have a friends network that used pictures as the primary communication tool.  It grew beyond Harvard and only allowed college students to join. (You had to have an @<blank>.edu email to sign up.)  Because it was originally only for college students, it was seen as inclusive and 'cool' by a lot of the freshman who could finally use it.  Facebook has also spent a lot of time getting everything very easy to use, and the interface is quite nice.

I don't use it very often, but it is really handy to keep in touch with friends.  I can schedule parties, invite everyone I want, and then they can RSVP if they are coming or not.  But the thing I enjoy about it the most is keeping in touch with old friends.  I recently got engaged (about 5 days ago).  My girlfriend changed our status from 'in a relationship' to 'engaged' and all my friends knew about it.

[Mark]

So, it seems that Facebook is a bit similar to the long-running UK site, Friends Reunited.

[MishaK]

I like it because I have friends strewn all over the globe an dthis is a great way to keep in touch. It's also simpler for sharing photos than a lot of other sites. I also have an ongoing world Traveller IQ battle with a friend who works at the UN. 

[Mark]

Just found this on the BBC News site:

Real friends?

Meanwhile, scientists have cast doubt on how big a part social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace can play in people's offline social lives.

Dr Will Reader, a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University, has been conducting research into the new types of friendships being fostered online.

Presenting his findings at the BA (British Association) Festival of Science at York University, he said that the huge contact lists of some members of Facebook and MySpace belied their real social status.

"Although the number of friends people have on these sites can be massive, the number of close friends is approximately the same as in the face-to-face real world contact," he told delegates at the festival.

[MishaK]

Just found this on the BBC News site:

Real friends?

Meanwhile, scientists have cast doubt on how big a part social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace can play in people's offline social lives.

Dr Will Reader, a researcher at Sheffield Hallam University, has been conducting research into the new types of friendships being fostered online.

Presenting his findings at the BA (British Association) Festival of Science at York University, he said that the huge contact lists of some members of Facebook and MySpace belied their real social status.

"Although the number of friends people have on these sites can be massive, the number of close friends is approximately the same as in the face-to-face real world contact," he told delegates at the festival.

That is very true. A number of people I know who are borderline social outcasts have lists of over 60 friends (compared to my wimpy 19). Clearly they just contacted everyone they ever met and out of politeness they accepted them as "friends". But in any case, I use facebook only to keep in touch with people I am actually friends with and whom I see on a reasonably regular basis face-to-face, travel plans permitting.

[Maciek]

"Do you Facebook?"

Why is it that I feel I've been asked exactly the same question before?

[karlhenning]

I voted "but only occasionally", although that is not quite the right tenor.

But "can't live without it" is right out.