Facebook - from you who know to me who doesn't

[Philagoofy]

Ok, let's say I've been living in a cave, just ventured out and heard of Facebook but know nothing about it. Do you have to put your picture there? Is it to share info & why not do that by e-mail or phone? What is it basically?

I've been "invited" to join by someone. Also, to see specials from a particular company, I have to join to see them. I've heard a few stories that people are bothered by other people on there. Apparently you have to use your real name?

 

[HelenePA]

You do not have to use your real name, you do not have to share anything you dont want to, you can keep it as private as you want. You can get a free email address and use that if you want so the only people you give your "free" email address to or "fake name" to can find you. I've never been bothered on there by anyone.. you do not have to accept friend invitations if you dont want to. Its very fun!

 

[NMAmy]

I just signed up a few weeks ago after a lot of nagging by both my niece and one of my cousins. My niece wanted to share pictures of her kids but got tired of emailing them to me. This way, I can just pop on and see what the little ones are up to.

All of my "friends" are actually family that live all over the country. It's an easy way to stay in touch.

 

[richmo]

I'd agree. Its one of those sites that you can extensively use or barely use at all. Unlike myspace, I think most people on Facebook use their real identity, but certainly not all. You have pretty good control over how much of your profile is public. A good rule of thumb is to open things up mostly to your "friends". And I think another good rule of thumb is that "friends" should be only people you really know.

The invitation you received was probably not actively sent by the person who appeared to send it to you. When you sign up (or even after), Facebook likes to send invitations to everyone in your address book...thats one of the reasons it isn't a bad idea to get a free email address that isn't linked to anything.

 

[Carl]

The advantage of Facebook is that you can share info with and from friends as a group instead of having to do it individually.

 

[HelenePA]

I use to have myspace but after while it was all spam.. I've never got one spam over on facebook! Much better over there IMO.

 

[Philagoofy]

Thanks for the replies.

Can you try to find people this way like with Classmates? Plug in their name & see if their name comes up or can you only contact people that are already in your address book?

I won't even ask about Myspace. Disboards, Classmates & real life are enough for me.

 

[SC Minnie]

I have a free yahoo email address that I use for Facebook.

It has been great reconnecting with old friends that I had lost touch with the past 20 years before email and such. We don't 'talk' everyday but when they post they are sick or their kids are sick its nice to send a quick 'hope you feel better soon' and be able to follow up with them. Its also nice when friends post things are going good to send a quick 'great news'.

You don't have to post a pic of yourself. I am friends with quite a few people who don't post a pic at all or have something else in their pic. My profile pic right now is my cat that's in my siggie on here.

 

[SC Minnie]

Thanks for the replies.

Can you try to find people this way like with Classmates? Plug in their name & see if their name comes up or can you only contact people that are already in your address book?

I won't even ask about Myspace. Disboards, Classmates & real life are enough for me.

You can search by individual name or you can search by other means such as a high school/college class, or any groups. If the person as put it in their profile they would be listed.

 

[richmo]

Thanks for the replies.

Can you try to find people this way like with Classmates? Plug in their name & see if their name comes up or can you only contact people that are already in your address book?

I won't even ask about Myspace. Disboards, Classmates & real life are enough for me.

Classmates is kind of similar in concept, except your contacts there tend to be people you went to school with. The thing I never liked about Classmates was that it made a big difference if you're a paying member or not. If I recall, it was difficult or near impossible to send messages if you weren't a premium member. I've found the "Classmates" section of Facebook (you can join a group that is your school and year) to be much more open. You easily see pictures and whats going on. I think as Facebook expands, Classmates will slowly go away.

With FB, you can search for anyone, if you know their name. You'll often come up with several hits matching your specification, especially if the name isn't unusual. Then hopefully, judging by their location, and profile picture (if they have one), you'll figure it out.