<p>I’ve moved so many times and love keeping up with old friends on facebook - it’s great for the “Christmas card” friends in your life - those that you would still be close with if you lived in the same place - and with the way we move around there’s always a chance that we’ll be in the same place again!
One of my facebook friends recently shared this bit of facebook humor - OMG WWII on FACEBOOK! a modern adaptation of world war II for the american teenager:
<a href=“Dropout - Independent, ad-free, uncensored comedy | Dropout”>Dropout - Independent, ad-free, uncensored comedy | Dropout;
<p>I got on FB about 4 months ago. I have about 40 FB friends and they are all people whom I actually know in real life. Almost all are in my age group except for my own kids, my niece and a young lady that I know at church. Some of my friends enjoy playing games such as Farmville, I block the game but not the friend. I have reconnected with a few long time friends.
I haven’t seen any inappropriate pictures or drug references…</p>
<p>I agree with the above post from FallGirl about the lack of inappropriate pictures or references on my FB pages. I also enjoy connecting with old HS friends and current friends. It’s light and easy and enjoyable. The few drama queens were a bit surprising but once you realize that they really weren’t serious, they are okay too.</p>
<p>"They have beaches in Iowa, you know 
"</p>
<p>However, they look nothing like an ocean beach!</p>
<p>FB is a lot like CC in that you can just lurk if you want - you don’t have to put a lot of info or photos on your own page. I enjoy seeing what my friends from hs are up to - and that’s about it. If they post something important or unusual - I will reply with the appropriate congratulations or sorry to hear that. I also find it a fun way to see photos from relatives who live far away - and to say hello to them occasionally. Use FB in ways that make you happy and comfortable and you’ll be just fine.</p>
<p>Count me in with those who think that Facebook is a “sign of the apocalypse” and a device that one can use in negative ways (Phoebe Prince anyone?)…but the OP asked what uses there are to Facebook, and I admit, while not having one myself for various reasons, I discovered one today…</p>
<p>My daughter returned from the annual Venture Crew wilderness trip last night, it was her first year going, and to be honest she wasn’t looking forward to it. Her sister has gone for years, and my husband goes as an adult chaperone. I was worried that she was not going to have a good time, and I asked my husband how she did. He said that, surprisingly enough, that she had told her good friend Kyle (not his real name) on Facebook, who had gone on the trip last year, that she did have a good time.</p>
<p>Now this floored me - Kyle was my daughter’s Big Brother at school, and one of my older daughter’s best friends. I say “was” because Kyle died in a car accident in February, months before he was to graduate.</p>
<p>Kyle’s Facebook page is still alive, and thriving - when my husband showed me on his computer screen, we were both in tears. So many messages from friends on his wall, many going off to their first year of college in a couple of weeks, as Kyle would have at one of the service academies, telling him about how their lives were going, and how he is so dearly missed.</p>
<p>Then, there on the wall, was my daughter’s message…“I bet you were laughing at me from up there the whole time, I did have a good time, and thanks so much for the meteor shower you gave us the last night, it was cool! I love you and miss you so much!!!”</p>
<p>WOW - maybe I’ll get a Facebook after all…</p>
<p>Rachacha,</p>
<p>That left me a little teary. What a nice way to remember him, and will be a lovely tribute for his family. </p>
<p>So sad. :(</p>
<p>Great use of FB.</p>
<p>Perfect example of unexpected things that can come out of facebook:</p>
<p>Tuesday night, we were offered four tickets to the Packers preseason game up in Green Bay. H and daughters are huge fans, but D2 had never been to Lambeau Field (neither had I). We spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday trying to find someone who wanted to go with us. Finally Friday night, the first person we asked (and who is a huge Packers fan) was able to be persuaded to change his plans and go with us.</p>
<p>So yesterday as we were driving up to Green Bay, I made my status reflect I was on my way to Lambeau Field for the first time, and pretty quickly got comments from two different people (one, a high school classmate who lives in Colorado and another who lives locally) that they are huge Packers fans and would have jumped at the chance to go (the one in Colorado said she would have easily hopped a plane with no notice to join us). </p>
<p>It never occurred to me as we were looking for someone to go with us, to post a status, but from now on, I will do so if the right occasion arises.</p>
<p>Rachada that is awesome, brought tears to my eyes, it must have been so hard for your kids and a way to keep him alive.</p>
<p>Rachacha - Sad, but beautiful story…</p>
<p>teri - Enjoyed your story as I also live in a major Packer fan household. H (big time), D & S. I am the only one who doesn’t watch football.</p>
<p>I just think people in general have different Facebook “goals”. For some, it serves as their “brag board” for their kids. For some, it serves as a place to post words and pictures of how social they are (i.e. drinking in the bar pictures). For some, it seems to be a popularity thing - how many friends you can accumulate. And yes, there are the quiet Facebook friends - those who set up a Facebook, accumulate friends, but hardly EVER post or comment on their board (kind of known as “creepers” in our house - IMO, if you sign on, contribute SOMETHING!)</p>
<p>So far I have not connected with any HS friends. A couple have “requested” but I wasn’t close to them in high school, haven’t seen them for 30 years - why start now? Many of my friends (I don’t actually have that many - 50ish?) are neighbors - so Facebook can be a sort of “neighborhood block watch” venue - we report anything out of the ordinary going on in the neighborhood. Some “friends” or “pages” are work-related. And, of course, family. Older nieces, siblings etc. that are out of town - even relatives abroad - how great that we can stay connected more than a very occasional phone call or visit!</p>
<p>So, best advice - decide how you want to use Facebook and don’t worry too much about meeting (or keeping) any standards except your own.</p>
<p>My mother is in her 80’s and loves FB. It allows her a glimpse into the lives of her children, her grandchildren and relatives far away. She rarely posts anything or comments, but does occasionally “like” something. She said to me the other day that she wishes her mother had lived long enough to have FB. </p>
<p>What I don’t understand is people who see no purpose in it and have no desire for it who insist that it’s their mission in life to tell everybody that it’s a waste of time and nobody should do it. I can understand that it’s not for them, but let others enjoy it in peace.</p>
<p>CC is my on-line time sink, so I don’t need another. Plus I could do without the totally pointless commentary I’ve seen on my wife’s FB from a few friends and relatives who feel compelled to update the world on every mundane detail of their lives - “Going to Walmart to buy a new box of diapers for the baby.” That sort of thing.</p>
<p>Rachacha - I joined facebook for a similar reason - to see a tribute page to a kid who had died in an accident. I’ve also found out on facebook about several friends deaths - not the happiest side of facebooking…</p>
<p>I posted a picture of my mother and me recently. My old hs boyfriend is one of my FB friends and he commented on it and said to give his regards to my mother. My mother really appreciated it, as she had not cared for him back in the day but appreciated hearing kind words. It’s that kind of thing I think FB is good for. Obviously if my old hs boyfriend called my sixty-something year old mother out of the blue that would be creepy!</p>
<p>pizzagirl–exactly what I like FB for! </p>
<p>My least favorite posts are from people who say “Had a busy day! Going to bed!” 
Note: They will post this sort of thing day after day…</p>
<p>At least you can hide all Farmville posts. There is no “hide stupid, pointless, or boring posts” option. ;)</p>
<p>In this world of social networking, there is another point to it that may help students down the road.</p>
<p>It’s the “networking part”. This is how most people get jobs when they get out of college. </p>
<p>For many of us adults, we use Linkedin to expand our business networks. When I graduated from college, my friend network was all over the place and much harder to stay in touch. I recently reconnected with some old friends from high school and college who are in all aspects of business and industry. Its kind of phenomenal how many fields they are in, actually.</p>
<p>We may not have been super close in school, but found a common interest or theme. I found out one of my old friends is an exec recruiter in the computer industry…hooked an out of work friend with tons of experience in the industry up with him. Who knows what will come out of it, but it’s something that we shouldn’t underestimate.</p>
<p>Many of those I was friends with on FB are now friends with on Linkedin. FB is far more popular with my friends and family, though. It’s nice to see photos of distant relatives who I can’t see that often and to hear about updates.</p>
<p>That said, I think some people tend to overshare and not use their privacy filters enough.</p>
<p>"At least you can hide all Farmville posts. There is no “hide stupid, pointless, or boring post”</p>
<p>You can hide people who only post stupid, pointless, boring things.</p>
<p>Are the six profile friends random?</p>
<p>At this point, I’m probably more of a “creeper” as described earlier…basically because I haven’t understood facebook, however these responses help.</p>
<p>Yea…some of the posts are awfully annoying like “I have a stomach ache”, “I’m going to bed”, “I’m painting my basement” … I don’t care…at all.</p>
<p>Linked In is good.</p>
<p>It’s a great resource for performing artists. FB is a cheap and effective way to post an event page, and get effective confirmation of attendance. We have been linked to several great concerts and gallery showings that we would never have been aware of. And when I see something my friends might enjoy, it’s so easy just to link them to the page. I love facebook for this alone.</p>