Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Explained.
Part 1: Facebook
It’s impossible to ignore Social Networking these days. And even if you could, you probably shouldn’t. Social Networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are connecting people from all walks of life, from all corners of the planet. They are facilitating communication between distant relatives where other methods, like the postal service, prove to be a hinderance. They are also helping people to find jobs, and even create them where none existed before. That is powerful stuff in this difficult global economy.
If you’re ignoring Social Networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, you are missing out on endless opportunities to potentially enrich your life. You’re also missing out on knowing what a bunch of random people hand for lunch.
What It Is
Facebook is by far the most used social networking site around. Users enter detailed profile information about themselves, like schools they attended, where they live, favorite music, likes and dislikes, family photos, and on and on. Just about every aspect or interest a person has can be entered into their Facebook. This information is then used to help you connect with friends and family, and potentially connect you to others who share similar traits.
People on Facebook use Status Updates to tell people what they are doing, and to communicate with friends. People also post photos, Internet links and other favorite content, which is then available for others to see and comment on.
Who Uses Facebook
Your Mom uses Facebook. Just about everyone else does too. The easy operation and free nature of its services make it readily accessible to all walks of life.
The typical Facebook user is between the ages of 20-45, and that is changing rapidly towards an older population as many younger users are heading to Twitter. They use Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family, and also to reconnect with high school and college friends from their past. They maintain a group of “Friends” hovering around 50-100 people, and typically log in an average of once a day.
Privacy is a big deal on Facebook, and users of the site have many options when it comes to protecting their information and choosing who they do or do not interact with.
Why You Should Use Facebook
Facebook is incredibly popular in North America, and getting more popular all the time. If you want to connect with people from your past, and maintain some semblance of control over your conversations with others, then Facebook is the way to go. It’s a hugely popular tool for sharing photos, and keeping in touch with friends and family.
Your Facebook account is now being used to grant you access to other sites online as well. Where previously you had to create a separate account to log into something like CNN.com, you can now use Facebook Connect to log in without ever having to create a new account.
Why You Should Avoid Facebook
If you hate people, don’t care about what anyone had for lunch, or simply don’t want to be found by anyone – avoid Facebook. Privacy can also be a concern, when not paid attention to. Facebook offers you complete control oer who has access to your private information, but you have to affirmatively turn on or off those features for it to be of any use.
Dos and Don’ts on Facebook
Do:
- Accept that friend request from your boss.
- Learn how to use security features to control what your boss can see.
- Interact with people, comment on photos or statuses, get involved with people.
Don’t:
- Tell people what you ate, are eating, or are planning to eat. No one cares.
- Friend your boss.
- Friend or accept friend requests from ex-girlfiriends/boyfriends, unless you’re a glutton for punishment.
- Take every quiz or accept every invite that comes your way. You’re giving away your personal information.
- Accept friend requests from people you don’t know. Stay safe out there.
Some Facebook Terminology
- Friend: It’s basically a verb now, to friend someone is to request to add them to your network on Facebook.
- UnFriend: To remove someone from your list of friends.
- Wall: Your wall displays your statuses, things you post (like photos or links) and anything else you share with others.
- Comment: When you write something in response to someone’s status, photo, link, etc.
- Like: If you like a friends status or photo, etc., but don’t want to go as far as commenting, you can click the Like link to give it a virtual thumbs up
Wrapping Up
Social networking sites are not going away. Quite the opposite, actually. Sites like Facebook are only getting woven tighter and tighter into the fabric of our daily lives. You can love them or you can hate them, but there is no avoiding them.
Please Comment!
Do you use Facebook? What do you use it for? Do you love it or hate it? Please share in the comments!
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5 Responses to “Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Explained.
Part 1: Facebook”
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Twitter: FWebDe
says:
I don’t currently use Facebook, mainly because I never really like the idea. But I might consider joining, mainly because I recently noticed that a lot of visitors came to my site from Facebook.
Eric B.´s latest blog | How to Make a Truly Horrible Website
Facebook is tough for me to get into. I use it sparingly to keep in touch with friends and family, but that’s about it.
[...] these days. And even if you could, you probably shouldn’t. Social Networking sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are connecting people from all walks of life, and all corners of the planet. They are [...]
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by FWebDe: RT @coopchad Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Explained. Part 1: Facebook http://ow.ly/1nz6as...
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