Among Friends

[DottieBlue]

I am not on Facebook, but would like to so I can keep up with my younger relatives as that is where they post photos of their children, etc.

My question is: is there an instruction book available that explains all of the ins and outs of using Facebook?  Or do I just need to have someone show me who is familar with it?

I want to be very careful about not giving out personal info, etc..  And from reading the various threads on this Forum over the years there seems to be so many things a person needs to be aware of so as not to give out personal info, and how to not "friend" someone you don't want, etc., and there are other relatives who I don't want to know that I am on Facebook if I do sign up, etc.

Any advice or suggestions is appreciated.  TIA.

[Nataliesgramma]

Please don't take this as an insult..... I have seen a "Facebook for Dummies" in the bookstore.....can probably help you with all and any questions with starting up on the site for you......

[123SuzyQ123]

Delta, there are others more knowledgeable than me who will answer your question, but from what I recall, you have to give out quite a bit of personal information in order to even sign up!  I was only able to "fudge" my birthdate, but you have to put quite a bit of info to sign up.  That was over 5 years ago for me, so it might have changed since then.  But it is a good way to look at the pages of friends and family and follow the "adventures" in their lives!!  Good luck in signing up!

Oh, by the way, pick a really good password because after I was with Facebook for about a year, I got a flag stating that someone in Brazil was trying to log on with my password!!  YIKES!   Go figure!

[DottieBlue]

Nataliesgramma:   LOL!  I AM a "Facebook Dummy"!!  THANKS so much for your reply.  I will definately look for this book.

Take care....

[DottieBlue]

SuzieQ4:  Thanks so much for the heads up.  Having to give out so much personal info is making me hesitant to sign up.

[ChynnaBlue]

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@DottieBlue wrote:

SuzieQ4:  Thanks so much for the heads up.  Having to give out so much personal info is making me hesitant to sign up.

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It's no more personal email than you provide to sign up for an email account. You can even create a fake email account and use that as your Facebook email.

[ChynnaBlue]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

Please don't take this as an insult..... I have seen a "Facebook for Dummies" in the bookstore.....can probably help you with all and any questions with starting up on the site for you......

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I hope no one is ever insulted by a recommendation for those books, as they are really fantastic. I have several of them and have not been disappointed by any. If I'm learning a new software program, I like to go to the bookstore and pull out several books on the subject and page through them all to see if they have what I'm looking for. These books are much better than some of the beginner books and way better than a super technical book that focuses more on advanced skills. I've even found books like Knitting for Dummies very useful. I've kept those books as references long after I mastered basics of programs because they're often that good.

[susan kay]

I definitely cannot give you any advice about Facebook, but several years ago I created an account just so I could follow some of my younger relatives.  Several of them post quite a few pictures, etc.  I don't remember what information I gave to sign up on Facebook, but I know that there is nothing about me other than my name on my personal Facebook page.  There is no residence info, age, high school, college info, etc.

I do think that the "Facebook for Dummies" book sounds interesting!

[jackthebear]

to sign up you need to provide a name and a birthday.  which you could make up (just be sure you remember it  in case you need to recall that date--in case of forgotten PW)

but you need give no further info.

No need to friend anyone you don't want to

you can hide other people's feeds so you don't see all their stuff.

There a many fun groups there too, I belong to one for Pressure cooking.

just be sensible

[Moonchilde]

If there is indeed a "Dummies" book for FB I'm sure it would be very helpful. I have used various Dummies books for years and they're extremely useful.

Reading this whole article will be helpful:

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/secure-your-facebook-account-in-six-easy-steps/

The best thing, to me, would be to ask one of your younger friends or family to be there with you when you create your account. Tell them your concerns and ask them to make your settings as "privacy tight" as possible, and that you DO NOT want your name "searchable." You need your settings so that no one but people you have okayed as friends will be able to see your posts or photos. There are many settings, but if you have a helper who knows what they're doing it's not that big a deal. Good luck!