Re: Facebook? Do I Need It?

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

No one "needs" FB. But keeping track of what's up with friends and relatives aside, both for retail connections and a variety of cultural and special interests, it can be very useful and rewarding.

I enjoy it for a combination of all its potential uses. I keep track of what's up with favorite brands, websites, b&m shops (including the special offers, giveaways & discounts). I get info from PBS, local TV stations, and tons of special interests of all kinds. It's keeps me up to date on what's current in both my retail and cultural interests, completely aside from friends and family, which I also enjoy.

I have a relative who juggles three FB pages - the official one for her employer, a more personal to her page for those who know her through her work, and her personal friends/family page. She has very wisely separated these areas, though not everyone needs to of course, but she's a 'retail example.'

As far as privacy (and paranoia), you do need to have it set up carefully, yes, but FB has made it easier (more understandable) now. Not everyone's opinion on "Facebook privacy issues" will be the same. Be cautious, but realize that several of the privacy issues branded "FB issues" as if they are the Big Bad, exist on many if not most major sites of all kinds, whether people are aware of it or not.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

winamac1 · ‎12-29-2010

I have it. I certainly don't need it.

"friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel"

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

@Moonchilde wrote:
No one "needs" FB. But keeping track of what's up with friends and relatives aside, both for retail connections and a variety of cultural and special interests, it can be very useful and rewarding.

I enjoy it for a combination of all its potential uses. I keep track of what's up with favorite brands, websites, b&m shops (including the special offers, giveaways & discounts). I get info from PBS, local TV stations, and tons of special interests of all kinds. It's keeps me up to date on what's current in both my retail and cultural interests, completely aside from friends and family, which I also enjoy.

I have a relative who juggles three FB pages - the official one for her employer, a more personal to her page for those who know her through her work, and her personal friends/family page. She has very wisely separated these areas, though not everyone needs to of course, but she's a 'retail example.'

As far as privacy (and paranoia), you do need to have it set up carefully, yes, but FB has made it easier (more understandable) now. Not everyone's opinion on "Facebook privacy issues" will be the same. Be cautious, but realize that several of the privacy issues branded "FB issues" as if they are the Big Bad, exist on many if not most major sites of all kinds, whether people are aware of it or not.

@Moonchilde********Would it be dangerous for me to use my name so I can connect to former students I'd like to speak with. Because I had them at 17-19, some of them are (gasp) approaching 50!

I hear a lot of people connecting like that.

Thanks!

missy1 · ‎03-10-2010

No.

SaRina · ‎04-17-2015

I have set up a FB account with a bogus name and profile for the purpose of playing computer games so that when I "friend" others (for the purpose of gaming), they do not know who I am. That's all I need FB for.

jackthebear · ‎03-11-2010

you don't need it at all

but it can be useful and interesting.

As i said recently I am using it differently now, more as a

resource.

I belong to several groups, and it is a good method to

get in touch with manufacturers if you have an issue.

You can do a fake name or pastiche of your real name, just

don't put all your info on your profile. I actually changed my birthday to a fake one as well.

As for the comment about being scared of, there is nothing to be scared of just be sensible

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

@ECBG wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
No one "needs" FB. But keeping track of what's up with friends and relatives aside, both for retail connections and a variety of cultural and special interests, it can be very useful and rewarding.

I enjoy it for a combination of all its potential uses. I keep track of what's up with favorite brands, websites, b&m shops (including the special offers, giveaways & discounts). I get info from PBS, local TV stations, and tons of special interests of all kinds. It's keeps me up to date on what's current in both my retail and cultural interests, completely aside from friends and family, which I also enjoy.

I have a relative who juggles three FB pages - the official one for her employer, a more personal to her page for those who know her through her work, and her personal friends/family page. She has very wisely separated these areas, though not everyone needs to of course, but she's a 'retail example.'

As far as privacy (and paranoia), you do need to have it set up carefully, yes, but FB has made it easier (more understandable) now. Not everyone's opinion on "Facebook privacy issues" will be the same. Be cautious, but realize that several of the privacy issues branded "FB issues" as if they are the Big Bad, exist on many if not most major sites of all kinds, whether people are aware of it or not.
@Moonchilde********Would it be dangerous for me to use my name so I can connect to former students I'd like to speak with. Because I had them at 17-19, some of them are (gasp) approaching 50!
I hear a lot of people connecting like that.

Thanks!

My opinion is that anything "can" be dangerous - there are always oddballs, sociopaths and those who hold strange grudges. But I'm thinkin' most people would not have such issues ;-)

Using real names on FB is pretty much mandatory if you want people to be able to search for you and find you, in order to connect. They have to have a good idea it's you ;-) Also you need to put enough basic info in your public profile to help, i.e. former English (or whatever) teacher at X school in City, State.

Unless someone wants to track you down for nefarious purposes, I can't see that using a real name will allow people to harm you. Don't make anything public about where you live, where you hang out, etc. I mean - random maniacs cruising for people to murder *could* find you, and people *could* steal your identity or wipe out your bank account If you provided enough info, but it's highly unlikely ;-) and it could happen through other sites as well. Go for it!

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

Don't need it, but it sure is fun. I signed up a number of years ago because something that needed you to be a Facebook member. I put absolutely nothing on the page and didn't have any friends. When I was home sick last year, I started playing around with it and asking friends how to use it. I have a symbol as my picture and now have about 75 friends. I don't post a lot. I click a few likes here and there. I had no idea what I was missing. I agree there is less privacy here on the q board.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@ECBG

Don't know if you need Facebook, but I get along just fine without it. If someone wants to know what 's up with me? Some still use a telephone for its original purpose. If I want to do the same? Pick up that old/best way of communicating, other than face to face, and chat away.

hckynut(john)

151949 · ‎03-09-2010

IMO - if you keep your settings private and only "friend" people who actually are your friends and family FB is a wonderful thing. I keep in touch with friends and family from all across the world on FB.