Facebook- I don't understand

[CHAPPERS]

Genuine question Chappers, what could/should I be using it for? I tried out the Guardian 'app' the other day and it just pissed me off by insisting on posting what I was reading on my wall. I appreciate they there are increasingly tie-ins to facebook (Spotify got grief recently for doing this) but it (and Zuckerberg is particularly evangelical when it comes to this) seem to believe that we should want to publish our entire lives for others to see- and, quite frankly, I don't. Maybe I'm missing something but I just don't see the benefits of the various bells and whistles being added all the time (although having said that I love the new timeline feature).

Just wrote a well long reply but lost it, here's the summary.

Best use - Photo sharing. Went on holiday recently, everyone there on facebook. Everyone uploaded their photos and we could all look at each others photos on the same website.

Other uses

Befriend bands, clubs, sports teams etc to hear latest news and events and offers all on the same website

Arrange social events - create event and notify all attendees of location, time etc

It's a networking site, people need to remember that. You can chat shit all day on it if you want but of course that is boring, just as it would be anywhere else.

People need to stop moaning about a free website that you can use as little or as much as you want to.

 

[sten_super]

Just wrote a well long reply but lost it, here's the summary.

Best use - Photo sharing. Went on holiday recently, everyone there on facebook. Everyone uploaded their photos and we could all look at each others photos on the same website.

Other uses

Befriend bands, clubs, sports teams etc to hear latest news and events and offers all on the same website

Arrange social events - create event and notify all attendees of location, time etc

It's a networking site, people need to remember that. You can chat shit all day on it if you want but of course that is boring, just as it would be anywhere else.

People need to stop moaning about a free website that you can use as little or as much as you want to.

Thanks Chappers. I certainly use the photo sharing aspect extensively, and the social events side. I have other apps for the music and sports info, but I'm sure I could use fb for that as well, maybe I'll give it a try.

I think their move towards being a hub is interesting and I'm not sure how it'll go - the manner in which people are increasingly releasing apps for facebook leads me to think it could well be a success. How long before facebook release their own web browser (for PC or smartphone)? Surely that's the next step...

 

[CHAPPERS]

Indeed. Facebook is huge and I'm amazed Google have only just tried to get involved in the networking thing with Google+. It's beyond tipping point IMO and soon Facebook will RULE ALL!

Edit: I think Ticketmaster are soon to link with facebook....

 

[alan partridge]

Just wrote a well long reply but lost it, here's the summary.

Best use - Photo sharing. Went on holiday recently, everyone there on facebook. Everyone uploaded their photos and we could all look at each others photos on the same website.

Other uses

Befriend bands, clubs, sports teams etc to hear latest news and events and offers all on the same website

Arrange social events - create event and notify all attendees of location, time etc

It's a networking site, people need to remember that. You can chat shit all day on it if you want but of course that is boring, just as it would be anywhere else.

People need to stop moaning about a free website that you can use as little or as much as you want to.

all of this. Especially the last bit.

If you're a nob, facebook is going to be shit, cos you'll post crap along with all your nobbish friends. If you're not it's useful and amusing.

One point that chappers makes about photos (applys to status' and the like too) though - There a lots of people who think when someone else posts a photo of something in their life that they are some kind of attention seeking wanker. I find this is usually the problem of the person doing the name calling. I enjoy looking at my friend's photos, particularly when they've been somewhere interesting. Most normal people feel the same I think.

 

[Vegas Seagull]

Why do people feel the need to share so much crap with everyone. Whole holiday albums, photos of cakes they've just baked, what they've just had for lunch and for me even worse, photos of their small children and babies in the bath.
Now, I'm on Facebook as well and as such can't be too judgemental but I never share personal stuff.
I'm just trying to understand why people do it.

Facebook is simply for those with low self esteem, didn't you know?

 

[Jonno]

Facebook is marvellous for those who are obsessed with updates relating to the children of girls they went to school with, it seems to be its main function

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Why do people feel the need to share so much crap with everyone. Whole holiday albums, photos of cakes they've just baked, what they've just had for lunch and for me even worse, photos of their small children and babies in the bath.

I read somewhere the other day, might have been on the BBC website, that 4% of all the photos ever taken have been uploaded on to Facebook

 

[Andrew]

My attitude towards Facebook is exaclty the same as my view of mobile phones - a useful invention, which can also be fun, but which far too many (mainly younger) people let dominate their lives - they'd rather post stuff on Facebook (or text) than go out and actually have a real conversation with real friends or a partner.

And as for these s who have 700-800 'friends' on Facebook - FFS, how many of them do they actually know in real life, how many of them have they ever met in person?

It seems to me that boasting so many 'friends' is actually a sign of being shallow, superficial and insecure - 'Oooh, everyone, look how cool and popular I am.'

Surely the quality of friendships should be much more important than number of so-called friends?

Saw a mutual friend earlier with 3700 friends...

I have 83, all of which I know very well. Really annoys more when people, let's say in my year at school add me who I don't actually know just to get their numbers up, never accept them!

 

[Willow]

all of this. Especially the last bit.

If you're a nob, facebook is going to be shit, cos you'll post crap along with all your nobbish friends. If you're not it's useful and amusing.

One point that chappers makes about photos (applys to status' and the like too) though - There a lots of people who think when someone else posts a photo of something in their life that they are some kind of attention seeking wanker. I find this is usually the problem of the person doing the name calling. I enjoy looking at my friend's photos, particularly when they've been somewhere interesting. Most normal people feel the same I think.

Wise words.

I find a lot of the mind numbing everyday type posts are made by women, and generally enjoyed by women, so no harm done, just accept that is what some people like to talk about. It's like the 'do you like the phone' thread. Women love chatting away about any old gubbins, blokes don't.

 

[boik]

Someone once said that Facebook/Twitter are used by the sort of people who can't STFU even when they're on their own, which does seem to have an element of truth in it.

 

[tonymgc]

Best thing i've read on facebook recently

"Very happy not to be at the amex. Massive queues to get there. Idiots stand up so u cant see during the game, queue for 15mins at half time to get to the front of queue to be told they have run out of pies and can't sell alcohol anymore, and f*** off queues home!!!"

This from a plastic liverpool fan.

 

[hitony]

Is it not like anything else of that nature, used properly and how YOU want to use it, it's not a problem?

 

[The Ringleader Returns!]

And as for these s who have 700-800 'friends' on Facebook - FFS, how many of them do they actually know in real life, how many of them have they ever met in person?

I have 618 friends. I have probably met 570-580ish in the flesh, and KNOW 600+.

People I haven't met:

5-6 people I know from other forums. Meeting up a few of them next time BHAFC play their team (Walsall, Oldham etc)
20ish friends of friends, who I talk to, get on with etc. Meeting up with a couple of 'em soon.
10 people who I used to speak back on the ol' msn days who I wanted to continue speaking to.
3 people from Africa/Asia... for the luls, and they're pretty interesting to chat to.
A few females who I can't recall meeting, but hey! They're hot.



Don't tar everyone with the same brush, it doesn't work.

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

facebook is one of the most disappointing,sobering things going

let's face it,it's all about looking up old bits of skirt

and when you finally see an up to date photo of them and realise theyr'e stating to look as old as your mum

then,you realise how f***ing old you are yourself

 

[pauli cee]

I joined Facebook in 2006. It was useful then. Gave up for a few years during my depressive stage as it didn't help seeing all those happy people and happy snaps. I also got fed up with the bollocks of Fortune Cookies/Texas Hold 'Em/Am I fit?/etc.

Really useful for me to keep in touch with people, as due to my hearing problem, I can't phone people. Also good to connect with people I would not necessarily ring to chat/communicate with i.e. mothers of friends/old associates and so on.

I should probably have a cull of people I don't know particularly well that are able to see my intimate musings. Very handy for arranging events and so on.

Granted, it is lazy keep in touch, but it suffices.

Facebook. Like!

Although there are obvious downsides. A poster on here asked me "Who was the hottie with you?" when I was not with a hottie and at the football. My ladyfriend was able to see that question!

culls are great, used to do it regularily, very self satisfying and uplifting.
then realised i had 'culled' everyone, so just deleted myself...
felt even better, highly recommended!

 

[BRIGHT ON Q]

Facebook is simply for those with low self esteem, didn't you know?

Yep , that's about right.

 

[beorhthelm]

i think the title sums up Facebook quite well.

maybe because i used Friends Reunited and google groups about 10 years ago and Myspace covered newer generation well enough, i've never seen what the fuss was about. its just an internet site with a few widgets to make posting pictures and connect people easily - also its greatest weakness, facestalking is fun. you can arrange to meet people, post pictures or tell people your mood with any forum.