Facebook

[PeteC]

OK, those who belong to it raise their hands and give some positive input about using it. Those who don't like it......why?

I'm being pushed by several children and relatives to join up but to now I've resisted, mainly due to privacy concerns. I don't know how much info is public and who can access your information.

Any positive or negative comments most welcome. Thanks. Pete

[Big Boy]

I'm on there because it's a nice way to keep in touch with friends, and to see what they're up to. As an example, when last in Thailand I was uploading my photos on a daily basis, so that my friends at home could see what I'd been upto (making them jealous).

I read a lot about privacy, but I don't keep anything on there that I don't want others to see or share. Maybe I'm foolish, but sometimes I think people are becoming paranoid.

[dtaai-maai]

Been there for about 5 years, but I very rarely use it these days. I don't have any personal info on view anywhere.

[PeteC]

Can you designate BB who can see your pages, or is it open to everyone on there? Pete

[Big Boy]

You can restrict who sees what ie you can restrict some information to friends only. The trick is to make sure you know who your friends are, and not to collect as many as you can, without having a clue who they are.

Unfortunately, this collecting friends symptom seems to be a favourite pastime for many.

[Big Boy]

Maybe I should add that I'm a facebook user, not an expert.

Another warning, there are many viruses lurking on facebook.

[PeteC]

Thanks. Seems in addition to forum addicts, there are also Facebook addicts as well. Pete

[dtaai-maai]

Pete, I'm with BB on the privacy issue. I mean you're not going to be flashing your address and phone number for everyone, are you?
I have friends and family who make their little comments first thing every morning and last thing at night, but I'm really not into all that. I'll have a look occasionally, but basically it's just another line of communication that might come in handy.
The occasional photo that someone posts that 'tags' you can be quite amusing.
Only your "friends" can see your personal stuff - photos, comments, etc. They can follow your comments, if any, and add their own.

I don't think there's too much wrong with it if you're sensible.
I think one of the issues was with teenagers making ridiculous postings and revealing far too much about themselves, and then this reflecting badly on them later when background employment checks were made.

But what do I know?

[PeteC]

Thanks DTM. I already have an entire layer of communication vehicles with family and friends from afar. The normal email, chat/messenger, on-line photo albums, blog participation, Skype now and again etc. If I do Facebook I really need to dismantle or mothball some of the other things as repetitive and time consuming to do them all. If Facebook frees up time and is one location where I can accomplish many things, and it gets me away from this computer more often, it may be a good idea for me. Pete

[Big Boy]

I think one of the issues was with teenagers making ridiculous postings and revealing far too much about themselves, and then this reflecting badly on them later when background employment checks were made.

But what do I know?

That reminds me of a potential problem. Kids will befriend you, but to be on facebook they will have lied about their age (there is a minimum age limit). Kids like to get raunchy as well. Be very careful. I've had a couple of young girls who have started asking me some very awkward questions - fortunately, I'm totally straight with my wife, and she has always been aware of the conversation. Just drop the fact that your wife is on board into the conversation, and they will cool it - else who knows what you could be accused of (Internet grooming of kids is a big no, no in the UK). If I go on facebook, and see one of those girls online, I get off quickly these days.

[PeteC]

I guess a foreign, remote location may avoid some of that BB. Maybe I'll list that I live at Sherpa camp #2 beneath Everest. Pete

[Big Boy]

The point is that I only accept friends who I know, and I knew these girls and their parents - I wouldn't have started the conversation otherwise.

[migrant]

Like you Pete, I was invited by many friends to get on it. I did, but rarely use it.
I look at it from time to time and mainly it's the kids posting on it.

As mentioned careful of the privacy issue, Facebook doesn't seem to help you to remain private, so assume everything you post, set up, will be visible until you find the way to hide it.

[caller]

Just remember that 10% of all users are trying to steal your identity and another 10% are trying to catch the crooks, some of whom may be seeking to steal your identity.

[hhfarang]

Like you Pete, I was invited by many friends to get on it. I did, but rarely use it.

Same here, I only got on it because family and a few friends wanted me to and I will not accept a friend request from someone that I don't know very well or is related to me. I've had an account for years and have about 20 friends. I've used the privacy controls to set everything on my account available to friends (and family) only so those 20 people are the only ones who can see what I put there or post on my wall (supposedly). I have found it a good way to post photo albums so that family can keep track of how we live in Hua Hin.