Social Networking, Do You?
 

I've been goaded into Facebooking and Myspacing and get invites for regular "fresh, new social networking sites" on a regular basis.
I don't do any of them anymore, haven't for a long time. I really like being off the grid, and not getting umpteen emails a day because someone wants carrots for their virtual garden.
Don't get me wrong, I don't see anything wrong with any of it. My kids get entirely too immersed to the point of being zombies, but it's a great way for families to stay connected over long distances. It's a great way to keep in touch with friends and make new serial killer friends. ;)
I just like my privacy, and can keep in touch other ways without so many prying eyes. I know I can make myself nearly invisible on Facebook, but it still doesn't do it for me.
I don't mind sharing here because I've met such a large portion of people here and have become friends with so many others. Peter and Tom and the rest of the ToE keep good watch over our home here and it's comfortable.

I just wondered how many others enjoy social networking versus maintaining their privacy and anonymity?
What are your thoughts?
What do you think are the upsides vs. the downsides (if you think there are any of either)?

The poll assumes that messageboards are not "social networking" sites, or at least not in the same vein as Facebook, etc.
Yes, I realize the similarities. :)

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

A/S/L?

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I use it to keep up with people, It took me a while to get the settings right. Once you hide all the Farmvile and Cityville people from your newsfeed, along with people that use it like a diary, it is much less annoying. I don't even carry a cell phone most of the time because I don't like for people to be able to call me when I'm out and I have never seen facebook as compromising my Privacy or Annonimity. Except when my wife posts every little detail of our lives, but that's her fault not Facebook's.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Nope. I rather enjoy the strange looks I get when I tell people I don't have a Facebook book :r

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Used mostly for keeping in contact with friends and family.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I generally call it MyFace. I tell everyone I don't understand that MyFace stuff. :)

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I use it to keep in contact with friends that are a good distance from me, as well as setting up group gatherings. It's way easier than email for getting a group of like minded individuals together. Settings are key. I hope I've got it set up so that people can't find or see me that I don't want to.

I also have a strict 1 annoying news post rule for people I don't generally associate with. 1 annoying post and they are kicked off my feed.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I use it for keeping up with new/old friends.

And stalking exes.

J/K :r

Seriously though. As long as you don't "like" everything under the sun, keep all your sh*t to "private," and dont download any apps, you're good.

Social networking is getting crazy. I've seen rumors of a "Facebook score". Kind of a data gathering program that people can use to determine seating arrangements on planes and such. Wonder where they will draw the line. Sorry, but I won't take the mark of the beast.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Yes, a lot. I mainly use it to keep in touch with old friends since moving from VA.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I'm not allowed to have one at the Academy! :( I've found I've been able to concentrate on things here and not have to worry about seeing my friends boozing it up at "real" college. Kinda nice actually

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Facebook is the devil.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Yep....

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I'm on Facebook daily. It's a great thing, if you use it correctly.

I've actually found musicians and wrote songs with them over Facebook video. It's amazing how it can bring people together.

I think the myths and conspiricy theories behind Facebook make it seem like an awful thing, but it's not.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Not for me except linkedin which I wouldn't refer to as social but certainly business networking

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Yes I do and use it daily. I think people love my witty, funny posts about life, love and my recent bowel movements. Oh and what I've eaten for my daily meals. Oh and what my favorite music is.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

And how empty your new humi is!!!! :lr :lr :lr

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I do FB, but opt out of just about everything, and have set my privacy as high as possible. I enjoy FB, and if you're careful and don't click on every "look what this father caught his teenage daughter doing!" link, you should be fine!

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I was just so proud of it I couldn't wait until I filled it to post pctures! No funny stuff from you or Larry. Its FULL!

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Besides, Kellie does it enough for the both of us. :D

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I use it to keep in touch with my friends all over the world, like some of you folks, and people that are not close friends but I'de like to stay in touch with too

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Facebook & Twitter for me. I've found some great bands I wouldn't have found otherwise from both mediums. Also found Cro Magnon cigars from Twitter. Words with Friends is always a good time with Pete. It's kinda sad to see the lack of reading/wriing skills of some family members. I end up ignoring their feeds.


MCS

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I'm with you, Scott! I've never understood the desire to put oneself on display for the world. I didn't even have a telephone 'till I got married. Don't really want one now.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I deactivated my FB account. I found no benefit from it. I would rather text my family members and friends. Also there are people from my past I would rather never speak to again. I had a myspace page, there was a small article written about it on NY Times online website.
It was a Redskins fan page called "Jesus loves the Redskins", I have not visited it in years however.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I use facebook daily. Used to have myspace. I have a twitter account but rarely use it.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Got on Facebook so I could access a coffee vendor, but use it rarely. By that I mean I look at it infrequently and almost never post anything.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Hah! I spelled writing wrong in a sentence lamenting the literacy of my family members. Good blackmail fodder!

MCS

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Writing you wrongs, Scott?
My Facebook account has a fake name. I use it to keep in touch with my family but I don't put much up, myself. Settings are key. You can block stuff without blocking people out.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

What he said.

I only use Facebook. We will see how long it takes them to force me over to the new timeline format. But I have a feeling resistance is futile.

One good note is that I was able to re-connect with a sister that I hadn't talked to in over 35 years.

Ron

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Maybe it's my generation, but I am fully engrossed in all things "social-network". For as shy a guy as I am, I really enjoy interacting with others (which is one of the reasons I stick around here). Facebook and Twitter allow me to do that more so, even constantly.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

It's not neccesarily generational. My dad is big time into FB and a lot of his friends (many older) are into it as well. I think my dad interacts more than I do.


MCS

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Yup...I do Facebook. Have plenty of friends from across boards. Would consider a few to be very good friends.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I look at my Facebook acct at least once every other day. Sometimes I even look at it once every day for two or three days in a row! I used to be addicted and play half a dozen games. Gave up on all the games, and found it doesn't take more than ten minutes or so to check things out every couple of days.

I'm NOT real socialible when I do use it, rarely post, mainly read what friends and family write. I have a couple of sites I "like", but mostly friends and family.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I used to have FB but got rid of it. I use twitter and that is primarily to keep up with news and sports. I also use LinkedIn for professional contacts. I see the usefulness to social media but I like to keep some privacy. I want to control my online image as much as I can.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I'm very surprised by how many people don't use social networking sites at all, or very minimally.
Lisa uses Facebook, but I'd put her in the "Yes, but not often" category. She gets a lot of good info that way, and keeps in touch with her oldest daughter on a closer level than if not for Facebook.

I like the fact that Weeze is hooked up, it allows me to NOT be hooked up, because it leaves no reason. So it serves an indirect purpose in my life, whether I'm on it or not. It's kind of amazing how far it's tendrils reach.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Facebook, Linkedin, and Foursquare--no Twitter because I don't get it. FB mostly because my son wanted to stay in touch while he was at school, and now everyone at home uses it.

Which I should extend to include my 83 year old father, who complains when I don't put up photos as often as he would like.

Also have a "social beer app" called Untappd that I use to track my various beer adventures.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

I prefer Twitter over FB now, FB is too full of drama, and you have to be clever to put in the right amount of words in Twitter to have drama.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Linkedin is one of my most valuable business tools and facebook it one of my most valuable tools to help stay connected to friends and family that i cant see often. Im able to share pics of my 2month old with ease and speed and my loved ones can see it instantly.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Anyone remember friendster lol

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Okay so I guess I should update this since I do now participate in social networking. Well sort of. I am now on Instagram, which is just sharing photos. It is pretty cool.

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

:tu

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

None at all. I believe social networking to be the downfall of civilization.

Ok I take it back, I use foursquare if that counts

Re: Social Networking, Do You?
 

Could not have said it any better myself :tu