Hi fellow loungers. Since the subject of Facebook has been mentioned elsewhere I thought we might discuss the merits or otherwise of Facebook and social sites in general.
I know many folk don't like Facebook fearing lack of security and full of stuff of little interest. I was one of these sceptics. However, Facebook sent me many invites from friends to join. So I did eventually only to find out it wasn't actually sent from friends but from FB itself who uses all the email addresses given when folk join. Okay here is a warning. Make sure you invite friends yourself and do not give a list of email addresses. Also make sure your privacy settings are high. It is all there on FB but how many of us take a look now and again in our accounts?

The other thing I have found is that some people who profess to dislike FB are actually on there and some are my friends - including our Admin and Moderator. I have also been told by some, when questionned, that they only use it for family or some such, only to find that eventually they are on most of the time and even forming groups. This forum is on FB. None of this is of consequence except that when people, like myself, mention FB its talked of as something beneath their dignity.

Facebook has its good uses as does the internet in general. For myself it is good for a chat with real friends of which, out of over 150, there are only a few, but thats par for the course. Its good for sharing photos, events, and groups. Our own Mindya Rockfest got more coverage on FB than anywhere else with private photos, discussions and media interest. Sometimes it gets boring just like a forum but I will continue to use it when I feel like it. When I am so happy I want to share or when I am sad and want sympathy and someone always replies.

So that is some of my thoughts on a social network like Facebook. I doubt I will join another but who knows?......

What do others think? By the way, when things get a bit heavy or nasty it is possible to use the 'block' button so you don't have to read or see it!

I don't mind Facebook at all. It helps me keep in contact with friends of old that I wouldn't be able to do otherwise.

As you say, be careful. Only invite friends you know and trust, and in that way you can build a little community of people that know each other.

I also use LinkedIn, which is the only other 'social network' site that I use on a regular basis.

:Good post:Oldun I just Facebook, you can choose to accept or decline a frined request. I generally have a look to see who they are friends with before I add them and if I have made a mistake (which I have on occasions i just block them) Facebook is fast and the message gets out there instantly. You can keep it as personal as you want - I am not sure what personal details people can use but if it is name and address well that can be obtained for any phone book - There is nothing else that is personal about you unless you want to add it but of course you are not obliged.

Make me laught when I was talking to one of the babba's a while book and I was trying to remember the tel no she said nama problem contact Facebook so you see the babba's are on it toooooo.

I joined FB at the request of work colleagues who wanted to know how we are getting on in BG. I have 12 friends, mostly family, but rarely use it as they all have the link to my blog. Some of the work 'friends' I un-friended as I didn't like the stuff they put on, you see people in a different light sometimes, and not always a good one. I don't really understand it (or anything computerish) and don't know what groups are.

The first thing Dave told me when I first started to use a computer was never open an email if I don't know who it's from, then when joining FB don't accept friends I don't know. What I do find irritating is all these game ads that come up, bunging my netbook. Just because I like to play scrabble with Dave!

Equinus wrote:

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The first thing Dave told me when I first started to use a computer was never open an email if I don't know who it's from, then when joining FB don't accept friends I don't know. What I do find irritating is all these game ads that come up, bunging my netbook. Just because I like to play scrabble with Dave!

Groups are like mine [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] or click the facebook link at the bottom of all my posts. Facebook groups are just where people who are interested in the same thing joining the group and they get notifications ie pops ups of what was posted but of course hey can be turned off if they wish - see the notification top left and unclick. There are many groups in Bulgaria now, buy and selling, tea party friends, living in Bulgaria, exapts, freecycle etc etc. You can join as many groups as you like but mostly they are all the same people. Ourbulgaraform has it's own group too [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] we have about 500 members some participate some don't, it is there choice. Facebook is good for immediate commucations, advertsing, keeping up to date on what is going on in BG everyone posts various events etc.

Games I don't know anything about sorry, but when they pop up you can opt not to be notified by turning off. Think you will find on the post a little x you click to turn off something like that.

Thanks Berni, I understand...I think!

Whilst I agree with the comments and views posted above, FB is probably a perfect solution for some, and you can select/refuse and choose who you want to 'Friend' etc but that appears to be between you and your contacts.......What about the people at FB itself?

Section from The TOS (Terms of Service) says the following:
You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform or display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof.

So it appears they can access anything you post/publish, and have licence to pass on publish and I have no doubt sell on, anything you do, That's my objection,
But it is a personal choice
Bill

Oh if only I had something interesting enough to pass on......

:Very funny 2:Equinus- I have nothing of any interest to anyone, sometimes even to my friends! The whole of the internet is suspect anyway so that doesn't bother me at all but thanks for the heads up on FB Bulgariabill.

If I had taken notice of all the dire warnings that have been offered me in the past about anything I have done I wouldn't have had the enjoyable life I've had.