bookface
Wow.
Being away from Facebook for 21 days is possible... and 'freeing'.
Not having Facebook was difficult at first but I realized that you could live without it. If you don't want to be the first to know something, then it is more convenient. The main things get relayed by word of mouth but you won't be the first to know.
Few things I realized while being away from Facebook:
- Facebook seemingly chops time. For instance, you tend to go on Facebook 1) in between activities 2) to take a break from what you actually should be doing 3) to see what is going on in people's lives (so not thinking about your life) All these segmented activities make you feel busier than you actually are. Doing something and getting it off your plate frees up more time or more concentrated time later. So filling these blocks of time takes more creativity, resourcefulness, and management.
- Facebook is a very tempting creature. That little red 1 can be as addictive as sunless tanning to the men of Jersey Shore.
Few things I realized since getting back:
- Double-booked! Looks like there are a lot of events I missed and dates I have double booked because many of my social events are Through Facebook Only.
- You see what is going on in people's lives. Whether it is a photo album of an engagement, birthday parties, or just awesome photography shots. You read statuses to get a mini glimpse into what people are doing, thinking, and had for lunch.
- Facebook gives me more stuff to write about. I don't know why but I get more ideas when 'seeing' more people. Maybe it is the relinked posts. Maybe it is the videos. Or maybe it is the albums.
You don't need Facebook to live but you do need to live to use Facebook. Uh questionable. Here is a 5 step program to happiness with Facebook.
Share on FacebookParty: Private Facebook Event Style
Facebook Events.
We have all made one. We have all hosted a party, event, or birthday celebration. Recently, I have noticed an increase in SPAM Facebook events. You get all excited to see where you have been invited to find out that someone got a hold of your friend's account...
As a host, you have to cater to size of party because you may not want to overcrowd the area you are in, food quanitities if you are gracious enough to provide food, drama as we select people on who makes the cut or who doesn't (obviously I want everyone to be there and there is NO drama in my life 
), and many other factors.
I haven't actually thrown a party or made a Facebook event in a long time so this is not to hate. I just felt it curious on our thoughts to the whole Event thing. Here are my raves, rants, and desires as a responder or a host:
Sticky scenarios I have had as a responder or host to a Facebook event:
- You get invited to a 'private event'. You feel honored. Privileged. Exclusive. But you are hanging out the next day with the host and some other people. Do you bring up the event, meaning the person not invited will have to be invited because of shame and guilt or just not invite them, leaving the non-invitee braised, hurt, and annoyed. OR do you not bring it up at all?! Obviously, you don't want to be the guy who ruins a surprise birthday party to the birthday guy/gal. Do 'private events' force us to check the whole invite list? To find out who and who isn't invited? Obviously there are logical reasons for having a private event if cost or space is an issue but does that mandate all invitees to check who is in and who isn't? I say 'private event' because after the event is over it won't be private. Pictures. Statuses. People talking about their life.
- Facebook events should only be YES or NO. As I have found out, Maybe means NO. Probably less than 5% of maybes will show up to the event. Why? Maybe means there is a conflicting event and I will only go if that thing doesn't work out. OR if you can persuade them (incent them) enough to come.
- People who say YES only in support. Facebook should have a support section. People who respond YES only for support skew total numbers. Facebook etiquette for supporters should be to leave a post on the event wall that they are not attending but support the event.
What social issues arise in relation to Facebook for you?
Share on FacebookThe Facebook Like button
I hit the like button on pages all the time. I like your picture. I like your comment. I like the fact you had fun on your vacation. I like your status. I like the fact that you are my friend.
It doesn’t mean I want to get into a long involved conversation or see all your vacation pictures. It just means that something about that status, picture, or link piqued my interest. The Like button is very informal and it takes little to no effort to do: a click.
The Facebook Like Button: An Analysis::
I like your picture.
- I wish I was there.
- That food looks delicious!
- You guys look really good. I look really good.
- That scenery looks amazing!
- That place looks so fun! Mental note.
I like your cleverly laid out status update.
- How long did it take you to think that? Couple minutes, Couple hours, Couple days? Probably a couple hours. It's ok, everyone tries.
- That is fricking hilarious!!!! My friend is a genius!!
- Wait, where did they steal that from...
I like your comment to the status.
- Touche.
- BOOM Roasted.
- SUCKA!
- PWNed
I like your link, video, image.
- You can run and tell that. RUN & Tell that! HOMEBOY!
- You saw that video too? That thing is so fricking hilarious! I didn't know you were so cool! We are 'closer' friends now that we both like this ridiculous video.
- Wow, that link is good! Good post.
I like the jeans you are selling on your website . I like them because I already own a pair. I am not giving you permission to contact me and try to sell me something or to suggest to my friends that they should buy them because I like them.
I like the book you just read. I would like to buy a copy. It would save me time if by liking this book someone would contact me from Amazon with a link to quickly allow me to buy it.
“Liking” something can have any number of meanings. Unless FB comes up with a solution for the problems caused by the misinterpretation of these meanings, the Like button will quickly become a nuisance.
So whats the solution?
Colors.
Let us click on the Like button until the color and meaning we agree with shows up.
A green like button with the word (BUY) next to it would send a message to the website to send me a link to allow me to buy it now
A yellow like button with the word (Info) next to it would send a message to the website to send me general information
An orange like button with the word (Stop) could send the message to leave me alone. I just wanted to say I liked it.
A red like button with the word (Dislike) needs to be near the like button. I like statuses but sometimes I DISLIKE statuses! It would create a whole new level of conversation and time idling on Facebook!
There are lots of colors that can offer lots of different action/non action suggestions. Cycling through them when you click the like button would be easy. Sending the appropriate information to a monitoring program would be easy.
It’s the Like 2.o solution.
And while Facebook is at it, can we do the same thing for Poke...
P.S. Feel free to like this post. No judgment because I have NO CLUE why you like this post anyways That is until Facebook implements my ideas...