Facebook - love/hate/indifferent?

Over on another forum I've noticed that people love to either rant about or eulogise Facebook.

I am a fan as I'm very nosy. Like to laugh at the emoting and attention seeking status's but do find it a way to keep in touch with friends I rarely see, like, but can't find the energy to phone.

So?

I'm a relative newbie to facebook so I'm still feeling my way around a bit but I do think it's a fantastic way of keeping in touch with people... and getting back in touch with old friends too!

Much to my delight I managed to get back in touch with two spanish friends from school and beyond. We were BFFs back in the day and managed to keep in touch for a while after I moved to England but, eventually, distance made us gradually lose touch. I hadn't seen them since one of my friend's wedding about 5 years ago! So it was really awesome to catch up... even if only virtually.

Now that is very much the good side of Facebook Kyt. Same for me, I have a couple of school friends on mine, we are unlikely to meet up anytime soon but we do keep a contact of sorts.

On the downside, what's with the games? I know some really intelligent people who are addicted to Mafia Wars, Farmville, Cafe world. Took a look but they are mind numbingly dull.

Much the same for me, and the instant chat was a godsend when the OH and I were doing long distance, but the games are a mystery to me too, apart from chess, and scrabble until they took it away for copyright infringement. Status updates that are pointless drivel can bug me a bit, I do not need to know every minutae of your life! Have got in touch with some long losts though which is lovely. Think the FB SDC page is a pale imitation, and certainly not a patch on this forum!

Sofajudge wrote:Now that is very much the good side of Facebook Kyt. Same for me, I have a couple of school friends on mine, we are unlikely to meet up anytime soon but we do keep a contact of sorts.

On the downside, what's with the games? I know some really intelligent people who are addicted to Mafia Wars, Farmville, Cafe world. Took a look but they are mind numbingly dull.

I've never even got as far as having a look sofes! Not sure what's on offer and not that interested particularly... those names don't particularly make me want to run to remedy the situation particularly.

It's a good way to keep in touch with my 19 year old who lives four hours away. Just sharing a little bit of her online life is good. Get to chat with her mates too - and she with mine. Have never got involved with the other stuff - poking, giving gifts etc - and what the hell is Farmville?

Sofajudge wrote:I am a fan as I'm very nosy.

Me too and I've caught up with a few friends who I wouldn't have got round to phoning. Don't do any of the other stuff though

As for my kids they won't let me add them as friends in case I embarass them

I'm indifferent to it, to be honest.

Has its uses, has its drawbacks.

(Strange how the big fans so far are all nosey ... I mean, are all female )

Can be a bit of a double edged sword when friends of friends add you. Even though you didn't want to add them you feed obliged because they are a relative.

sparklysheila wrote:

Sofajudge wrote:I am a fan as I'm very nosy.

Me too and I've caught up with a few friends who I wouldn't have got round to phoning. Don't do any of the other stuff though

As for my kids they won't let me add them as friends in case I embarass them

Mine (kids) are friends - as they are in different parts of the world. Only embarrassed them once to my knowledge when I posted some old school photos I'd found - they've forgiven me now. great way to keep in touch with everyone and saves a fortune on phone bills! (I'm one of these rare people who doesn't use a mobile)

I can't get into Facebook. Am addicted to Twitter though. I'm StrictlySid on there by the way!

Well I'm disappointed.... you are all being very polite, no extreme views. Don't like the chat function on there, it's too bitty. MSN rules.

Sid, sorry but I can't stand Twitter, it is like smelling coffee and not getting any!

Sofajudge wrote:Well I'm disappointed.... you are all being very polite, no extreme views. Don't like the chat function on there, it's too bitty. MSN rules.

Sid, sorry but I can't stand Twitter, it is like smelling coffee and not getting any!

Believe me sofes... it's a whole lot better than the googlemail chat thingy... makes me tear my hear out that does!

Messenger is definitely better than either of them though.

Oh yeah... twitter... no, not a fan either. Too bitty for me...

Sid wrote:I can't get into Facebook. Am addicted to Twitter though. I'm StrictlySid on there by the way!

My 4 year old grand daughter told me only twits Twitter! I'll stick to Facebook