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I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

techguy
Grafter
Posts: 2,540
Registered: ‎12-09-2008

I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

Of course I'd heard of the likes of facebook and myspace but had never been tempted to bother with it.
However, at the end of last year a hot looking temp joined our office and she asked me whether I was on facebook so she could add me as a friend.
I said I was in the process of deciding whether to join or not, of course this swayed my decision in the yes direction and quickly dashed back to my work PC and went through the sign up process and let her know.
From then on I was bombarded with questionnaires, the titles of which I would not repeat on here and I frankly found it such a boring experience that I asked them to delete my account, the temp left and heard no more from her.
My question is, have any of you dabbled with these sites and do you find them interesting or would you rather watch paint dry?
16 REPLIES 16
James
Grafter
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Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

The whole application spamming on Facebook is really annoying.  however, you can ignore them or all requests from one person who's spamming the living hell out of you.
I find Facebook useful for keeping in touch with some old friends and what other friends are up to, but not a lot else outside of that.
It's good for a photo album too Smiley
techguy
Grafter
Posts: 2,540
Registered: ‎12-09-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

True, the other reason I gave it the boot was because I'm becoming overloaded with passwords.
Passwords for work (desktop network login, servers I have to keep an eye on) and of course all of the ones you have to remember for normal life these days.
I do hope OpenID takes off in a big way and soon.
dgdclynx
Grafter
Posts: 187
Registered: ‎05-04-2007

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

Facebook is essential to me. My Space is a waste of time.
dvorak
Moderator
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Registered: ‎11-01-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

Yeah I use Facebook a lot, as James said it's good for keeping in touch with old friends (which I'm generally rubbish at) plus I've managed to get back in touch with others.
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techguy
Grafter
Posts: 2,540
Registered: ‎12-09-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

Not really a people person so that's prob why I don't get it  :), I don't mean I'm a miserable person and I do like to meet people but also happy with my own company.
Still I dabbled a little
geewizz
Grafter
Posts: 1,125
Registered: ‎01-08-2007

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

To me, it's a bit like socialising by way of notes on the fridge door.
I don't use either facebook or myspace. I much prefer correspondences of a more involved kind.
BTW I paid the milkman yesterday.
techguy
Grafter
Posts: 2,540
Registered: ‎12-09-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

ROFL
You hit my feelings about it right on the nail geewizz.
I use MSN, have an e-mail aacount and a mobile because I would rather communicate in real time and that thought went into the communication as I put thought into what I say to others as opposed to completing market reesearch style surveys and being asked whether I'd like to send it to my friends (naturally it ticks all the boxes by default and is designed in such a way as to make you feel bad if you dont pass it on)
After all the likes of Mark Zuckerberg (CEO of facebook) did start it for the marketing potential but think its going to backfire on him as apart from the SMS con artists (a friend may have a crush on you, rack up a huge mobile  bill of £1.50 a pop texts and we'll then tell you we have no idea)

Look on the bright side though, there'll be plenty of top notch servers up for grabs when it goes belly up (I read that rackable systems was at one time making 10% of its annual revenue from servers purchased by FB)
The following site has a lot of interesting info about FB's data centre space acquisition activities. http://www.datacenterknowledge.com
sticky reminder note: make sure you book that ticket to go and see Quantum of Solace next week.


bobpullen
Community Gaffer
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Registered: ‎04-04-2007

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

I use Facebook daily and also Twitter occasionally. Regarding Facebook applications, I agree they're annoying but with a bit of persistence you can block them all. The only applications I have listed are:

  • Photos (default)
  • Groups (default)
  • Events (deafult)
  • Posted Items (default)
  • Notes (default)
  • Video
  • StumbleUpon
  • Plusnet Referrals *note to self: still has the old logo in places*
  • Twitter
  • What's on my iPod
  • Last.fm Music
  • Last.fm Charts

All others are blocked and I only receive one or two requests a fortnight to add new ones.

Bob Pullen
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Not applicable

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

I read about these social networking sites regularly but TBH I have never considered joining any of them. Hopefully not sounding like a grumpy old woman I'm with techguy on this one I'm afraid. I've spent many working years around folk and their (not inconsiderable) problems and now I just want a bit of privacy, peace and quiet - I really couldn't be bothered with any of them. However, I do like my PN forum so that's praise indeed!
techguy
Grafter
Posts: 2,540
Registered: ‎12-09-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

<Churchill dog impression>
Oooooh Yessssss
</Churchill dog impression>
This is a forum beyond compare and I do greatly enjoy participating in it (often gets me through a slow shift too as cant be doing with most of the people I work with as most of them are wannabe wideboys whereas I am the quiet professional)
I shall definitely make a concerted effort to attend the next PN open day if one is ever organised, happy to talk to interesting people but not communicate via filling in questionnaires.
If FB is a glimpse at what society will become then goodness help us.
A large majority of people follow each other to fit in because they are not comfortable with themselves and dislike their own company, people either take me as they find me or they don't, not something I lose sleep over.
pierre_pierre
Grafter
Posts: 19,757
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Registered: ‎30-07-2007

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

well you could try that other ridiculous bit of Social networking and hide behind a tree and shoot the Boss with a load of paint and hope he doesnt know it was you Cheesy Grin Cheesy Grin Tongue
techguy
Grafter
Posts: 2,540
Registered: ‎12-09-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

My boss is ok despite the fact she insists we all go out on a 'team building day' every year (yawns) which does absolutely nothing to stimulate better working relationships as people just end up staying in their preferred groups while wandering round somewhere like a zoo or round a local lake.
I hang back and take in the ambience of the place and think about how nice it is to ecape an office/air conditioned server suite for a bit 
As for the paintballing that isn't a bad idea and has come up as a suggestion but usually gets dismissed, perhaps I should buy a super soaker and go nuts with it during one of our team meetings which takes place in a meeting room with no IT equipment in it  Smiley

timlake
Grafter
Posts: 67
Registered: ‎13-10-2008

Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

The thing I like about Facebook is that I can keep up with the little developments in the lives of friends who I'm not THAT close to or live far away from.  I'm not going to phone them up and say "hi, I started a new job today" but I would post that on my profile and they might send a message to ask a little about it, then leave it at that.  If my girlfriend got pregnant or something, I'd phone people to talk about it but for little things it's nice to keep up to date.
It's also great for old friends I've lost touch with.  I have several school mates who I'm no longer close to but have re-aquainted with through facebook and have the odd chat now and again.
It's good for photos too as people can 'tag' the people in the photos so if someone posts up some old pictures which you are in, you'll be notified and can go have a look.  Great for sharing when lots of people have their own pictures of an event.
Facebook takes some setting up to make sure your profile is hidden from all but your selected friends and you may have to ignore a few app requests but you can select 'never ask me about this app again' and if your friends are like mine, they won't invite you to all that many anyway.  Once you get used to that, it's a great tool
dvorak
Moderator
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Re: I just don't get this 'social' networking lark

Here is a tale to warn you to becareful.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/10/23/sickie_woo/
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