OK.

I'm going to ask again, only because it seems inevitable that I'll eventually get my facebook account going soon.

I see the utility of these social networks, and I understand much of the addiction.

I don't, however, comprehend how (or why) supposed adults feel compelled to make it official when they are "going out" for the evening.

Or "staying in" for the night.

or making pizza or watching little johnny play with the cat.

Is there a way that I'd be able to use Facebook in order to occassionally contact an old friend without knowing which color underwear they chose last thursday?

A little is good.

A lot is bad.

There's a reason I don't see these people every day, nor live with them for extended periods.

It's just good to get together or drop a line once in a while. Sometimes at their urging, sometimes mine.

I wish there was a facebook Lite.

Althoguh I guess that would simply be email.

Like in the olden days.

You want Facebook "lite?" ...don't "friend" any women...or guys that post like women.

I have been on facebook for awhile now. I use it to look up old friends, and just ignore most of it.

Dave (A.K.A. Homebrew)

btw...I went to McDonald's for lunch today. As long as they continue selling any size drink for $1, I'll continue getting the larger-than-any-reasonable-human-needs sized iced tea, 1/2 sweet, 1/2 regular.

What 2 said - don't friend any women, because we really ARE interested in those things. I'd say just take the same approach to FB as I do to a lot of posts here: they don't interest me, so I just don't read them. Simple enough.

TGater, you're a stronger man than I.

I think of it as the electronic equivalent of Shmedley's wallet full of family photos or Aunt Gertie's vacation travel slides.

Absolutely no interest in seeing or sharing at this time. Even Skype has lost some of its allure for me.

Only delved into LinkedIn. Jury's out on that.

I think you can hit an "ignore" button on facebook for any friend that gets a little out of hand with updates.

There is a definite narcissistic and/or gay/fabulous element to all these sites.

#7, correct. You don't actually "unfriend" them, you just put them on ignore so they don't clutter up your "wall" with useless info. I've done that with a couple folks and some bands that continuously update what mile marker they are at.

I like it for 2 reasons. First, I like to know what some of my family has going on and I enjoy seeing pictures of my 5 nieces and nephews. Second, I use it as a time waster when I'm out enjoying a drink and cigar after work. I dont have a TV outside so the computer gives me something to do.

The bad side is the people you DONT want to connect with now have a mode to connect with you.

Them: Hey, TJ, it's been 13 years since we last talked. Wow, how you doing?

Me: Uhm, dont you think there may be a reason for that?

Just admit it TJ, you like to post about how you want to slobber on Kyle's nuts

you can always click the decline button when they try to friend you and keep your profile set to friends only or private so everybody and there mother can't see your every thought

^1

Just check it periodically and you wont have to read all the posts. Problem solved.

Last Thursday I wore gray boxer briefs btw.

I signed up a while back, and have been scared to death to unlock the beast because I've kicked around the site enough to know that I'd rather eavesdrop at the senior center during a weather channel update.

But with my nephew in Afghanistan for the next year facebook will be the easiest means to keep in touch.

^^^They've tweaked the security settings, and they're VERY customizable now. Ramp up your page's security settings, add whatever friends/family you WANT to stay in touch with to a "family" group or whatever you want to call it, and make yourself un-discoverable to everyone else. That would allow you to see your nephew's updates or pictures from A'stan (if he's in the "family" group), it would allow him to see your posts and pictures (IF you set that group to allow viewing of your photo albums), the two of you could send messages back and forth, and you wouldn't get friend requests from random folks, because you can set your security to disallow friend requests. Outside the security settings, you always have the option to decline a friend request, or accept it and simply hide all updates from certain people who are particularly prolific posters.

When some of the "friends" are family or friends who live far away, it can make them seem a little closer and like you share a little more of their daily existence.

TJ- that is what I like about it. And you can choose to block searches of your name on fb

Great resource for getting/keeping in touch with old friends.

The odd behavior described in the OP is sad though. It's bad enough to ascribe such importance to meaningless events such as "going out".............much worse when you seek acknowledgement from "friends" of your menial activities.

OP's facebook = Wheelrite

^ Huh ?

Facebook is the last place I'd ever post..

Facebook is for pre-teen girls and Divorced dudes..

wheel,