10 replies to this topic

[LaurieH]

I have been what a friend of mine has deemed a "Netizen" for almost 18 years. I've socialized on and offline with people that I've met in chat rooms when I was in college, even traveling almost halfway around the world meeting some of these folks. Currently, I have a facebook page that's been active for probably close to 2.5 years--maybe longer. I use it as a means of staying in touch with current friends, finding old friends, and generally keeping up on some news and entertainment. Working from home, it's often been my sole means of social interaction outside of my household. But what I don't do is MEET PEOPLE on facebook. I have always found it a little strange when I've received requests from strangers (even friends of friends) for adds. Why do strangers want access to this information? Why should I allow them this?

I figure I might be in a bit of a minority. I have some friends that will add anyone that requests, even often adding facebook's "suggestions" (which I only do if it's someone I actually know/knew--like an old classmate, etc). I'm sure some add and place in more restrictive categories, etc. But I wonder: what do you do? what are your thoughts on adding strangers_ Is it social NETWORKING? Are you on there to actually "meet" new people--make new friends--make new business contacts (this aside from any "fan" page you may have for your business)?

Please share!

[LaurieH]

How funny. I made the topic, switched windows to my email, and had an add request from a stranger (someone who works with a friend, I think) in my inbox. I'm kinda tickled!

[davidelevi]

Don't know, since I consciously refuse to use Facebook or Twitter. BUT... even on supposedly professional networking sites such as LinkedIn or Plaxo one gets strange people asking to connect. Sometimes I suspect they mistake you for someone else, and other times I think they must be from Mars...

[hermann]

My policy on incoming add requests: If I don't know you, I won't add you. Period. Generally speaking I add just about anyone else, as long as I know them from some other place, even if I've only met them online and not face-to-face.

A lot of these strange add requests come from potential spammers, hackers, etc.

[HeartAndStone]

Hi there!

Same here, I don't want strangers having access to my profile.
But I think for business purposes some entrepreneurs usually create a separate account,
with their Company Profile/ "Like Me" on facebook thing.

Some people add you to get updates for ex.add current gf of my bestfriend's x-bf

Cheers!

[transontung90]

you should watch the movie the social network- the story about facebook , i just watched it , it nice
________________
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Edited by transontung90, 19 October 2010 - 06:49 PM.

[jessie9]

transontung90, on 18 October 2010 - 07:56 PM, said:

you should watch the movie the social network- the story about facebook , i just watched it , it nice

I heard they depict Mark Zuckerberg (the founder of Facebook) as an arrogant jerk.

[HeartAndStone]

jessie9, on 18 October 2010 - 09:20 PM, said:

transontung90, on 18 October 2010 - 07:56 PM, said:

you should watch the movie the social network- the story about facebook , i just watched it , it nice

You tube link, please?

I heard they depict Mark Zuckerberg (the founder of Facebook) as an arrogant jerk.

FB hits 500 millionth users mark this month., so just be extra CAREFUL.
I've heard this news over CNN about FB, and boy, it's not good.

[hippocampus]

i've been trying almost every social network, and i love facebook the most
;)

Edited by hippocampus, 20 October 2010 - 11:27 PM.

[LaurieH]

Anyone else? we have tons of folks here on the forums--can't imagine this handful of us are the only ones who use social networks and/or have a thought about them!

Please chime in!

[mk261274]

I have been on Facebook for about 2 years...did the whole AOL chat room in college and MySpace when in my 20's thing. I have no experience with Twitter. I find Facebook to be the most "adult" of the sites I've seen.

I originally only planned to add people that I actually knew or had known in person (unlike the whole getting to know strangers online experiment of MySpace) For about a year I stuck with this faithfully and was happy. Then I started to play one of the games on Facebook and realized that if I wanted to really enjoy it, I'd need to add strangers since none of my friends actually played. I created a new friend group with very restricted access and add all strangers to that group. All were found via the game's forums or through referrals from other game playing new "friends." I communicate with them 99% regarding gameplay only and occasionally regarding something personal or a picture they have posted (Most of them do not seem to restrict access as I do) I have had no problem thus far!