Insofar as Facebook has become a sprawling, social networking community . . .
. . . it's (might as well say) inevitable that some people will act in ways that will annoy fellow members. So, based on online blogs, articles and using Facebook religiously, here are our Top 10 tips on Facebook Etiquette.
1. Don't be Afraid to 'Ignore' Someone!
Probably the number one conundrum on Facebook is how to respond when you're contacted by a blast from the past, who (for whatever reason) you don't particularly feel like getting back in touch with.
Don't let this worry you! If you 'ignore' them when they friend request you (by pressing your 'ignore' button), they won't get a message saying you rejected them, or anything kinda' awkward like that. Think of it as pretending you didn't see them, while walking down the street -- hey, it happens all the time, to everyone. Lighten up!
2. Give Good Birthday Greetings
Facebook keeps track of your friends' birthdays, and sending them a message on their special day only takes a couple seconds. Plus, it'll help you save face for forgetting to send them an actual card! So, "be a friend to your friends" and take the time to ping them off a message.
3. Respect the Wall
There's nothing cool about opening your profile and finding some wimp has drawn a naked woman on your wall made from asterisks (*), dollar signs ($) and dashes (-). Hey, it's a public display to Facebook friends, so the least you could do is show a little respect.
4. Talking to Strangers?
Although adding people (you haven't actually met) as friends is a great way to boost the size of your list, it's a practice that frowned upon by "Facebook aficionados." OMG, they even have a name for these people: Creepers!
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5. Stay Sober
Like drunken text messages, inebriated wall posts lead to heartache, in more ways than you can imagine. If you've ever had a Black Russian (or two...), we're probably thinking along the same lines already! Long story short: Don't drink and Facebook (or blog, for that matter). You'll be sorry!
6. Who Wants a Clean House?
There are literally thousands of Facebook applications on the market, but having too many can clutter your profile and make you look like a stinky geek. Remember, you can delete applications once you get bored with them, and there are often several applications to choose from that do the same thing (to check out the best applications click here).
7. Avoid "Shrines" Like the Plague
There is nothing more tragic than a Facebook profile devoted to a loved one or a potential partner. Face book is all about you, what you've been up to and what you've got to say for yourself -- not about someone else you're trying to impress. 8. Add an App or Two
Installing Facebook apps is as simple as ordering something to eat from a restaurant menu. There is no need to download any files, and no need to copy anything to your hard disk, or run any kind of complex installer. This is because all the available applications are stored on Facebook's own system.
My 10 favorite applications are Video, My Questions, Graffiti, Top Friends, Superpoke!, X Me, Fortune Cookie, iLike, Free Gifts and Horoscopes.
9. No Place for Stalkers
A lot of people won't join Facebook! Apparently, they're afraid of being stalked by cyber-bullies, ex-partners or creepy online admirers (women stalk me like that all the time -- just kidding)! But seriously, if you play around with its privacy settings, Facebook is really a safe place for anyone.
10. A Note on Privacy
For some reason, people often feel strangely comfortable revealing details online that they would never discuss in "real life," but beware. Facebook lets you categorize yourself in many ways, including your sexual preference(s), relationship status, and political views. And, although this information is deeply personal, posting it on Facebook makes it available both to people you know as well as those you'd probably rather not.
Facebook allows you, for example, to join as many virtual "groups" as you'd like; some are pretty straightforward (e.g., groups with names like "nerdy pickup lines," "you were sexy until I saw that cigarette in your hand," or "free rice"). Some, however, are organized around overtly controversial political or religious statements (e.g., "anti Hillary Clinton for president 08," "Against Gay Marriage? Then Don't Get One and Shut the F*ck Up," or "abortion is murder").
Here's my Point (and I do have one): One fifth of American companies actually admit to using the Internet to search for job candidates' Facebook profiles . . . which means the real number is probably a lot greater, and more importantly, there's no way for you to determine (after the fact) whether or not you've been passed up for a position/ promotion because you thought you were completely anonymous, saying the "wrong" thing, being friends with the "wrong" person, or joining the "wrong" group on Facebook. Think! :roll:
