Start spreading the news... (facebook.com)

Member Name: cdsmiler81

Product:	facebook.com
Date:	28/10/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: See my list of Pros!

Disadvantages: See my list of cons!

I feel a little bit silly writing a review on Facebook what with there being over 500 reviews already here, but I do use it, and I thought I should share my thoughts. I'm not going to start talking about what it is or what it does - there are hundreds of other reviews that do that! Instead, I'm going to talk about my personal pros and cons with the site.

**Pros**

STAYING UP TO DATE WITH FRIENDS - Ok, I'm a bit weird in the fact that I can be a bit of a loner. Even though I love my friends dearly, and love spending time with them, I don't want to be doing it on e regular basis (happy locked away at home watching TV in my PJs - yes, sad I know!). But through Facebook you can keep up to date with each other's news without having to make phone calls (which I'm sure most of us admit that with MOST friends can be a bit awkward at times!), or finding time to meet up properly.

LOST FRIENDS - I have managed to get in touch with many many people from my school days who I always regretted losing touch with. As mentioned above though, I am weird, and although I'm glad to be in touch with these people again, I don't think I'd necessarily want to meet up face to face.

APPLICATIONS - Some applications can be really useful - I particularly like the world map where you can 'pin' where you've travelled to! (see Cons too!)

START SPREADING THE NEWS - Facebook is second only to Twitter in the fact that it can spread news - good and bad - amongst its millions of users within short time scales. Brilliant where an issue needs addressing (or complaining about!), or when there's vital UK or worldwide news that should be shared.

SECURITY - Facebook actually has a very good security system in place. The only time this fails is down to 'operator error' - basically the user! If you take time to look through your security settings and change things appropriately, you can keep your details very safe and secure. This is also down to common sense dictating simple things like whether or not to post your telephone number and address on your pages, and whether or not to add every single friend request that comes through!! <sigh>. Facebook HAS thought about security a great deal, and if you take time to set it up right, no one can access anything you don't want them to!

SHARING PHOTOS - I love this feature. I've been able to share everything from old school photos with old school friends, to baby scan pictures of my unborn child, to pictures from a night out with all those who were also there. No longer do you need to email everyone copies of the pictures (or get multiple sets printed out like in the good old days!), you can share them instantly - and see theirs just as quick. My cousin is currently nearing the end of a world backpacking trip, and throughout the last year he has added photos of his journeys. Not only have I, my family, his Mum and Grandmother all been able to get a glimpse of his adventures, but him showing us the pictures when he gets back should take MUCH less time (as we've seen a lot already!!).

**Cons**

APPLICATIONS - MOST applications are a waste of time; or a great way to waste time! They range from the little quiz which may take up 2 minutes of your time and then clog up your news feed, to full blown simulation games. All very well, but half the time these more interesting 'games' don't load! The amount of people I see complaining about them. <sigh>

PEOPLE NOT LIKING CHANGE - Facebook has millions of users, so obviously there are updates and changes required to keep the site working efficiently for all. However, as soon as Facebook make one tiny little change to the structure or the way the news feed works, people panic! They set up silly little groups ranting 'Bring back the old news feed!!' - seriously people, there are more important things to worry about! It does annoy me when I pop on to catch up with friends that there's so many people ranting over a silly software change!

ATTENTION SEEKING STATUSES - This drives me around the bend. Yes, we know the status updates are generally self absorbed pieces of work, that's how Facebook works, you talk about yourself. But some people seem to take it to the extreme. It's really hard to explain, but I'm sure everyone who uses Facebook can think of at least 2 'friends' off their list who go on and on about themselves regarding silly little things... and you have to resist being rude back to them! Or is it just me being intolerant. Sorry if that seems the case. <Blushes>

**Overall**

Overall I think Facebook is definitely one of the more interesting, useful and safe social networking sites around. I tried Twitter for a while but got bored. Facebook has kept me interested for much longer - maybe it's its friendly 'feeling' pages, or maybe it's because I'd rather stay in touch (to varying degrees) with people I know rather than celebrities. Regardless of the reason, I'm happy with it!

Summary: My personal views on Facebook!