Good but best used in moderation (facebook.com)

Member Name: Burning_Darkness

Product:	facebook.com
Date:	05/11/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: well designed site, very useful networking tool, easy to use

Disadvantages: can erode your privacy if you are not careful

As pretty much everybody knows, Facebook is an online social networking tool that allows you to connect with other users to keep up with what friends and family are up to, allowing you to share and observe status updates, messages and photos.

The site is fast and easy to use, with individuals each having a "wall" onto which messages can be posted, as well as allowing for creations of photo albums that can be commented on and in which individuals can be 'tagged'. The site also allows for private messages to be sent between parties, and comes with its own internal real-time messenging service (like MSN messenger) as well.

The site also allows for installation of numerous third-party 'applications' that vary in function from mini-games (eg scrabble) that can be played with friends, to personal quizzes and the like. You have to click a disclaimer allowing the applications' creators access to your profile however, which feels somewhat dubious. Furthermore, Facebook tried to pull a trick a year ago or so where they would be able to retain the rights to your information even after you closed your account, but were rightly shot down and reprimanded, although its worth keeping in mind that facebook can lay claim to the right to use of any uncopyrighted artwork or pictures, or writing that you upload onto your page.

Facebook does allow you to set your profiles to private, so only friends you have accepted into your circle can access your page and thus your photos and details, but it is nevertheless a site best used in moderation and with restraint if you are anything but the most extroverted of people, its worth strongly considering just how much of your privacy you want to give away and to whom when adding new people.

Ovearll facebook is an undeoubtedly useful tool for maintaining your social network, especially if you have friends and relatives dotted around the globe, but caution should always be exercised when posting personal information and when choosing whether to accept friend requests.

Summary: A helpful networking tool but should be used in moderation