Social Networking, Thoughts on Experience, Part Oneth

Five months on Facebook, certainly that's more than a 'fair trial' for social networking? Interesting, though, that my approach, expectations, and even communication strategy has changed several times over those months.

So, who are my friends? Sort of a 60 - 40 split between work colleagues (of all sorts, positions, etc) and personal friends and family (i.e. Mort's offsprings). But not all in any category. I've accepted some 'friends requests', let others lie for a while, then accepted, ignored a few, contacted and explained 'why not' to another one or two. Decided that I wouldn't 'friend' clients, even those who are/were past colleagues.

I started by 'stealthing'....just looking at posts and observing. But with far-flung friends, it's been really neat to read, share, comment upon spur of the moment 'comments and observations.'

I also decided to 'follow' (or, become a fan) of things that interest me. So much better than being on email newsletters, especially for art galleries and museums both locally, and in cities that I either visit often or 'might' get to visit. I like having stuff come to me effortlessly, so I also follow a number of business-oriented sites via Facebook.

Big deal for me was starting to post my own comments, and/or deciding to 'share' items that I found interesting from my subscriptions and fanning. Amazing some things that mean a lot to me seemed not to interest (at least not to the point of making comment) anyone else out there....oh, until I SAW the person or spoke to them on the phone, at which time comments came up. Hummmm. Also, reconnected with an old friend...although we've never actually been out of touch, we're much more conversant with Facebook than we ever were with phone calls and/or emails.

I love looking at colleagues' pictures of their kids...and seeing the flurry of suggestions that one acquaintance gets every time she puts out an APB for dinner suggestions on the spur of the moment.

And Farmville, well, what can I say about Farmville. I'm in my third 'stage' now having overcome my bias against ever 'selling' a gift or 'selling' an animal. Now that I'm over those two hurdles, I've been able to carve out a 'spread' that appeals to me on several levels. Discovered I'm neither particularly competitive, nor large scale. I just like the hobby-farm kind of environment, but pretty regularly visit my neighbours and help them out when I do.

Where it my involvement with Facebook going? I have no idea as I move into month six. But I know that even if I 'de-friend' some and pare down my contacts, I will retain the pages and 'fan groups' I've joined to keep myself informed. Also, I've discovered that some museums (SF MoMA especially) have vibrant Facebook sites and extremely interesting media.

Stay tuned.