Now after Facebook IPO and Mark's marriage, I find "now" is the best time to write about what Facebook-ing is all about.
You'd probably love to be on Facebook, or be bored at times. But there are a few things you need to watch out when you are on it. There are so many things to be kept track of, lets start from the very beginning, a very good place to start, right ?
Remember this page ? Yes this page is the first impression you'd make on the Facebook servers. Enter your name in the First name column and if you have a second name put it in the last name column or else just add in your father's name, its not very professional when you add adjectives or your college's name. Please do not segregate your name. As in Ra + hul
Next you find friends, and import or whatever. Or if you want to get out of that page click on the page links on the top of the page and reach your profile or home page. You can then find friends using the search.
Its always better when you add a picture of yourself. One in which you will be able to be identified by your friends, but not exposed. Revealing one's self is of great importance, because you know these days from recruiting to matrimony search everything happens via Facebook and other few networking sites. I've experienced the former. Take your time to fill out your profile. Because "YOU ARE WHAT YOUR PROFILE SAYS ABOUT YOU". Specially when you are adding strangers, it comes handy. Its not required that you fill in every part and provide so much detail, but the very important parts would do.
Finish off everything regarding your details and I'd suggest you add the
very important/best friends and/or relatives first, and then via the feeds increase your network by adding those that talk sense. The next important thing is to put them in a list, might help you getting organised or just help at times.
Add to Interest Lists -> New List. You're already on FB without lists? If you don't have a great list of friends you can still try adding lists.
After adding only people you know, check your
privacy settings. you can
Edit Settings and choose what is necessary. Its not very essential to keep your profile picture link to other profile pictures of yours. To remove the link, or hide the profile pictures album, Get into the album and change its visibility. Similarly for the other albums, choose edit album and edit the settings to what you require.
If you don't yet have the
timeline, its about time you get it. Because the cover picture lets you add a cover for your profile and keep track of whatever you are doing on Facebook. The cover can also be used to know who you are, so choose wisely. Highlight posts, for people to know what you want them to know.
Spam is one thing that flourishes on Facebook, but its safe to keep yourself away from it. And how to do that ? you ask ? Sometimes its by experience and sometimes its by being over cautious, so as to click absolutely no links on Facebook. Either way you will be saved, but the former will make you rule.
Chat with people keeping your privacy in mind. Do not share phone numbers unless and until you know who you are giving it to. Sometimes you will not be chatting with someone who you think you are chatting with. Because the Facebook credentials (username/password) are now-a-days shared between 2 or 3 friends. Don't do that.
There are things that are supposed to be posted, comment, and messaged, upon post. You, my friend, are supposed to qualify things accordingly and comment on necessary ones and for the others you find good/bad, message the required person. This is of quite some importance because whatever you do will reach your friend's news feed. And if you have many friends, no one would like your (seriously) regular activity.
Remember,
"Your status is who you are."
"Facebook can ruin you or teach you a lesson."
I'm not sure what I've missed, if in case you have any queries, ask me in person at
me@indhuja.com or comment right away.
