On On-Line Social Networking

[mlerules]

I've been ruminating on the purposes and goals of on-line social networking recently as I've been wandering around in FaceBook these past few days. I have some thoughts that'll likely spill/spew forth here before long. This pretty well sums up what I do NOT care for about it.

Why do YOU use FaceBook and/or LJ and/or MySpace and/or whatEVER? What goals do you have in using it/whatEVER (if any)? What needs do you hope to fulfill/have fulfilled? What do you want to, hope to, and actually GET out of it? What's it FOR, in your opinion? (And what's IT?) I'm curious and'd really like to know, as it might help shed some light on these issues for myself. (And because generating and engaging in at least some slightly more in-depth discussion/conversation is something I value and prefer LJ for over FB, at least so far.)

Comments

[ladyaraia.livejournal.com]

Hey beautiful. I have been contemplating this question lately too as I have recently joined both Twitter and Facebook after long saying I would not. I am happy here on LJ so what do I need those *other* social networking sites for?

But the more I thought about it the more I found each one had its own use for me.

And because generating and engaging in at least some slightly more in-depth discussion/conversation is something I value and prefer LJ for over FB, at least so far.
This is a good example of what I mean. I will be using LJ for my big thinky thoughts and longer posts. I also don't filter my LJ much except to my "Friends" in general so it is a pretty personal space for me. I won't let just anyone in. And mostly keeping up with the daily life of the people close to me.

As far as Twitter, I feel like it gives me the chance to post a very little bit of info as often as i like. That is something I don't like to do on LJ. I don't like to spam peoples Friend Lists with short thoughts through the day. But sometimes that keeps me from posting. I don't have time to write out a whole big thing. So, yay, Twitter. Also, I am able to get a peek into the lives of some "famous" people I really admire and *that* too is not weird and stalker-ish. :) (Like Neil Gaiman, LeVar Burton, and Adam Savage, cool stuff!)

And what I have found on Facebook is a really easy way to reach out to those people from my past that I have no other way of finding. The interesting thing I am finding with Facebook is, as long as you have known the person at some time in your life, it is not weird to friend them. There is no expectation of close personal connection like I want before I friend someone on LJ and let them into all of my personal life. Now, because of this, I will not be posting anything earth-shatteringly personal on Facebook. But I have found old high school friends and long lost family that I would have no other way of talking to.

So, probably way more info than you were looking for, but there you go! :)

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

So, probably way more info than you were looking for, but there you go!

No, this is PRECISELY what I was hoping for - thank you SO much for sharing your thoughts/feelings w/me. Much of it resonates and rings true for me. You've managed to articulate well some thoughts that'd been swirling through my mind recently and I really appreciate it!

[lunaticbubbles.livejournal.com]

Out of all the social networking sites, I prefer LJ. I've gotten more use out of it for networking as well as general and in-depth conversation. It makes me feel connected to friends that I don't get to see often. Seeing as I'm not a fan of phones and it's hard for me to stay in communication cause of my own insecurities of thinking folks don't want to talk to me. So LJ provides this space where I can comment and communicate in a manner that isn't stressful or constantly rubbing my insecurities. For the most part anyway. And on the flip side, it also allows my friends to get a glimpse of what's going on in my head with things that I don't normally communicate in person. I like the safety of my computer screen when I'm rambling my thoughts that I'm not comfortable talking about on a one on one type scenario.

Facebook is neat cause it seems a lot of people I use to know are on it an prefer it over the others. Also I find it easier to find/contact people I'm looking for. But at the same time I can make it REALLY difficult for folks to find me if that's what I want.

I can't stand myspace, I have one and don't at the same time and I have one or two friends on there that use it as a means to communicate with me. I made one up for the ferret because I did not want people finding me on there. I avoided it for so many years and just ignore it for the most part unless I'm pinged.

Twitter is fun because I don't have to devote my time an energy for a full post of updates and can do it on the run. It's also fun/entertaining to see what other folks write from mundane silly things to the "OMG READ THIS" type stuff.

Then there are a couple of others where I have accounts and are very group/interest specific. Again, don't really go on unless pinged.

Sooooo... That's a whole lot of stuff that I got carried away with. I guess in order of preference it's LJ, Twitter, and Facebook. The other's I don't use with much frequency at all.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts/feelings about this w/me. It really helps me to get outta my head and learn what other folks're doing/thinking 'bout all this. HEE re: the ferret's MySpace!

[fearless-son.livejournal.com]

True, the garish, omnipresent adds did drive me away from MySpace, but primarily because they made the site excessively bloated with data, making it slow and difficult to navigate. I find the adds on FaceBook that much easier to ignore.

As for why I use it, it was at first just to keep tabs on everyone else I know who has one. However, I have found it useful for other things as well, such as networking with people at a place where I eventually hope to be employed.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thanks for replying. I appreciate knowing what/how folks use these things for - it helps me figure it out myself.

Good luck w/the job networking!

[jimkeller.livejournal.com]

LiveJournal I joined strictly as a mass communication medium. By being able to post once what was going on in my ludicroiusly busy life and tell everyone to just read the damn blog if they only want to know if I'm alive or not, I could save several hours a week that I had previously been spending "touching base" with everyone. Yes, in many ways it depersonalizes the process. But because I can quickly and impersonally (and on my own timetable) see what my friends are up to in their lives, I actually feel more connected than I did before I started and instead simply ignored everyone.

Facebook I joined for professional reason. Because the kids love it, we sort of had to be there. The days when the public sought out science educational materials are gone. Now we've got to go where the kids are and convince them that the Universe is every bit as interesting as Britney Spears' underwear (or lack thereof). I've quite enjoyed it for the ability to truly "network" ... there are people I know (and have known) from all walks of life there, and because I treat it as a professional page and discourage anyone from posting anything inappropriate, it can truly serve as a one-stop, multi-functional page. One of my coworkers complains that it's his personal page and he's uncomfortable with all the professional contacts friending him, so not everyone agrees with me. The ads don't bother me, really, because it's a free service and it's my option whether to click on them or not.

MySpace, on the other hand, has annoyed me with its pop-up advertising, poorly coded pages, auto-playing music and video, etc. to the point where I barely touch it any more.

I've also toyed with LinkedIn and Friendster, but did not feel they were superior to any of the others (LinkedIn at least is intended to be a professional network, so there's no battle for appropriateness, but at the same time being there is like being at work and so I have very little incentive to do so).

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for this - greatly appreciated.

[siouxiequeue.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I'm pretty dang new to FaceBook too, and am thinking a lot about usages... it's really a totally different forum than LJ... here's my nutshell...

LJ is a great forum for ideas and thoughts, writing and emoting and having conversations. It's set up as a "Journal" - so it's good for recording these things. Clunky for pictures, though. I like it for the depth of content, the ability to filter recipients, and it's nice that folks can speak out without feeling exposed personally...

FaceBook is all about networking and connections. You use your real name, so it's possible to find people you haven't seen in a long time - (see my previous post for how good I feel about *that* feature!) it's good for little note-lets and for sharing pictures, especially - pix are easy to upload and mark up... but you will want to use something else for copywritten images, so rumor goes. The status is fun, you can "look in on" friends really easily...
There are tons of memes, toys, bots and games on Facebook, which I'm starting to find distracting; I think I'll pick one or two that are fun, and block the rest - not to be unfriendly, but they're kind of content-less blabber that get in the way of the interesting stuff (I'm loving the photo sharing, did I mention that?) - and let people send me a note if they want to send a kiss or a smack on the butt...

Very cool tools, I think the trick is finding how they work best for you (yes, I know that's the whole reason for this post..heh)
*love*

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your input. I appreciate it very much. 'Twas your nice story about reconnecting that reminded me that I had a FaceBook account, actually. When I headed back yonder, 100+ gifts/quizzes/&c. awaited my return/attention. ACK - I haven't and likely WON'T deal w/them. (And methinks I'd rather deliver kisses & smacks on the butt in person rather than virtually, anyway ;-)

I, too, particularly enjoy the photo features. (And many thx for tagging some of mine by the way, when I had to rush out after only getting partway through the stack I'd uploaded - you're a dear!)

[satyrblade.livejournal.com]

I use four different blogs/ profiles because I've got friends and connections all over the western hemisphere and can't keep up with (or keep track of) them all without an extensive online network.

Besides, online profiles allow to stay in touch better, organize things faster, and learn about stuff more rapidly than any other medium in existence. The bigger your net(work), the more you know about, the vaster your resources, and the quicker you find out what's going on... or spread the word about important situations on your own end. (Witness Sooj's predicament and our community response.)

[satyrblade.livejournal.com]

Oh - and for the record, I vastly prefer LJ.... which, given their recent labor problems, I have very mixed feelings about!

[avhn.livejournal.com]

I've found Facebook is useful for finding and keeping in touch with people you otherwise wouldn't - which has the added benefit of sometimes realizing that while you weren't on the same path to begin with, they've come closer to yours now. I also love the ability to share pictures and see pictures. While that is possible with LJ, it takes a lot more time and, in my experience, happens less.

As a college student, facebook is incredibly useful (possibly necessary) for finding out about events going on that aren't hosted (or attended) by those in my immediate circle. It's also a great way of getting in touch with people from classes whose last names I may or may not know.

Finally, to echo what everyone else was saying, it is a lot less personal, and I feel more comfortable friending a wide variety of people.

(And the ads don't really bother me, since I have a ton of ad blocking plugins on my Firefox, so I don't even see them.)

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your thoughts. Wow - I can scarcely imagine how different college life must be now. Now thinking of FB as a Really Big WhiteBoard on your dorm door...

[lorriet.livejournal.com]

I use facebook for light, twitter-like interactions. Plus, it is a quick way to see what's going on with people, events, etc.

Livejournal is more about me, sharing my thoughts, expressing myself, and a little more in-depth. For me, they are two very unique interfaces.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thx for your thoughts. I'm getting a lot of reactions like yours - and they parallel some of what I've been leaning towards. FB/Twitter: breadth & facts v. LJ: depth of thought/feelings.

[deviantgrrrl.livejournal.com]

I still have an Orkut and Friendster account, but neither has been checked in years. I am very, very anti-MySpace. Truly, it's everything that was wrong with the internet in the late 90s: blinky, flashy, I'll force my music and ads on you. Um, no thank you. And I don't want to deal with the inherent drama of MySpace, like ranking friends and the question of whether to friend someone or not. I've got to say that my negative attitude about MySpace has carried over to FaceBook, which I have never even glanced at. I'm over most social networking, except LJ.

Why do I like LJ? Well, it makes me feel like I'm still a part of the lives of many that I don't see or speak with often. What do I dislike? The drama of whether to friend or unfriend someone. I've also found that it's really hard sometimes to shake an impression (positive or negative) of someone based on a post or series of posts. I'm working hard to keep in mind that LJ is full of "this is what I feel at the moment" posts, which are not necessarily home truths.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thanks for responding - it's good to hear your voice (as it were) and thoughts. Still hoping you can make it here in '09 - there's lots to see and do and experience and methinks you'd have a good time. *hugs* Oh, I've penciled in MEF for this year, FYI...not inked in, but certainly a possibility.

[anansi133.livejournal.com]

I had a similar thought when I last logged on to OKstupid. It suddenly occurred to me, why am I letting a machine do my flirting for me?

Granted, these other 'services' aren't as sexually motivated, but 'flirting' can be in all kinds of ways not sexual. And Madison Avenue media machinery doesn't scale well to the individual.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Heh, I hadn't actually hard OKStupid before - GOL (Giggle Out Loud) ;-)

Seems to me that OKC provides you w/Flirting Fodder, but it's still up to you to do something w/it (with them). Otherwise you have to Get Out and Find People, which ain't always easy to do, 'specially given poly and whatnot.

*****

So, the question remains: what do YOU use LJ for and/or WHY do you use it?

[crboltz.livejournal.com]

I use LJ as my soap box for political opinions, recipies, occasional rants, and small updates on my life. I joined FB recently, and what I find amazing is the quick connections to various people. Because you allow (or can allow) friends to see data like physical address, Email, phone, and I work in an industry where people move a lot, I found it a great way to keep my palm pilot up to date It also allows me to contact professional contacts when i'm going to be "in the area" etc. I do post some not terribly private life updates, but for the most part I use it as a combination twitter/address book. Overall I'm not big on twitter, because I would feel bad not twittering for long periods of time, and frankly, my life isn't interesting enough to twitter a lot.

Overall, my LJ is rather personal (even the public stuff), and my facebook is professional/private -- I kind of treat like things I would say hanging out with co-workers after a show. It is also great to keep tabs on my former students -- That I way I know when to hit one of them up for a job :)

Sorry for rambling, but my tummy is rumbling and that makes me unfocused.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your take on this topic - appreciated.

And please, you need never apologize to ME for rambling...it's one of my hobbies and I like it when others take it up, too, even if just for a short period of time (such as when hunger hits ;-)

[sidhefire.livejournal.com]

This is something I've thought about a lot recently as well. I have profiles on all sorts of social networks in addition to LJ; but all of those other ones are really just place holders directing people to my live journal. This is the only online account that I maintain on any regular basis. I blog for a few reasons. Part of it is that my memory has gotten sort of sloppy as I've gotten older. I forget a lot of things. Having a record of what I've done and when is very helpful. Another part of the reason I use a public journal is a feeling of accountability. Whether it's true or not, I feel as though people read what I write, so there is a sense in my mind of expectation. It keeps me posting. My live journal is the medium that I have maintained with the most consistency and for the longest period of time. I also feel like, because I am able to live an alternative lifestyle completely openly, I would like to be able to share what that is like; and the fact that it is a valid and healthy choice for a lifestyle.

And then of course there is the laziness factor. It's much easier to make one post about what is going on in my life then it is to email, write or call the 50 or so people that I keep in touch with on a regular basis.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thanks - it's good hearing your take on all this. Sorta hard to believe I've been LJ'ing for over four (4) years now! It was really LJ which let us get to know each other to start with, before we met in person...and given geography and schedules it's useful for keeping in touch. Looking forward to seeing you some on Sunday face-to-face. :-)

[quetz.livejournal.com]

Yep. I love Wondermark.

At least with LJ there is conversation without infinite polls and shite.

[serenfire.livejournal.com]

Excellent question tickle!

I initially joined LJ many years ago, prompted by a friend who now seldom uses it. I'm a journal newbie and while I understand the contemplative personal power they offer, I find I don't make the time unless it's very very convenient. So LJ combines for me a space where I put my thoughts and events now and again into typed words AND it's a space where I choose what communication broadcasting level is right for the topic. Friends only? Me only? The whole world?

I joined MySpace because my young teen daughter is on it, and while my older kids are on it and watch her postings and activities, I felt it was my responsibility to understand the gateways and technologies used by "the younger crowd" and to dabble in it much like I'm involved with her other social and networking arenas.

FaceBook was introduced to me by my older daughter, and I prefer it to MySpace (quicker, easier to figure out, easier to find people that I know, both inside the family and outside in various circles, past and present). It's where I go my actual name, but because of the bi-section of many circles and it's abbreviated style, I'm still working on whether it's a benefit (quick, easy, on-the-surface, but more broad) or if it's just a time-waster.

I prefer semi-anonymity for my deeper shared thoughts and fears.
(most of my friend list knows who I really am....) :)

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thx for adding your voice to the mix. I appreciate the input. :-)

[ferociousbcycad.livejournal.com]

I am firmly convinced that FB would be an abysmal substitute for LJ. I'm only there to redirect folx to places that actually work for me. Losing LJ would hurt a lot, and I'd like to find a suitable substitute, but I haven't yet. Ironically, the most satisfying user-environment after LJ I've found so far is OKCupid!

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Yeah, nobody seems to think that FB would do instead of LJ. Most folks use it as an additional contact mechanism. (Then again, posing this query on LJ does skew the results this way ;-)

Your OkCupid experience has been 'specially useful, but not necessarily as they'd intended. I do look forward to continuing that on-going conversation w/you when we've got time/energy for it.

[wildwoosi.livejournal.com]

I went to Facebook because it seemed like all of my friends were going there, and then I joined up to be available to them and found everyone else already there - including my biological family and kids, so it's one place for me to post where everyone sees (except you... :)

Found this just at random about "FaceBook holdouts): http://www.slate.com/id/2208678/?GT1=38001

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Um, we ARE friend on FB.

As far as seeing what you post, I'm not sure how to see whatcha post unless I happen to wander over to your page when I'm on-line, as there's so bleeding much going on. Oh, mebbe you're saying you don't want me to see what you post? I'm confused...

[stacymckenna.livejournal.com]

twistedcat and I discussed just this today while on our walk.

Someone told her to think of Twitter as a river - you get in and hang out for a while and then get out again. Any water that passes while you're gone, oh well. She can cope with that and be happy with it.

I can not. I need the kiosk where people leave their posters and notes about what they've been doing. I need the answering machine that records messages, not just how many calls I missed. I want to be able to sit down for 2 hours a day and catch up on everyone. FB and Twitter require that I be plugged in ALL THE TIME to know what's going on with folk (for the most part). This exact issue is one of the biggies about why I will NEVER play an MMORPG - anything that happens in Real Time requires being ON to not miss anything. I can't handle it. My compulsiveness kicks in. It's not healthy. So, I have Facebook for those who really want to reach me and are only/primarily there (because it'll email me discretely for those things), and then LJ for knowing what's going on with folk.

My new gardening website is designed largely like Facebook and it's been interesting watching myself learn to cope with what to keep up on and what to ignore.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Yeah - the constant check or you'll miss it sorta sux. Turning off most applications and opting out of ALL games, quizzes, gift-giving/receiving, and the like has made it a lot easier for me to handle. There's a notification thingie down on the lower left that'll show me everything I've missed since I last looked, but that's not new stuff that people post, but just new stuff they've added to stuff I've done (I think). Still trying to figure it out w/out it being too much of a time-suck. Good to know when to back off b'c of compulsiveness!

Do tell if'n you learn any general tricks/strategies through your gardening website. (Specifics not so useful, but things like "turn off all quizzes" or an equivalent would be helpful.)

Thx for your thoughts on this. See you in a week and a day!

[fearless-son.livejournal.com]

I should also mention that I had to accept that my own mother had a FaceBook account, which caught me buy surprise since she never uses a technology unless necessary.

Turned out my sister invited her for its photo-sharing reasons.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the photo-sharing's awesome! I've got a couple of young relatives (2 nieces and a nephew at least) who've friended me on FB and it does give me some pause.

[fearless-son.livejournal.com]

Oh, and "Facebook has a Whopper of a problem with Burger King."

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's priceless - thx for the link!

[stardragan.livejournal.com]

I do like the photosharing aspect of Facebook, and since right now for me it is a new toy, I'm going there more often.

I use Myspace to keep in touch with my youngest and his wife, I really enjoy her blogs, she is a tough little cookie and keeps my Joe on his toes.

I love LJ. I am actually a pretty shy person and this helps me to get to know all you wonderful people a little better. It also keeps me from crawling back in my hole and not getting out which I will do if left to my own devices. I still have problems doing long blogs about myself.

Look at me!!! :-)

[geoffcain.livejournal.com]

I don't have anything to say; I just wanted to point out that my comment is the 52nd comment.

Re: Look at me!!! :-)

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Noted.

[kathyrene.livejournal.com]

My teenage son and his friends got me onto Facebook. It has some benefits for keeping in touch with family members but mostly I find it too much like 'work' in the sense I feel compelled to respond, make comments and socialize when I don't necessarily feel like doing so. Usually I end up with e-mail asking where I've been as I haven't shown up on FB for a while. I prefer LJ. I'm slow to meeting and making friends especially online. I like the opportunities for creativity, networking, posting pictures all without pressure and a place to call my own.

[mlerules.livejournal.com]

Thx for your input. FB seems to me, too, as a Now Now Now proposition. If'n you haven't commented on someone status update before tbey change it, it seems inappropriate/late, whereas in LJ I can go back and comment whenever I choose, b'c usually what's posted has more lasting value/interest/meaning.nn

Cute kittenhead in the icon, by the way.

Pretty much like everyone else....

[magickalmom.livejournal.com]

I have a LJ because my coven mates were doing it (years ago) and it's how we kept up with each other during the week. Now it's my sole source of blogging, mass media, etc... I love my LJ and will never leave LJ.

Myspace- HATE IT! I always have, got it for a project for school and I really don't keep it up to date. Planning on deleting it very soon actually.

OK Cupid, I have no idea why I ever got that. I rarely keep it up. LOL!

I am on a whole other slew of other networking sites and they all point to my LJ.

The ONLY reason why I got facebook is b/c my inlaws pressured me into it and it is better than MySpace. LOL! I have been able to find long lost friends through FB so I shall keep it and use it for those lovely one liner update posts that clogg up LJ. LOL!

I miss you girl! Wishing I could get the Copper Moonies their snacks!