One evening after our team lost the Orange Bowl I was trying to explain to some friends why I like Facebook.  None of my guy friends that were here had FB accounts, but a couple of their wives did.  Well, that's a problem right there.  They (the guys) perceived FB to be kind of a chick thing.  And it is.  And it isn't.  Well, it is, but it's so much more than that. 

The next day was my birthday.  It was my first time to experience a birthday Facebook style.  And wow!  I received literally dozens of happy birthday wishes.  And while that is novel, it's not really a convincing reason to jump on Facebook.  Some people (not me) might get dozens of calls or emails on their birthdays without the help of Social Media.  But it gets more interesting when you consider that I have not seen many of these people since the 1980's.

For many, keeping up with even very close friends can sometimes be tough.  But after my wife set up a Facebook account for me and coaxed me into participating I found that I was able to keep up not just with close friends, in a manner that email or other online communities never afforded, but people from my distant past began to emerge.  The initial reaction to this can range from mild trepidation to "oh, hell no!".  But you soon realize that this is a really cool time warp that will open parts of your mind you forgot you ever had.  And these memories, even the worst ones, have mellowed with age.  The result is nothing less than cathartic. 

To be fair, there is more to Facebook than just the "thanks for the memories" aspect.  You can promote your business, events, charity, or band.  You can organize groups to virtually any purpose.  And you have a built-in focus group to utilize any time you have an idea.  But, as demonstrated by a question I posted on Facebook (shown at the bottom of this post), the most beloved aspect is the trip on which this application can take you.  Not to be overly dramatic, but it's fairly magical. 

There is a good reason Facebook is the among the fastest growing social networks in the world along with micro blogging community, Twitter.  But where Twitter is used by early adopters and cutting edge marketers for up to the second news and opinions, and your network is filled with mostly people you met online, Facebook continues to be more of an amazing adventure into the past.  And that's a good thing. 

Not surprisingly, considering the current economy, Facebook has become a giant neighborhood hangout.  Singles and couples alike opt to stay in and spend time trading stories, jokes, photos and videos with ghosts from another time.  As the presentation attached below says, "If you're not on Facebook already, then you're likely to be getting on it pretty soon."  Then you'll have to worry about Facebook time management.  I won't lie, it's addicting.  But after all, what if someone told you they had built an actual time machine, and you could load it on your laptop?  That's exactly what Facebook has done.

Switched.com put together a comprehensive starter kit that is great for FB newbies as well as savvy veterans called Facebook 101: 25 Tips and Tricks .  I have reproduced it here as a Slideshare presentation just below.  If you are still hesitant about Facebook after reading this post, then I'll only say that you don't know what you're missing.  

Find me on FaceBook at http://facebook.com/profile.php?id=1167766436

Craig wants to know what you love about Facebook. I'm putting something together for the skeptics. Let me hear from ya! 4:55pm - 15 Comments

Tracy at 5:30pm January 10

Getting back in touch with college and H.S. friends that I haven't talked to in many many years!

Holly at 5:34pm January 10 via Facebook Mobile

Agree and freakin Jr. High! Plus it gets so hard to pick up the phone with busy schedules so it is nice to stay in touch and know what everyone is doing. Gives you insight into personalities as well.

Cari at 5:38pm January 10

Staying in touch with people you know who you haven't seen in forever; having "conversations" online with friends who live far away; I work in education, so I can also stay in touch with former students now that they've graduated; my cousin and I have reconnected more thanks to FB and email -- normally, we're all too busy but this is perfect for quick opportunities to catch up!

Pete at 5:44pm January 10

If your putting together a ppt, send me a copy. I'm getting similar skepticism on my end

ReChelle at 6:08pm January 10 via Facebook Mobile

Remembering the good old times you may have forgotten.

Lance at 6:14pm January 10 via Facebook Mobile

Craig, FB has given me the opportunity to reconnect with friends in ways Myspace could not. Not only have I reconnected with friends from our class, I have reconnected with friends from work places, Skate World (where I was a DJ)and other schools; but most importantly I have made a few new friends as well!
Hearing about friends daily experiences on FB has also given me the chance to share things going on in my life. Sometimes we need jokes, sometimes we are frustrated, sometimes we just need to vent, or maybe even need a car repair. With being able to talk and share with so many friends at one time we can all have a chance at being better friends and even a chance to help someone when they are at a cross road. Thanks for the question Craig, I have been surprised at level of response I have received and recommend FB! -Lance

Jim at 6:45pm January 10

Just yesterday I found a bunch of guys I was in the Military with.

Joshua at 6:56pm January 10

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.

Craig Fisher at 8:13pm January 10

Thank you Josh for the "timely" Pick Floyd reference.

April at 9:08pm January 10

It's like "December Mail" everyday, all day long... News & pictures from old friends in your inbox constantly. Or a continuous "This is Your Life"

Eric at 11:12am January 11

For me.. Each and every person I have as a friend has impacted my life either directly or indirectly. You might say that they are part of who I am. It's nice to be able to bridge the separation via technology. I'm inspired by and enjoy each person and their story. Plus it's "FUN".

David at 9:37pm January 11

Over the course of time we lose touch with a lot of folks who have in many cases meant a great deal to us. I've lost addresses in moves, in computers that have crashed without back-ups, and in the case of my year books, and high school pictures, those memories were lost in a house fire. Facebook is a great way, perhaps the best way today, to recapture, reconnect and rediscover many of those people and memories that were lost.

at 2:05pm January 12

It brings Longhorns & Sooners together...if only for a brief moment. I still feel so dirty.

Labels: FACEBOOK, Social Media, Social Networking, web2.0