Facebook Primer

Facebook Primer

Facebook is a free social networking service.

Because you are identified by your real name, you must be at least 13 years of age to register with facebook. Those aged 13 to 18 should consult with parents before registering with facebook.

Facebook, being a social networking service, is open and public. However, you have the ability to change your privacy settings to control how much access the world or your friends have in accessing your information. Before you post too much about yourself or your friends, make sure to read NY Times: The Web Means the End of Forgetting.

A few links about Facebook settings:

In late 2009, Facebook upgraded its privacy procedures and policy with mixed reviews. See CNN story: Facebook Unveils Privacy Changes.

NY Times: 5 Easy Steps to Stay Safe (and Private!) on Facebook.

NY Times: The 3 Facebook Settings Every User Should Check Now.

Facebook users connect to their friends and the organizations that interest them. This allows connected friends to share information, post status updates, see status updates of friends, etc. Some people enjoy the ability to remain connected with friends, both current and past (for example, high school or college buddies). Some find it all a bit creepy.

If you don’t wish to participate in facebook directly, you can still view the band’s facebook page at: www.facebook.com/greatershoreconcertband. You just won’t have the ability to participate as a fan.

The focus of the band’s page is upon the band, not the fans. However, fans may post to the band’s wall, comment on existing postings, etc. Other fans will see this information, but they won’t be able to see the poster’s more personal information.

Steps to become a fan of the band’s page (assuming you’re completely new to facebook):

Go to: www.facebook.com.
Review facebook's terms of service and privacy, which appears at the bottom of their home page to decide if you wish to register. Also see: Facebook Criticism .
Under “Sign Up” provide your information.
Optional: Register your mobile phone. Facebook does not charge for cell phone connections, but your cell phone provider may charge.
Go to: www.facebook.com/greatershoreconcertband.
Right by our name on the top of the page, you’ll see a box with “Become a Fan”. Click on that box, and you’ll be a fan of the band.
Optional: Become friends with others. You can invite them. They will invite you. You decide whether to accept a facebook friend or not.
Optional: Become a fan of other organizations. Many institutions have fan pages, such as universities, news organizations, churches, government organizations and celebrities. Become a fan of one that interests you.

Since your facebook presence represents you, you will only have one facebook account. This is different than email addresses, blogs or twitter, where you could have multiple accounts to represent the multiple aspects of your life. For example you may have a work email address and a personal email address. In facebook you won’t have a work facebook account and a personal facebook account.

Information about facebook can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook.

A description of features can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook_features.

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