Actually it made me connect to my old school friends who I didn’t see 10 years ago… It is really a perfect service.

Facebook has given me a way to communicate with my classmates and find out that I have more in common with these much younger students than I thought. While I am shocked by some things that I see–pictures of underager’s I know at parties with alcohol in hand–I’ve found some of these young adults are quite intelligent and socially cognizant, and I have found quite a few that I would like to work with in the future. I spent time today writing to two fellow graduate students–one who is soon leaving for school in San Diego and out of easy contact range–and I find the use of this easy messaging system helpful when my fibromyalgia keeps me at home and not able to socialize in person.

At first, I was upset when I discovered Facebook was expanded beyond the college site that it used to be, allowing everyone to join, but I am seeing that I will find good contacts for writing and filmmaking outside of my enclosed school network and I am grateful for this forum. I agree that MySpace does “assult the eyes and ears,” and while I enjoy it, I like Facebook better for the ease of use, the applications and it’s overall organized appearance.

I do have to agree also–Facebook can be a time-drainer if one isn’t careful! I’ve been sucked in for hours at a time when I’ve only meant to spend a few minutes, but I feel the time I spend there is worth it because it is an investment in networking and what I find out by what I add and how I express myself I learn more about myself in the process–a great asset in career success.

I wrote a piece off of Om’s article yesterday. I don’t know why it’s taking off either, but unlike some of my older friends, I’m embracing it and running with it. As you may know, I’m working for Lending Club as their Director of Social Media Content. Without Facebook, I’d be still doing the day gig and blogging.

So what is the appeal? I don’t really know. It is working, and as I said yesterday, in my post – those that want too can complain and moan and groan about it “not” being a real business. For others, they will be smart and grab the bull by the horns and make the most of it.

A lot of times in life, it’s not figuring out why something works, just go with the flow and you’ll be much better off.

Rex

I don’t think it’s as well suited to business networking like LinkedIn; still, it’s starting to become *the* social netowkr for adults.

As for the apps, it’s hard for me to say since I didn’t use Facebook before the apps. Honestly, I think it’s the new thing and folks are trying them out. There will be those that will add and keep every app there is, useful or not. But I suspect most will try 100 different ones and then settle on the handful that have real meaning to them and the noise will settle.

As for business purposes, facebook is not geared towards business. LinkedIn’s main purpose is business networking and I think it does a better job at it. Another thing, it’s weird to be on the same site your kids are on. Or just young immature kids in general.

One can’t really ignore the ‘work surfers’ and how corporate IT departments are having an effect as to where those surfers migrate to out of necessity to keep in touch with their networks.