For those using Facebook, can you answer some questions for me?

[GardeningGal]

I have resisted really using Facebook because I know if I "friend" some people, particularly my family, there could be comments made that will really annoy me. My family is mostly right wing religious conservatives and I already have enough issues with them and don't really want to add to it.

I know you can limit what can be seen to only those that are friends, but is there anything else I need to know before really activating? Would it be best to not friend family members? After sleeping on it, I am still as unhappy about the banning of SpiralHawk as I was yesterday so I'm thinking I may need to join the Facebook group.

There is a Facebook group, correct?

[MorningGlow]

1. Hi GG

Come to the Dark Side--we have cookies!

We do have a group that's private--we can add you.

Facebook does have its issues, I will admit, but there are plenty of ways to enforce your privacy. Absolutely don't friend family members whose views will piss you off. Because I listed me current village in my bio (which you don't have to do) and I'm in charge of the Cub Scout troop's FB page, I keep getting recommendations to friend other people in the village who are also involved with Cubs. But I don't, because I use FB when I need to vent about the local rednecks.

You also can choose who sees your general posts (the ASAH group is private--nobody in your general friend list sees those posts)--"public", "friends", or "just me", plus you can even do a custom privacy thing where you can exclude individuals from your friends list. I've used that option once or twice and it works like a charm.

There are all sorts of other privacy settings as well--noodling around in the privacy settings and account settings area will show you more.

I know FB has its detractors and the data mining can be a deal breaker, but locking down your privacy goes a long way toward preventing a lot of that stuff. And we're having a good time over there!

[GardeningGal]

3. Okay, I'll try dipping my toe in the water.

I have a friend request from Mysticalchick, I'll go accept that and see where I end up.

[GardeningGal]

5. I'm already lost.....

It's asking me to update my status and who I am with. I don't know what that means. Sorry, but I'm obviously facebook challenged.

[MorningGlow]

6. I've forgotten what it looks like when you first sign up!

Actually, it probably looks different now, what with all the recent changes. Sorry--I'm not sure "where you're at" when it asks you to do that. Updating your status is just posting a message, I think. Not sure about saying who you're with. I'm pretty sure you can ignore that and there'd be no harm done.

Let me friend you individually on there...

On edit: okay sent you a friend request!

[Celebration]

2. pretty sure there is a way to friend your family without seeing their posts

So that keeps your family from getting upset if you don't friend them, but you don't have to look at their posts. I haven't ever hidden anyone's posts, but someone told me that they used this feature.

Is there a place we can go protest re: SpiralHawk? That makes no sense to me.

[GardeningGal]

4. Re: SpiralHawk

There is a lot of discussion over in the Help & Meta Discussion forum. My take away is that the admin is wanting to take a hard line and I guess since it's their site they get to do that. I think they're making a mistake because I think they will drive away a fair number of good DUers.

It certainly is changing the energy of the site as far as I'm concerned. I'll probably keep reading posts for keeping informed but not sure I'll renew my star when it comes up. Trying not to make any snap judgments but so far I'm not impressed with the new DU and its hard line stand.

[getdown]

9. it would be nice

if the laundry list for what is considered loony wasn't quite so full of everything under the sun, including things that matter to Dem and DU issues.

Oh well

[Celebration]

11. I put in my two cents worth there

Could get me banned I suppose........

http://www.democraticunderground.com/124024351#post47

[NuttyFluffers]

7. use a pseudonym and don't friend your family, done.

you're welcome

[Matariki]

8. Facebook advice

Don't put much personal info there, i.e. don't fill in where you work, where you went to school and so forth. Don't let FB have access to your email contacts (I think it asks for that at some point in the sign up process - say no). Don't ever click on 'accept' for various FB apps that come from (or appear to come from) friends - they're mostly privacy violators. Don't friend your family members who argue with your religion or politics. Or conversely, if you can't avoid it, it's possible to filter out who can see what you post). And finally, hide peoples game activities or you'll be reading about people's virtual farm chores far more than you probably want.

[Celebration]

12. +1000

Well i do have some school stuff there, but WAY GOOD ADVICE. Man all that Farmville stuff almost set me over the edge until I learned how to hide it. And Facebook apps? Just say NO! They are all spam as far as I am concerned.

[sandyshoes17]

10. I put them in a special category

I have everyone split, into, friends, family, work, etc. When I post I just limit it to who I want. I also have a repub group, and most of their comments are on hide. I was deleting too many of them, and some are old friends and family, so I just hide there comments. So I understand the family thing, I didn't know alot of people I grew up with are all right wingers now. Although I very rarely go on anymore, It was fun at first, and I keep in touch with alot of people who are far away, but it's just not my cup of tea.

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. I'm not sure if there is an ASAH group on Facebook but if there is

it should be a closed group.

The function of Facebook is to connect everyone. It is difficult to limit your connectivity. You have to ask all you friend, to turn off your "comments and likes" stream if you don't want them to see what you are doing and saying to others. Also, Messages are the only private method of communication there. Everything else can be seen by others at whatever level you have pre-set.

NOT the best place in which to reserve your privacy.

[Lucinda]

14. I think you should read the facebook group before you think of joining

I find it very mean spirited. If you like I can pm you the link. Editing to say this is the main DU group, not a ASAH group. If an ASAH group exists I am not aware of one, but I would welcome info about one.

[I Have A Dream]

16. Hi, Lucinda! We have an 'ASAH' Facebook group.

It's not the general DU Facebook group. The 'ASAH' group is not at all mean-spirited. I've heard the same thing about the general 'DU' Facebook group, though.

I just wanted to make certain that nobody is inadvertently misled to think that our Facebook little group is that way. (I realize that you didn't know the difference though.)



(Editing one last time (hopefully): Lucinda, I had not read your edit before my comment, although I think that my comment clarifies your editing comment's uncertaintly.)

[Lucinda]

17. Good to hear...that is why i edited to say I meant the main group.

[I Have A Dream]

18. Yeah, and I had not read your edit before my comment...

[Lucinda]

19. LOL

It's that kind of day! My mind seems to be running at least two different trains of thought today, and I am dipping in and out of them randomly.

[Lucinda]

15. We have discussed this in the hosts forum as well.

Skinner is very consistent with bannings on this issue, but I also feel that it was heavy handed in this case, considering the tone of the posts made by SpiralHawk. They were much more "research this for yourself" than confrontational... Perhaps there are things behind the scenes that we are not aware of...