I made a group on Facebook.

[livvy]

I sent out invites to everyone! I made it a semi-open group. People can find it in a search, but they need to be accepted to be a member, see the wall, etc. What do you think? I could make it completely secret. People would not be able to find it by searching, but I thought we could try this first.
Come join!

http://www.facebook.com/groups/edit.php?officers&gid=61930175890#/group.php?gid=61930175890

[CrispyQ]

1. Ok, so I don't Facebook or Twitter.

All this social networking is new to me (& also against the grain of my more introverted nature!). And after reading Eurobabe's comment about her addiction to Facebook, I don't need another time consuming addiction.

HOWEVER, I'm thinking of starting a virtual assistant home business & on a VA forum that I visit, the established VAs really push this internet social networking as a good way to get work. Now I know you guys use it mostly for social interactions, but do you see any value in Facebook/Twitter for business purposes? As someone who is basically the least connected person you could imagine, would this really be a good tool for me?

[WheelWalker]

2. I'm w/ u, q.

My idea of socializing is going grocery shopping. My idea of a social network is the public library.

[CrispyQ]

3. Yeah!

:thumbsup:

Although, sometimes grocery shopping is more like working through an obstacle course. How can someone reading a label, while their cart is askew in the isle, be oblivious of other people trying to get by? Is it deliberate? And why do people coming out of an isle, act as though they have the right of way? In traffic, those entering the main thoroughfare yield the right of way to those already on the thoroughfare. I've been bashed by carts at the top/bottom of the isle several times.

Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do. I will forego sleeping in to get to the store early to avoid the crowds.

[PatSeg]

5. Same here

I hate grocery shopping. People are so oblivious to everyone else. There is so little common courtesy. The energy is so negative, I find it draining.

[WheelWalker]

10. Hmm,

that's never my experience. It's so enjoyable that I do it probably 5 times a week. Of course, my average nightly trip runs about $3.50. I can stretch that to 45 minutes with no problem at all. Living alone and having responsibility for only my own needs probably makes some of the difference. Also, I look at it as an opportunity to practice my spiritual path. It is a good thing for me, and I am enriched by the experience. I hope others I meet are, as well.

[CrispyQ]

13. I see a new career for you!

Grocery shopping for those of us who hate it! Forty-five minutes for $3.50 worth of food?! Wow! Admirable mind-set!

[WheelWalker]

15. Achieving

a persistent meditative state has been well worth the effort.

[jillan]

6. I feel the same way about grocery shopping.

I hate it. All of it. Especially checking out, dragging the groceries in the house and putting it all away. The whole thing is a major chore. I'd rather clean toilets.

But, I must confess, I am one of those label readers.
And yes, at times, I have been oblivious. Keep that partially hydrogenated oil out of my body...plus one of my daughters is lactose intolerant - so I am reading labels with a purpose.

[PatSeg]

7. I've found it nice

as I've connected with family and old friends that I don't talk to very often. I only have people on there that I know very well though. It would be too overwhelming to include too many people. It is a very clever site, well set up and very appealing.

[jillan]

8. Yes, facebook would be a great way for your business purposes.

You can search for people that have the same interests as you.

I've never done Twitter, so I can't answer that.

[Tashca]

18. Interesting

A quick question....your response made me think about something. I am not just asking you, but anyone who can answer.
I assume this facebook thing is quite large....you mention groups. Your saying I could search very specific types of groups. For instance I have some new ideas about alternative agriculture. I can not find support in Universities or Ag industies....for obvious reasons. I know there are others out there that believe like myself......I sense it. Would this be a good way to search for and possibly networks with them???

[Muttocracy]

9. I never considered it until I read this article on a plane recently

it talks about just your question - using social networks for business. Made me think it could be good down the road? What if it starts being an expected tool to know how to use like other technology? I guess you can use it for both personal and work stuff?

Article mentions some other sites too including LinkedIn

Link is really long, let me know if it doesn't work:

http://www.nwaworldtraveler.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=FEC2F0707AD143609F918AFF665AFA0C

[CrispyQ]

12. Thanks for that great article!

I'm definitely going to check out Linkedin, but also Facebook & Twitter.

You made a good point when you asked what if it starts being an expected tool to know how to use. On the VA forum they discuss that you can't look like you're out of touch with techonology. Thanks for the link!

Ok, so I have an issue with your new name. The only logical nickname is "Mutt" but I just can't bring myself to call my good friend, JIOOU, "Mutt." ;)

[Muttocracy]

19. Mutt is just fine. I called my brother-in-law last night

or would the kids make that BIL? and asked about LinkedIn. He explained how it worked and I might join that just to be able to poke around it a bit more. I guess it's pretty much all business, but really good for networking - you can see who your contacts have in their contacts list etc.

and I will probably keep responding to JoeIs or JIOOU from you guys - I don't recognize my new name yet either!

[Debi]

4. Glad you did this - I would have no idea how!

:hi:

[Jennicut]

11. My Mom sent me an email to join Facebook. I guess I need to get with it.

I still don't know how these social networking things work. I tried MySpace but there are so many immature idiots there. My husband has a page there for his band but I do not like it there. Facebook seems calmer.

[PatSeg]

14. My son has a MySpace page

and he prefers Facebook. It is more streamlined and functional.

[livvy]

16. I still haven't figured out how everything works there.

I'm just winging it. It is fun to see what your friends and family are up to. If you do sign up, you know what the first group you have to join is!
I'm not addicted to it yet, but...

[jillan]

17. Jennicut - Let us know if you join.

We'll find you and then you will find all of us.

As an added benefit, you will find people that you knew many, many years ago.

I'm in my 50's and found someone I used to be friends with in 2nd grade. It's amazing.
Plus the boy in my Spanish class in high school that I used to have the biggest crush on.
He never liked me as anything more than a friend :( but, all I will say is now he ain't so great. haha. Sweet.

[Jennicut]

20. My husband has joined Facebook too.

He has classmates from high school talking to him now too. He has not talked to them in 15 years (he graduated in '93). I am going to have to join now that I will know so many people there! That is funny about the guy in your Spanish class. :)