Goodbye Facebook
Ok, I’ve meant to do this for awhile, but I can’t see any reason to wait any longer.
I’m abandoning Facebook.
Try as I might, there is just nothing of value in Facebook for me. The groups are the only redeeming item on the system, but you have to put up with tons of senseless “apps”. Apps that would’ve been fun back in college when playing quarters or beer bongs, but not when I’m trying to build serious business connections.
While some have made a pretty good case for Facebook, it doesn’t change how it’s viewed by business, or how useful it is for me. I’m astounded at home much time everything takes and how limited everything is. Not to mention the data-ownership question. Just ask Robert Scoble on that one.
I’ve been coming to the conclusion from using many, many different social tools over summer and fall of last year that “social networking” is just an activity. Yep, that’s a “duh” realization, but it’s more than just that. All these “social network” sites are merely a combination of groups on steroids, or worse - simply customizable “home pages” for the masses.
To build real associations with people on a professional and personal level requires interest, dedication, and tools. Facebook could loosely be called a tool, but I think of it as a toy. Tools are designed to do a specific function, and to it well. Twitter is a tool. Blogging is a tool.
I’ve suggested before that my blog is my social network. While that may be incorrect, it is a key tool in my social networking activities. It’s one of three things that are within my control that will never change. My blog address, my email address and my mobile phone number. These are the key pieces of communicating with me that people will never have to re-learn or worry about changing. On these three things, I can build the rest.
The rest is up to me, after all, and how involved in different communities and organizations I want to be. With a blog I can post my views and opinions. With my email address I can interact with just about anyone I share it with, which is everyone, and the same for my cell phone.
I choose to augment this triangle-foundation of my social networking with tools like Twitter, Utterz, IM, LinkedIn, Technorati, del.icio.us, Clipmarks, and several more. I use each for one or two things - the things they do well. None of these are a one-stop-shop for social networking and social media goodness.
Maybe you can point out where I failed with Facebook. I’m always looking to learn - what should I or others be looking for in Facebook? How to approach it? If there really is something there I’m interested in hearing it.
UPDATE: I just wanted to add that I’m leaving the account in place, but will not be active on Facebook. I am interested in what everyone does with Facebook to gain value from it, so don’t hesitate to give my $.02. My Twitter tweets update the “My Status” every time I tweet and I’m notified of Facebook mail if that is the only way you choose to contact me. Cheers!
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Comments
Comment by Rick Mahn Hi Connie,
I am very glad that for you, and others, Facebook DOES provide value. I wish it did for me as well, but it may be partly based on what I expected and wasn’t able to find there. Also, most of my professional IT contacts are not, and will not, be Facebook users. They’re just not that demographic.
I’m not going to delete my account, Twitter updates my status there, and I’ll continue to get notification and mail forwarded from Facebook to my real email account, but I’m not (currently) going to be active there.
Regards,
Rick
Pingback by Quick Thoughts for 1.24.08 | WinExtra [...] Goodbye Facebook :: Rick Mahn - Rick finally has enough of the whole Facebook and possibly social networks in general [...]
Comment by Free Contact Manager Hmmm…I have to agree with your point on using your blog as a social networking tool.
The reason I cannot get into the Facebook/Myspace craze is because there are few long term benefits as far as I can tell.
Remember with AltaVista was King? Now Google rules. So what happens if Facebook fizzles out? All the time spent on FB is a waste; However, you have full control of your web properties, and can use them as long as you live.
Facebook is great, but nothing beats an old fashion e-mail with care and consideration.
Great post!
Comment by wren I’m fairly new to Facebook. I prefer it hands down over Myspace. If it weren’t for music I’d abandon Myspace altogether. I had hopes for Virb.com being a better myspace as far as connecting with muscians but it really hasn’t taken off.
I use facebook for social connections and linkedIn for work connections. With only a couple of exceptions, everyone who’s a friend on facebook is someone I know IRL.
Comment by Rick Mahn Hey wren,
I keep wondering if I should go back and give FB more time. I just am quickly irritated by the unproductive (for me) invites to everything. Maybe… I’ll go think about it some more.
There seem to be 2 camps on the issue of “friends” the IRLs, and the network building. Think I’m in the network building camp.
Comment by wren For me, LinkedIn works better for networking. It’s more professional. Not just because of the lack of apps but also, I think there’s extraneous info on facebook that could taint prospective business contacts - consciously or unconsciously - profiles list political leanings, religion, age, etc.
Comment by 
Comment by 
hmm I wonder if it is a person’s expectations? People connect with me in the following order:
1) Twitter
2) Facebook
3) sometimes LinkedIn
BUT, they contact me thru Facebook if the conversation shifts to more than just ‘hello’.
I guess I like Facebook & am still a proponent. I went thru a period where my profile wouldn’t load last fall. That seems to be resolved. I have 300 friends over there - and an inbox that needs cleaning out. Because I can’t search - and delete that way - it’s going to be time consuming. I need to leave some groups that spam too regularly.
But overall Facebook has been a good thing for me! I enjoy it.
That’s not to say it’s right for you though.