An Introduction to Facebook for Beginners

An Overview of the Facebook Social Network

Jan 15, 2008
Susan Whelan

Facebook User Numbers are Increasing - Meredith Flynn

Facebook has a range of useful and enjoyable options for users of all ages with multiplayer games, fun message options and photo and videofacilities.

The Facebook social network has revolutionised keeping in touch over the internet. Friends and family can now connect with each other in a network of relationships, sending emails, playing trivia quizzes and games, sharing photos and generally having casual day-to-day contact that is often difficult due to geographical distances and busy lifestyles.

Facebook isn’t just for teens and young adults. It is a wonderful and practical way for people of all ages to keep in touch on a regular basis and share information with friends and family.

Facebook Security

As with all internet applications, it is important to consider security issues before completing the Facebook registration. It is safer to limit "friends" to people who are personally known and adjust settings on the site to ensure that only approved friends are able to view any photos or information. It is possible to prevent a date of birth or address appearing on a homepage and this is also a practical intenet safety precaution.

Remember that anything that a user does on Facebook could appear in the ‘friends updates’ sections on their approved friends’ pages.

Like many sites, Facebook is funded by targeted advertising.

Facebook Homepage

There is the option of providing a photo linked to the name of each user. This does not necessarily have to be a photo of the user (it could be a scenery, comical or group shot), but it must not be under copyright. This photo will appear next to the user's name in different areas of the website.

"Status" allows users to input a sentence to describe what they are doing, how they are feeling or what they are thinking. (E.g. Robert is enjoying his holiday. Work? What’s that?)

The "search" facility allows users to search by name to find friends who are also on the network.

Facebook Applications

There are many ‘applications’ on Facebook that can be connected to a homepage for regular use. They can facilitate keeping in touch with others or be for the amusement or interest of the user themselves. Several common applications are listed below, but the range on the site is much more extensive.

Facebook Friendship Applications

Superpoke – send hugs, high five a friend, throw a chicken at someone, or just let them know that someone is thinking of them.
Funwall. Draw pictures or post photos for others to view.
Internal email – send emails to other Facebook members
Photos – set up photo albums for friends to view
Superlatives – let friends know where you think they excel – most likely to walk the red carpet, most likely to use the word ‘superfluous’ correctly, most likely to still be in their pajamas at lunchtime.
Gifts – growing gifts, hatching eggs, snow globes. Choose a gift to send and it will slowly reveal itself over 4 days.

Facebook List Applications

Books – list books that have been read and rate them as well as keeping a ‘want to read’ record.
Movies – Watch them, rate them, add them to a wish list.
Music – record favourite bands and albums