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Post by kerouac2 on Jan 31, 2019 17:38:44 GMT
Before the debate begins (it will), let's have a little poll.
For people regularly online, it has become rather difficult to avoid Facebook because even when you don't use it yourself, you are often directed to Facebook links which you cannot even view properly unless you sign in. On top of that, there are Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and all of the other social media sites. Huge numbers of millennials cannot live without these media. People who became adults before the invention of Facebook (2004) often have a lot more difficulty with seeing the benefits of these things or even managing to use them.
You might want to read this interesting article about how Facebook has completely changed people's lives, not always for the better.
Might this all just be a passing fad before people decide to get their lives back? Is that even possible?
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Post by amboseli on Jan 31, 2019 17:44:00 GMT
I'm pretty sure all this is a passing fad. I spend far less time on FB/IG than I used to a few years ago. I almost got my life back! Almost ...
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Post by bjd on Jan 31, 2019 17:56:46 GMT
I never let go of mine.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 31, 2019 18:57:05 GMT
I don't have a smart phone or indeed, any kind of mobile phone. However, that's a separate debate. I do use & enjoy Facebook, but access it on the computer. (At the risk of starting yet another debate -- or a rant from me -- the absolute best way to enjoy & use Anyport is from a computer or tablet, not from a phone.) Kerouac either forgot there is already a facebook discussion thread, or just wanted to make a new one including the poll. Whatever ~ here's the old one: anyportinastorm.proboards.com/thread/5962/facebook-good-bad-who-cares I skimmed through it and suspect some of the responders will say the same as before and some of them will have done an about-face. Everything I wrote in that earlier thread still stands, so I won't repeat it here. I will however repeat something I wrote in the Tech thread for those of you who use social media: A handy FYI ~ all of you can quickly share threads from anyport directly to the social media of your choice. All you have to do is click on the word Actions at the top right of any thread page (beneath the menu). You'll get a drop-down menu with five options. The middle one is Share Thread. Click on it for a menu of the various social media & choose the one you want. Proceed as directed by the site of your choice. ==============================================================================================================
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Post by kerouac2 on Jan 31, 2019 19:12:06 GMT
Kerouac either forgot there is already a facebook discussion thread, or just wanted to make a new one I didn't forget -- you just can't add a poll to an existing thread, and we haven't had a poll for years.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 31, 2019 19:34:53 GMT
I have an iphone which I wouldn't be without but have no interest in social media. I belong to 3 forums, Anyport and 2 cactus forums.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jan 31, 2019 21:08:57 GMT
Kerouac, note I specifically said that ~ or just wanted to make a new one including the poll.
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Post by amboseli on Jan 31, 2019 22:12:11 GMT
the absolute best way to enjoy & use Anyport is from a computer or tablet, not from a phone.) So true!
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Post by questa on Feb 1, 2019 0:09:43 GMT
As my son's family upgrade their electronic paraphernalia every year or so, I have received all these i-hand-me-downs, suitably cleansed, to "learn on". Hah...what a joke! I can answer a call on the phone but only after a short burst of panic. Making a call requires back-up reassurance and the time it takes to SMS someone it would have been quicker to use a carrier pigeon.
Hidden away in a drawer is a well cared for iPad. I inherited it from my grandson who, at age 11, is on his third "device". I keep promising myself I will get it out and turn it on one day. I can't even play Solitaire on it.
My PC is my link with the world and I think I only use 10% of what it can do. I do have a tendency to crash the thing and my tech man is always going mad at me for opening places where only fools go. The "Recovery" button is my best friend. Somehow I have several sites that are only in Indonesian but I can cope with that. It is the computer jargon that really kills me.
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Post by amboseli on Feb 1, 2019 11:09:02 GMT
Oh questa, you remind me of my mom when she tried to write a SMS. But hey, she managed to do it all by herself at age 83!
I would feel very unhappy without all my devices: laptop, tablet, smartphone. They are my eye on the world, the way to keep in touch with friends all over the globe. You can take away my big expensive flatscreen TV but my phone ... never!
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 1, 2019 14:53:53 GMT
I'm the opposite. My smartphone never leaves the house unless I have some specific and urgent reason to have it with me. I usually don't even know where it is and have to call myself with the land line to find it. It accompanies me on trips but is practically never used.
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Post by mich64 on Feb 1, 2019 16:26:52 GMT
Facebook became important to me when I could not speak, I realized I could still type, even though quite slowly as writing was also quite difficult. It gave me a way to communicate. We have a sibling chat page on messenger. I prefer to view Facebook and Any Port on my lap top but I do have a tablet I use and I have an Iphone. I have not attempted to understand Instagram.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 1, 2019 17:09:51 GMT
Thanks for the computer boost re: using anyport, Amboseli. You have certainly taken some great pictures on your phone that you've shared here. Questa, I hope one day someone has the good sense to sit down with you and patiently and clearly show you the ropes on your computer and maybe on a tablet, too. Probably it should be someone other than your tech guy. If you have a friend who mostly taught him/herself the ropes and is willing to show you, that would be your best bet. Kerouac, your comments about your phone sum up why I don't feel the need to have one. Mich, that is an impressive look at the way you managed to overcome your communication difficulties. Since I get to see all the lively and interesting things you post here and on facebook, it's even more amazing to read that this was quite hard for you.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 1, 2019 18:11:06 GMT
I basically only use my tablet to play Candy Crush in bed after midnight.
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Post by questa on Feb 1, 2019 23:25:14 GMT
Bixa, the closest I come to being tutored is with my 11 yr old grandson. I think the main problem is I rarely get or send calls or SMS so don't get the practice in using the system. When travelling I had an arrangement with my (very busy) sons...no communications unless I needed help. While I was in Indonesia, we would send emails and I used the local internet cafe for this. Maybe this year I will try to understand and post some items from my collection of travels.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 5, 2019 19:45:47 GMT
I'm a convert to fb. When I retired in 2016 my colleagues persuaded me to join so that I could stay in touch. My younger relatives/friends are savvy enough to be able to restrict what I can see of their posts. I've reconnected with quite a few old chums. I quite enjoy it but it's too easy to get sucked into just sitting scrolling for hours...
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 5, 2019 19:57:48 GMT
My main problem with Facebook is that I am completely bored by most of the things that the people I know post and it tends to lower my opinion of them.
I am a terrible excuse for a human being.
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Post by amboseli on Feb 5, 2019 22:41:06 GMT
For me it's an easy way to stay in touch - through postings and photos - with my family and friends who live abroad.
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Post by mich64 on Feb 5, 2019 22:47:28 GMT
For a look at our current weather conditions, look at my FB page and you will see my husband clearing the ice of our stairs.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 6, 2019 1:50:33 GMT
I quite enjoy it but it's too easy to get sucked into just sitting scrolling for hours... Yes, true. And it's one thing if you're actually reading news or keeping up with friends and family. It's entirely another if you're following all the posts in such Groups as "Weird Second Hand Finds that just need to be shared". That's a real facebook Group that I actually belong to. My main problem with Facebook is that I am completely bored by most of the things that the people I know post and it tends to lower my opinion of them. I am a terrible excuse for a human being. Kerouac, you can tweak your settings to "see less from so&so". As for your second statement, I'll agree with it just to be polite. For me it's an easy way to stay in touch - through postings and photos - with my family and friends who live abroad. Excellent point, Amboseli. There are many people who seem only to communicate through fb, and it's nice to see what they're up to. For a look at our current weather conditions, look at my FB page and you will see my husband clearing the ice of our stairs. Oh my gosh, Mich! So much snow piled up on either side and that ice on the stairs seems deadly!
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Post by lagatta on Feb 6, 2019 14:46:23 GMT
Shovelling snow isn't hard if you take your time, but can be deadly for people with heart conditions. The ice is the problem this winter, and why I haven't been getting enough exercise. I went for a long walk yesterday as there had been a thaw...
As for Facebook, I look at some sites but haven't joined; I spend far too long in front of the computer anyway because I work on it. And yes, as well as APIAS, sometimes I do look at the cat videos friends send me...
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 6, 2019 23:05:44 GMT
A note about closed Groups on Facebook, which can be useful. The posts on closed Groups can only be seen by Group members, meaning that your other FB friends not in the Group will never see anything about it or know that you belong to it.
Honestly, there is no reason for some Groups to be closed, but there are others to which many people would only belong if the Group is kept closed. Examples would be Groups addressing physical or psychological problems. There are also closed Groups for careers -- job searches, networking, and the like.
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Post by patricklondon on Feb 7, 2019 14:35:45 GMT
There are two closed FB groups for residents of the estate I live on. One is supposed to be for social events and activities, lost/found/for sale, etc. But as is the way of things, it soon got overwhelmed with the habitual whingers and personal spats over estate management issues, so another group was set up for that. All this because the existing residents' website and forums closed down (and thereby hangs a long and boring tale). And I have one for family members so only they can see the occasional family photo that I post. My blog | My photos | My video clips | My Librivox recordings"too literate to be spam"
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 8, 2019 1:36:41 GMT
One is supposed to be for social events and activities, lost/found/for sale, etc. But as is the way of things, it soon got overwhelmed with the habitual whingers and personal spats Human nature rears its ugly head!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Feb 8, 2019 8:26:32 GMT
I reconnected with a few relatives and have had to unfollow them because of their racist or suspect posting. It's strange how people you knew really well can change! I'm pretty sure that folk find me equally annoying (no...really...). It's easy to constantly sit 'liking' political posts that I agree with. Sometimes I do it because I want to encourage the poster.
I joined a closed fb group because an ex colleague invited me to and I like her...however I have absolutely nothing in common with 99% of the other members (all women, all much younger than me). My feed is constantly full of posts from this group which is a tad disconcerting. I have little to say and there are only so many pictures of Jason Mamoa (?sp) that I need to see...so I'm afraid I'm going to have to risk upsetting my chum and unfollow her group...
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 8, 2019 17:23:03 GMT
Cheery, I'm also in a group because I was invited and it would have been rude to say no. But I'm not into it at all and there are so many posts from it flooding my feed. You probably know this, but go to the menu line just below the Group's banner and click on the little arrow next to "Joined". You can Unfollow but not Leave, so your friend will probably be unaware that you've done so. You can always pop back in occasionally to leave a stray polite Like or whatever.
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 8, 2019 18:27:36 GMT
Actually, I am signed up for a "Next Door" group but not within Facebook. The advantage of this is that even though there are 5-10 emails every day, I can click and delete them just by seeing the title. "yoga class" "need plumber" etc.
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Post by onlyMark on Dec 8, 2020 7:57:00 GMT
Coming up to two years later, is there anyone want to change their vote? I'll check and look at Facebook every day but not to keep in touch with people, it is more for the information people can provide. I join a group or maybe two, for the country I am living in so as to be able to ask questions and also obtain information from what others post or answer regarding the changes in law, best shopping, best accommodation, local history and so on. I've recently joined one for Bosnia and it's already bearing fruit. I am/was in three groups for Zambia and I'll probably leave two of them but one I was banned from anyway and another I was 'paused' for a couple of months because I objected to a rich foreigner coming in to the country and asking for someone to put her up for free.
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Post by kerouac2 on Dec 8, 2020 8:30:32 GMT
I continue to take a look at Facebook once or twice a week and then I wonder why I bothered because I see nothing of interest.
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Post by bjd on Dec 8, 2020 10:23:13 GMT
During the spring lockdown, I discovered from a neighbour that our town puts out municipal information on Facebook. So on very rare occasions I check the site but don't belong to Facebook and just click on "join later" when the box comes up.
During this lockdown a friend near Toulouse wanted me to become part of a Whatsapp small (3) group so that we can each exercise outside "together" even though we are far apart. Two of them do so now, but I just feel like an idiot walking or running and talking out loud, so I am still not on social media.
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