did anyone completely stop using facebook?

[goingthroughQLC]

I sort of did and it's very inactive with no recent wall posts

I have tried not to add anyone after a certain point to keep a separate life. A fresh start away from my past but maybe I still "care" how I'm perceived through facebook from all the people of the past

[DuckFan]

Never had a Facebook.

Killed my Myspace page about 8 months ago.

It seems to be a self-serving avenue and people trying to one-up each other.

"Hey, look what I am doing!"

Others will disagree. But, for me, it's great to disappear and not have people constantly updated on my life, pics, etc.

[freem]

I used to be so addicted to facebook but I also found it to be a means for people to show off their "fabulous" lives. I also didn't like how people could find out stuff about me through my wall conversations with mutual friends instead of just asking me directly. My facebook use has dwindled but I still keep it there since it's a way to stay connected and I still get social invitations and important messages through facebook. But I haven't updated my page in ages.

[winneythepooh7]

I KNOW I have people on my Facebook right now who only "friended" me because they are nosy and curious to know what goes on in my life each day. Not that it's really THAT exciting. :D It's pretty obvious, especially when they've either 1.) been rude to me in the past or 2.) never really were my friend IRL to begin with. Oh well. I don't lose sleep over it.

[DaneCA]

I like Facebook for keeping in touch with friends from college, especially because it's so easily accessible from my phone, but it is funny when people comment on pictures (not even mine, but the ones friends have posted), and say something like, "Your boyfriend is so cute!" Now that we're broken up, I'm having to explain the situation to a lot more people than I would if Facebook didn't exist!

I just canceled my MySpace a couple of weeks ago. I like Facebook much better (and even listed that as my official reason for canceling when MySpace asked), but I still don't use it a ton and I never went on MySpace.

[KCboy]

I've never had a facebook, never even considered it.

I do have a myspace, but NOTHING ever happens on it, and I only check it every couple of weeks now.

[LilGuillermo]

I gave up on myspace after I found most of the people I cared about were on facebook, myspace just got annoying with all that "personality" crap, like I'd go to a page and a song would start playing and it's like I listening to MY music! I don't care about yours! but facebook seems a little better, its not perfect by most means, but it's a great way to stay connected with people who I would otherwise probably lose...

[Fender247]

Yeah, I definitely don't use it anymore. I thought about deleting my account a few times but it's good for getting in touch with people that you liked in the past but haven't really talked to in awhile...

I just don't like it when people try to make plans through facebook and when I don't respond they wonder why. Because I don't check it that often!

[wordsmith]

Anything that helps me keep in touch with people I wanna keep in touch with and doesn't require me to be on the phone is fine by me.

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah, that is the cool thing about social networking sites. I am not a phone person anymore either (at least outside of work and/or if I want to make firm plans w/ someone). I also know a lot of my family has joined Facebook because that's the one place I often post updated pics of my son, and they can easily log-on to see him that way.

[Restless&Lost]

I haven't stopped using it completely, but I have been on it a lot less in the last few months than I used to be. There are maybe four or five people in my friends list who actually post interesting things (not just endless streams of images depicting themselves and how wonderful their lives are), and that I communicate with regularly.

I definitely lost interest in looking at people I haven't seen since tenth grade. It was kind of a novel thing for a while, but now I couldn't care less.

[LilGuillermo]

There are maybe four or five people in my friends list who actually post interesting things (not just endless streams of images depicting themselves and how wonderful their lives are), and that I communicate with regularly.



I hear you on that one! Yeah people's facebook albums have kinda turned into those boring vacation films, like the "this is me in..." and "that's me at the..." and it's like I'm glad these people have a social life but is it really necessary to post 200 pics of you and your friends at a bar on saturday night? and most of them are from the same saturday night just the pics are taken from different angles!

[mahlerssecond]

I have a Facebook account and I don't log in as much as I used to. I have been thinking for some time about "cleaning house" on my profile, since even though it was fun to "friend" certain people (especially those from H.S. and before), the novelty of these people has worn off. I personally don't care if you got intoxicated with your friends at the bar, are moving to that fancy new house, or little Johnny won his first baseball game. In some cases people flaunt their accomplishments and I can be a little depressing.
Even though it can be a difficult thing to do, you can see why many of these people are no longer part of your life. I have a few that occasionally send me messages, but most of those people I see in person on a regular basis.

[Restless&Lost]

I hear you on that one! Yeah people's facebook albums have kinda turned into those boring vacation films, like the "this is me in..." and "that's me at the..." and it's like I'm glad these people have a social life but is it really necessary to post 200 pics of you and your friends at a bar on saturday night? and most of them are from the same saturday night just the pics are taken from different angles!

I always thought it was weird how a lot of people keep around so many pictures of themselves, as if they don't have a mirror or something. Always struck me as a tad self-obsessed, you know?

[hoodie]

I'm okay with it, really. It doesn't bother me when people post stuff about their lives or have a billion pictures or even brag. Whatever.

Isn't that what happens at class reunions anyways? Facebook is my excuse not to go to my 10 year. Anyone I'd potentially want to connect with is on Facebook and I've already friended/accepted them. It's much easier NOT to see people I DON'T want to see from HS there too.

Plus it's kind of fun for a dork like me. I like looking at pictures and taking those dumb quizzes.

[capella]

I signed up for an account only after my mom signed up for one. Most of my family lives outside of the state (and my mom, two sisters and stepdad live in Germany right now), so it's really convenient for staying in touch with family. I only use it for that reason. I really, really am not that interested in posting what's going on in my life for everyone else to read. 1) My life is not that interesting and 2) If you want to know what's up with me, call, email, text me... anything but hide behind the computer screen lurking and not making actual contact.

I'm considering starting up a Ning site just for my family, though. That way my younger sisters can be signed in (my mom won't let them use Facebook at 12 and 14 years old) and I know that only family will be on the site. And I will stop getting random messages that my "friends" sent me even though it's just Facebook apps being sneaky.

[SpaceMonkey]

I haven't stopped using it, but I've definitely stopped updating my profile as often with random trivia, keeping it more professionally-oriented.

[HDC80]

I think FB is what you make it.
You can post pics to share what your antics looked like over the weekend...or you can not...dont knock people that do. I have a zillion pics...why? Because Im generally the one photo documenting, and Im ASKED to update ASAP because people want to see what they missed, or couldnt make it to, or those that went want to see how silly we were.

If you only want to be friends with people you know now, and family...so be it...if you want to check in with Suzi from middle school who moved in 7th grade.....go for it....you never know.

You dont have to update, or post your every move.....I know plenty of people who post song quotes, mini polls or random musings to give a laugh.....

But really, dont knock others that have things to post, or children to write about...thats their life....its what they want to share....either un-friend them, or dont be on FB in the first place.

[Schecter_Guy]

I have a Myspace. Haven't logged on in about a week or two. I log onto Facebook maybe once a month. I have a tiny family so its not difficult to keep up with them. And I only care what's going on with a couple of friends and I talk to them regularly. Plus those people do not have social site pages so its really unecessary for me anyway.

I'm not really one to share what's going on in my life sicne its not that exciting. And when I do talk about myself I keep the conversations quick because I do not want to bore others. I don't thin kanyone has seen any pictures of my vacations.

[gemma-dahl]

A bit of a tangent, but two months ago, I had a big problem with using the Internet way too much for leisure. I've since cut back, and social networking sites (save for those related to business) were at the top of my list of things to go.

I now try to only use sites that add value to my day. Though I still have a MySpace, I haven't used it in a long time because it doesn't offer the value that I seek. I have actually found that e-mail is perfectly sufficient for keeping in touch with people I need to reach. I stopped Facebook before my "Internet overhaul," because I didn't care for it, but in general, I am trying to cut down on my Internet use. Having to share "the good computer" at home has helped immensely with this.

[FishOutOfWater]

I've cut back on my facebook profile, which has included putting a lot of my friends on limited profile and deleting a lot of personal information from my page. Now my page mostly consists of basic information about me and work / education info. I don't do things like status very often, and I don't post pics on my profile or take the new facebook quizzes. The only applications I've downloaded are homages to my pets and a map that shows cities I've visited.

Unfortunately that hasn't stopped me from visiting the site far too frequently. what can I say? I love stalking people. :evil:

[fuzmiq]

I think FB is what you make it.
You can post pics to share what your antics looked like over the weekend...or you can not...dont knock people that do. I have a zillion pics...why? Because Im generally the one photo documenting, and Im ASKED to update ASAP because people want to see what they missed, or couldnt make it to, or those that went want to see how silly we were.

If you only want to be friends with people you know now, and family...so be it...if you want to check in with Suzi from middle school who moved in 7th grade.....go for it....you never know.

You dont have to update, or post your every move.....I know plenty of people who post song quotes, mini polls or random musings to give a laugh.....

But really, dont knock others that have things to post, or children to write about...thats their life....its what they want to share....either un-friend them, or dont be on FB in the first place.

I agree 100%. Guarantee you, people are not worrying about proving how great their lives are when they post their pics.

Of it's many great features, Facebook can be used as an easily accessible database of pictures and memories that you can share with your friends and family and look back on years from now (provided it's still up and running).

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah, I post pics from time to time, mostly of my son. I doubt everyone on my Facebook looks at them, or cares. I also don't look at all my friends' pictures either. I don't really have the time for one, and could care less about a lot of the pics people post as well. It's not anything that really bothers me though.

I also think there is a way you can "turn off" everyone's updates on your page if you don't want to be bothered.

[Schecter_Guy]

I guess Facebook is big enough to warrant a movie:

http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2009/06/david-fincher-facebook.html

[caostotale]

Facebook has actually helped me network with lots of people who share my esoteric tastes in classical music, etc..., so I mostly use it for the groups I've joined. Sifting through all the waffle that my everyday friends post on their walls (e.g. Joe Fuckstick is looking forward to a bean burrito after work.) is a small price to pay for some of the more meaningful discussions I've engaged in with people who don't just sit around attention-whoring and bullshitting aimlessly.

I haven't looked at my Myspace page in ages. Good riddance to another worthless time-devourer.

[wordsmith]

(e.g. Joe Fuckstick is looking forward to a bean burrito after work.)

hah, I'm guessing you don't Twitter, then. Me, either.

[gemma-dahl]

Sifting through all the waffle that my everyday friends post on their walls (e.g. Joe Fuckstick is looking forward to a bean burrito after work.)

I haven't looked at my Myspace page in ages. Good riddance to another worthless time-devourer.

THIS is why I am so glad you post again! Haha.

Seconded on the myspace. Ugh. I used to waste what seemed like an hour every day messaging people.

[scottie84]

Personally, my biggest problem with Facebook is that I am constantly using what I read or see on there to "compare" myself to others. It is just another avenue of envy/jealousy. Sometimes I don't even know why I am jealous or envious of others when my own life isn't that much different. The whole thing is kind of insane. There are times that I really feel like people are throwing it in everyone's face such as when someone gets engaged or married. It can get old REAL FAST. MySpace is long gone from my life.

[freem]

That is exactly the reason I started to limit my visits to facebook. I go on enough so I'm still "in the loop" since it's good to keep in touch and for social invites etc. Seems like people like to organize things via facebook now and if you don't have it, you're left out. Other than that, the novelty of it has definitely worn off.

I've hated MySpace from the get-go and still do. I find everything about it obnoxious.

[gemma-dahl]

Personally, my biggest problem with Facebook is that I am constantly using what I read or see on there to "compare" myself to others. It is just another avenue of envy/jealousy. Sometimes I don't even know why I am jealous or envious of others when my own life isn't that much different. The whole thing is kind of insane. There are times that I really feel like people are throwing it in everyone's face such as when someone gets engaged or married. It can get old REAL FAST. MySpace is long gone from my life.

On any social networking site, people are only going to put their best faces forward. I think people want to use those sites for positive means, like making friends and networking, not for showing off (I'm sure some people show off, but not the majority). On my professional profiles, I showcase what I've published and what I've done. I don't write things like "I just lost a client" or point out which job I was fired from. So it can be helpful to remember that other people on those sites have lives that have their issues and tough spots, just as yours does. I also think people tend to post about engagements or babies because they have lots of friends and family who live far away and they want to share the good news and fun.

If for whatever reason you find yourself getting caught up in a comparison game, or you find a site is upsetting you just because you spend too much time there, try taking a hiatus; maybe even take some time to reflect on what is cool about YOU! I left QLC for a month because I was using the internet too much, and my poor time management was upsetting me (it's not exactly related, but is an example). You might feel better about the whole thing.

[erika36]

I've thought about quitting Facebook, since the novelty is kinda wearing off. But my brother did quit Facebook and hasn't been back on since.

[mahlerssecond]

Sifting through all the waffle that my everyday friends post on their walls (e.g. Joe Fuckstick is looking forward to a bean burrito after work.) is a small price to pay for some of the more meaningful discussions I've engaged in with people who don't just sit around


I ran into an article on MSN.com yesterday as to why people post the status updates they do on Facebook. Just to let you know, this is kind of humorous.

http://tech.msn.com/products/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=20260811

[hoodie]

Haha love it. Guilty of a few of those, but none of the ones they called annoying, luckily.

[mahlerssecond]

While not necessarly giving up on Facebook all together, I have been in the mode to delete some people whom I have made a friend request to in the past. I am deleting these people, mostly because I didn't know them all that well to begin with, and they have done nothing to enrich my life. There are also people I wonder why I added in the first place, because I didn't know them to begin with (but probably out of curiousity added them).

I am in the process of trying to find a new close friend, and am hoping to use Facebook as one of the tools to acheive that. By cutting out the chaff, I am hoping to focus more on those people and relationships that have reached out a little bit to me, or we have something in common (work, church, activities).

I think I let Facebook get out of hand by letting so many people into my life to the point I couldn't manage it. I also was a little upset by the fact that certain people wouldn't accept my friend requests (my mayor friend is a good example of this, but other members of his family won't accept my requests either, a shitty way to deal with this in my opinion). Hopefully by doing this, things will get better.

[wordsmith]

I don't even know who has or hasn't accepted my requests. I don't even really recall who all I've sent them to.

I do know that I've only consciously blown off one person who's sent me a request, ever... my aunt, who has been very rude to me at recent family gatherings and functions due to discrepancies in political convictions. I can't imagine what benefit there would be to including her on my online network.

[DaneCA]

I very rarely reject a friend request on Facebook, and then it’s only in a case like Words’ when someone has been outright rude toward me. What I usually do is to just ignore it and leave it in my “Requests” box (I know it’s passive aggressive). If a person I don’t really know or like makes a friend request, I’ll accept it, but just not communicate with him or her.

Luckily, most of my co-workers are older and not on Facebook. I wouldn’t feel comfortable having them as FB friends, mostly because I do use the status and wall post features and I don’t really want anyone noticing, for example, that a friend of mine posted about going out on a Tuesday night and that I’m especially tired the next day. I wouldn’t want to reject a co-worker’s friend request, so I’m lucky that it hasn’t come up so far.

[oldmanwinter]

I have seriously considered disabling my profile, but it seems that most event planning is centered around the service. I don't want to miss out.

[crystal_dance]

i debate about it on and off. I really want to disable my current page and start fresh with just family and close friends. The riff raff need to seriously go.

[spiritedaway]

I've de-activated myfacebook. I've been on it since the college years. As it grew, I had to become selective about who I want to accept as friends and who I don't (mostly due to privacy concerns since I upload photos there). I only accept people that I know IRL and those that I knew well. (Close friends and family have access to the photo albums that I posted there)

Then facebook introduced the concept of limited profiles, which is useful but not without its flaws. The novelty has worn off for me a long ago, but I decided to take a break from it because the usefulness has worn off too. I wasn't as productive with my time as I could've been.

I wondered what people are up to sometimes since I've used it for a long time now (7 years or so), but I really don't miss it nearly as much as I thought I would. It's a good decision. I'm sure plenty of other people still find it useful (as I once did), but I just don't need it anymore. People who wanted to be in touch have ways to contact me. In fact, a few have emailed me and one even went as far as looking up my alum info to find me that way. Most of my friends have my contact info - with or without facebook. No big deal.

[Schecter_Guy]

I was talking to a coworker yesterday who is about to move to NYC and she said I should hit her up if I was in town. She proceeded to ask if I was on Facebook and I told her yes, but I rarely use it. She gave me a disappointed sigh. It gave me the impression that people are getting way too lazy to put in the effort to maintain any kind of relationship. It seems like people are kind of becoming commodities. I prefer even chatting on AIM or something.

[KCboy]

I was talking to a coworker yesterday who is about to move to NYC and she said I should hit her up if I was in town. She proceeded to ask if I was on Facebook and I told her yes, but I rarely use it. She gave me a disappointed sigh. It gave me the impression that people are getting way too lazy to put in the effort to maintain any kind of relationship. It seems like people are kind of becoming commodities. I prefer even chatting on AIM or something.

people gave me the same impression a few years ago about myspace. I don't think I've had any action on myspace in over a year.