Facebook provides possibilities for local businesses

By Rebecca Gatlin
Word Contributor

Facebook is not just a fad — it is a way of life. This social phenomenon has become a huge hit among America’s teenagers, but it is not just for networking. Facebook is superior to MySpace in that there are a myriad of alternative uses for Facebook other than merely keeping in touch with friends and relatives. Gary Halberg, President of the Board of The United Way, describes Facebook as “a 21st Century communication tool that should be used as one of our assets to stay in touch with our community.”

Students can get connected with their professors and derive additional instruction for assignments or become fans of their school and stay updated on scheduled events and opportunities. For example, the La Salle-Peru Cavalier Baseball team uses Facebook to post event schedules, photos, and team information.
Parents can also benefit by utilizing Facebook. The Web site offers a user-friendly interface that connects parents with their teenagers while they are away from home at college. Facebook can be accessed by using a mobile phone as well, making it one of the most versatile networking sites available. Facebook travels with you and “can be used to provide real-time updates that will be posted on friends’ walls,” according to Halberg.

Facebook recently updated their chat application which is fully integrated with your Web browser. The chat function was such a hit that MySpace even changed their application to be much like Facebook’s chat client. You do not have to download any additional programs to chat directly with your family and friends — just log in.

Anytime that you visit Facebook, you can instantly chat with other members in your friend lists that have their availability set to online (the default setting). You can disable this feature if you do not wish to be available on the chat application.

Facebook comes equipped with an event function that allows friends, families and organizations to send personalized invitations for parties, meetings and special events. This is a great way to advertise a birthday party or fundraiser, especially at the last minute, since most Facebook users log in frequently.

Event participants can RSVP using the event function and Facebook will remind attendees about the event details. The United Way uses such Facebook functions to “solicit for volunteers and announce events or changes in scheduled activities.”

A snapshot of each member’s scheduled events appears on the lower right-hand side of their homepage. Every time the member logs in, they can see upcoming events. The schedule of events also lists upcoming birthdays for people in the member’s friend lists. This function is an excellent tool for organizations and individual members alike.

Members can utilize the “causes” function to raise awareness for charities, social agencies and disease research or treatment efforts. Many local agencies post results of fundraisers and events before they are published in the newspaper. Therefore, Facebook users have the advantage of being informed earlier than area newspaper subscribers. Halberg notes the usefulness of the photos function to The United Way: “This is a venue to post photos of events that will hopefully inspire others to get involved.” For members who take interest in non-local events, the “cause” function is one aspect of Facebook that will help you stay informed.
Local businesses advertise events and sales on Facebook. Members can sometimes find coupons for special sales and promotions. Most businesses have a Facebook account regardless of how lucrative they are. Valley Music, La Salle Speedway, La Salle Canal Boat, Illinois Valley Cellular, Illinois Valley Community Hospital and Illinois Valley YMCA are just a few of the local businesses that utilize the social networking Web site.

Facebook offers business owners and individuals the ability to advertise to a diverse group of members daily. Depending on user settings, Facebook will post ads on members’ homepages that best suit their interests or recently searched pages.

Speaking of pages, there is a page for everything. Pages are essentially Facebook fan pages for various items, television shows, sports teams, schools, soft drinks, fast food chains — you name it. Members can become a fan and Facebook will add a thumbnail picture to their profile, declaring to the entire Facebook community that they “like” said item. There is also a “like” button that allows members to share their interest in others’ statuses, posts and pictures. The one common complaint is that Facebook does not have an “unlike” button. Perhaps they will make this change soon.

The Web site also offers an update function. Members become fans of things they take interest in, such as television shows, comedians and musicians. Facebook will then notify the member if one of their interests posts an update. For example, Gossip Girl’s page will post updates to show trailers for upcoming episodes or ask for feedback from the audience (fans). If a member asserts that they like a particular musician, Facebook will send a notification when a concert is posted for a location near the member’s hometown.

Do not forget that Facebook users can also exchange e-mail messages. This function allows members to get more personalized, up-to-date information that is not otherwise posted on a member’s page. For example, Gary Halberg relays that this function “allows anyone with a Facebook account to e-mail [The United Way] with questions or concerns.”

Facebook users share photos, blogs, notes, interests, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, schedules, likes and various other preferences. Users can choose to alert those in their friend lists when new photos and videos are uploaded. Facebook users also can write notes, similar to MySpace’s blog, and post jokes, poetry, music videos, favorite or interesting Web links, surveys or random thoughts. This is probably the most popular function for creative writers who aspire to share their work with fellow Facebook users.

Even government institutions can find feasible uses for Facebook functions. For instance, the City of La Salle has a government page displaying contact information and council meeting dates. Our very own WORD section of the NewsTribune has a group page that is used to communicate about topics such as story tips, meeting information and Internet resources.
Facebook offers a tag function which allows users to list another member in photos, videos and notes. When a user posts information they want certain friends or family to view, they can “tag” the individual and it will notify that person about the information. The function is meant to draw a member’s attention to particular information (according to what you tag) or also to get approval for posting photos and videos that display a person other than yourself.

Facebook does present a myriad of opportunities but is not without its own negative qualities. Members can utilize security settings to keep strangers from accessing personal information. However, if you have accepted someone as a friend, they can view personal details that are posted on your profile, including pictures in which you are tagged that others may have posted on a profile that is not your own.

If a member keeps the default security settings, friends of your friends can still access your personal information, even if they are not on your own friend list (unless they are specifically blocked). For this reason, members should be careful who they allow into their friend lists. Many younger users tend to “cyber stalk” or even harass classmates or former partners. This is not an advisable use of any social networking Web site and is punishable by law.

Facebook’s wonderful features could possibly be misused to defame an individual’s reputation. Some employers have been known to peruse social networking Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook. The posted information could give a potential employer a presumption about your personality that works against any positive information given in a personal interview. In addition, some employers check social networking Web sites to verify attendance information. Members that play “hooky” from school or work have been known to post pictures or status messages that reveal they falsified the reason for their absence. This can be extremely detrimental to an individual’s job history or school attendance record.

Perhaps the most contradicting feature that Facebook offers is the variety of applications. Much like the iPhone, there is an application for just about anything. Send your friend some chicken noodle soup when he/she is sick; give your partner a dozen roses on your anniversary; feed your sister to a zombie; play chess with a student in the UK; collect phone numbers from everyone in your friend list; send a round of drinks to your co-workers; post reviews for recent theater releases; quiz your friends and family to see how well they know you; match wits with members all over the globe by comparing trivia quiz scores; play real-time games all night for free! The really good news is: if the application you are looking for does not exist, you can create it! The bad news? Facebook applications can be highly addictive and consume all of your free time.

There may be a few negative aspects of the Web site, but Facebook has given a whole new meaning to social networking. Log in today and discover the opportunities. Connect with users all over the world.

Build a music library. Send your parents a gift. Update your status. Chat with your grandparents. Post your scientific theory for scrutiny. E-mail your old friends. Search for scholarships. Watch a video clip. Poke your neighbor. Like rainbows. Donate to the Relay for Life. Start a food fight. Rock the Star Wars trivia. Plan your pre-prom dinner. Find a new prom date. Talk like a pirate. Print out local coupons. Play free video games. Write a restaurant review. Become a fan of the NewsTribune. Bookmark your homepage and Facebook is now only a click away!

Rebecca Gatlin is a student at Illinois Valley Community College.