F
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
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Facebook is a global social networking website that is operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc.[1] Users can add friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by city, workplace, school, and region. The website's name stems from the colloquial name of books given at the start of the academic year by university administrations with the intention of helping students get to know each other better. http://www.facebook.com |
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| Facebook Applications |
Technically speaking, applications include not only the (annoying) invitations friends send you but also the valuable features such as photos. If you click the “Applications” tab on the lower left-hand toolbar, you can go to “Browse More Applications” where Facebook offers its “Featured by Facebook” list. Organized categorically, these applications include everything from business to sports. |
| Facebook Chat |
Instead of taking the time to set up an AIM name and account, you can Instant Message with friends on Facebook. A tab in the bottom right corner will tell you who’s on and allow you to type almost real-time messages to friends. You can also choose to avoid Chat if you’re hard at work by clicking on “Chat,” “Options,” and “Go Offline.” When you have more time, just click on “Chat” and you’ll be connected again. |
| Facebook Gifts |
Digital gifts that can be sent to friends on Facebook. These virtual presents include everything from a ninja to a pet to a roll of toilet paper. More for fun than anything else, these souvenirs appear on your profile (unless the sender wants it to remain private). Although a free gift is featured regularly, the majority cost $1.00 each. You can also accompany your gifts with a message. |
| Facebook Groups |
You can join interest groups and create your own. Groups can be anything from serious causes to lighthearted clubs and silly inside jokes. If you create a group, you can make it open to everyone on Facebook or set criteria to restrict who can join. Your groups will appear at the bottom of the “Info” tab on your profile page. You can also go to the “Groups” tab on the lower left toolbar to see what groups your friends have been joining. |
| Facebook Marketplace |
Facebook’s answer to the newspaper classifieds—and it’s free! Marketplace allows users to post everything from vehicles, housing, jobs, and items for sale. You can narrow your search results by choosing to view only your friends’ postings or search for results within a certain geographic proximity of your choosing. |
| Facebook Mobile |
Under “My Account” in the “Settings” tab you can select “Mobile.” The mobile option allows your phone to receive text messages from Facebook. You can choose what types of things you want to be notified about; everything from status updates to friend requests can send a text. You can also use your phone to “update your status, search for phone numbers, or upload photos and videos from your phone.” The service is free and only requires you to register online. |
| Facebook News Feed |
Located on your homepage. The News Feed provides updates on statuses, wall posts, profile information, and other data. It is constantly updating and can be filtered and categorized according to a user’s preferences. |
| Facebook Notes |
Facebook Notes allows users to write whatever comes to mind in a blog-like format. Other people can read your Notes and post responses on the Note’s page (similar in appearance to the Facebook Wall). Users can tag people in a Note to ensure that it comes to their attention. |
| Facebook Profile |
The repository of each Facebook user’s personal information. Profiles include whatever someone writes about him- or herself along with photos, wall posts, and other stuff to keep friends updated. |
| Facebook Search |
Located in the upper right corner, the Search bar allows users to find friends and groups on Facebook. Searches can be conducted strictly within Facebook’s own site or expanded to also search the Web. In the future, Searches may even sort through user content to find matches. For instance, you might enter a keyword and then find results from the photos, videos, notes, and status updates of friends. |
| Facebook Stalker |
[slang] A derogatory term referring to someone who spends a lot of time on Facebook, particularly on other people’s profiles. A Facebook Stalker knows everything you did and may dig into your profile to find out exactly what you’ve been doing. |
| Facebook Tagged |
People are tagged not only in Photos, but Notes and Videos as well. When someone tags a Photo of you, the Photo will appear among your own Photos. Tagging is a great way to share albums from trips and events. |
| Facebook Thread |
Similar to a blog, a thread develops around the topic of a message, wall post, note and so on. Threads vary in viewability based on the nature of the thread (a private message, for instance, can only be read by those included in the address line). |
| Facebook Unfriending |
Unfriending – The highly controversial unfriending of people on Facebook is a tragic commentary on the ebb and flow of human friendship. Have you lost the special spark you once had for a Facebook friend? You could leave them to float in cyberspace forever. Or you could just pull the plug on your Facebook friendship once and for all. It should be noted that unfriending too many people on Facebook is a surefire way to earn you an unfavorable reputation. |
