I recently made the decision to keep my Facebook friends to a more intimate group than my Twitter followers. Instead of thousands of friends, it’s mostly family and friends with a few favorite professional contacts. This allows me to keep up with updates much easier than when I had 800 friends. The more friends, the more I missed. With fewer updates to keep track of, I’m better noticing the different personalities behind the Facebook updates.
Everyone uses Facebook for different reasons. Have you ever wondered what your statuses say about you?
What Kind of Facebook Updater Are You
The I Fear for My Privacy Updater
If everything you post is guarded because you fear stalkers or the IRS, you fall under this category. Be assured there are ways to communicate on Facebook without giving out personal details. For example, you can talk about what you’re doing without dropping names and locations, if you’re so inclined. Take advantage of Facebook’s privacy settings and omit names and locations when dropping status updates. You can carry on a productive conversation and share with your friends, without having to be paranoid. Why use social networks if they’re not an enjoyable experience? Besides, Facebook isn’t in charge of your privacy. You are.
The TMI Updater
On the other side of the coin, we have Too Much Information guy. The TMI updater wants you to be aware of every bit of his life including dinner plans and the last time he had sex. The TMI updater offers all the daily details of his job, love life, political and religious affiliations (including rants against any opposing party). Interestingly enough, it’s the TMI posters who are the most disturbed by Facebook’s privacy issues.
The Gamer
It’s not the details of your life that you’re sharing on Facebook, but, rather,the details of your gaming. We know who you consider an ally in your Mafia Wars, what kind of animals you’re raising in Farmville and the latest gems found on Treasure Island. Its all fun for you, though the folks receiving your (see: RapidFire below) updates might not agree.
The Pimp
It’s all about links and sales for the Pimp. We don’t have to worry about game updates or two much information because that won’t sendany traffic to the The Pimp’s target links. Some folks might consider a Pimp kind of spammy. Most of us just unfriend him when he gets too pitchy. Maybe one day he’ll wonder where all his friends are.
The Drama King/Queen
Misery loves company and the Drama Kings and Queens have plenty. They let you know when they’re feeling depressed, which is every day. They lament about how the stars and planets are always lined up against them. Which is ever day. They report details of their divorce and dysfunctional family, none of which is their fault, and give a play by play of their money woes. They have rotten children and their spouses just don’t understand them. Why oh why do bad things always happen to them? Every day? There, there, drama people. You’ll always find a shoulder to cry on at Facebook. Every day.
The RapidFire Updater
While some folks update their Facebook once per week, the RapidFire updater goes for several times a day, sometimes one right after another. RapidFire’s usually provide a mix of updates that might include game updates, news items, and general musings. They just have to be careful they don’t they don’t get too annoying. A Facebook friend with 3,000 friends to keep up with might not notice. Those with 50 friends may see nothing but RapidFire updates and think about unfriending.
The Cryptic Updater
We’re not sure if the cryptic updater is hoping to sound eccentric or is just updating with nothing but inside jokes no one but he and one or two other people will get. We have no idea what the Cryptic Updater is talking about and he likes it that way.
The How Do I Use This Thing Again? Updater
The HDIUTTA Facebook updaters are not only new to Facebook, but they’re new to social networking. They’re not sure why they have and why they want to use it, they just want to connect with a few high school buddies. Every now and then they’ll type an update but they’re usually months between.
Judging by what my friends tell me, I’m of the RapidFire variety, though I try to be mindful of my friends. I enjoy chatting on the social networks and sometimes I have to remind myself that most of my Facebook friends aren’t part of my social media network and that FaceBook is different from Twitter. it’s working out, though. Only a couple of relatives complained.
What kind of Facebook Updater Are You? Did I leave anyone out?
{ 4 comments }
I’m a bit of a ‘sporadic kitchen-sink,’ updater. I might not pop in for a few days but then will have a couple days when I’ll post a bit of family news, a link to a blog post, a quote that hit me right, etc.
My kids are all drama kings/queens on fb. Drives me nuts
Hmmm…None of the above. I’m a “If There’s Something Worth Saying” kinda FB user. Oh and a video freak. If I run across a good/funny video, I’ll post it.
Of the options you proposed, I think the “I fear for my privacy updater” fits me the best. I’ve kept the group pretty small and use the account to share pictures and updates with close friends and family. It’s also kind of a no-work zone.
I guess, I fall on the first category, although quite honestly, I might fit right in to the “how do I use this thing again?” category, lols. I log on to it from time to time and comment on certain friends and updates, but I rarely update my profile.lols
Comments on this entry are closed.