Use Facebook to Stay in Touch with Friends
Using Facebook Applications to Maintain Long Distance Friendships
With many people moving regularly because of work commitments, friendships often exist between people living in different towns, states or countries. Social networking websites, such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and others can help busy people to share photographs, information and interests with friends, no matter where they live.
While the range of applications can be intimidating for a Facebook beginner, the site is generally easy to use and requires only basic computer knowledge to utilise helpful features for keeping in touch with friends.
Finding and Connecting with Friends on Facebook
Simply enter a friend’s name in the search field in the top right-hand corner of the screen to produce a results screen with a list of people matching the name entered. Use the photograph and other information provided to select the correct person and click on the “add as friend” option.
A message will then be sent to that person requesting a friendship link. If they approve the request, their name and photo will appear in the column on the left-hand side of the home page and profile page.
Friends can also be found through the “people you may know” suggestions that appear on the right-hand side of the screen or by other friends referring a mutual acquaintance. Once a friendship request has been accepted, it is then generally possible to view friends of friends to find further names.
Joining a group for an old school, university or employer can bring users into contact with old school friends and work colleagues.
Sharing Information and Photos on Facebook
The easiest way to share quick updates with friends about everyday ups and downs as well as major events is to regularly update the “status” box. This can be done by typing a brief statement into the box showing the words “what are you doing right now?”
There are several ways of contacting an existing friend on Facebook. Comments can be attached to status statements or general comments can be made on “the wall”. Keep in mind that anyone who can access a particular profile can also read any status or wall comments, so these are not good options for sharing information that is personal or sensitive.
Private email-style messages can be sent by clicking on “inbox” in the toolbar at the top of the page. These messages can only be viewed by the recipient(s) and do not appear on the profile page.
To share photos, click on the “photos” tab underneath the status on the profiles page. Photos can be easily uploaded into albums which can be set with specific screening filters to only allow friends to view the photos if desired. Once posted, friends can comment on photos and anyone with a Facebook profile can be “tagged” in the photo so that their name appears when the cursor is on them.
Facebook also has a real-time online chat facility. This can be turned on or off at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. If activated, friends can initiate a conversation if they are logged on at the same time.
Having Fun with Friends on Facebook
A variety of Facebook applications allow multi-player options so that friends can have an ongoing competition of games such as Scrabble, Boggle, Mastermind, Battleship, Squares and other strategy games.
While it is not possible to completely replace the advantages of face to face conversation and everyday contact, social networking sites such as Facebook to help to maintain regular contact and healthy long distance relationships with friends and family.
Use Facebook to Keep in Touch
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