Rani Thao

April 5, 2005

QMCS 425

 

 

Introduction

Created by a Harvard University student, thefacebook is an online directory connecting people through social networks at colleges and universities.

 

Thefacebook has been described as being:

  • An introduction service
  • An outlet for creativity and vanity
  • An informational database about your peers

 

Thefacebook was created to connect and communicate with “unfriendly” classmates.

 

How thefacebook works?

 

Students register with thefacebook using their school-issued e-mail address and a password. Once registered, they can post photos of themselves along with personal information of their choosing, such as classes, a favorite book or even their cell phone number.

 

What thefacebook offers?

  • Profile

 

The profile section includes a picture of the student, how this student is connected to you, where the student last logged in from, friends the student has from other schools, the basic information, what groups the student belongs to, which courses they are currently taking, friends they have at their school, and a message board type of thing (called the wall) where friends can leave messages.

 

  • Friends

 

There is a section where students can view all their friends at once. This section tells a student when his or her friend has updated his or her profile. Under the friends section, there are three functions available. Students can invite friends to join thefacebook, find friends at other schools, or export contact information for use in Outlook and other programs.

 

  • Groups

Groups are like virtual clubs. In the groups section, groups that a student is a part of are listed. Students can either find other groups to join or create their own group.

 

  • Messages

 

Messages are just like e-mails. Students can send and receive e-mails from other students who are registered on thefacebook.

 

  • Away Message

 

The away message function is similar to AOL Instant Messenger’s away message. It allows the student to leave a message viewable by other students.

 

  • Mobile Information

 

The function allows students to send messages to people’s cell phone and their facebook accounts. Students can even “poke” other students. Students can also obtain information about other students once they tell thefacebook their cell phone number.

 

  • Privacy

 

Thefacebook has security settings so user can limit who can access certain information. Users can set who can see their profile and contact information, their personal information, what courses they’re taking, and who their friends are. Also, they can block specific people.

 

Other Information

  • Poking is the equivalent to saying, “hey, what’s up?”
  • When someone “friend” you, you must confirm that he or she is your friend.
  • When you disclose that you are in a relationship with another facebook user, that person must also confirm that you are indeed his or her significant other.
  • St. Thomas was added to thefacebook on March 1, 2005.

 

Resources

http://www.thefacebook.com

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04333/417839.stm