Oh no it's happening on Facebook

[midnight armadillo]

I recently registered for a Facebook account - I needed access to their software developer documents for work. I just got a 'friend' request from someone I haven't spoken to in 20 years. I think his family moved when we were in our early teens or something.

Facebook needs a "acquaintance" category. Don't know what I'm going to do with this one.

[GoCubsGo]

1. You can always ignore him.

That's what I do with such requests.

[Orsino]

2. You can build your own acquaintance category.

You can have multiple classes of friends/acquaintances, with varying levels of access to your info.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Can you limit what shows up on your newsfeed? There are people out there who

post every single thing they do.

"Feel like getting a cup of coffee"

"Gone for a cup of coffee"

"Back with my coffee. It's hazelnut with extra creamer."


:eyes:

[Lex]

7. Seriously? They post that? Just hit "hide" and hide their status updates.

Takes less than a second.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Yeah. I have the same problem on yahoo, but in that case it's kids from school. They _really_ post

everything. :eyes:

Thanks for the hide tip. I may have to use that.

[Lex]

9. The best thing about using "hide" on their status updates is

they don't know you have them on hide and you can take them off hide if you want, and when you have them on hide, you can just go to their FB profile page and see if they have said anything interesting without having their status updates in your feed.

[tabbycat31]

3. you can make various lists of friends on FB

I have one called 'blast from the past' which includes people I have not heard from in years.

[LTR]

4. I've added people who I haven't talked to in THIRTY years

I had this weird goal of seeking out everyone I've ever known that I could remember and find on FB. Kinda backed off this ridiculous idea a little, but it's been fun adding barely-remembered people. I even added people I couldn't stand (and vice-versa), figuring that, while I don't hold ancient petty grudges, I can rise up and bury the hatchet once and for all.

It's been quite interesting, to say the least. Not to mention therapeutic. I've even been talking quite frequently as of late with an ex-girlfriend who I once vowed I'd never speak to again. But it's nice that FB can help bury old grievances, bring people together and even foster 'friendship'.

I say add it. Certainly won't hurt. And use the friend categories to keep them straight.

[Lex]

6. Just build a Limited category and put him in it when you friend him.

Have the Limited category parameter set so he can't see your status updates, photos, or write on your wall.

Then whoever else comes along that you don't want to interact with, just put them in the Limited category. Easy.

[midnight armadillo]

10. excellent idea

I will do that.