So, if I understand Facebook

[Orrex]

It's a networking site that's specifically designed to make networking as inaccessible as possible. And flat-out impossible if you aren't already part of the Facebook cult.

Is that it?

[Chan790]

1. That's the gist of it. n/m

[LostinVA]

2. I don't have any problem with it

:shrug:

I even had a long lost relative find me on it. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it's pretty easy to navigate once you figure it out.

[Orrex]

3. Okay, then help me out

Without using some kind of external service like tinyurl.com, how do I generate a clean url for use when I want to send my link to a friend via email?


Additionally, somewhere around 90% of the people I search for don't include clickable links by which I might verify that the John Smith who pops up is the actual John Smith I'm looking for. How is that useful to anyone?

[SoxFan]

4. The second issue

Click on their friends list. You should be able to use that to make the call. I found a friend from high school that way. When some of his contacts were from where he went to college and grad school, I knew it was him, despite his very common name.

[Runcible Spoon]

6. that, and you can add extra search criterion like where they went to school to narrow it down.

Not too hard to find the right person.

[Runcible Spoon]

5. actually, it's GREAT that you can't just spam links around.

I haven't checked custom settings on this, but the default is that only your friends or network can see the bulk of your profile. I find that extra layer of privacy great so people can't spam your personal info around. That's the REASON there are no "clean links" to Facebook. You can create external linked blogs with Facebook easily to do what you're asking about.

[truedelphi]

11. It's great that someone out there knows how to use it

Over the holidays I had two friends invite me to check out their FB pages, but when I clicked the link in the emails that they sent, I couldn't unlock their page unless I logged in and when I logged in I was at my FB page, not theirs.

Didn't see a way to get to their page either.

Do you have suggestions?

[ghostsofgiants]

13. Once you're logged in, go back and click their link again.

[truedelphi]

14. When I do that, I think I was told that now I was logged out...

It seemed to be a pattern.

Didn't use the "back" button on the browser either.

[ghostsofgiants]

15. When you log in, tell Facebook to remember you.

[truedelphi]

16. That might be the missing link. n/t

[Left Is Write]

7. I reignited friendships I had from when I lived in Wisconsin,

found several old classmates, and reconnected with a good friend I'd lost touch with more than 15 years ago. I think it's great!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. My dear Left Is Write!

How good to see you tonight!

I was literally wondering today just where you were...

Haven't seen you posting in a while...

I hope all is well?

:hug:

[Left Is Write]

10. Oh, everything's fine. I was just busy with holidays and birthdays and in-laws

and goofing off and playing Wii and other such frivolities. (You can always find me on Facebook if you're wondering what I'm up to. :D)

[Lucian]

9. I have a facebook profile, but I don't know why.

:shrug:

[T_i_B]

12. The new layout has not helped matters

Still, at least it's an opportunity for me to give a gratuitous plug for the DU Facebook group!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=2426871461