Shoot, this came out long (ended up venting something else). Carrie's Wall - is Carrie a FB friend with Joe? Not yet, but I figure it's just a matter of time (they all know each other). Not sure what Carrie's settings are at. Without coming out & asking, is there a way to find out? Rilie is correct; block Joe & he's done with seeing anything you post period. That's posed a problem for me. I have tried and can't find a way to make it work unless he's a Friend. IOW, I got into Account>Privacy Settings>Customize. First option is "Posts by Me". I can edit that to where it's "Friends Only Except..." and then I type in name(s). Friends names will work, but I just tried it, typed in Joe (not my Friend) and it didn't keep that setting, it just disappeared. If there is another way, I'm all ears! :) Same thing if I want to do a custom edit for maybe one post. It only takes Friends names as exclusions. Wait, just found something. I was in Account>Privacy Settings and see "Block Lists" at bottom center of page. I experimented entering "John Smith" . (I don't know a John Smith, so no harm done.) It let me block & unblock him, so it's doesn't have to be a Friend or permanent block. However, this is what is blocks: "Once you block someone, that person can no longer be your friend on Facebook or interact with you (except within applications and games you both use)." I don't use apps or games, so it sounds like even if I put Joe's name on the block list, tho he can't interact with me, he could probably still see my posts left on Mary's wall. Since I'm stepping out of my own territory when on her wall. :/ Natal, I have become a bit disillusioned. There are pitfalls. My now single best friend from H.S. closed her account due to a creeper who wouldn't leave her alone. I treasure my family, but sometimes what younger ones post (teen to early 20's) makes my jaw drop. TMI to an extreme. Don't want to know about the younger (early 20's) distant relative who had an affair with a 'bad boy' type, broke up her marriage, lost custody of her toddler, now in a custody battle. (Common sense would dictate in a custody battle, don't post certain things.) Ironically after all that the bad boy's possessiveness showed even on FB, she broke that off. She lost a lot for a fling. I just don't want to know that stuff (why anyone would think the world would either is beyond me). Another thing (just a rant). My FB times are very early a.m. before work, or evening 'down' time. Ideal for chatting with family overseas due to time difference. I work at home, nearly all of it on PC. Recently a sibling's spouse & I were chatting, they said winter has been super busy. I agreed, mentioned how many hours I've put in lately too. Their response was condescending and came with a smile similar to one they'd use trying to catch their kid in a lie; "are you suuure...? " *smacks forehead* Of course I'm sure. And I take breaks, who doesn't?! My 'work' days can go 12, 14 hours when I'm on a roll. So I bop online, rest my brain, get a brief change of scenery. Certainly don't need to justify that to them. Didn't pursue it, but was ticked & insulted. Because their response came from them seeing my FB activity. They aren't even on FB, so they are seeing through one of their kids I'm close to & Friends with. That's a little too weird for my liking. Love the 'real time' staying in touch, but reading above, it sounds crazy. Have some family that refuse to do FB. Think maybe they're the smart ones.

Birthing photos are now a big thing on Facebook. I'm talking babies covered in yuck. Some even show crowning shots, with the mother's anatomy up close and personal. These aren't a few extreme cases either; it's a trend. And the photos are widely shared, not private. They get lots of Likes. What's especially disturbing--besides the obvious--is the way these posters don't recognize any right to react to their photos with anything except admiration. No one ever dares to object, because they know what would happen. "Don't be a hater. What's wrong with you? No one is offended by this!" So the poster thinks everybody approves. And the trend spreads. This is a classic characteristic of narcissists: the inability to recognize that other people and their viewpoints even exist as part of objective, independent reality. But we do exist. And we judge. Good luck getting a job from me in the future after I've seen your business in all its glory.

Alisande, just a heads up - Facebook has the same conditions that most websites do. Anything you post on their site gives them the right to use it. And they especially note that anything of yours that is shared by others gives them that same right even if you delete your account: "1 For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacy and application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it." Not sure what subject to your privacy settings means, but the comment about sharing might give you pause. Here is a link that might be useful: Facebook Terms

chisue, Facebook is a place to help keep in contact with the friends and family that you know. It's kind of the like here except the people that are your friends you may "physically" know a little better (old classmates, co-workers, cousins you don't see often). You can post info that's a little more personal than you may see here because you have real relationships with the people and aren't afraid of strangers and of people you don't like posting... It gives you more control. For all the negatives people say, it really has some remarkable offerings... I wouldn't generally see picture of my nieces and nephews on their first day of school or in their halloween costumes, I wouldn't necesarily find out that my friend from high school is pregnant, or that my old co-worker's husband has cancer. My grade school wouldn't have had a reunion so highly attended and fun. I feel like I have reunited and furthered so many relationships with many of the people that otherwise would have had no part in my life. It's great for people who are going through stages of their lives where they may not have time to go out to dinner often, or call all their friends to catch up. You feel a little more connected to your friends. It's kind of nice (and a great time saver) to be able to tell everyone (and be able to post a picture) about your new dog without having to call everyone individually that you would like to tell. I do some volunteer work and I'm able to inform people of events, etc.. via facebook too... It makes it easy and a little more personal. Like I said...it's kind of like here...but it's only with people you know and choose to have a relationship with. If you don't have a lot friends or family that you want to hear from or keep in touch with, (or you're able to keep in touch with all of them as much as you'd like through phone, etc), or, you're older and there aren't many of your friends on Facebook...then it may not be for you. I enjoy hearing from my friends...even when they are going for coffee or to an expensive rock concert or bragging about their kid getting into Harvard...but they're my friends; I really do like hearing from and about their lives.... Plus... you can scroll through stuff that bores you (Actually, you can turn the games and the people completely off if you don't want to hear from them)... You can probably tell, I enjoy it (and, no I don't do Farmville or play games!)