ash48 | Dear Wise Flist...

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Dear Wise Flist...

Yep.. I'm back again seeking advice on other fandom places to hangout.

I'm not really a Twitter gal and I don't think Tumblr is for me either. So now I'm considering Facebook. I've had no interest in getting a Facebook before now because, to be honest, real life stuff really doesn't interest me so much - except in real life of course. (and that's not to say I don't like hearing about YOUR rl stuff.. it's just I don't really want to follow rl friends to hear what they're up to...)

So.

I'm thinking a fandom Facebook page. Where I might most stuff a bit like on LJ. (vids etc. maybe occasional personal stuff) My thinking is this: the thing I enjoy most about fandom is connecting with other people who are into the same thing. Chatting, sharing creative works etc. But I realise that not everyone is on LJ. In fact I keep being told "I don't do LJ because it's too complicated". Which I agree with. Until you get to know it that is.

So. I'm curious if anyone else does this. Have a fandom named Facebook? I'm pretty keen to keep my RL and fandom life separate - mainly because I would hate for my students to ever find me.

I have a very limited knowledge of Facebook so I don't really know how it works. Though I understand you can create a community as well as a personal page. Ack! I am so internet challenged!

Advice?

(and um... if I did get a FB is it easy to find like minded peeps?)

Sorry for the lame questions..

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Out of everywhere I find lj the only one I can really understand and makes sense to me.

Couple of things with Facebook, anything you post over there is theirs and theirs to do with what they want. Sort of annoys me that, so I would never post anything but links and they'd lead back here anyway.

Also Facebook wants you to be real, I do have one in the Ellie pseudonym, but it's on the understanding that if they ever find out I'm not real? They can toss me out any time they like, so again I'm just not keen on the idea of that either. I know a lot of others do it that way and get on fine, but that and the fact that anything I post, pictures of dog or walks or anything like that belongs to Facebook and anyone from my RL recognising places could end up tracing back to me here through tags and things?

Nope, I think I'm staying just here and have closed my Facebook account. Besides which, finding out where to post things and find things was a nightmare and everything was very short, quick notes and I was always being notified about who was where, what they were doing, what games they were playing and such, just felt very invasive and highlighted my natural paranoia!

L/J has become very quiet though and I can see more and more moving over to other platforms, so it's probably worth you opening one and finding out how you feel about it.

Thanks so much for this. It's for the reasons above that I've never been interested in getting a FB and now, after reading everything everyone has here I will not be getting one.

I have no idea why I am even searching for other places to hang out. I am perfectly happy here. I think because people from YT have asked me if I have FB or tumblr it's made me think I need to get one. But between here and YT and I don't think I need to add anymore.

Thanks again for the feedback. I admit to being surprised by the anti FB sentiment on this post - I didn't realise there was so much negativity toward it.

<33

Yeah, you will find a lot of anger towards FaceBook - remember the furore that went on when L/J decided to link up? I hated and still hate the idea, it is mostly about journals being our own private spaces, to be who we want to represent ourselves as, against Facebook who want everyone in the whole wide world to know WHO we are WHAT we do and then, just in case your old school mate might not have heard you ate Pizza for lunch yesterday, rakes through every e-mail address it has on you, every site you've visited lately making sure it links all this information together to make sure they know!

To be honest I've gone as far as installing NoScript as an add-on to Firefox and I've marked Facebook as an "untrusted" site to try and stop it collecting info on me, not sure if it does, but every site you visit nowadays seems to have that little FB icon and that's what it's doing, collating info.

Most people aren't like me though, they are happy to be kept in touch with others and want to know everything every friend of theirs is doing, I'm sure it works great for big families, but the time it sucks out of your day is kind of frightening, but it's how a lot of people function now, they don't talk or phone or meet unless FB has told them too! Sorry, I'm just horribly unsettled by the idea - but it seems the modern way.

I hear you. Facebook has become mighty intrusive and I haven't really known how I've felt about it. Not given it a lot of thought. I've just never really wanted to have anything to do with it - but I am surrounded by people who do. My husband, daughter and family for instance. Also my work colleagues.

I get that there are some people who probably have a lot of fun there. And it's probably a good way for some people to keep in touch.

But yeah... after reading all the feedback here I won't be getting one.

xx

I find Facebook very annoying. Everything is for the here and now and there's not history to anything. If you've got lots of "friends" and don't constantly check it those posts just disappear. And I've also found that so much of it is just so dull and boring. Why in the hell do I want to know every time someone arrives at a location or liked something they were currently eating.

And it seems that everybody you know just "NEEDS" to be your friend. GAWD! There are lots of people I know in RL that I don't allow on my LiveJournal. But it almost seems like sacrilege to ignore their friend request.

It looks like a perpetual time-sucking device which I don't care for.

Now the reason I actually have a Facebook account is it's the easiest way to get a hold of my daughter.

Nope, my primary place is here on LJ...

"annoying" is the sentiment I'm hearing in response to this post. What you say here confirms what I have always thought about the place, but not being on there I've never really found out for myself.

My mum just made herself a page. Seems like my sisters have been putting the pressure on for her to get one - a way of staying in touch perhaps. And I suppose that's were I can see it being handy. If you are into that sort of thing.

After reading the response here I will not be getting one. There was nothing really positive said about the place - so yeah. That's helped me make up my mind.

Thanks for the feedback.
xx

I have no idea how facebook would work for trying to be fannish, as I only have a rl one, but it seems very poorly designed for that. It is definitely not someplace I would want to post content. It is basically an address book with a twitlonger feature as far as I can tell.

But I also cannot figure out how the hell to use it most effectively, because they change the layout and features every five minutes. I will be interested to see if there are ppl who use it for fandom with any success.

Reading the feedback here it seems like it wouldn't be a good place to be fannish. I have been a bit surprised by the large anti facebook sentiment in the comments actually. I mean, I can understand it but I didn't realise it was so strongly felt. I think though that most ppl have expressed what I was feeling away about the place anyway, though I honestly thought I'd get more ppl saying "yeah - I do that.."

Also... adore you icon. How very apt!
<33

I hate Facebook. The only reason I'm on it is because I've found some old friends it was really nice reconnecting with. Other than that... I'm tempted to close it every single day.

The community sounds like a really cool idea, though! I'll have to think on that one, myself.

It is easy to find people/communities of common interests, I believe. In fact, they're always recommending people with common interests to add as friends. Which, like you, I like to keep fandom and rl separate.

It would appear that you are not the only one who hates the place. Though also someone who hates the place and yet has a page there. I think maybe it's a necessary evil maybe? The keeping contact with ppl overseas and family and real friends seems like a huge pull.

Reading the advice here it would seem that it's not the best place to be fannish -especially if one wants to keep RL and fan life separate. Though, I am sure with effort it could be achieved over there but at the end of the day I'm more than happy here so it seems like an unnecessary effort.

I have a FB account, and I really do hate it. I would never ever dream of doing a fannish one out of terror that something would overlap and be posted everywhere. I don't even really understand how it works.

From what I understand, it's really hard to delete as well. LJ makes a lot of sense to me...I don't even know what Tumblr is... I've heard about it but never been on, never poked around.

I have a FB account, and I really do hate it.

It seems like you are not the only one hun. There's been a lot of anti-Facebook sentiment posted here. Enough to make me decide not to get one. It's probably what I was feeling anyway, though I am surprised by the overwhelming dislike for the place.

LJ makes a lot of sense to me (now!) too. Though I don't think it's initially an easy place to understand. My hubby and daughter were showing me around FB and I can't say it appealed to me.

Tumblr is a blogging platform but mostly for pics and gifs. I enquired about it here a while back and got feedback that put me off the place. It looks like a heap of (time wasting) fun - but I'm not a huge internet surfer so it doesn't really appeal to me.

*huggles* I hope you are well sweets.
<3

Facebook is RL for me. Totes separate from my fannish life however I do occasionally post one liner episodic reactions or trailer links to epis I'm excited about. Put it this way my close friends IRL on FB know I'm very much a fan of the show they just don't know quite HOW much that is *g* ;-)
And I'll keep it that way ty very much :)

But I'm curious as to why tumblr is not for you? OMG that place is soooooooo full of the pretty! Seriously - I am having to enforce strong restrictions on my tumblr time otherwise I keep incessantly scrolling down and right click saving ALL THE PRETTY. There's is some gorgeous art on there and some hilarious posts and just so much to look at. I am planning on doing an LJ post soon that showcases some of the pretty I've found there.

And I'm choosy about who I follow so that much like LJ flist my dashboard page is full stuff I like.

But I'm curious as to why tumblr is not for you?

Well, after posting about it a while back some of the feedback I got kinda put me oaff. Mostly that all you can do it reblog or "like" and that artworks can be sent around without credit to the owner. Also, I'm not a big net surfer. LJ is really the only place I surf for fun.

Also.. (I have a lot of alsos it would seem!)

ontd_spnparty fulfills my looking at lots of pretty - though I suspect Tumblr has a heap heap more... :D

I look forward to your showcase post - that's how I'd like to see Tumblr. Maybe there could be a "best of Tumblr" community on LJ so I can have it all edited down for me... *G*.

xx

Well, I'll be interested to read your replies. I got into facebook at the behest of a friend, and I tend to be confused, *shuddup!...*

It feels like starting a story in the middle, no idea what's gone before, nor how to find out! And I find reading that someone I don't know has commented on the wall/post/fart of someone I do know is a tad tiresome, 'cos I can't figure out what's going on!!!! I'm sure I need to practise, but no energy.

PLUS, never want my lj and rl to EVA, EVA, eva converge. Then the universe as we know it would definitely implode!!!

You gotta check out the replies. A rather resounding "no" to fannish stuff on FB.

And I ain't saying anything about being confused.. Have you seen all my lame net questions?!

It feels like starting a story in the middle

I think that must be what ppl who first arrive at LJ must feel like also - especially now - after such a lot of history. So it's interesting that FB feels like the same.

After reading everything here I have decided not to get a FB - which is probably what I was thinking anyway, but I am surprised by how much negativity there is toward the place - considering how popular it is.

<33

If the objective is to make sure your students don't find you, you may want to stay away from FB. It takes a bit of effort to keep things locked down, and they're constantly changing policies and sharing your information publicly in ways you might not expect. They also automatically crosslink to just about everything these days, which means that, if you keep your FB logged in, you might end up sharing it when you visit other websites without realizing it. And then you're all over Google.

Also, DO NOT LEAVE ME. <3

Yeah - I have decided to stay away from FB after reading the response to my post - especially what you are saying about sharing information.

Also... I AM NOT LEAVING! *g* I'm happy here and after reading all this I won't be getting a FB.

Thanks for the info hun! <3

I will never in this lifetime join or participate in ViolateYourPrivacyRightsBook, otherwise known as Facebook, so. I'm probably no help to you in this department. *g*

Hee.. I love your response. It is pretty much what most people seem to be saying -only yours is much more succinct. :)

And after reading all the responses I won't be getting one.

(deleted comment)

Thanks for the info hun. This is very clear and after reading the response here I have decided not to get one - especially for the reasons you have mentioned here.

I often wonder if FB will lose it's shine in the future. Or just get more popular. Anyway... it's sounding less and less like me so I'll stay away for it. I mean, I'm perfectly happy here - just curious about what everyone else was doing.

*smish*

I'm very similar to you in that I am careful to keep RL and fandom life apart because it would be inappropriate in my line of work to be very visible on the internet.

My experience of facebook is entirely based on having friends who use it, but everytime I take a look around I find it very offputting. It's like a conversation where everybody's talking and nobody's listening. But nobody really cares because nothing that's been said has much substance anyway.

I actually consider my webpage my main-home, and LJ is just an extension to this.

Hey there. The way you put this is very interesting. And a little bit sad. But I suspect very true also.

I've decided not to get one - mostly because no one really has a nice word to say about the place. And also because it's doesn't sound like it would suit me, especially as I want to keep my RL very separate.

A webpage sounds like a nice idea. I's never be able to maintain one myself - so here feels like my internet home. :D

Thanks for your thoughts.
xx

I just read all the comments here and since I don't know anything about face book, it seems I also haven't missed anything. ;)

So, nothing lame about your questions. I learned something, too. :)

I just saw that ETV has a facebook page now. Interesting timing... ;)

I can see how that might be a good way to advertise and reach people. I mean, I can see how FB would suit some people and I honestly thought there might have been more fandom type stuff going on over there. I know there's a Supernatural community - so I thought there might have been other places to hang out. But I'd rather get to know people and have a sense of community.

It also reminds me I haven't visited EVT for ages... I should get over there.

xx

Yeah - it's been an interesting insight I think. And I agree... looks like we aren't missing out on much.

Definitely doesn't sound like me. I'm happy here anyway. :)

xx

I'm finding myself laughing because the reason I clicked on your post is because I was curious to see how people explained fandom working there. I don't have an account myself so I'm of no help in this dept.

I have to say the general responses don't surprise me. FB has, so far as I can tell, been best for real life engagements -- for locating people and perhaps organizing events or sending out periodic "I'm still alive" notices to people who'd forgotten you exist. And since you want to keep RL things separate both for work and personal reasons, I don't know that the upside will exceed the downside.

For example, celebrities have started to use Facebook so that they can be found and because it's easier to start, maintain and track their followers than a standalone website is. Being able to show off followers is, I am convinced, becoming an important coin of the trade in terms of employment opportunities, so I expect we're going to continue seeing a lot of Twitter and FB pages being started for celebs or media types (as well as corporations and projects). However, I feel it also suits the fact that these people rarely have much to say because one does not go to FB to read essays or get anything other than short news briefs, and to my mind that's already served even more conveniently by Twitter which does not, at least, give you relentless status updates or try to maneuver you into playing games or doing other "revenue enhancing" things. At least on Twitter you have to be saying something even if it's inane.

Others have already pointed out the privacy concerns, which is a central reason why DW is my main site. Unfortunately, since you're looking for more activity than you're finding on LJ I can't recommend it. It's a superior platform and keeps being developed in helpful ways. But while I'm seeing more activity there it's very low compared to LJ and I find that my fandom-related reading there is around 20%. I would agree with others that Tumblr and Twitter seem to be the growing fandom sites. I think the reason they're growing is because a lot of fandom has always been the skim and chat side, and they better serve that sort of sporadic attention. LJ has always accommodated it, but it's better served for long-form content (and DW, with its much longer posting and commenting limits, better still). I enjoy the social nature of fandom here but when it comes down to it, I want to have my time served by meaty content and I'm not likely to find that anywhere else.

I think in time the AO3 may serve as a good base for that, but as it's both still in beta and has years to go yet in being able to host both art and vids, expand its bookmarking system, etc. I think it'll be the option of our next decade if it's one at all.

Thank you so much for this. I have to say I was surprised but the overwhelming negativity toward the place. I mean, I know it has it's haters but because so many people seem to have a facebook I thought it was accommodating fannish activities. But from what I can gather by the response here it isn't.

This primarily started because of my Bobby vid being posted to Jim's facebook. The girl who posted it said I should look at getting one. It also made me aware that my vids are sometimes posted overthere and I really have no way of tracking that. Not that that really concerns me because I know once I put a vid on YT it essentially is no longer mine.
With the likes of Tumblr, where you can embed vids, it's even harder to keep track. I had a girl tell me she posted my Meta Song vid on Tumblr and told me how many "notes" it had received. I didn't have any idea what that meant - until I started investigating.

I'm fairly happy with the activity here - I rarely have the time to keep up with everything as it is, so I'm not really sure I need another place to hangout anyway.

I really like the set up here and the ability to post a variety of things - not to mention the sense of community.
xx

Yes, I think once vids became embeddable the genie was out of the bottle in being able to track an audience to them. There are still people who will repost fic, and I was intrigued to discover recently that at one time people expected archivists to come and find material rather than submitting it themselves, so that was even an expectation in certain fandoms. However, I think it's much less common than it is for vids (or even more so, art). One thing's for sure though, chances are it's vids people really enjoy that tend to travel :)

Facebook is, unfortunately, the future. Their overwhelming market share -- and potential eyeballs for companies -- is undeniable.

However, it doesn't come without problems.

Privacy and security is a major issue. It's definitely why I deleted my account (it's not impossible, but they make it difficult to wipe your account completely).

There are groups on Facebook that you can join, but they're not really fannish cliques they way we know them, probably because you're a real person there and people don't want others knowing their proclivities. I did join the biggest SPN group on there, but basically all it was was people "liking" stuff and them posting about when new episodes were coming on. There's no real community like there is here.

If you do choose to join under an anonymous account, DO NOT USE ONE OF YOUR CURRENT E-MAIL ADDRESSES. When you sign up, Facebook will link your contacts in your e-mail account to people already on FB. Luckily I signed up under my real-life account, but I found that FB suggested a lot of "friends" who I did not know in real life but were fandom friends and I had their e-mails in my account.

That bothered me most of all. I did NOT want my online persona linked in any way to my real-life one, especially considering I've been looking for a job.

The new third-party connection system is troubling too. When you are signed in to FB and visit a website that is connected to and shares into with FB, FB knows where you surf and visit. It's makes it easier for third party sites to focus their ads on you.

My suggestion? If you are concerned about anyone from real life discovering your SPN "secrets" DO NOT JOIN FB.

Thank you so much for this intel. It's seems to be what I'm hearing from most people who have responded. That initially surprised me (that there is so much negativity) - but now I have a better understanding.

It's helped me decide not to pursue this idea - it just doesn't sound like something I'm after. The security issue really seems to be a concern and I know I just can't risk my students ever finding me on line.

The response has also made me appreciate LJ a lot more also.

Thanks so much hun.
xx

In fact I keep being told "I don't do LJ because it's too complicated". Which I agree with. Until you get to know it that is.
That's Facebook to me. I get some idea of what's going on and the whole damn thing changes again. I use it to look at pretty pictures of my nephew, but I don't get it at all!

I know I would never "get it" either. I have found that I am so used to the way LJ works that I expect everywhere else to work the same. I think that's why Twitter confuses the heck out of me...

I've decided not to get one after reading all the feedback and advice.

Well, I do have a facebook, but only to stay in touch with my brother and giggle around with my BFF. Fandom, that's what LJ is for. ;) Or Tumblr. And, to a degree, Twitter. *gg*

Hey honey...

(hope you're doing ok..)

I decided not to go the Facebook route after all because, as you say, it's not really for fandom. :)

(If you want a distraction let me know... there's always some Sam & sex screens caps..... I am still writing my meta on this. I haven't pushed it because I know you've been busy. I suspect now though you have other things on your mind. But... just let me know.

*HUGS*

<33333333

I'm doing . . . Still shitty, but better than I was afraid of for now.

That's sweet, BB. ♥ But, just, write the meta on your own time, don't hurry for my sake. I've decided I'm still going to give my Big Bang a shot, so, I guess that's gonna keep me quite busy until May 1st. ;)

*HUGS BACK*

The only reason I have Facebook is because my brother made me get one. I don't really get why everyone thinks it's so great. There isn't much to do on it. Yeah, it's good for finding old friends you've lost touch with or something like that, but for fandom activities, you're better off staying with LJ. However...have you heard of Fan Forum? I used to go there. They have boards for just about everything, they're very active, and the people are really friendly. So you might explore there. :)

Hi there..

Yeah - that's what I am hearing. I'm not really interested in searching out old friends. Strangely I have a much better time here with people I haven't met but we share a common interest.

Thanks for the link. I've tried some forum threads before but I'm not really a big fan of them. I mean... I probably should get more involved else where - but here usually keeps me pretty busy and engaged.

Thanks for dropping in. :)

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