Facebook vs Non-Facebook

This is a question on how 3SGTO members feel about the current state of the 3S community and Facebook.

What is your comfort level of Facebook and community involvement?

1. I use Facebook (and am happy to connect with other 3S owners on it)
2. I use Facebook (and do not feel comfortable connecting with other 3S owners on it)
3. I do not use Facebook (but would consider using it if my chapter/3S friends were on it)
4. I do not use Facebook (and will never use Facebook)

Select the answer that best fits your comfort level of Facebook at this time. If further explanation is needed, feel free to leave your comments in a reply.

History

I've seen the community change a lot over the years. This, perhaps, transcends 3SGTO and can be applied to the Internet as a whole, as we've gone from a mostly anonymous group behind usernames to referring to other members and ourselves by actual names (Ray Pampena, Matt Monett, Chris Hill, Alan, Tony, Greg, Jeremy etc), sharing baby photos, talking politics, etc.

During this change, a lot of walls have come down. There's no denying that Facebook and social media is now prevalent around the world. Many of us use it to enhance our social life, while some absolutely avoid it.

It poses an interesting predicament for those that possess a certain attitude about personal info sharing and still prefer the anonymous way of doing things, or if this change is welcome. The results seem to vary from community to community. That is what has inspired me to pose this question to all of you.

Hopefully the answer to this poll can help many of the local chapters with their decision to fully embrace social media, or just to get an idea of how much of the 3S community they might be including/excluding.

Please be honest!

I still have a Myspace from many moons again, but I absolultely refuse to use Facebook. I made an account once for less than 10 minutes. I only did it to look up information on a girl who was coming to buy parts off me. I looked around for a few minutes and realized just how stupid it was and deleted my account.

Facebook itself is too intrusive and I really don't need to know every time someone is going to the bathroom, or what they are having for dinner.

I actually went through my Facebook and deleted a lot of car/3s people that I didn't know or communicate with directly on a regular basis. They don't all need to know my personal business, baby news, etc. I figure if they want to get in touch with me about car stuff, we have the shop and warehouse pages, and the 3S Facebook pages, or they can message me. There are some things I don't care if everyone sees, but my personal/family updates I prefer to keep between my family and good friends I have made over the years, and people I ACTUALLY know in real life.

I think the internet, to a degree, Facebook in particular, has become too intrusive. There is no disconnect now.

Great feedback so far.

I'm with Em on keeping the personal profile just that and a business Facebook page to keep in touch with the 3S people that I don't really know.

I'm pretty careful about who I add as a friend on Facebook to try to keep things private. I do my best to keep it below 200 friends which forces me to do that. I'm actually over that now so I'll probably go through and delete a bunch at some point.

It's a mixed bag with me. I use Facebook and for years kept it to just family and people I personally knew....but then, once Ninja Performance got going, so many 3S folks wanted to friend me and I felt like it would reflect poorly on us if I didn't accept them. SO then I had a bunch of 3S folks on my FB posting a lot of stuff I'm not interested in or want to know. So I deleted some. Now, I just add people I REALLY know or folks I've dealt with a good deal online and feel we have more than just cars in common. My personal life is mine, but I don't post anything online that I wouldn't want anyone to know, in general, cos I know if I post it, it's not sacred. I was just mentioning to Chris last night "How did I get 200+ friends when it was only 47 FOREVER!"
Besides, I figure with all of the 'find this dog a home' or 'be on the lookout for this lost dog' posts of mine, people will delete ME!! :p
Nothing can take the place of this forum, tho, because folks here understand each other in a different way than they can on FB. I kinda liken it to FB is for blood family and this forum (or any car forum) is for car family.

**edit:
That really doesn't apply to either of your choices, Shaun. I don't mind adding SOME 3S members to my FB, just not all of them.

It's kind of a complex topic that the poll couldn't account for (with the different degrees of info we're willing to share), but for those willing to elaborate:

On Facebook
Just short of accepting other 3s owners as 'friends,' do each of you still feel comfortable using it to participate in 3s-related groups/pages using your real name/location/profile photo/etc?

Not on Facebook
With threads like 'The Who is You Thread', the 'We have seen pics of the cars! Now lets see pics of the owners!' thread on 3SI, Twinsen's old 3S-book/Faces of 3SI (for those that have been around long enough to remember that), etc -- what exactly do you or don't you feel comfortable sharing in particular with a community like ours? I'm trying to get a feel for where most members in today's world draw the line and/or where the level of comfort ends.

I pretty much only add people I either know face to face, or if I converse with them a lot online. I have different groups set up and each has it's own security as to what people can and cannot see of my personal info. Granted Facebook screws up time to time so I never add anything that I wouldn't want to leak out in the first place.

I have nothing to hide really and I'm not one of those people to hide behind the internet. There is nothing I wouldn't put online that I would say in front of the rest of you anyway....:p

What he said ^^!

I post a lot of my passionate view on the times, but nothing I would not share/discuss/debate with anyone in person...

I have a large number of 3S Facebook friends. Sometimes, I'll see a post on my news page and go "who the f*ck is that?"
But I never give away too much personal info on my page, so I'm not too worried about who sees it. I'm mostly about posting funny pics and commenting on our idiot President.
I've seen SoCal3S and 3S of Florida go almost exclusively to Facebook pages for their club gatherings and info, but the NorCal people still mostly stick to their forum.

The thing about groups going exclusively to Facebook fo gatherings info is there are still a lot of people, like myself, who would miss out on it.

When my 10 year HS reunion came around it was only advertised on Facebook. The commitee didn't even attempt to track down addresses and send out invitations or put information in the local newspaper. I only found out about the reunion a few weeks beforehand. They ended up cancelling because they only had about 10 people (out of 302 graduates) sign up to attend. LOL

i refuse to use it. it's one more way that my online activities can be tracked (like having a gmail account).

i got tired of the privacy settings being more unstable than an african government. i also found that i had difficulty stopping myself from venting private issues in a public forum. and i really don't care to help the enemies of the USA identify me and have an upper hand in torturing me for information.

it sucks, because i have a lot of friends i really don't keep up with. then again, 100 years ago, people didn't even have telephones in many cases. friendships still grew and thrived. i think i'll survive.

p.s.
if something is only posted on FB, it's clearly not important enough to warrant my attention.

Dropped off of FB about 6 months ago. Too much of a time trap.

Understand business aspects of it. But the 'social' side seems hollow. It's good for long distance real friends and relatives... But seriously someone with over a thousand 'friends'? Really? Also concerns about security issues mentioned.

Sent from garage

I am the otter

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stealthee

Facebook itself is too intrusive

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This!!!!!!!!!!

I pretty much hate the way it's set up. It's designed to get all your personal business out in the open. Seems very easy to hack, I've tried stopping the millions of emails but to no avail, and it just pisses me off at times.

On a good note about it, it has reconnected me with some people and on a bad note it has reconnected me with some people lol.

When I am on it I mainly chat with my fellow 3s friends but a lot of these guys have sort of become family to me anyway.

I think a mix of FB and and V-bulletin software would be neat.

Oh and just because it has peoples real names doesn't mean people won't act like an ass. Some don't plan to go to meets or have never been so they act like a jerk because they won't have to deal with it later when they meet the person face to face.

Not sure how to vote in the poll. lol

I can see your points guys, and they're mostly true. For someone like me, it's been a good way to keep in touch with old friends. I don't like talking on the phone, so that's not a good option for me. I spent 28 years of my life in Maryland, 14 years in San Diego and now I'm living in Miami. I'm glad to have a way of keeping in touch without having to e-mail or phone someone.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IPD

p.s.
if something is only posted on FB, it's clearly not important enough to warrant my attention.

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Exactly how I feel. There have been a few times where someone has asked

"Oh are you going to so and so's party?"
"I know nothing of said party."
"Oh, they posted it all over Facebook."
"I don't have Facebook. If they can't at least text me to invite me then I really don't need to go."

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 93STLTH

I can see your points guys, and they're mostly true. For someone like me, it's been a good way to keep in touch with old friends. I don't like talking on the phone, so that's not a good option for me. I spent 28 years of my life in Maryland, 14 years in San Diego and now I'm living in Miami. I'm glad to have a way of keeping in touch without having to e-mail or phone someone.

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Same here, I usually moved every 5-6 years over the last 20 years. so I have friends/colleges all over the world. FB is the ones place I am able to keep in touch with them. I would say that it is 50% social - 50% networking for me. FB helps me with job opportunities and finding people to fill open spots. I always try to stay in contact with my past work colleges just for the networking purpose.

These are all great points.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 93STLTH

I've seen SoCal3S and 3S of Florida go almost exclusively to Facebook pages for their club gatherings and info, but the NorCal people still mostly stick to their forum.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by stealthee

The thing about groups going exclusively to Facebook fo gatherings info is there are still a lot of people, like myself, who would miss out on it.

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This is a large part of what inspired me to ask the question. It's a balance between convenience (for some) and exclusion (for others). With more and more chapters and groups going all-Facebook, it seemed like an important issue to talk about.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IPD

if something is only posted on FB, it's clearly not important enough to warrant my attention.

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You were an inspiration for this topic, as you've been very vocal about your stance on Facebook. For someone in your position (especially as someone that can't disclose personal information for OPSEC reasons), do you feel left out?

Same question to anyone else that doesn't use Facebook for 3s-related discussion; do you guys feel left out at all/wish it would stay on the forums?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by green-lantern

Oh and just because it has peoples real names doesn't mean people won't act like an ass. Some don't plan to go to meets or have never been so they act like a jerk because they won't have to deal with it later when they meet the person face to face.

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Also a good point, Paul. I always wondered if communities that are more inclined to use real names behaved as a closer-nit group, or if it had little or perhaps even a negative effect overall.

Don't see what the big deal is with Facebook. Don't ever put anything on there you don't want everyone to see.

I like it for staying in touch with old friends.

To support the NG and 3sgto I feel I need to be on it.

I do not feel it is a good option for our type of group. its really a whats going on now. Their is no way to search what has been posted and history just falls into the void.

Dont have (and wont be getting) any social media, cant stand em...

...so yes, its a bit of a bummer from the information standpoint, but i know enough yahoos on the board that have FB, so i get the info funneled down to me :D

This is a little iffy for me. I have a facebook, but I don't just randomly five it out. I am happy to share it...if I feel comfortable about it.

Haven't had a FB account for several months now,I'm pretty sure I won't ever have one again. Its too intrusive and is pretty much a waste of time for me now that I'm in school. I also feel like I've been more productive and get projects done quicker now that I don't have one.

-Matt

I mostly didn't get a Facebook because it was going to become a huge time waster. I already had 3S forums for that so I didn't need another daily distraction in my life to keep me from focusing on other things. That and there were some people from high school I didn't want to track me down because I wasn't going to be buddy buddy with them. Once I created a Facebook to look at some photos of a SL-TT way back when I was getting started in a 3S but since then never used it.

The really good friends I have I see in person or will take the initiative to go visit once in awhile. Everyone else can text or e-mail me since we're not as good of friends to merit more. Sometimes for those I may make an exception to talking on the phone to get caught up, but realistically it seems like quite a few can't talk for less than a hour every single time. I ignore the phone sometimes because I just don't have the time to talk. If someone wants to BS they can send me a text and I'll respond when I get a moment. I have more going on now than years back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DrGonzo

Same here, I usually moved every 5-6 years over the last 20 years. so I have friends/colleges all over the world. FB is the ones place I am able to keep in touch with them. I would say that it is 50% social - 50% networking for me. FB helps me with job opportunities and finding people to fill open spots. I always try to stay in contact with my past work colleges just for the networking purpose.

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When I'm up for a job hunt, I'll create a Linked-In account. No freaking way I'm going to put my personal life up on the internet for employers to see.

P.S.

Honestly, Shaun, I don't really feel left out. What on facebook is of such redeeming value that my opting out of it does great disservice to my own benefit?

http://www.dailytech.com/Facebook+En...ticle29723.htm

I see shit like this and it reinforces my position. My life would be far better enriched by picking up a book, or listening to independent music or watching independent movies. I firmly believe that one of the reasons America is going down the shitter is because of social media. We are now (collectively) more focused on the banal and trite (Kim Kardashian's poop color) than we are with the desecration of the Bill of Rights, a complete lack of fiscal responsibility in Washington, or with the meaning behind WHY we are still fighting global terrorism.

Had it didn't care much for it. Puts alot of social pressure and stress on me. Also like mentioned too intrusive on private life not only mine but stuff I don't want to see from other people.

Will probably end up getting it again anyways because alot of stuff goes through it nowdays. You're almost expected to have it otherwise you're a wierdo :/

I AM a wierdo. So I guess not having a social-media account means I lose nothing. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan92RTTT

I like it for staying in touch with old friends.

To support the NG and 3sgto I feel I need to be on it.

I do not feel it is a good option for our type of group. its really a whats going on now. Their is no way to search what has been posted and history just falls into the void.

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Well put. There is a lot of good information on the 3SGTO Facebook page. However, searching and organizing it is nearly impossible. It's a timeline. A lot of that traffic needs to be put towards the forum.

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Originally Posted by Greg E

Don't see what the big deal is with Facebook. Don't ever put anything on there you don't want everyone to see.

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It's not just that Greg. You also have to deal with reading, or sifting through crap you don't want to read in newsfeeds, etc.

I hate anything I feel unduly impinges on my time.

My computers are some of the most useful and productive tools I have, but when I find myself sorting the fly specks from the pepper of my legitimate email for 20 minutes every day, I start to get a little chapped with the situation.

It isn't that I always have something pressing, either; it's that I just don't want to spend time doing something I don't care to do.

Communication is important, but I never wanted to be a slave to telephones or computers roused by people I do not know and cannot control.

We use it a lot for keeping in touch with customers, networking for the business, running specials/ promotions, updates on projects, etc. Stuff we mostly post on the forums as well, but there are so many people that are not forum goers, that its an avenue we need to use. We do try to cross post a lot... Example... Making a thread on 3sgto, and posting the link on Facebook pages and groups. It gets the views for us, views and traffic to the forum, but also brings people here for the discussion in addition to Facebook, and hopefully snags some members for the forum along the way.

But like I said, I used to accept friend requests from anyone with a 3/S, but now I prefer to keep my personal profile mildly more private. Not that I care if the world sees what I post, but more along the lines of they really don't need to be kept up to date on what is going on in my personal life for their sheer curiosity. It's tough trying to separate the personal from the business for us, because we do get so personally involved with so many of our customers, many of them become our good friends, its hard to draw that line. People like that personal connect with those they do business with, and Facebook makes that very easy. But on the flip side... At what point do you draw the line to only share those pieces of your life with just those close to you?

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Originally Posted by Emilie@GZP

At what point do you draw the line to only share those pieces of your life with just those close to you?

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I would offer an amendment, Emilie:

At what point are your preferences re matters of privacy irretrievably compromised by social media?

Anything posted online should be assumed its not private. Even with private messaging, etc. If its written or typed, it can not be guaranteed private.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emilie@GZP

Anything posted online should be assumed its not private. Even with private messaging, etc. If its written or typed, it can not be guaranteed private.

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Pure-D fact, right there. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emilie@GZP

Anything posted online should be assumed its not private. Even with private messaging, etc. If its written or typed, it can not be guaranteed private.

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best reason ever to remain anonymous. you're a much harder target to prosecute when they come to remove the last vestiges of your constitutional freedoms...if you never make public the sort of person you are.

We have used Facebook posts and messages as court evidence before. Never post up something you dont want the world.to see or know about.

i generally add people if i know them in real life/see them at least semi-frequently. i am friends with some people (ie docwalt on here) that i have not met in real life, but i wouldsay there are maybe 3 or 4 people like that tops... corey is another.

i am not concerned with personal information as much as i probably should be. but i try to not give out phone numbers or addresses on facebook.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emilie@GZP

We have used Facebook posts and messages as court evidence before. Never post up something you dont want the world.to see or know about.

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That's what I was saying.

Its funny seeing people whine about Facebook. Anything used against you is the result of something you post their voluntarily. Anything you see there that bugs you can be blocked with a single click or unfriend... For some reason people don't understand that there is no such thing as privacy on the Internet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emilie@GZP

We use it a lot for keeping in touch with customers, networking for the business, running specials/ promotions, updates on projects, etc. Stuff we mostly post on the forums as well, but there are so many people that are not forum goers, that its an avenue we need to use. We do try to cross post a lot... Example... Making a thread on 3sgto, and posting the link on Facebook pages and groups. It gets the views for us, views and traffic to the forum, but also brings people here for the discussion in addition to Facebook, and hopefully snags some members for the forum along the way.

But like I said, I used to accept friend requests from anyone with a 3/S, but now I prefer to keep my personal profile mildly more private. Not that I care if the world sees what I post, but more along the lines of they really don't need to be kept up to date on what is going on in my personal life for their sheer curiosity. It's tough trying to separate the personal from the business for us, because we do get so personally involved with so many of our customers, many of them become our good friends, its hard to draw that line. People like that personal connect with those they do business with, and Facebook makes that very easy. But on the flip side... At what point do you draw the line to only share those pieces of your life with just those close to you?

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Just had to go make sure you didnt delete me, and I see we are still friends (for now) ;)