This popular social networking site of the world started as an interactive site between the Ivy League schools in 2004. However now, facebook is open for anyone above thirteen years of age and is a rage with children and adults. The users can create their profile page and by using facebook people are able to connect to their friends, acquaintances, class mates and colleagues, online. The users can join any number of networks they prefer based on college, city, workplace or school thus giving them access to other people’s profiles that are also on these networks.

Features:

Many features have been added over a period of time to facebook to make it more users friendly and popular. Every profile page has a Wall to ‘post’ (write) comments on it. An unlimited number of photos and videos can be uploaded on your page which can be viewed by people on your network. The user can tag or label a photo if you have any of your facebook friends on in that photo. Pokes are generally sent to a person when you do not have anything to say but want the person to be reminded about you. A person can change his Status message to let people know the recent happenings in is life.

The news feed feature was added later on which updates the user about any changes and alerts them about forthcoming events. Recently facebook has come up with Chat which is almost like any instant messaging service. Users also have an option of sending gifts, which are, of course, virtual, to close friends and loved ones. And as recent as September 2008, facebook introduced Facebook beta design which has given the profile page a much cleaner look.

Facebook games like WarBook and SuperSnake are so popular with the users; they have taken social gaming to another level where users invite their friends and contacts to play with them.  

Tips and Tricks:

For regular and addicted facebook users, a facebook toolbar is a helpful aid as it will pop up notification regarding a new message, post, poke or any change in your friends profile page. Facebook profile can be customized by changing your privacy settings to limit people’s access to your personal information. You can have different settings for a different set of people.

The friends finder option is a great way to start on facebook to reach out to your lost friends. By linking the address book of the account you are holding, facebook, from that address list, can find friends which already are facebook users. People may be faking their identities on the site so for a happy and safe ‘facebooking’ one has to be very careful while posting personal information. In case of any obscene behavior and virtual abuse there is an option of report where you can lodge complain with facebook about that particular person or content.

Newbie Friendly rating:

Facebook is very interactive social site and with its umpteen applications one is bound to try some; making it a very popular destination online. Very user friendly, Facebook has got a rating of 9 on 10.