By Allison Strickland
I have approximately 175 friends. At least, that’s the number of people who have admitted to being such on http://thefacebook.com.
Thefacebook was created by Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg and was launched on Feb. 4, 2004, but U of L first gained access early in 2005. There are currently more than 300 schools and one million people connected through thefacebook.
Thefacebook allows students to create a profile in which they can list information about themselves, such as their major and classes they are taking, as well as personal interests and a picture of themselves. Members can view other profiles and request people to be their “friends.”
A social network can be created through thefacebook that includes students not only from U of L, but from other schools as well. However, you can only view the profiles of U of L students if you’re friends with them.
A “groups” option is available through the Web site, allowing members to associate based on common interests. For instance, there are groups for individual fraternities and sororities, Cardinal fans and various high schools, and there is even an “Addicted to Facebook” group. You can also connect with people in your classes, which can be a good contact if you have a question about an upcoming project or assignment. Or, if you are just curious, you can find out the name (and more) of the person who sits next to you in biology.
Many people, myself included, spend countless hours on thefacebook, locating old friends and finding new ones. Random people will request friendship after viewing your profile in hopes of raising their number of friends.
When someone requests your friendship, you can either confirm or deny it. If you deny the request, they will not be notified, so you do not have to worry that someone is going to find out and hate you for turning down their friendship.
Some people seem to think that thefacebook is a competition; they must have more friends than anyone else and belong to as many groups possible. But I think, in many ways, thefacebook can be a very positive thing. I have been able to connect with people I went to grade school with and had lost touch with. Without this site, I most likely would not have contacted these people until a class reunion.
I’ll admit that I have put off homework and other assorted errands because I am too enthralled with all that thefacebook has to offer. On that note, as much fun as I have had writing this column, I need to go. I’ve been logged off thefacebook for too long and I am going through withdrawal.
