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The one thing keeping me on Facebook are events / RSVP. I don't know any good alternative. For example it's still missing in Diaspora: https://github.com/diasp

by jhasse 9y ago

The one thing keeping me on Facebook are events / RSVP. I don't know any good alternative. For example it's still missing in Diaspora: https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/issues/1359 https://github.com/diaspora/diaspora/issues/1359

akvadrako 9y ago
This is a big one. Meetup is good for group events, and personal invitations are good for close friends, but I haven't really seen anything for the middle.
free_everybody 9y ago
Even though I deleted my Facebook account earlier this month, I totally agree. Events on Facebook were easily the fullest set of local happenings that I could browse through. Luckily, my girlfriend keeps me updated using her Facebook account, so I don't feel like I'm missing out. I feel there's significant opportunity for an events dedicated app to really take over. I'll be waiting.
Grangar 9y ago
I'm working on an alternative. I'll post a Show HN when I have my MVP ready!
thoth 9y ago
Same here. I'm on Facebook because of events. Years ago, a club I was in was using Yahoo Groups, and over time more and more events were posted to Facebook. People complained, and eventually the organizer wrote back "I've been using Facebook because it lets me schedule an event, track RVSP's, link to the location/map, add members, post pics, and help advertise/recruit for more members. Anybody that wants to help or takeover any or all of this, let me know". Total silence for a day or two before about 50 of us joined Facebook. That was 8 years ago. I moved away but now I'm in at least 4 clubs that actively use Facebook for events... now it's typical for friends to schedule birthday parties, housewarmings, plain old get-togethers via Facebook private events. Also alumni groups, community events and so on that keep in touch or advertise things to do that way. The only thing I'm tired of is people that constantly mention how they quit Facebook. I don't care. It serves a useful purpose for me. It's like that Onion article about the guy who doesn't own a TV and mentions that as often as possible - Onion should do an update starring Facebook quitters. And before anybody suggests it, Meetup isn't a good alternative. (I'm an organizer of a Meetup group as well; I like Meetup but fills a different niche.)
- dabockster 9y ago
  > And before anybody suggests it, Meetup isn't a good alternative. I agree. And Meetup in general is starting to go downhill here in Seattle. More and more, I'm seeing more "meetups" that are actually more on the lines of suburban "mortgage seminars" but for tech. Example: Company XYZ launches a new API, so they host a "meetup" with free beer at their HQ where 2/3 of the time is spent by a "developer relations manager" advertising the new API. In the other 1/3 of the meetup, the atmosphere is noticeably awkward and nobody really talks to anyone beyond a friendly hello.
DerfNet 9y ago
I recently deleted my 10 year old Facebook account and opened a new locked down one that I use only for events. No pictures, no connections to anything else I use, no facebook app on my phone. it's unfortunate but it's basically a necessity.
wepple 9y ago
Totally agree. I log in to Facebook on Thursday to see what might be happening on the weekend, and leave it at that. Once a week is more than enough.
dabockster 9y ago
I'm in the same position. Once there's a decent events board with good promotion, I'm quitting Facebook for good. Until that happens, I'm stuck there.
altonzheng 9y ago
Easy solution I've found: unfollow everyone. Obviously they make this hard for you, you have to unfollow individually and get stopped for "abuse" every once on a while, but it's so rewarding at the end. You get all the benefits of Facebook with none of the addictive qualities.
altonzheng 9y ago
Easy solution I've found: unfollow everyone. Obviously they make this hard for you, you have to unfollow individually and get stopped for "abuse" every once on a while, but it's so rewarding at the end. You get all the benefits of Facebook with none of the addictive qualities.

by jhasse 9y ago

akvadrako 9y ago

This is a big one. Meetup is good for group events, and personal invitations are good for close friends, but I haven't really seen anything for the middle.

free_everybody 9y ago

Even though I deleted my Facebook account earlier this month, I totally agree. Events on Facebook were easily the fullest set of local happenings that I could browse through. Luckily, my girlfriend keeps me updated using her Facebook account, so I don't feel like I'm missing out. I feel there's significant opportunity for an events dedicated app to really take over. I'll be waiting.

Grangar 9y ago

I'm working on an alternative. I'll post a Show HN when I have my MVP ready!

thoth 9y ago

Same here. I'm on Facebook because of events. Years ago, a club I was in was using Yahoo Groups, and over time more and more events were posted to Facebook. People complained, and eventually the organizer wrote back "I've been using Facebook because it lets me schedule an event, track RVSP's, link to the location/map, add members, post pics, and help advertise/recruit for more members. Anybody that wants to help or takeover any or all of this, let me know". Total silence for a day or two before about 50 of us joined Facebook. That was 8 years ago. I moved away but now I'm in at least 4 clubs that actively use Facebook for events... now it's typical for friends to schedule birthday parties, housewarmings, plain old get-togethers via Facebook private events. Also alumni groups, community events and so on that keep in touch or advertise things to do that way. The only thing I'm tired of is people that constantly mention how they quit Facebook. I don't care. It serves a useful purpose for me. It's like that Onion article about the guy who doesn't own a TV and mentions that as often as possible - Onion should do an update starring Facebook quitters. And before anybody suggests it, Meetup isn't a good alternative. (I'm an organizer of a Meetup group as well; I like Meetup but fills a different niche.)

dabockster 9y ago
> And before anybody suggests it, Meetup isn't a good alternative. I agree. And Meetup in general is starting to go downhill here in Seattle. More and more, I'm seeing more "meetups" that are actually more on the lines of suburban "mortgage seminars" but for tech. Example: Company XYZ launches a new API, so they host a "meetup" with free beer at their HQ where 2/3 of the time is spent by a "developer relations manager" advertising the new API. In the other 1/3 of the meetup, the atmosphere is noticeably awkward and nobody really talks to anyone beyond a friendly hello.

DerfNet 9y ago

I recently deleted my 10 year old Facebook account and opened a new locked down one that I use only for events. No pictures, no connections to anything else I use, no facebook app on my phone. it's unfortunate but it's basically a necessity.

wepple 9y ago

Totally agree. I log in to Facebook on Thursday to see what might be happening on the weekend, and leave it at that. Once a week is more than enough.

dabockster 9y ago

I'm in the same position. Once there's a decent events board with good promotion, I'm quitting Facebook for good. Until that happens, I'm stuck there.

altonzheng 9y ago

Easy solution I've found: unfollow everyone. Obviously they make this hard for you, you have to unfollow individually and get stopped for "abuse" every once on a while, but it's so rewarding at the end. You get all the benefits of Facebook with none of the addictive qualities.

altonzheng 9y ago