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I have one facebook account with a totally fake profile that I used once to view someone's photos. I'm done with facebook, but I guess my once-only fake accoun

I have one facebook account with a totally fake profile that I used once to view someone's photos. I'm done with facebook, but I guess my once-only fake account still counts towards the growing number of facebook users. I am surprised by how pervasive facebook is. I insist that people post their photos on flickr or some other service because I don't want to use facebook. They in turn insist that I sign up to facebook just to see their photos. No, I can't stop facebook but, I don't have to use it either.

zaidf 17y ago
You're in the absolute minority with your fake profile. I've been a heavy fb user for 5 years and can't recall the last time I saw a fake profile.
- far33d 17y ago
  The only fake profiles I ever see are from other developers testing their facebook apps.
- chunkyslink 17y ago
  I completely disagree. I have a fake facebook profile that I use to access useful groups / access content from organizations that use it. I would absolutely hate to use my real profile as I find the whole 'incoming' side of it intrusive and desperate. The last thing is need is to have to deal with all the useless drivel people would be expecting me to take part in with a real profile. I would also say that at least 4 of my friends do the same.
  - zaidf 17y ago
    Don't confuse how you use fb with the overwhelming majority of users. We are not the average user. Yes I have a few accounts too. But my mom, my sister, my hundreds of uni friends have incredibly personal stuff on their fb profile.
- sireat 17y ago
  With all due respect, how do you know you haven't seen a fake profile? Fake profiles can be quite elaborate.
  - zaidf 17y ago
    Fake profiles can be quite elaborate. In social networking terms, "fake profile" usually refers to profiles that claim to be some celebrity. Friendster/orkut etc. are full of them. You are referring to profiles where someone builds an elaborate fake character. I don't think those were ever that common. Lastly, facebook always reports active users. I have a couple accounts with fake names that I haven't logged in for at least a year. I created them to test out something.
notaddicted 17y ago
I'm a frequent user -- but I mainly use messages. All your friends are like a contact list and you can send them messages. No changing emails, you can use their real names, and the search is very good. Usually the person I want is the first result (for people I'm not friends with.) Phone/email is always changing (and you can lookup phone numbers on facebook: very useful.) I have been a member since before they added the photo feature, and I have deactivated my account for over 4 months before, but messaging + events + all my friends are on it compels me to stay. Also, I know people who are either or both email and voicemail bankrupt (more messages than they can possibly ever check), and facebook is the best way to contact. EDIT: Purpose of this reply: why do I find it compelling to use facebook. Also I don't do IM, don't even answer the phone some days (need quiet time) so it isn't just because I can't help myself.
gaius 17y ago
I guess my once-only fake account still counts towards the growing number of facebook users FB only counts users with recent activity. I insist that people post their photos on flickr or some other service because I don't want to use facebook The problem with Flickr is that not everyone is on Flickr. Facebook's ability to tag photos and associate them with events is light years ahead of anyone else, not least because they have a critical mass of the people in the photos on the service.
sireat 17y ago
I am in the same boat, I have a fake facebook profile that I used once for a specific (slightly nefarious) purpose and that was that. Anyhow, I must be one of the few according to Slate, who does not like sharing everything I do with my friends, enemies and strangers.
- fauigerzigerk 17y ago
  Same boat here. Judging by this thread our boat is getting quite crowded. Maybe the Slate people did their research using a facebook poll ;-)

zaidf 17y ago

You're in the absolute minority with your fake profile. I've been a heavy fb user for 5 years and can't recall the last time I saw a fake profile.

far33d 17y ago
The only fake profiles I ever see are from other developers testing their facebook apps.
chunkyslink 17y ago
I completely disagree. I have a fake facebook profile that I use to access useful groups / access content from organizations that use it. I would absolutely hate to use my real profile as I find the whole 'incoming' side of it intrusive and desperate. The last thing is need is to have to deal with all the useless drivel people would be expecting me to take part in with a real profile. I would also say that at least 4 of my friends do the same.
- zaidf 17y ago
  Don't confuse how you use fb with the overwhelming majority of users. We are not the average user. Yes I have a few accounts too. But my mom, my sister, my hundreds of uni friends have incredibly personal stuff on their fb profile.
sireat 17y ago
With all due respect, how do you know you haven't seen a fake profile? Fake profiles can be quite elaborate.
- zaidf 17y ago
  Fake profiles can be quite elaborate. In social networking terms, "fake profile" usually refers to profiles that claim to be some celebrity. Friendster/orkut etc. are full of them. You are referring to profiles where someone builds an elaborate fake character. I don't think those were ever that common. Lastly, facebook always reports active users. I have a couple accounts with fake names that I haven't logged in for at least a year. I created them to test out something.

notaddicted 17y ago

I'm a frequent user -- but I mainly use messages. All your friends are like a contact list and you can send them messages. No changing emails, you can use their real names, and the search is very good. Usually the person I want is the first result (for people I'm not friends with.) Phone/email is always changing (and you can lookup phone numbers on facebook: very useful.) I have been a member since before they added the photo feature, and I have deactivated my account for over 4 months before, but messaging + events + all my friends are on it compels me to stay. Also, I know people who are either or both email and voicemail bankrupt (more messages than they can possibly ever check), and facebook is the best way to contact. EDIT: Purpose of this reply: why do I find it compelling to use facebook. Also I don't do IM, don't even answer the phone some days (need quiet time) so it isn't just because I can't help myself.

gaius 17y ago

I guess my once-only fake account still counts towards the growing number of facebook users FB only counts users with recent activity. I insist that people post their photos on flickr or some other service because I don't want to use facebook The problem with Flickr is that not everyone is on Flickr. Facebook's ability to tag photos and associate them with events is light years ahead of anyone else, not least because they have a critical mass of the people in the photos on the service.

sireat 17y ago

I am in the same boat, I have a fake facebook profile that I used once for a specific (slightly nefarious) purpose and that was that. Anyhow, I must be one of the few according to Slate, who does not like sharing everything I do with my friends, enemies and strangers.

fauigerzigerk 17y ago
Same boat here. Judging by this thread our boat is getting quite crowded. Maybe the Slate people did their research using a facebook poll ;-)