The Internet's Freshest Face

Why is Facebook so Fun?

Facebook isn’t only about improving connections in a virtual world—it’s also about enjoying a little playtime in your day through communication. Instead of writing long, boring emails to your friends during the first 30 days of using Facebook, “poke” (the equivalent of a friendly wink) the friend you met while studying abroad in Spain or write on your high school buddy’s wall just because you were thinking about that memorable homecoming night.

Communication with your friends on Facebook doesn’t stop there. As you friend more people, you’ll probably be asked to join an “application.” These little widgets, or programs, allow you to further interact virtually with your Facebook friends. Applications range from virtual potted plants and fish tanks to quizzes that determine how dumb, sexy or political you are. It’s all in good fun, and many people get quite involved.

Be careful, though—your profile can become overrun by applications that detract from your overall goal. “The best thing to do is use the [applications] that your friends are using,” Lampe advises. “The thing to be aware of is that many of these are marketing tools.” And you don’t want your profile looking like a giant billboard.

In the long run, your success in using Facebook will be shown by how it augments the relationships in your life. “The measures of being successful at Facebook are the same as the measures in any other network: showing an interest in other people,” Lampe says. “Maintain a balance between sharing stuff about you and showing interest in them.”

As you wind down your first 30 days, don’t let your Facebook page languish. Instead, continue to update your profile about once a week and throw a cake at your friends while you’re at it.

* Name changed.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Mayo