A wall post is not a status update...

After my long battle with Facebook (as is outlined in my first year of blogging), I eventually conceded that it was too big not to be a part of. Too many publications that I read, organisations and profession specific groups which I belong to post regular updates for jobs, training and other related topics which I simply wouldn't have access to without Facebook. So for me being a part of Facebook is the digital equivalent of reading a daily print publication which caters exactly to my needs.

In many ways, my interaction with the site has removed the social aspect, as the bulk of my 200+ friends list is simply me showing some Internet etiquette in not offending you, in the off chance that I might actually bump into you on the street. Or, in other words, I only care about you enough that I would prefer to avoid an awkward "you deleted me" conversation should we cross paths (to the hundreds I have deleted already, I obviously couldn't care less).

So, anyway, removing the social aspect has its drawbacks, in that I appear to be the only person who has done it. While I might post a legitimate question to an organisation, my friends see this on their news feed and have the ability to comment on it. While mutual friends posting on a status update, or on a comment made on the wall of a mutual friend could be seen as nice, the inappropriate banter which occurs on official "pages" when people comment is completely unnecessary and inappropriate.

The problem is that email is no longer the most viable method of seeking assistance, where as a professional community bulletin board or Internet forum is no longer relevant due to the immediacy and mobile interaction that is available with Facebook. It's no surprise So in the past, where a message to an organisation would be private, or directed in a theatre which was only frequented by like minded people, Facebook opens up the typical query to a banter that is completely useless, and potentially career limiting, or in a case of need, might cause those who would typically answer a query to be put off by the white-noise that infects the comments section.

So readers and possible Facebook users, please, for the love of God, realise that a Wall post to an institution (i.e. not a mutual friend) should be left alone, as the user is obviously seeking advice from other people directly linked to that page, and not from their well meaning friends (unless you are both a friend and have actual experience in the matter). It's not your moment shine and crack a joke, post something warm and fuzzy or offer irrelevant advice... Just as when I post something as a status update it is directed to those who can see my status and in fact is like every status update every made - to be commented upon, when I post on the wall of a business or organisation the desired audience is the organisation, not you.

So I say again, a wall post is not a status update, of course anything posted on Facebook is open to the forum of the Internet, available for all to see and comment on - all I'm asking is that you use the benefits that the Internet (unlike speech) affords you... The power to think before you type.

I suppose the best thing about having such a small reader base is knowing that this entry, at least, will not get commented on.