Miscellaneous Forum

1) after I registered, it told me that I can't access several things before June 28, which looks like a 14 days quarantine period. Fair enough in case it is such a thing. But the system does not tell me why, it only says: ###Our automated systems have restricted you from accessing certain features on Facebook. (and then the date, 2 weeks after I have registered)### => is that a quarantine period, which will try to make sure that I am not a spammer? 2) ok, I understand that many people have their pages protected via their settings. I saw that I can't add some people I know but who are outside my VT world when they haven't enabled the "all" function in their settings. But.. I sent them a message, which shows in my messages. But they didn't replied. Although one surely had accessed his FB page in the meantime. And another is definitely active every day because he uses his account both for business and private. => could it be that the system classifies me as spam, when I send messages to persons I have no connection with so far? (through friends)? (haha, of course it could well be that they don't want to connect. But for these few I know they would): I have sent them real mails in the meantime. So curious to see what they tell. 3) the strangest thing happened yesterday. I added a friend who is outside the VT FB gang, and we could send messages and chat. I commented an album she has posted recently, but she didn't see my comment. She said that FB told her: ##Facebook asked me to confirm that you weren't spam!!!!!!## Which is strange, because we are FB friends. I commented another photo, and again, same thing happened: she had to "release" it = confirm, that it was not spam. => does anyone have an idea what happened here? 4) I like the timeline thing. Well, I like the big photo option which comes with the timeline thing. I don't have the timeline option in my profile/wall/info board. => could that be another of this "14 days" period? Thanks in advance :-)) Ingrid :-))

Well Ingrid, I can only guess that things must have changed. I have never run into any of that nonsense that you are facing and I don't know why you are having so much trouble. Maybe someone else can chime in and help. Diane

1. Yes. 2. The system certainly thought I was spam when I sent a lot of message to people when I first joined. But it told me I was sending too many messages. Perhaps it has stopped telling people now? FB also has glitches; posts don't show, messages don't arrive etc etc. So try sending the message to whoever again. 3. Yes, I think the system suspects you are spam at the moment so is restricting/double-checking etc. 4. Maybe...sounds quite possible. But I don't have timeline so I don't know.

Thanks girls :-)) Thanks @leics :-) Ok, then it really makes sense :-) I'll wait and see what happens after June 28 (or later). Have sent 6 messages and 1 friend request (to the guy who uses it for business and private). That does not seem too much I think. I guess FB admins don't answer questions. Which is definitely a downside. The timeline thing might be fun, but I am more interested in adding such a great big long photo. And be a bit better "organised". But at least I have a better idea why I can't do certain things now. Can't add events and can't start new groups. That seems also be connected to the 14 days period. Ingrid :-)

I think FB is notorious for its lack of interest in communicating with its users. Even in the case of abusive/bullying/underage pages. But it's a useful outlet for my nosiness. :-)

I found it already useful for why I registered :-))

>> And the rest of us dont want to be discussed behind closed doors...thats a bit creepy and a bit sad that anyone thinks they need to be involved in "secret" discussions behind peoples backs...ANOTHER reason I dont like FB and what it stands for with regards to this site

Kristy, I don't want to exclude VT members. But I want to exclude sniffy and snoopy people of my daily environment. And this is not possible in misc forum.

Kirsty, Ingrid's purpose in joining is not Vt-related. Trust me, no-one talks about you on FB nor do they talk about anything which is not already in discussion here (apart from everyday general chit-chat, which is what most FB talk is anyway).

Then use the PM system...going to FB to have "secret group" discussions is wrong on many levals and I should of thought that was the reason they were classed as secret because the group organisers and participants know full well its wrong..but feel free to discuss what a prude and a stick in the mud I am behind my back....since I hereby give you permission...remember though you DONT have permission from anyone else to discuss them behind thier backs!!!

Kirsty I think you are unfortunately jumping to conclusions which are really wrong. I can think of no good reason why we would want to discuss other VTers at all. Certainly I don't. I enjoy looking at the photos of others and in some cases see what they are up to. Most of my friends on FB are not from here. Diane

Kirsty, I find your implication that there is, or is to be, 'talking about people behind their backs' thoroughly offensive. You do not (I think) know what Ingrid intends to do nor why she wants to form a group on FB, nor with whom. Groups on FB have restrictions on who can join them for very obvious reasons. Otherwise spammers and scammers and goodness-knows-who-else joins. Please do not assume that everything posted on FB by VT members is VT-related. It isn't.

I think the whole thing has something to do with what you registered as....Trekki. Most people put their real names. But if you don't want to do that just modify your spelling a bit. However if you do that no one will be able to find you. For instance if one of your friends (in the real world) searches for you, you will only come up if your name is spelled correctly.

Never said it all was...but I have been copy/pasted some stuff that definately was...you may not do it but its a bit nieve to think that no one does... besides J you dont have to be defensive...only people who have done wrong by backstabbing and secret ***ing need be ...

Oh my... what did I open? Sorry, I didn't mean to start things for conspiracy thoughts. I have registered on FB not with my last name because, as I wrote, I want to use my FB account for my travel stuff. Something like the "arm of my VT account into FB world". All my friends and family in the non VT world know my account and my pages here but they won't register here just to be in contact with me. And mails are ... somehow not the best way to share things. What I saw so far with FB, it is really good to share travel and other interests. A very good friend recently got a baby. She shares photos only on her FB page. Since I am there now, I can see all these photos. I can share comments, and she does not need to send me the photos to my mailbox anymore. The majority of my friends outside of VT either know my screen name here (and can find me, or I find them on FB) or they are not on FB anyhow. So no conspiracy, no foul play. And the group discussions in a circle about a specific topic - this, so much I have stepped into the "social network century", is nothing else as an evening with friends at home where things are being discussed, things friends want to discuss. Only that it is not on my living room, but on FB. Nothing weird with that I'd say - friends at home (or in www) discussing things. I mean I was one of the fiery ones against FB for a long time. Now I feel silly about this and actually really don't know any longer why I was so against it.

I'm not being personally defensive. I have no need to be. But I do object to sweeping statements which imply that 'talking about people' is a norm, here or anywhere else. If you have been given information that people are talking about you on FB then that is something about which I have no knowledge. Personally I've no interest in such matters: if people want to talk about me 'behind my back' let them. Makes no odds to me.

Sweeping statements often get the most attention and the quickest response ;-) Like I said it can be said about me too...but others DONT feel that way and certainly dont like it..and quite rightly too... at least now the people involved might have the decency to feel a bit ashamed... Ingrid has explined to me and I find it perfectly reasonable and acceptable and she should carry on

Thanks Kirsty. And thanks dear @leics for standing up for me. @leics knows my ideas :-) We talked about it on the phone. And we are friends through VT, but also in real life.

And that is also a valid point, Kirsty. Many VT-ers are indeed friends in 'real life, and many have been for many years. So FB provides us with an opportunity for the sort of immediate chit-chat which...to be frank...VTmail's existing system does not. The new VT messaging system, when it appears, will be much better.

I love it that I am now a friend of Trekki and can get to know more about her. That, I believe is a real positive about FB.

And you lovely people are indeed lucky to have such an instant and personal way to interact with each other and stay in touch regularly which is what good friends do *puts Mom hat on* but do bear in mind not all people use it that way and be prepared to step out of any discussions if you dont like the way they are going..remember you dont have to be involved *lecture over*

*Am certain lecture is unnecessary in present company* (grandmother's hat on)

Amen to that J.

yeah i love facebook - i joined it to spy on my kids lol - and it is great for that i haven't struck any of the problems you mention Trekki - just for a while the photo album feature was glitching but it is okay now i use it to publicise stuff - like book launches and readings, keep up to date with deadlines for competitions and submissions etc - and for family stuff, who is buying a house, who has had a baby - and for friend's stuff - and to meet new people, friends of friends, and for breaking news - and for new trends - and to have a few laughs and banter with the wits my only problem so far is some people with all good intentions post hideous pics of cruelty to animals - and i just have to delete them pronto because i just can't deal with that sort of stuff

Oh, that's understandable Jen. I also would hate to see animal misuse and cruelty photos. You joined some time ago I assume. This 14 days security thing and all that comes with it (no timeline, no events, no groups) must be relatively new. Oh and I would love to post an event. But... well, I could post it in our event forum.

I agree Jen about the animals posts. I am quick to get rid of anything I don't want to see or read. No Ingrid we didn't have those restrictions. I don't like the timeline and so far have resisted it.

I don't know if I like the timeline as such. But the big photo option, that is something very nice!

i personally hate the time line but i suppose in the end i will get used to it let me see i joined a couple of years ago and i was instantly in - no probs some people i know have got a month's ban or something for friending people (who must have reported them) they don't know i think it must have been a glitch, it was quite random

Hi, Ingrid! Hope all is well in Gubbio! Well, mixed reviews here. I'm still on Facebook, but Sara went so far as to delete her account. While Sara obviously has a more negative opinion, I think Facebook is perfectly OK as long as you strictly limit the information you put on it (i.e., if you wouldn't want everyone to see it, don't post it).

Thanks Jen for the remark about friending people. I'll take care that I don't do that :-) One mystery solved in the meantime, which might explain my question 2: one of my colleagues wrote back and said that my message didn't turn up in her FB messaging. So that must be the 14 days period. Mark: I think I can understand Sara. Especially in context to little Ryan. I don't put all information about me in there. Like here. My "hometown" is irrelevant because I don't like it and have zero connection with it. Apart from that I will move elsewhere one day and if it is only across the river. My job is irrelevant too because it has nothing to do with my travel things. Those who who know me in real and close virtual life know anyhow. Oh, and Gubbio was fine. But I am back in Germany since last week.