Firstly, I detest that I “have” to use Facebook. I wish my friends chose to use other more responsible companies to share news through. But they don’t. So I use it, and I do it because it’s the easiest way to to keep up to date with folks back home and my friends here. But I’m not wanting to get into the evilness of Facebook in this post, but rather explain how I interact with it.
The reason for this is that it may seem like I spend an awful lot of time on Facebook as I show up as “online” when my Friends visit Facebook. It’s a bit of an illusion really, I am very rarely on the actual Facebook site, but rather use applications to keep up to date with statuses and IM (instant messaging). When I see a post I like or need to reply to I can do so in the application or visit Facebook directly for a more detailed view.
How? Well I use a Linux derivative called Ubuntu which has many virtues, the relevant point however is how it integrates my Desktop environment (basically the screen/environment you see when you have your PC switched on and logged in) with social media. So without even visiting Facebook, I got all my friend’s feeds and chat messages at the click of a button pushed to me. This is the same for my identi.ca account and Twitter too. It’s brilliant.
My phone, an Android based phone (Android is another Linux derivative) does much the same.
My point explaining all of this is to say that please don’t mistake my status “online” as me free to chat on Facebook. Feel free to do so please, I want to hear from you, just remember that sometimes I’ll be busy working and not be able to reply promptly. I don’t want you to feel ignored 🙂
Apps I’m using if you interested in more details:
On my PC
OS: Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/features)
Social media integration: Gwibber (http://gwibber.com/)
IM integration: Empathy (http://live.gnome.org/Empathy)
On my phone
OS: Android (http://www.android.com/) – DO NOT BUY AN iPHONE FFS
Social media integration and other: Slidescreen (http://slidescreenhome.com/)
Looking for an Android phone, check out this one: http://www.htc.com/www/product/desire/overview.html
My lovely B i will gladly use other forms of comunication if you install itxx
would much rather just go for a walk though.
hope you are well and not working too hard.
missing our chats
xxx
Hay TJ, no worries. I’m resigned to the fact that people will use Facebook. Post was meant really to just explain that I don’t live on Facebook. I’d hate people to think that! 😉
Let me know when you free and we can catchup.
Bx