2008 Woodie Awards
Facebook fad hits Kirkwood
Justin Davis
Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: Feature
- Page 1 of 1
Kirkwood student productivity has a new enemy: Facebook.
Facebook.com launched nearly two years ago in February 2004 but it wasn't until this fall that its popularity began to soar.
The site's official description, like that of many online phenomena, sounds deceptively simple: "The Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools."
Open only to college students and alumni, you begin by filling out a basic profile including favorite quotes, movies and music, as well as a picture of yourself. As any Facebooker can tell you, the experience can soon become fiendishly addictive.
"I check it 10 times a day and I'm not joking," said Kirkwood student Jessica Allard.
Where the site shines and what gives it its addictive nature, is its ability to bring people together. A quick search can reveal all Kirkwood Facebook members who love Harry Potter, video games or who graduated from the same high school.
Most students who spend time Facebooking are reading messages left by friends on their "wall"-a public bulletin board unique to each user-or viewing their friends' photos, which are updated often with records of the previous weekend's exploits.
Thanks to its rapidly increasing user base and powerful search capabilities, the site also brings together old high school friends who have lost touch.
"I have talked to one of my friends from Wisconsin [via Facebook] who I haven't seen for five years," Kirkwood student Nathan Pyan said.
Although Facebook seems to be viewed by most of its users as a fun time waster or a great diversion between classes, the site does have practical applications. Facebook makes it easy to set up and join groups dealing with virtually any subject from the mundane (Dr. Pepper Addicts Anon.) to the genuinely useful (KCC Democrats).
The site doesn't make public its number of registrants, making official numbers hard to pin down but search data indicates that over 2,000 Kirkwood students currently have Facebook accounts.
"Everyone I know has Facebook. If you don't have it you're pretty much not with it," said Allard.
Not all students are enthusiastic about the fad, however.
"I'm all for technology but at the same time, Facebook has taken away from interacting with people in a face-to-face manor. People are able to hide behind their computers to talk to people, which I don't think is a good thing," Iowa State student Rachel Deerberg said.
Facebook.com launched nearly two years ago in February 2004 but it wasn't until this fall that its popularity began to soar.
The site's official description, like that of many online phenomena, sounds deceptively simple: "The Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools."
Open only to college students and alumni, you begin by filling out a basic profile including favorite quotes, movies and music, as well as a picture of yourself. As any Facebooker can tell you, the experience can soon become fiendishly addictive.
"I check it 10 times a day and I'm not joking," said Kirkwood student Jessica Allard.
Where the site shines and what gives it its addictive nature, is its ability to bring people together. A quick search can reveal all Kirkwood Facebook members who love Harry Potter, video games or who graduated from the same high school.
Most students who spend time Facebooking are reading messages left by friends on their "wall"-a public bulletin board unique to each user-or viewing their friends' photos, which are updated often with records of the previous weekend's exploits.
Thanks to its rapidly increasing user base and powerful search capabilities, the site also brings together old high school friends who have lost touch.
"I have talked to one of my friends from Wisconsin [via Facebook] who I haven't seen for five years," Kirkwood student Nathan Pyan said.
Although Facebook seems to be viewed by most of its users as a fun time waster or a great diversion between classes, the site does have practical applications. Facebook makes it easy to set up and join groups dealing with virtually any subject from the mundane (Dr. Pepper Addicts Anon.) to the genuinely useful (KCC Democrats).
The site doesn't make public its number of registrants, making official numbers hard to pin down but search data indicates that over 2,000 Kirkwood students currently have Facebook accounts.
"Everyone I know has Facebook. If you don't have it you're pretty much not with it," said Allard.
Not all students are enthusiastic about the fad, however.
"I'm all for technology but at the same time, Facebook has taken away from interacting with people in a face-to-face manor. People are able to hide behind their computers to talk to people, which I don't think is a good thing," Iowa State student Rachel Deerberg said.