10 Essential Apps for FB Users

Facebook apps should be used sparingly like sriracha sauce. Here are ten I’d consider switching off the HTTPS settings for:

10. Zoho: An online office suite that gives you 1GB free storage, and links to Facebook, Zoho covers documents, spreadsheets, word processing and presentation apps plus mail, calendar and collaborative projects.

9. Networked Blogs: Like an RSS feed for your Facebook news stream, Networked Blogs monitors your favorite blogs via FB and places up-to-date posts in your news stream.

8. Facebook Files: Like a virtual thumb drive enabling you to store files online, Facebook Files uses a box.net account to retrieve your info whenever you sign in; you can also make files available to others.

7. Marketplace: The eBay of Facebook, Marketplace has over three million active users.

6. iLike Concerts: I-gnore the i-moniker for a moment and focus on this sweet app that gives you a listing of all the live music that is scheduled to be performed near your area, anytime soon. Which is an exceptional way to find something to do on dull Friday nights, and never miss another Dodos show.

5.Static FBML: An ace for fan pages, this app customizes the look and feel of Facebook Fan pages as well as adding advanced features and functions.

4. Causes: Causes is THE app for the non-profits and activists among us.

3.Visual Bookshelf: Much like iLike helps you share the music you’re listening to, VB helps you share what you’re reading.

2. DivShare: And much like Dropbox does for your desktop, DivShare links your Facebook account to its online storage service, can be used to share documents, photos, music and videos.

1. Texas holdem: Yeah, we know that Farmville is currently ruling the roost but Texas Holdem is a classic - and has over 37 million fans.

Miss Manners – 9 Basic Etiquette tips for FB

Making sure you don’t hurt anyone’s feelings on Facebook is a near Herculean task at this point. Everyone reading this probably has at least one horror story about a tagged photo or a status update gone awry – and some people have lost actual friendships over a Facebook fallout. Here are nine ways to CYA on FB:

9. Relationship Etiquette is nicely explained in this helpful video, which tells you how to not be a wet blanket like Alice and Timmy.

8. Privacy: Let’s not forget that there IS such a thing, alright? That means skip the status updates about anything that happens in your bathroom, rashes, sexual conquests, financial info, when you’re gone on vacation, and your mother’s maiden name. 

7. Post Outloud: Look at the person nearest you, then imagine verbally sharing what you’re about to post. Just consider that for a moment before you hit “Share.” Take Brad here as a cautionary example of what happens when you post without thinking:

6. Don’t be That Guy: The Overshares in Statuses Guy. The Posts/Tags Horrible Drunken Photos Guy. The Offensive Comments Guy. The Constantly Complains About His Job Guy. The Passive Aggressive Thinly Veiled Status Updates Guy. The Talks About Private (Medical, Romantic) Things on Walls Guy. The Invites You to FarmVille/MafiaVille/VilleVille Every Other Day Guy. There are many guys to not be.

5. Also, and I’m sure this will sting a bit for some of you, but learn to spell. Don’t get defensive, just make an effort. For their part, strict grammarian's should also learn to relax a bit.

4. Photos: 1- Watch the background,2- Understand what the term “over share” means 3- Ask before you tag and 4- If you’re not the one being embarrassed, you don’t get to post the photo. 

3. Keep It Real: If it’s important, keep it to real, actual life. Breaking up, announcing an engagement/pregnancy, big things should be kept face-to-face. Or at least face to face, first.

2. Minimize Random Chats : The “yo, man, wassup?” aimless chats on Facebook are fine if you’re killing time in study hall, otherwise, leave it to the junior high kids.  

1. Keep Personal and Professional Circles: If you’re not willing to constantly be “on-top” of your Facebook page, then at least have the courtesy to use Lists.

Mis-chievous – Best FB Pranks

And for those of you who are less serious about your social networking, here are a handful of lighthearted Facebook pranks – not to be confused with the more prevalent fraping which generally is based on the irresistible opportunity offered by an open profile.

1. Hack the New Photo Layout: There’s a brief moment between each Facebook update, and the first hacks. With the recent change in the photo layout, you can use photoshop and tagging to make humorous alterations to your friends pages. Such as:

Check out the Photoshop-based instructional video here:

2. The ol' Tag an Inanmiate Object with Their Name

Like a street sign, or road kill, or ... an abstract sculpture. While not terribly malicious, if done right, it can be hilarious. Or, sweet, depending on the object.

3. The Party

Invite everyone but your friend/victim to a group named after them. Use a photo of them as the group photo. Refuse to let them join.

4. The Identity Theft 

Choose a friend, copy their profile picture and make it your own, then change your name to their name. Annoying option: also repeat everything they say verbally back to them.