It’s amusing to me how the terms “early adapter” and “early adopter” are often misused and confused. Here’s my take on it. If you were one of the Harvard students who initially used Facebook, then you’re an early adopter. You’re the first to ever use Facebook. (”Adopt” definition: “to take up and practice as one’s own”). It started on Feb. 4, 2004, when a Harvard student named Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook, which was limited to Harvard students.
Fast forward to 2006. Facebook spread to other college campuses and, in September of that year, it was accessible to anyone with an e-mail address. Those people were the early adapters because they took it and adapted it to their own needs and interests.
Don’t laugh at me because I don’t fall into either category. Let’s just say when it comes to technology, I’m a late bloomer. But I’m willing to learn. Over the weekend I officially activated my Facebook page. Here’s the irony: I don’t recall ever signing up for Facebook but I guess I did, because my dear friend Michelle told me she helped me. And to my amazement I logged on and there was my Facebook page with a picture of me and, even more shocking, I discovered several people who had invited me to be their friend.
A producer sent me a note last August after I was a guest on her radio show. Which reminds me: Before any of this started, I received a Facebook e-mail invitation from talk show host Rolonda Watts. Now this one had me totally perplexed because I couldn’t figure out how I got invited, so I just left the e-mail sitting there. Honestly, I was speechless. Watts and I have a few mutual friends, but since I didn’t know how Facebook worked until now, I couldn’t respond.
It didn’t take me long to start checking my Facebook account, and I have 50+ “friends.” I discovered that Rolonda Watts has 436 friends, and NewsMax journalist James Hirsen, whom I know from my days of producing the “Dr. Laura” show, has 2,711 friends. Also, I located my former Entrepreneur.com editor Francine Kizner, and she has 401 friends. A week ago I didn’t understand the value of Facebook. No way could I connect with this many people in such a short period of time, unless I were at a party.
Over the past few days I have found myself entering a few names of friends and associates. It’s a cool way to connect, see their faces, send little notes back and forth and meet new people to network with.
If the Web 2.0 bug hasn’t bitten you yet, it might be time to check out a new sandbox. And if you don’t know what Web 2.0 means, I won’t tell anyone. But you may want to check out the explanation on Wikipedia. Facebook is far more popular than I had ever imagined. More than eight and a half million pictures are uploaded onto Facebook daily, and it has about 42 million members worldwide.
I’m new at Facebook, so if you have any tips, I’m all ears! And if you’re a newbie like me, let’s learn together.
A year ago blogging was the last thing on my mind. Believe me when I tell you, I was clueless. So you live, and you learn. Who knows what the heck I’ll be doing next year. But if we’re hanging out on Facebook, it will be a lot easier to get the word out about new trends that are going on. Hey, I just thought about someone else I’m going to try to locate on Facebook tonight: Richard Laermer. His new book is called “2011 Trendspotting For The Next Decade.” This Facebook thing can get pretty addicting.
Feel free to introduce yourself to me on Facebook and let me know that you read my blog. I’ll be back to write about my adventures with Facebook real soon.
Dedicated to your success,
Michelle Anton
4 Responses to “Facebook–Early Adapter or Early Adopter?”
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June 6th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Hi Michelle, a really like this post. I’m with you, I’m a late bloomer so to speak when it comes to technology of any kind. Facebook is great. I’ve made some amazing new friends and it’s really helped my blog get off the ground too.
Keep up the good work.
June 10th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Welcome to Facebook Michelle! (And thanks for the mention — I had no idea I had so many friends on there!) I can’t wait to hear about your experiences on the site and to see what other social networking options you’ll be exploring next.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Hi Michelle,
Don’t feel bad. I’m also part of the club of late adopters. However, I can atleast pat myself on the bat for joining the Myspace bandwagon 3 years ago. And this past weekend I’m even more proud that I signed up for LinkedIn, Facebook, & Twitter accounts, and now I’m hooked. I’m really feeling like I’m playing catch up- like the whole world has been on these social networks but me. Nevertheless, articles such as this helps to reaffirm the necessity for joining these networks.
Thanks!
Fabiola Fleuranvil, MBA
Principal, Blueprint Creative Group
www.BlueprintCreativeGroup.com
www.linkedin.com/in/FabiolaF
July 17th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Wow! I am a newbie also and am very inspired by your article. Thank you for your article and encouragment to keep trying and to give it a chance. SOmedays I get so frustrated with trying to learn new things and then end up spending 3 hours and have not getten anything accomlpished except frustration. I will try again and if you come up with some great tips I would love you to pass them along. Taking 3 hours to do one thing is getting ridiculous and I just don’t have that much time.
Tricia Bishop
Patient Advocate With A Heart