An apropeau topic, as my mother- and sister-in-laws asked me this morning at breakfast about what value Facebook gave anyone.  Here’s what I told them, in order of importance, as it pertains to me:

• Staying in the loop @ work.  I work for an information and computer science institution.  We’re all about technology, innovation, etc.  So I need to stay on top of the work that faculty conduct so that I may tell their stories.  I often find these stories by following status updates of faculty and staff that I am “friends” with.  In addition, I manage our school’s Facebook group page where I communicate with potential students, current students, alumni, faculty and staff.  Facebook is a quick way for me to accomplish these two tasks and reach hundreds in our community.
• Professional networking. LinkedIn, VisualCV, InCircle and the likes are important tools for professional and social networking.  Facebook is just as valuable, and in fact provides for more in-roads in the communities that are not otherwise supported by solely-professional networks.  A few examples of groups that I find benefit in include Twiistup, UCAdvocacy, and many more.
• Sharing hobbies. People are more willing to share their hobbies online.  I can make connections and have conversations with friends that share similar interests, that I otherwise would not have known about.  I share my photographs, travel stories, etc.
• Staying in touch. Facebook has reconnected me with old friends, which has been neat.  Especially to see how much everyone has succeeded.  More importantly, however, I am able to stay in touch with family members that I only see once or twice a year.

After our conversation, they asked me to help set-up their Facebook accounts.  I think my ballet dancer sister-in-law, in particular, can benefit her career. through Facebook.  Indeed social networking will continue to grow in 2009…