Category | Arts & Living

Benefits of mediated communication

Published on March 19, 2008 by The Sentinel

Facebook is an entertaining and communicative web site that is open to
everyone and unites people with others who live, work and study close
to or far away from them.

 
 An international IT major at KSU describes facebook as a “virtual face-to-face communication with friends you otherwise would not be able to see.” He goes on further to explain that the ability to keep in touch with people back in his home country  makes him feel closer to home even though he is far away. Another frequent face book user considers it to have taken the Web 2.0 concept “to a whole new level. The ability to customize one’s page and profile to suit one’s preference is one of the most amazing aspects of facebook.” He also said, “The usability of its functions encompasses and takes into consideration people’s needs skills and hobbies”.

     Facebook users, using applications created by others all over the world, experience  applications related to their skills and hobbies. For example, the Sports Fan application is a discussion board for sports junkies who are interested in sharing their opinions about different popular sports teams all over the world. After joining face book, one can also do a number things including but not limited to, sending messages to friends, editing personal information about themselves, uploading numerous pictures to their personal profiles, and fraternizing with the people they meet. 

Facebook also serves as a marketing hub for companies and other individuals who utilize its quality media with an organized layout to inform and sell their products to people. In the marketplace, companies and other vendors can advertise their products for sell; they can advertise for available job opportunities and look for potential employees. They target the particular audience they want with relevant advertisements. The facebook marketplace is open to anyone and best of all, it is free. A college student who recently added a listing on the market place said, “Facebook to the entrepreneurial mind is the best media for advertising because it will appeal to people of all ages and various walks of life.  Its simplicity is what makes it a phenomenon.”

Facebook also operates as an educational tool by its many informative applications for face book profiles. The causes application that lets one join causes they care for and give donations that aids a number of non-profit organizations. The facebook web site capacitates its users to blog in form of notes and share their opinions, post documentaries and other videos that are educational thus making it a valuable a tool for people who want to stay informed about current events.

It is evident the role that face book plays in our community from the number of diverse applications that it has for use from its discussion boards to its virtual market place. It truly has left a mark in this technology era where instant messaging and bloging are the norm.