Facebook is for Geezers too.

As I approach a very significant birthday (hint, it ends in a zero) I am better appreciating the value of social networking for people like me who are closer to the end of a career than the beginning. I recently posted some grade school class pictures and almost immediately got back in contact with people I had not seen in {mumble} years. One of my sisters created a private Facebook group just for the family so we can chatter on about stuff from several states apart as if we were next door to each other. It's cheaper than a plane ticket and more comfortable than the spare bedroom or fold-out couch. Not to mention if when someone gets annoyed there is no dramatic door-slamming.

The web seems to be awash lately in opportunities to connect with everyone else on the planet. While I am sure that many, if not most, of the apps are wonderful it is not possible to follow all of them so I use the ones that work for me. The applications I find most useful are Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. The common attribute these 3 products have is they have all reached a "critical mass" of users, so there is a good chance I will find at least some folks who either know me or share interests. My inner tightwad also appreciates they are no-cost, at the level I use them.

What a deal. I can put my resume online, catch up with friends I have not seen in years, chat online with my daughter who is away at school, send email to damn near anyone, and all without leaving the house. Pretty neat.

Extra credit - Can you find Me?