About
About the Facebook Project
When Facebook first launched much of the academic world didn't know how to make sense of it. Some thought it was just another fad or an over-hyped phenomenon like Second Life. Initially very few people bothered to collect data or write critically about the social implications of the site, other than issues related to privacy. The Facebook Project came about as an answer to that gap in scholarship: information sharing between researchers interested in Facebook and related online communities. Now, the trend has almost reversed entirely, as throngs of students take to picking the site apart from every discipline and angle imaginable on a semesterly basis. Facebook has even sponsored fellowships for research themselves, and entire blogs and companies are dedicated to being aware of its undertakings. As this happened over the years this website drifted from being unique and cutting-edge to become just one of the many, albeit with a high rank in Google search returns. I leave it now as a record of what was (in 2006-2009) and as a limited portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
In case you were wondering, we've collected some of the common questions people have about the project. These include questions of salience, scope, and involvement.
Quick Facts on Facebook (2008ish)
This page includes a gathering of remarkable facts and information you might have never known about Facebook.com! Please take a look and pitch in to ensure the information presented is both accurate and up to date.
What is Facebook?
Facebook identifies itself as "a social utility that connects you with the people around you."
Seem like an insufficient explanation? I agree. There's a lot of contention as to what exactly Facebook is and what it should be. For those unfamiliar with the system, understanding how it works and why it works is crucial to comprehending its importance in everyday life on and off the web.
A good place to start might be with the the definition, history, and scholarship of social networking sites.