Facebook 101: 25 Tips and Tricks
Don't use the 'Poke' function, ever
While Facebook's infamous Poke function is relatively straightforward in its operation, its intended use is a mystery. When looking at another person's profile, you have the option of "Poking" them. If you do Poke said person, a notification will show up on their page, informing them that you did, in fact, Poke them. That's it. When Facebook first started, "Poking" seemed to be a kind of cautious precursor to a flirtatious message, kind of like a furtive glance before eye contact and a smile. But, then it dawned on us: Isn't a flirtatious Facebook message cautious enough? At this point, "Poking" somebody is pretty much considered to be either creepy or just plain confusing. Let's just leave it at sending messages and wall posts, okay?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tim said 4:29PM on 11-13-2008
The purpose of the poke feature is that if you are looking at the profile of someone who is not a friend, and you poke them, then they can look at your profile. If they poke you back, you can look at yours. So it is kind of a step before adding them as a friend.
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annee said 4:59PM on 11-13-2008
Here's a novel idea. Turn off your computer, go for a walk, join a book club, gym, whatever suits you. MEET new friends, TALK to them, DO things with them. This whole Facebook thing just creeps me out.
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joanne said 7:39PM on 11-13-2008
Another internet dating service!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Danger!
Jenny said 7:46PM on 11-13-2008
Using an online social networking as a substitute for actual, in-person interaction is sad, but if a social website is used to supplement real life encounters, how can that be a bad thing? As in everything else we do, it's about balance. We can be real AND virtual.
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warlordage said 5:04AM on 11-26-2008
Ummmm yeah, the poke thing is oft used on Online gaming such as mmo's, well mainly mmo's.
If the lot of you(including the author) weren't so sheltered, you'd prolly know that. lol...
P.S: it's called an emote or /em /e
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Ellie said 9:42PM on 1-28-2009
pokes are for declaring poke wars [:
you poke your friends, and they poke you back, then you write on their wall "I DECLARE A POKE WAR!!!" :D
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