Customer Reviews

Facebook For Dummies

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This newly revised, 2009 edition is the missing-- actually non-existent-- users' manual for the "new" facebook. Some of the previous reviews were written about the first edition, which is, as the reviewers say, indeed obsolete.

This is a very good summary of Facebook's features for it intended audience, people who are new to social networking in general and new to Facebook specifically. As is the case with most of the "Dummies" books, the information is presented in small, easy-to-digest bites. It's certainly not a technical book, but it's technical enough to answer most of the questions a new user might have.

The organization is very logical, beginning with how to set up an account and leading through how to add outside applications, use Facebook on a cell phone, etc. One very good feature is that at nearly every step, the authors point out pitfalls, traps, and potential dangers and explain how to avoid them. This allows new users to end up with an account that meets their needs-- and one that doesn't expose them to inconveniences or even stalkers.

The authors are genuine Facebook experts; both of them are Facebook Product Managers with considerable experience. In my view, their tone is just right; it's authoritative without being pedantic, and light without being cutsie.

I bought this book because some friends recommended that I join Facebook. I had no experience with it at all, and this book allowed me to get started quickly and to feel comfortable using it. I recommend it highly to all new Facebook users and to experienced users who want or need a good summary of the "new" Facebook's features.

Because of this book, I am no longer reluctant to post things on Facebook (a fear likely NOT shared by the younger generation). I especially like the author's explanations, repeatedly, about using the various privacy settings, and how to reveal 'only what you want to reveal' to different levels of friends and the general public. The author's insider explanation of how things are structured on Facebook was so welcome. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to participate in the Facebook experience, but was afraid to try. Participating in Facebook has helped me understand the younger members of our extended family, a little glimpse here, a sentence there - it is wonderful. It also has allowed me to share ordinary moments or thoughts that happen in our physically extended family. You now can check, see a post on Facebook that they made, and be reassured that even though you haven't spoken to them in a little while, all is still fine with them. I find that very comforting.

I got the Kindle download, was merrily following along until the very-entertaining writers got down to actual screens, apps, etc and ... hunh?
Reviews on Kindle fail to mention that it is woefully out-of-date. Screens have all undergone one or more major revamps since it was promulgated and many things they instruct about simply no longer exist, as in: "Cool! I can see who of my friends is online now?!... WHAT arrow in the center of the right side!?" A trip to FB online Help says: Nope! Feature: intermittent - and constantly moving around as FB's techies continue to tinker.
The book is good for general concepts - only that and nothing more. Otherwise, it frequently resembles a guide to US IRS Form 1040 based on Canadian forms.
/TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer

This book started out great! I'm a person whoe reads front to back and I don't move around in a book. This book is outdated, Facebook has changed it format since this book was written. So Only a part of this book is up to date. I'm sure it was great but now it is frustrating.

Knowing nothing about Facebook before opening this book, I needed it to get me up and running quickly and painlessly. The two authors work for Facebook, which gives them a comprehensive knowledge of the application (as they say of one part: `we wrote it'), but the text does sometimes slide towards a hard sell. A more balanced critique was definitely required in places. Other reviewers are quite right that there is a lot of repetition and unnecessary tangents in the book - it could have been a lot shorter - but that seems to be the Dummies style. In all, however, it did what I wanted, which was to get me established on Facebook; exactly what it said on the cover.

I am the perfect dummy for this book. I'm a slow learner in the area of technology and like to read. I don't like those technology instruction books that assume I know more than I actually do.
It's a gentle introduction to Facebook with a pleasant style of writing. High tech people would probably say the style of writing is too casual and slow, but it's good for me. I also like the detailed index at the end of the book.

Facebook for Dummies is exactly the book I was looking for to get myself in the Facebooki mood.
This is an excellent book for the first starters. Facebook for Dummies has an easy table of contents.

.....not to figure out FaceBook on your own, but I had reservations about privacy so I sprung for this book. Before I could get to it, so much had changed, it wasn't a particularly valuable read. FB is so user friendly that anyone who can read and 'Google' can figure it out. If you aren't computer savvy at all, you might need this book, otherwise, jump in on your own.

The second updated edition of Leah Pearlman and Carolyn Abram's FACEBOOK FOR DUMMIES is a 'must' for any newcomer to Facebook who would understand the social networking system's basic concepts. From creating a profile and navigating the site to adding applications uploading photos, and building a fan page, this packs in important keys to building an organized, revealing Facebook profile and understanding the pros and cons of Facebook's operations. Every library needs this.

I was so excited to see that their was a Facebook for Dummies book. Until I read all the Amazon reviews about it, now I am totally confused as to whether it is worth buying. Most of the reviews are not very good & none said it was helpful especially when it comes to photos. Does anyone have an answer to a better way to get written info about Facebook that is useful and has current info not old information. Thanks