On November 6, the social networking site Facebook released a new feature, simply called “Pages.” Previously only individuals were allowed to create accounts on the site, as some non-profits discovered when they had “psuedo” accounts removed.
Most museums have relied on the Facebook’s “Group” feature to allow them to connect to Facebook audiences. Now any museum can go to Facebook and create a Page for itself. With more than 55 million active users, Facebook makes Second Life look very small indeed. A number of museums have already setup shop, if you’re looking for examples of what you can do.
If this piques your interest, be sure to take a look at Nina Simon’s Interview with Brooklyn Museum’s Shelley Bernstein (and also see her M&W paper with Nicole Caruth)
While you’re poking around Facebook, be sure to drop by and say hello to MCN!
November 21st, 2007 08:44
This is great news. I was hoping Facebook would wise up to the uses people have for their system.
November 25th, 2007 07:46
Don’t want to be a wet blanket, but I ran across this item this morning:
Facebook Faces U.K. Probe After User Can’t Delete Account
The social networking site Facebook faces an investigation from UK privacy watchdog after a complaint from a Channel 4 News viewer. Having decided that he no longer wanted to use the site, Alan Burlison tried to remove his account — but he found that he wasn’t able to do it.
“Many people are posting content on social networking sites without thinking about the electronic footprint they leave behind. It is important that individuals consider this when putting information online. However, it is equally important that websites also take some responsibility.”
It might be important for museums, too.