I really appreciate your post Danee and how you pointed out the
problems you have with FB. FB isn't for everyone, but there are so many
on it or Twitter etc. It is the way things are evolving. I don't Tweet,
so I just ignore post about going to those sites because I know many
do want to go check out those sites. Just because I don't, I don't feel
I have a right to say that those who do, should not be informed of
events.

FB (and other social media) have been a Godsend for people to raise
money for shelters. Shelters are always in need as caring for many
sick and/or abandoned ferrets is expensive and shelter operators have
exhausted all their personal funds. This is a way they can quickly and
cheaply get an auction running and have the continued control to add
new items, update everyone on the current bids.

EBAY takes a portion of the money in the bidding, Paypal takes a
portion. Face Book takes NOTHING so more goes to the shelters. I pay my
web-mistress at least $50 per change or addition. If I had to contact
her 20-50 times a day to update the bids and add new items I could
spend $1,000 a day. Plus she would kill me! Another feature is that you
can post pictures so people can see what they are bidding on. People
can easily ask questions and talk to each other, meet new people and
reach thousands of people and thus increase the bidding (which means
more money for the shelters).

When you connect with a subject by bidding or posting a remark, you
are telling FB you want to join in this thread and FB will notify you
each time someone on the thread places a higher bid or if they have a
remark or question. This is great for those doing bidding so you will
know if you have been outbid and wish to re-bid. If you don't want all
the emails that comes with this, you can turn it off. In the upper
right-hand corner is NOTIFICATIONS. Click on this and it asks you what
you would like to do with this thread. You can shut it off. Just as you
opened it in the first place, you can stop it just as easily.

I know how daunting learning FB can be. I just started over a year ago
and I still learn new things all the time. When you learned one thing,
FB changes it (usually without telling you) and you have to figure out
the NEW way to do it. I have new gray hairs from FB. If you use a
computer (and you do or you would not be on the FML) you are aware that
software is continually being upgraded and you will forever be learning
new stuff.

Safety on social media will always be present, but my bank account was
robbed, via the Internet by a Russian gang 3 years ago--two years
before I was on social media. You have to learn to take precautions
and know what info to put out there and you have the option to have a
closed FB page so only the friends you allow can see it. But you have
to take precautions when driving a car too. We are responsible for
ourselves and what we do.

I love how much more I can follow the needs of friends and shelters
and within minutes can set up an auction for them, transfer money or
donations to them. So for me, this is a wonderful tool. Again, it isn't
for everyone and that is perfectly OK. I am only saying that if it
isn't for you, others do use it. Be patient with the posts. You can
contact the person posting and perhaps they can send you the info to
your email. Most would be delighted to do that.

To me, the pros of helping shelters far out-weighs the few cons of
using social media. Anyway, this is my 3 1/2 cents worth.

[Posted in FML 7599]