Life Hackery

Social networking websites are the in-things today. Most people, especially youngsters, spend countless hours tinkering their accounts on popular social networking sites. They often stylize their accounts and update their pictures to promote their own brand of self marketing.

A decade ago, people would have sneered at the thought of using a social networking website. But when developers beefed up their social networking sites with numerous features, Internet users took notice. Now, most youngsters forgo their email accounts in favor of these snazzier sites. Curious? Here are some of the coolest uses of a social networking site:

1. Friend Updater – One of the basic rules of friendship is getting yourself updated with the significant events that happened to your friends. With a social networking website, you can see those events unfold right before your very eyes. View pictures, blogs, profiles and relationship developments, then you can pretty much know how your friends are doing. You can also send pleasantries to your buddies via messaging systems of those sites. In a nutshell, viewing your friends’ profiles is close to seeing your friends in person.

2. Long Lost Friend Finder – Do you remember your bestfriends from way back in elementary school? You’re probably puzzled on what happened to your childhood friends after all these years. If you have an account from a reputable social networking site, you have a good chance of getting reacquainted with them. Search for their accounts and check out the latest happenings in their lives. Greet each of them using the messaging system. Before the month ends, a pleasantly nostalgic grade school reunion may even take place.

3. Stalking – If you browse through the numerous profiles in your network, you will surely find at least a dozen profiles of gorgeous people. You can do your research on those hotties as you skim through their pictures, interests and relationship status. Of course, you may have to draw the line. Viewing a sexy stranger’s account is different from actually following this person wherever he or she goes.

4. Online Portfolio – Some social networking sites allow you to upload and display files. If you are a graphic designer or writer, you can post your works via the video, photo and blog sections of your social networking account. Almost everyone has an account these days, so millions of people may stumble upon your works at any given moment. To truly market your work, you can ask some of your more popular friends to promote your work using the same website. You’ll gain connections and perhaps get your big break as an artist.

5. Blog – Many things happen in our daily lives. We can have close encounters with our romantic prospects or our own share of near death experiences. Some people opt to cherish and record those precious memories in their journals. Give it a twist! Instead of using the usual pen and paper combo, you can write your daily accounts on the blog feature of a social networking site. You will get comments from your friends or even random people. Who knows, your posts may actually become life-changing experiences for other people too so blog on.

6. Photo Gallery – You can upload pictures from various vents in your life. If you are confident, you can also post your own sexy pictures. Your future dream date might be lurking around your network, viewing the vainest profiles at this very moment.

7. Music Resource – Some social networking websites let people share their music. Check the music section of your account and you will find many people offering cool downloadable music. If you are not satisfied with the songs offered by your friends, you an instead check the music offerings of the website. You will find downloadable albums from some of your favorite artists. You can also post your own playlist on your site, which doubles as an online music player.

8. Time Killer – Some sites offer applications that allow users to play games, interpret their personalities and enhance interaction between friends. These applications are simple but entertaining. If you tinker with just a few of them, you will realize that you have practically spent several hours in front of your computer. Just do not play with them when you’re in the office. These applications can notoriously distract you from work.

9. Birthday Alerts – People expect the best presents or the most meaningful greetings from their close friends during their birthdays. As a busy person, you can always forget those special dates, especially if you have hundreds of friends. Just view the birthday alerts section of your account and you will be informed of the birthdays of your buddies. You can also make the necessary preparations for your friend’s birthday once you see it coming in a week’s time.

10. Resource for Events and Night Outs – The bulletin board and the events section of social networking sites are useful in informing other people about the coolest parties or important social gatherings. If you feel that your birthday party may not have enough guests to be considered grand, you can post the details of your party using those sections. Events organizers also take advantage of those applications to make their jobs much easier.

11. Horoscope – The horoscope gives a person a vague prediction on what will happen for the day. Those predictions may not be true, but they provide readers good pointers on how to get through the day with smiles on their faces. Most social networking sites offer horoscope applications. You can view those applications whenever you need snippets of wisdom.

12. Collecting Connections – The game of golf is used by old executives to collect business contacts. Young professionals, on the other hand, can meet probable business partners or job opportunities through social networking websites. You can view the professions of your friends or even strangers, then see who can offer sound business opportunities. Message them using the site and setup a meeting. In the end, you’ll get clients or partners without the need to spend for an expensive golf club membership.

Social networking was once limited to sending files and simple messages. Today, you can do just about everything with most social networking websites. You can even customize your social networking account to highlight your personality and lifestyle. It’s just funny how time and technology can build on an already good concept.

Aside from Friendster and Facebook, another popular social networking site that’s taken the world by storm is MySpace. It’s easy functionality and user-friendly layout makes it one of the most efficient ways to connect with people and have fun, too! Find out how you can get on MySpace.