FaceBook Purge

[BroBill]

FaceBook seems to be purging "accounts" and converting them into "Pages". I received the notice when I logged into my Helotes York Rite account today. The notice says "It appears you are using an account as an organization and it will be converted to a page. You should download your account material before this is done......"

Based on this same thing happening to an account I maintain(ed) for a friend's business, I logged out rather than proceeding so that I could notify our Companions before the change. They say there is an appeal process and I followed that process on my friend's account but of course, no one from FB even bothered to acknowledge the appeal. So it is inevitable that the next time I log into FB I will lose our Friend List and several years of "Notes" that I used for our E-Trestleboard. (This also means I lose the ability to send an E-Trestleboard via FB to a targeted list of members.

Now, having said all that... has anyone found a suitable replacement for FB where an account can be set up in the name of an organization and where communications can be targeted and controlled? I'm looking at Twitter and Google+, but I'm hoping someone among the brethren will have found something else.

S&F

 

[Illuminatio]

Google + would be much more suited to what you're describing than Twitter. You can target a specific audience that you've put into "circles" with posts and whatever else you like. It would probably be ideal for the situation.

Twitter is a whole different beast and not really at all aimed at what you're describing. Plus I would venture to guess that it will likely be more difficult for some members that may not be technically inclined to figure out.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[BroBill]

Google + would be much more suited to what you're describing than Twitter. You can target a specific audience that you've put into "circles" with posts and whatever else you like. It would probably be ideal for the situation.

Twitter is a whole different beast and not really at all aimed at what you're describing. Plus I would venture to guess that it will likely be more difficult for some members that may not be technically inclined to figure out.

Just my 2 cents.

I actually use Google+ for some other accounts that I manage for friends plus my own and I agree that would be where I need to move; the problem with Google+ is that their rules or Terms of Agreement also state that personal accounts cannot be used for organizations or businesses and I'd be just as subject to sudden termination there as on FaceBook.

I'm looking at Twitter only as a stop-gap method to push communications until I can figure out something that gives me the tools and flexibility that FaceBook personal accounts provide. I already miss the ability to target "Notes" to my E-Trestleboard list.... sigh.....

I do appreciate your thoughts and I may end up with Google+ when all is said and done. I suppose it's asking too much of technology and entrepreneurs to invent the FB replacement this week....

S&F

 

[Bro. David F. Hill]

You could also look into setting up a Facebook Group and set it to Private.

 

[Bro. Stewart P.M.]

FaceBook seems to be purging "accounts" and converting them into "Pages". I received the notice when I logged into my Helotes York Rite account today. The notice says "It appears you are using an account as an organization and it will be converted to a page. You should download your account material before this is done......"

Based on this same thing happening to an account I maintain(ed) for a friend's business, I logged out rather than proceeding so that I could notify our Companions before the change. They say there is an appeal process and I followed that process on my friend's account but of course, no one from FB even bothered to acknowledge the appeal. So it is inevitable that the next time I log into FB I will lose our Friend List and several years of "Notes" that I used for our E-Trestleboard. (This also means I lose the ability to send an E-Trestleboard via FB to a targeted list of members.

Now, having said all that... has anyone found a suitable replacement for FB where an account can be set up in the name of an organization and where communications can be targeted and controlled? I'm looking at Twitter and Google+, but I'm hoping someone among the brethren will have found something else.

S&F

As a previous response suggested... Open a Facebook "Group" Page and adjust your privacy settings according to your group membership's preference.

Our Lodge maintains a Facebook page to help our local recognition & promotion, as well as provide a place for announcements to the people who choose to follow the page. In addition, we maintain a "group" e-mail list for announcements pertaining to membership only who have access to e-mail services.

 

[BroBill]

As a previous response suggested... Open a Facebook "Group" Page and adjust your privacy settings according to your group membership's preference.

Our Lodge maintains a Facebook page to help our local recognition & promotion, as well as provide a place for announcements to the people who choose to follow the page. In addition, we maintain a "group" e-mail list for announcements pertaining to membership only who have access to e-mail services.

Yes, I am running a Private Group off the account and that does give some flexibility. I store file copies of our E-Trestleboard, regalia order forms, this year's Warden's Retreat registration, and lots of other things there. There is really only one draw back and that is bringing new folks into the group I think have to be on a Friend List of the person adding them to the group. I will keep the group going, but I'm still miffed at FB... just on principle.

Appreciate your thoughts on this Bro. Stewart! Cheers!

S&F