Chapter 9
Just between You and Me: Facebook Messages
IN THIS CHAPTER
Realizing how Facebook’s messaging systems differ from other systems
Discovering how to send messages to friends
Chatting with friends instantly
Chances are that you’re someone who communicates with other people online. You may use email all the time or use instant messaging programs like iMessage or Skype. If you have a smartphone, you probably check email and text messages on it as well. Facebook has similar functionality and integrates into all these programs. In other words, Facebook Messages stitches together email, texting, and instant messaging with a Facebook twist.
One special component of Facebook’s messaging system as opposed to other systems is that you no longer have to remember email addresses, screen names, or handles. You just have to remember people’s names. The other benefit is that your entire contact history with specific people is saved in one place. I refer to this ongoing conversation as a conversation or thread.
If this sounds confusing to you, think of it as mirroring the fact that usually you don’t simply stop speaking to someone in real life. You may have asked a friend about getting ...