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Special Report: In your face

UTM students catch Facebook fever


Imagine spending hours on the computer every night looking at seemingly irrelevant information…sound boring?

If you answered yes then you would probably be in the minority.

As of last Saturday, the word has spread around campus that UTM is finally a part of the online college networking Website, www.thefacebook.com.

The Facebook is an online forum where one can post a profile with personal information such as where you graduated fromhigh school, interests, favorite movies and classes. Not to mention, you can post photos, contact information and relationship status. This allows students to find and be found by old high school sweethearts or the class clown from junior high. You can stay in contact with alumni, or simply find someone who shares your interests. Be it napping, Zoolander, rock climbing or even Curling, you can probably find someone on Facebook who shares your interests.

Many members report spending way too much time on Facebook.

One new member, who wishes to remain anonymous, admitted to checking her Facebook account almost three times a day. Her favorite aspects of Facebook are browsing through friend’s photos and checking messages posted to her on her “Wall.”

Another facet of Facebook is to create or join groups. Groups such as “If it Weren’t for Wal-Mart, We’d be Lost,” founded by Shelby Knose, “Parking at UTM is Ridiculous,” “Smart Blondes” and “Yes, I watch Laguna Beach” are all examples of clubs at UTM. There is literally something for everyone. Another feature with many implications is a place to look up and post local parties.

The Facebook was launched in February of 2004 by a Harvard student as a way for his fellow students to connect with each other.

Since then, the network has grown to include 1,500 campuses and over 4 million users. The Facebook is currently working on registering colleges and universities in other countries. As of now, only a few colleges from Canada and one school in Ireland are a part of the network.

While you’re having your Facebook fun, just try to remember the more important things in life such as food, water, and sleep.

Entertainment Writer James Baker contributed to this report.

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Graphic: Stephen Yeargin