Six degrees of Internet separation

orget "Friendster" and every other lame excuse for a web-based social network you know. The mama of all web sites has been birthed, and its name, is the Facebook. That's right, www.thefacebook.com is your portal to the coolest "peer connection" device known to man. \nFor over a month now, the Facebook has been open to lucky IU students and we have been blessed ever since. For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, the Facebook is a new Web site created by Mark Zuckerberg open to students attending various colleges and universities throughout the United States. In its most basic form, the Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at school. But seriously, it is so much more. \nNow, you might be thinking, "Is this Web site worth the 3 minutes it takes to upload a picture and profile?" The answer is a big, "HELL, YES!" \nFor instance, how many times have you had a great convo with someone in your finite class, gotten a name, but never found them again in the sea of confused freshmen? Even more so, how many times have been doing Web work late at night, needing desperately to check your answers against someone else's, but have absolutely no way of getting in touch with classmates? Best yet, how many times have you seen an absolute hot piece of ass (guy or girl) and wanted so badly to just go up and "poke" them on the shoulder? The answer to all these, and so many more, is of course, the Facebook. \nOn this glorious Web site your profile (including only the info you feel comfortable posting) is cross-referenced with every other member and then displayed in blue (the blue just means you can click on it). This makes finding a girl named Stacey, for instance, easier than ever. Also, the Facebook has all IU courses listed, making it easy for you to add your class schedule to your profile and see all those students taking the same classes you are. But even better yet, the Facebook lets you "poke" anyone, for any reason, that goes to IU. They then have the option to see who poked them and poke back if they are interested. With this handy little extra, you can start talking to that hot blonde who always sits three rows in front of you during Psych.\nThe Facebook is also a great way to make new friends, on top of finding existing ones. When you first sign up for this groovy site, I recommend immediately visiting the "High School Search" area and looking up your classmates from high school that also belong. You can add these familiar faces to your friend list, then the next time they log into Facebook, they will either confirm or reject you as a friend. This is the same for new friends who want to add you to their buddy list as well. You always have a choice on Facebook when it comes to meeting new people. \nBut on the other hand, if you are into actively seeking out people you might get along with, "Group" searches make it possible to find people who are interested in the same music, movies, politics and other things you are. And even if you can't find that particular group that suits you, you can always create a new one. I know I did when I couldn't find a group for people who like the band Guster. Now there are 132 people in my group that actively share my love for this certain type of music. \nAlso, you can click on almost anyone you come across on the Facebook and see if you have any friends in common (which is more than likely the case), or at least how you are connected to that person. Think six degrees of Kevin Bacon, but you're the one being traced. Then, when you find that seemingly cool kid that is friends with that other kid who is friends with Jesse from your Spanish class, you can safely poke them from your computer or even send a message. I know I've been poked by lots and become friends with even more from face-booking alone. \nThe Facebook even makes it easy to find a potential date. With "Advanced Search" you can find that exact type of person you'd be interested in dating. Then, when you do find that special someone, you can once again either shoot 'em a gentle poke, send them an IM (some members post their screen names on their profile), hit up their cell (some even have the courage to post that on their profile) or send them a message that they'll get the next time they log in, along with your pic and a direct link to your profile. What could be cooler or safer? And where some could argue it has the potential to turn into "stalkbook," most users are friendly, cool kids just looking to meet the same. Hell, even I've gone out with a fellow "facebooker." Because of this incredible site, it's getting less and less dorky to tell your friends that you met your special someone online. \nSo to all of those who condemn this online masterpiece, I hope my words have opened your eyes to its sugar-coated goodness. And to all of those obsessed with Facebook (like me), continue on. It's better than any other drug I've been addicted to. J/K.