KoNTRoLlED KhAoS is an avid snowboarder, tomato farmer, martini mixer, mom, and true friend. She’s a gadget geek, always near her blackberry and iPod. Like all Gen X’ers, KhAoS did not grow up blogging, but has become a frequent user of social sites over the last couple of years. This interview explores the allure of an online presence.
Q: Where did you post online first?
A: MySpace
Q: Why were you first interested in posting a MySpace page?
A: I started out while planning my 20-year high school reunion.
Many people had moved and changed their names, so I set up a personal space and a Chesapeake High School space so that people could find me easily.
Q: Which social media sites do you use now?
A: MySpace and Facebook, and I Blog on Reunion.com, Classmates.com, and my high school’s social site, chesapeakehighalumni.com.
Even a year after the Reunion, I still check all of them periodically. It has totally allowed me to keep in touch with people who I wouldn’t otherwise keep in touch with. Sometimes it’s tough to talk on the phone. The best thing about chatting online is you can’t hear my kids screaming in the background (grin).
Q: Between MySpace and Facebook, which do you like better?
A: I have preferences for both. MySpace is more fun because you can change the background, post music – it allows you to project your personality. Facebook is a more mature site. You don’t get all those bells and whistles. It seems there are more mature people on Facebook.
Q: Are your pages open or closed? Why?
A: Open. I have nothing to hide.
Q: Is there anything that scares you about having the open page?
A: No. I don’t post my kids’ names or my address. Nothing personal that would allow someone to find me. People can email me.
Q: Have you had contact from anyone you don’t want?
A: No. I’ve had people hit my page who were creepy, but you just don’t respond and they go away.
Q: How would you feel about your kids using social sites? A: My kids belong to Webkinz, which is a kid’s social site, but I only allow them to communicate with eachother. My daughter is also on Barbie.com, but I don’t let her communicate with other people on that.
Q: Where did you post online first?
A: MySpace
Q: Why were you first interested in posting a MySpace page?
A: I started out while planning my 20-year high school reunion.
Many people had moved and changed their names, so I set up a personal space and a Chesapeake High School space so that people could find me easily.
Q: Which social media sites do you use now?
A: MySpace and Facebook, and I Blog on Reunion.com, Classmates.com, and my high school’s social site, chesapeakehighalumni.com.
Even a year after the Reunion, I still check all of them periodically. It has totally allowed me to keep in touch with people who I wouldn’t otherwise keep in touch with. Sometimes it’s tough to talk on the phone. The best thing about chatting online is you can’t hear my kids screaming in the background (grin).
Q: Between MySpace and Facebook, which do you like better?
A: I have preferences for both. MySpace is more fun because you can change the background, post music – it allows you to project your personality. Facebook is a more mature site. You don’t get all those bells and whistles. It seems there are more mature people on Facebook.
Q: Are your pages open or closed? Why?
A: Open. I have nothing to hide.
Q: Is there anything that scares you about having the open page?
A: No. I don’t post my kids’ names or my address. Nothing personal that would allow someone to find me. People can email me.
Q: Have you had contact from anyone you don’t want?
A: No. I’ve had people hit my page who were creepy, but you just don’t respond and they go away.
Q: How would you feel about your kids using social sites? A: My kids belong to Webkinz, which is a kid’s social site, but I only allow them to communicate with eachother. My daughter is also on Barbie.com, but I don’t let her communicate with other people on that.
Q: At what age would you allow them to use other social sites, unsupervised?
A: They would need to be 11 to 13 before they are able to use other sites. They will never be unsupervised. Too much crap can happen.
Q: Are there any particular sites you will disallow?
A: I don’t love YouTube because everything should be R and under, and they are too young for that.
Ok – the snow and wind have stopped, so it’s time for us to get back to riding the slopes!
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