FaceBook Hacks 2

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I've been noticing a ton of traffic coming to my blog as a result of a "FaceBook Hacks" Google search. After reading my previous FaceBook Hacks post, I figured that I have left hundreds of people unsatisfied when it comes to actually hacking FaceBook. What I'm saying is that my previous suggestions aren't actually hacks, they are more tips/tricks to improve the functionality of FaceBook for the average user. I know there are actual hacks out there, and feel it to be inappropriate for me to mention them in my blog.

For the people that aren't into hacking private profiles, I now bring you FaceBook Hacks Tips 2:

• Expand your profile photo: FaceBook generously allows you to use an image up to 200 pixels wide by 600 pixels high for your profile image. This is good news, because when you make an image your profile picture, it is cropped to fit the default image size which is much smaller. If you work it right in Photoshop, you can create a 200x600 image and create a masterpiece profile picture that sets yourself apart from others. Here's a screen shot of mine. For more information, and for an excellent tutorial of Photoshop, check out AllFaceBook.com's blog post.
  


• Create a badge: creating a badge that you can post to your blog or embed in a web page will help make new friends. This can accomplished through FaceBook's badge page. Take a look at mine to the right, it can be either vertical or horizontal, and you have the ability to add or remove the contents:

• Status updates: the best way to stay in touch with your friends is to tell them what you're doing. There is nothing worse than friends posting status updates every two minutes about their trip to the bathroom, the cat just puked up a hair ball, or some other rediculous update that nobody really cares about. With this in mind, be sure to update your friends with a status that they will want to read (unless your friends really care about your bathroom habits and deathly ill cat). If you are seriously lacking in the creativity department, I suggest taking a look at the FaceBook Status Generator - at least your friends will get a good laugh at your expense.


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• Link to Twitter: if you're already tweeting, why not connect your Twitter account to your FaceBook profile? This will help you get what you have to say out there in half the time. There is a FaceBook Twitter application (made by Twitter), add the app and give it access. Each status update will now automatically be tweeted from your Twitter account as well. If you are more of a Twitter user rather than a FaceBook'r, then I'd suggest using TweetDeck (a 3rd Party app for Twitter) that allows you to automatically update your FaceBook with each tweet. Here's my TweetDeck (see the FaceBook checkbox in the upper-right corner).


• Use apps: download the Firefox Facebook Toolbar and you'll have everything at the ready, just underneath your browser's default toolbars. You will receive your alerts, update your status, and go directly to FaceBook.com through the toolbar. It is an excellent tool for people at work that just want to get text updates - this should make bosses happy as they actually won't be visiting the site. If your boss doesn't mind, you can even set the preferences so you receive the updates via a small pop-up in the bottom-right corner of your screen. If you're lucky enough to be on a Mac, and for some reason you're not using Firefox, there's a FaceBook widget that does the same thing.

That's about all I have for this edition, come back soon for FaceBook Hacks Tips 3!