Ethics of Facebook Contesting Events and Group Rooms

A Pressing Story

Last week I wrote an article on leaving handhelds at home and I was originally going to do a follow up article based on current Provincial and State legislation regarding the actions of being stopped for the use of handheld devices while driving. In the course of writing that article, another more pressing issue reared it’s unwanted effects. The issue I am referring to is the issue of Facebook Events vs Facebook Group rooms. Definitely a fan of Facebook Group rooms and not Events, I will explain my point of view and discuss how you too can create your very own Facebook Group Room.

The Importance of My Devices

As a driver, I have many communication devices which I require to “stay connected” at all levels of my travels. I have Log Books for the Weigh Scales, I have my cell phone to communicate with employer and emergency personnel if ever required. I also have a CB to communicate with other drivers which relays current events, road information or the presence of speed traps and other motor vehicle occurrences.

But the most important tool for me is of course my 3g Blackberry Curve. This precious and endearing piece of equipment to me is like a fourth child. It never goes anywhere without me and it also communicates with me. I am connected to Work Email, Two Personal Emails and of course my Facebook account.

The Anger Issue

Generally, my Blackberry gives me reassuring vibrations as it lets me know I have received an email. However, this particular morning I was driving and my Blackberry was emitting a loud annoying “Ding, Ding, Ding” which was occurring with an ever increasing frequency. Of course, I had to look why it was dinging so much.

I realized that someone had (of course without my consent) created an event and threw me into it. Every time someone commented and responded on the event page the Blackberry was like a silent spy just waiting to relay the latest news to me. This was not the main issue that made me irritated. It was the FOURTH event I was added to that day! I was so angry that I was steaming mad when I came home that day and made a status that if anyone wanted a vote to message me privately. The next day, it occurred again. This time I was literally fit to be tied. I commented that I would unfriend them all! I of course calmed down after the rest of the day and thought I would address this issue so that others can learn from those mistakes.

The Event Group

The event group is perhaps the most annoying of all the notifications. People just add everyone on their friends’ list without asking. It becomes frustrating when the original poster disappears in a mass of posts. Once in, there is no escaping the aggravating messages which continually appear in your notifications until the original founder of the event removes you or the event is cancelled.

So how does one create an event and what is the purpose of the event? The purpose of the event is just that, to post an upcoming event, party, sale, and yes even the occasional contest. I have no problems with events if people would just ask! Now back to creating. When you open Facebook and look at your profile, you will see under your picture a few notification boxes. Events is one of these little icon boxes:

When you click on events, it will take you to a new page. From there it is as simple as filling in the information required. Make sure you put an expiry date. Once that is completed it is a matter of adding others into the event. The Event room is as I stated in my opinion the most aggravating, I prefer Group rooms and I will explain why and how to create one.

The Group Room

The Group Room is essentially a Facebook room that can be made Public, Closed or Secret. You can as an administrator make others administrators and add others to this group. You can also invite others to be a part of the group. Again it is only courtesy to just ask before you put people in to the group room. The group room can be opened by one person, and only after everyone voluntarily leaves or the administrator kicks everyone out and leaves that the room can be deleted. If the original person leaves, the group remains behind.

There are also settings, like closing the pop open chat box and unchecking the email notifications. This makes life grand for everyone! In order to create the group room the quickest way is to go underneath your avatar again and look for the create a group icon. From there it is a matter of filling in the information again, choosing whether it is secret or public and inviting those friends with whom you have permission to invite. Then you can choose to add other administrators who can also add others or be the sole administrator of the group. Group rooms can also be used to live chat with a number of others at once in a private or public setting. This is especially helpful when contesting and you need votes or referrals yesterday!

Just Ask

As you can see, the bottom line of both an Event and a Group Room is that asking is the best policy. It takes no more than a quick status on your wall to let others know you have a group room. Leave it up to them to ask for entry if they so choose. If people continually just throw all their friends into group rooms and events, it is only human nature that people become offended and angry. Angry that they didn’t know, maybe were away for a few days and they come back to 200 messages in their inbox of vote requests and comments from the group members. It really is annoying to weed through them for a potential contest win. I myself prefer group rooms so if I see your wall and you have a group, I may just ask to come in.

About the Author, truckerofbc

Roger, also known in the contesting world as truckerofbc, is a professional transport driver who in his spare time is an avid and daily contester and coupon user. Living in New Westminster, BC, Roger is married with 2 children.