Facebook Compared to LinkedIn
LinkedIn, in contrast to MySpace, is at the other side of the anonymity/inappropriate spectrum. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a spam profile in LinkedIn. It's all business. In fact, Rupert Murdock's News Corp, which owns The Wall Street Journal (and MySpace) is considering buying LinkedIn.
I like LinkedIn a lot and maintain profiles in both Facebook and LinkedIn. Because of the professional nature of LinkedIn, the profiles there are very complete. Most LinkedIn profiles contain more background information than the average resume does.
The main difference between LinkedIn and Facebook is that LinkedIn is entirely focused on business social networks. Facebook is more general and crosses social spheres. I have friends in Facebook that are actual friends, business relationships, general acquaintances, and people I'm following online.
Another big difference between Facebook and LinkedIn is their advertising models. Facebook is starting to follow a Google AdWords model in which just about anyone can participate. It's very easy to set up an advertising account, choose how much per day to spend, bid on a click rate, choose a set of demographics and interests, and post an ad. LinkedIn has a high-end ad network approach. You can buy banner ads in LinkedIn but they have a pretty high minimum buy. But I'm getting a little ahead of myself. Let me back up and lay the foundations for why so much attention is being given to social media advertising.
Cisco has been using Facebook in an interesting way: http://www.facebookobserver.com/facebook-for-business/how-a-fortune-500-should-use-facebook/
Facebook is a great medium but i'm not sure if it's ready to be taken over for corporate self promotion yet.
It destroys the purpose of Facebook to fill it up with business it's meant for individuals, if these trends carry on it will self implode and people just wont visit anymore.
facebook is suppose to connect you to your friends. it can come in handy by colleges and businesses can find you and interview you and you can get a job or go to college.
It can also work negatively to ruin a career if people expose too much of their habits, interests etc. Not too many employers are going to hire or keep you on if they see your facebook page full of photos of you smoking dope with your buds or puking on the sidewalk because you were so wasted all weekend.
Based on the way you use it facebook can be very useful or very harmful. You should learn to control the information you post, the pictures you post, and any possible self-damaging wall posts! I'm sure you wouldn't think of it in a bad mood, but anything you say is recorded, basically until facebook crashes.
So be responsible and there are many benefits to social networking! Many new opportunities!
I do think most of people are favoring in Facebook, each member of of my family has a account and we love to use it to cotact to each other.