RedGage

We all like to have lots of friends on social networks such as Red Gage. But sometimes it helps to discriminate a bit when picking them. I used to automatically accept all friend requests – until I got burned.  The first time I had to unfriend someone,  I began to be a bit more choosy about which friend invitations to accept. 

What does a good friend on Red Cage do? It’s always friendly to read and rate, and comment on the work of one’s friends whenever possible.  Of course, if one has lots of friends, it’s not always possible to visit each friend’s profile each day.  Even a superfriend could not do that and still have time to upload content.  But most of us on a normal day can find time to visit the work of at least a couple of friends  and do something helpful.  I try to treat my friends that way. 

So when I look at my friend requests, I do a couple of things before accepting. First, I look at the profile. I want to know if I share some of this person’s interests so that I will enjoy reading or looking at their content.  So, naturally, I also sample some of that content.

That means the next thing I so is check how much content has been uploaded in proportion to the time the person has been a Red Gage member. I would hope to see at least five pieces of content uploaded in the first two weeks.  If there is not much content, I have no basis on which to make a decision, so I put an acceptance on hold.  

If I enjoy at least some  of the content,  I accept.  Of course, anyone I’ve met and followed elsewhere on the Internet I already consider a friend, so it’s a no brainer – as long as they are using a picture or user name I recognize from Squidoo, HubPages,  Gather, or Tagfoot. 

Above I shared how I decide to accept a friend request.  Here’s how I choose to whom I send friend requests. First, I will send a request if the person is known to me from another site. and I see them posting something here.  

Second, I try to check out people who have commented on or rated my content and will probably send a friend request if their profile indicates common interests.  I love nature content. I’m not as fond of shopping and product review pages.  I’m interested in blogging tips, education,  marriage relationship information, gardening, and some current events. I’m not interested in media and movie celebrities.  I normally check out photos first, since they are easy, but if nothing is there, I will check blogs and links.  If I really love a person’s content, I will subscribe to it. 

If you  love some of the same things I do, if you read and comment on and rate the work of your friends, and if you aren’t just friending everyone you can find so you can send them spam messages, I think we’d be a good match, I and would try to be a good friend to you. 

After note: Unfortunately I can only see half the screen I'm typing on, and half the tool bar above the screen, so I have no way to plod a picture. I can't see this afternote as I type, either, so please forgive any mistakes.  "Plod" is supposed to be "upload."