Facebook newbie

This is the only place I worked out where to ask this.
Yesterday I joined Facebook..this was mainly to speak to a friend who I knew to be on Facebook through a google search..we had both changed emails..and I am delighted to say we have re established a link..
so what advice to a new user of this facility ..two other frends have contacted me and we have said hi etc..what are the pitfalls?
I seem to remember a discussion recently and did not really clock it at the time not being a user.any offers of advice..
I am happy using emails..most of my contact is in this format..but Facebook..who can read what and who cannot..

Be sure to set up your privacy controls so your profile is visible to only those you want to see it. I have all my stuff set to Friends Only. I can't get into FB from work so can't give you specifics right now. They supposedly have made it easier, but I used an outside software program to check my settings, and that is on my computer at home, too.

I haven't had any issues with FB at all - no spam, no viruses, etc., but I understand some have had problems.

In my case it was a wondeful way to re connect to some one who had set up another email address almost at the same timme as I had to due to a virus.she also had a joint email with a former partner..but slowly I shall learn..didn't want to wait till Christmas.
I can read one friends messages ..we who are her friends commented on her latest art work,,so is it best to be brief..discreet and realise other friends of my friend will read what I say..
my family will be here at the weekend so they may look see..keep Mother right!!
thanks for replying.

I believe if you do what Anno said and set everything to "friends only" you'll be fine. People may send you Friends request, (called friending on FB) and you have the option to accept or ignore.

If they say you have mutual friends, you might want to check it out. If they don't and you don't recognize them, I would ignore.

It seems that most of the viruses on FB have been from those things like Farmville. I wouldn't touch those with a ten-foot pole.

Email me if you have questions. I would be happy to help!

There are scams on FB so yes, you should be careful. If you do play any of the games, be careful, because there are fake pages. I play a couple of the games and haven't had any issues; and I have managed to beat a certain person on here at Bejeweled Blitz a time or two.

I have reconnected with people on FB; and I have met some interesting people who are friends of friends. I always check that the friend of a friend is really reputable before I accept. Some of the game players will accept friend requests from anyone just to boost their levels and/or score, so be aware of that.

Some of my friends friends were shown to me also but I dont want other peoples friends...

on my geneaolgy site I have befriended people who have common ancestors ..maybe called half cousins and those that are overseas are delighted to have someone near their ancestors known birthplace..I can then help at my end of the process.

farmville...heard about it but yesterdays adventure for me was helping my neighbour find a runaway rooster..she had a delivery of hens and a husband... Mr rooster..he flew off...the whole happening was comic cuts..she knows nothing about hens..me a little more.I kept telling her "Think hen think rooster dont think fox"
so I have my own farmville next door.

The rooster came back today..on his own without us