Facebook "Gifts" are Overrated

Due to the significant amount of time I've devoted to preparing the final presentation for the CS 501 project with the rest of my group, I'm extremely tired. So I shall post a topic on which I don't have too much to say.

As many users of facebook noticed over the past few months, facebook implemented many snazzy features, one of which is "gifts" that you can give to people. They're basically 64 by 64 pixel (yes I checked) images that show up on the chosen person's profile page. Initially, every user has one free gift that they can give to whomever they wish. From then on, all "gifts" cost $1 if you choose to buy them individually or $0.50 in bulks of 10. The "gifts" can be anything from a smilely face balloon to spiderman, to handcuffs, to cute otters, to...well you get the point. Oh yea, all "gifts" are limited in supply, meaning, they can run out.

Here's my view on them: It WOULD BE an awesome feature and it WOULD BE fun to choose from many different designs to give to your friends...IF IT'S FREE! I mean, come on, has gift giving gone so virtual, that people are actually willing to PAY to give something that is not physical? (If they start to make me pay for hallmark e-cards...I'll be enraged) What if Facebook for some reason decide to disable this feature? What will happen to all the money you've spent on these "gifts". Sure they only cost $1, but for $1, you can get better things than jpegs (oh wait, they're actually pngs...my bad). Plus, $1's can add up very quickly...

Better things you can get for $1:

• A can of Dr. Pepper
• Used books from Amazon
• Hot dogs
• 4 Ice Cream Cones (From McDonald's last time I checked)
• Wendy's Frosty
• Wendy's 5-piece chicken nuggets
• Everything from Wendy's & McDonald's Dollar Menu
• Pencil, pen and other stationery
• A house (if you buy a paperclip first)

That said, it is still extremely tempting to buy "handcuffs" and give them to one of my friends....