I think it could thought of as advertisement but it's so much more than that. It's set up to be a social tool and yes a forum is too but this can be more instant.
Sometimes when I go to chat there are people there I don't know or the conversation isn't sometime I care to talk about I just log off and eventually quit going to chat. But if there is someone logged on facebook we can chat and no one gets their feelings hurt.
Rob, I'm pretty new to facebook and pretty computer savey but with sick parents I can't do it. If I had a laptop I might would have time sitting at the hospital. I don't mind people editting and looking over my shoulder because I use to work on physicians presentations.
silkiechicken - facebook has changed, you set it so only people you give permission can see your profile.
jackie