After the recent public offering by the popular social networking site, Facebook, seeing follow-up stories about the continued decline in the stock’s value has been rather interesting.

While I’m not one of those who rushed out and purchased Facebook stock, I have had a Facebook account since Sept. 2, 2008 (I had to look that up on my Facebook timeline).

Investment gurus have shared their thoughts on the plummeting Facebook stock, and a couple of things I’ve heard have stuck with me – first, that Facebook is a passing fad; and second, that Facebook isn’t tangible. How do you put a value on a free program that millions of people around the world enjoy?

The stock market can decide Facebook’s worth. I’m more interested in the thought that the social networking site is a passing fad. I certainly don’t spend as much time on Facebook as I used to, but I credit that to deleting some of those time-wasting games and deciding my time was better spent working on my stash of needlework projects.

Aside from linking an occasional story I’ve written for the Daily Globe or posting a link to my blog, I’ve refrained from posting much on Facebook these days. Really, who cares that I walked a couple of miles down by the lake or went out to the farm to decompress by spinning four-wheeler tires through the mud? They probably find it as fascinating as I do when I read that so-and-so has finally potty-trained the youngest child.

Then again, I guess I can thank Facebook for learning about cousins celebrating pregnancies, friends celebrating birthdays and a nephew announcing his recent engagement. Facebook has become a virtual journal of the moments – big and small – in our every day lives.

That leads me to a question for you readers. In a recent chat with our online content coordinator at the Daily Globe, we discussed whether or not reporters should have individual Facebook pages designated as their “work Facebook” page.

The more I think about the potential, the more I like it. For starters, there are a lot of people I connect with through work who aren’t Facebook friends of mine simply because I don’t want to cross that professional-personal line. I’ve even deleted Facebook friends – some longtime friends – because they are newsmakers or frequent sources. Oh, I still consider them friends, just not “Facebook Friends.”

Now, if I had a Facebook page tied to my job, I could be “friends” with my boss, my co-workers, the mayor, city council members, county commissioners, county employees, community leaders and anyone and everyone who wanted to connect with me professionally online. My page could be a source for news tips, “the rest of the story” stories, breaking news assignments and, well, the opportunities are endless, I suppose.

Best of all, you won’t have to read on my work Facebook page that I shed a few tears at niece Jessie’s graduation Friday night, spent nearly my entire weekend cross-stitching in my recliner at home, and capped off the four-day weekend with a Memorial Day bonfire with the neighbor kids in my backyard. I’ll save those tidbits for the people on my personal Facebook page who may or may not care.