IS CLASSMATES.COM A RIP OFF?
Many members of the Class of 1988 have registered with Classmates.com.
Is it worth your time and effort? Or is Classmates.com a rip off? Personally, I think Classmates.com is a waste of time. The free version is filled with advertisements, runs very slow, and has limited functionality. The interface is too busy and not intuitive. If you forget your password, then you have to create a new account (many classmates have created 2 or 3 accounts).
You are continually hounded to buy the gold membership. The payment starts at $2.46 per month. Don't take this the wrong way - I like everyone in the Class of 88. I just don't $30/year like you. Especially given the limited functionality of Classmates.com. For example, if you want Classmates.com to pass a person's address to google maps so you can see where they live on a map - you have to get a gold membership. Come on! If you were suckered into the Gold Membership, please leave a comment on your thoughts about it. Am I wrong?
Most of the information is outdated and members log on infrequently. I have yet to find an easy way to see new content without clicking through every class member. One of the banners said "Have you seen the latest pictures of " and has a listing of classmates. I clicked on one and the pictures were over three years old!
If you are desperate and really want to reconnect, there is information on Classmates (other than outdated pictures). If you really want to see answers to answers to silly surveys (your favorite indoor activity is cooking), then Classmates is for you. If you want to read messages that people left for each other (usually thinking they were private messages), it could be a lot of fun.
Like all social networks, you have to pay attention to privacy. Mind your manners. Be careful what you write. But Classmates takes these concerns a step further. Your actions on Classmates are tracked and reported. If you look at a classmate's profile, they will be notified via email (unless you remember to click "Remove Visit"). There is no lurking on Classmates - your activities are a matter of public record.
There are better tools if you'd like to stay in touch. The one that comes immediately to mind? The Class of 88 web site: http://GilbertInternetTV.com/88 . Need something that is more interactive? Try Facebook - many of us are online.
