Account Settings

The next main menu option on the edit page is Account Settings. This is your security, privacy, and site management hub.

Functions available on the Accounts Setting menu include changing your password, which you want to do every few months. If you wish to have no part of email notifications and MySpace newsletters, there is an opt-out option here. We’ll talk about Privacy Settings in the next part of this section, so skip to the next option on this menu graphic, IM Privacy and Mobile settings. This will allow you to block users and make your “existence” on MySpace known to only people you choose. A few options down the menu, you will also see a link that will allow you to Block Users. The Away Message setting allows you to create message that is sent to anyone who emails you while you’re gone. Finally, at the top of the page you will see a link to cancel your account. It is very important that all new users visit each of the options on this account menu and customize the settings.

Some people think of MySpace as a game and want to acquire as many friends as humanly possible. Kevin Smith, director of many fine movies such as Clerks I and II, recently boasted to Jay Leno on Leno’s late night show that he spends quite a bit of time on MySpace trying to make as many friends as possible. While Smith is director who promotes films, others, especially those under twenty-one years of age may wish to keep their identity and profiles private, sharing their space with a select few. Whatever your privacy preferences, you’ll need to set them on this menu.
The graphic below shows the screen you will see once you select the Privacy Settings link from the Account Settings menu. If you want to limit the people who can add you as a friend, click the “Require email or last name to add me as a friend,” option and “Block friend request from bands.” To limit the email you receive you may also wish to click the, “Friend only group invites,” and “Friend only block comments.” At the bottom of the menu you can decide if you want to make your profile public, or private. After making the selections, click <Change Settings> at the bottom of the page.

So, this is what our sample MySpace page looks like at this point--kind of like an empty room with bare walls--very uninteresting indeed. Your personality has yet to be added, which is what we will do next. Well, we’ll show you how—only you can actually add your personality. We’ll come back to this page later and describe all the fun functions, but for now let’s revisit the main profile page and Add/Edit some photos. To return to the main edit page click the <Home> option in the main tool bar at the top of the page.

Tip: If you want your profile to be totally private, adjust your age so it is under 15 years old.

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