By Dan Palmere
Contributing Writer

One of my first resolutions this New Year was to delete my Facebook account. There’s a fine line between networking and spending an unhealthy amount of time checking status updates. I think I crossed it last semester. My decision came after a lot of reflection on how I was using my time on this social networking site. True, I had met people through it before my move to Boston—but it became increasingly easier to form “relationships” behind a wall, rather than actually talking face to face.

As a musician and bandleader, developing social skills is an important skill. It’s something I’ve accepted I need to work on. Facebook was not helping in a positive way. So, I took the contact information I needed, birthday dates, and let everyone know how to keep in touch if they wanted.

I’m not having withdrawal symptoms, like everyone claimed I would. It’s more like a breath of fresh air. In terms of business and networking, maybe it’s time to go back to the roots: “Hi, I’m Dan Palmere. Pleasure to meet you.”