It's amazing how quickly the verbs "Facebooking" and "friending" have assimilated into college student vocabulary.

Facebook can be used as a vital social tool used to attract new friends and keep in touch with the old via posting wall messages, poking and picture sharing. Along with it, however, are complex and incessantly evolving standards that separate the ordinary registered Facebook members from the straight-up desperate creeps.

Consider some of Facebook's most important etiquette.

The first step of a Facebook relationship is "friending," and it's a step that I've always had to partake in some analysis: What circumstances warrant requesting a friend? For this particular quandary, I believe that after meeting at least a few times it's appropriate to request a friend. On the other hand, if you met once briefly, it can appear that you're hounding that person. You may come off too strong.

If, however, you are specifically asked to "friend," you're in the clear. In contrast, random friend requests are strange and potentially awkward if you eventually do meet the person face-to-face.

Onward to "un-friending," the ultimate low blow of all online relationships. One day you have 156 friends, the next you have 155, and an overwhelming sense of dejection and unworthiness takes hold.

I have found myself scanning frantically through my list of friends, looking for a missing face, only to discover I can't figure out who dropped me. It should be realized that while you can't tell who's missing, that person probably wasn't worth having as a "friend" anyway.

There's nothing wrong with keeping track of your Facebook friends by occasionally viewing their profile, perhaps noting their latest relationship status or updated photo album. But there are some profiles that just shouldn't be viewed, and those are former love interests.

Take it from me, it only leads to jealousy, hurt and sometimes hatred. It's tempting to know what they're "up to." But, it's really just better off not knowing at all. It's also not a clever idea to memorize a member's interests, groups, etc. because your knowledge could make you seem like a stalker.

A few last pointers: Emotional wall posts are really disturbing and should be saved for an old-fashioned heart-to-heart.

Additionally, something that has always irked me are those people who so obviously PhotoShop their profile picture. The phrase "You looked better on Facebook" has recently come into circulation. Be confident in who you are and post a realistic photo.

And finally, I don't care what anyone says, poking is sexual.