I've been a heavy fb user for 5 years and can't recall the last time I saw a fake profile.

I would absolutely hate to use my real profile as I find the whole 'incoming' side of it intrusive and desperate.

The last thing is need is to have to deal with all the useless drivel people would be expecting me to take part in with a real profile.

I would also say that at least 4 of my friends do the same.

Yes I have a few accounts too. But my mom, my sister, my hundreds of uni friends have incredibly personal stuff on their fb profile.

Fake profiles can be quite elaborate.

  Fake profiles can be quite elaborate.

You are referring to profiles where someone builds an elaborate fake character. I don't think those were ever that common.

Lastly, facebook always reports active users. I have a couple accounts with fake names that I haven't logged in for at least a year. I created them to test out something.

FB only counts users with recent activity.

I insist that people post their photos on flickr or some other service because I don't want to use facebook

The problem with Flickr is that not everyone is on Flickr. Facebook's ability to tag photos and associate them with events is light years ahead of anyone else, not least because they have a critical mass of the people in the photos on the service.

I have been a member since before they added the photo feature, and I have deactivated my account for over 4 months before, but messaging + events + all my friends are on it compels me to stay.

Also, I know people who are either or both email and voicemail bankrupt (more messages than they can possibly ever check), and facebook is the best way to contact.

EDIT: Purpose of this reply: why do I find it compelling to use facebook. Also I don't do IM, don't even answer the phone some days (need quiet time) so it isn't just because I can't help myself.

Anyhow, I must be one of the few according to Slate, who does not like sharing everything I do with my friends, enemies and strangers.