This was expensive, but worth it. And no, you do not have to have a facebook account, it just is a nice feature that functions like the facebook chats. The friend list that is located at the bottom right, reflects your SSA friend list. So if there is someone you keep in contact with or talk to a great deal, click the little "add Friend" button just below the users avatar. Side note, for other computer uber-dorks like me, it works on Linux. And as I always say for each fancy tweak or upgrade we do that others don't have... 'Just another reason why SSA is the #1 audio forum'.