They have shown scant regard for their users privacy in the past.[1][2] I deleted my account as a result.

[1] http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/linkedins-soc...

[2] http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2390998,00.asp

I did not find it to be of value. I spent most of my time on LinkedIn dealing with recruiters and other undesirables who wanted to contact me.

why and how do you deal with "other undesirables" ? I find linkedin connections number to be a key when talking to recruiter. they dont really care who I connect to, but rather a number of connections seems to impress them. for that reason, I would add anyone to my network. Also - one person that you may not know on LinkedIn may be linked to someone you would love to know!

Second this question.

I find Linkedin to be of value. I have never had an account on the book and never will.

I have a LinkedIn account and all I ever do on it is accept incoming connection requests. Other than that, I never ever use it for anything. Except maybe once a year to see if guy X who left the company found a new job yet.

Many connection requests are recruiters over here, too. I ignore those.