I've used it as well >_o
When I've had new friends play I looked them up through that.. especially when they were on trial and I couldn't whisper them to see where they were.
I've used it to look up people I've partied with as well to see if they were on my server out of curiosity..
Just because you don't use it doesn't mean other people don't.. I see what you mean with the negatives but there is a reason why it's there.