TimmyH
Facebook Grows Up
July 23rd 2008 02:08
According to the company, access to Facebook’s re-design will initially be limited but over the coming days will become available to the more than 80 million users worldwide. Although the primary changes will be aesthetic, many of the operating systems now reflect the changing needs of the core Facebook users.
Facebook began as a social networking site for university students in 2004. The closed nature of the site, requiring a university email address, made it an instant hit. Students were able to do all the things they do now, including joining groups and posting embarrassing photos without the risk of parents or employers getting a look in.
Those same students are now graduating and entering the job market. Cleaning up friend lists and ditching annoying applications is almost a coming of age process. Those former students need a network that reflects their changing social profile and accession to the job market.
Although the site does offer a few privacy restrictions, it isn’t necessarily “Safe for Work.” If Gen Y’s want to use their profiles for work purposes they need to rid themselves, and others, of the annoying applications which clutter the site.
The new profile page is cleaner and simpler. It moves all applications into the “Boxes” tab. But it also provides application security. Facebook says that the new site will have a “try before you buy” application system. You can use the application before deciding to add it and grant it access to your personal information.
Applications that promote themselves but that don’t meet certain privacy requirements will be banned, as SuperWall and Top Friends showed earlier this month. Hopefully this will spell the end of the annoying Facebook applications.
The privacy controls that existed before will still be in place, but further restrictions on the news feed will also be available. The feed will now show more pertinent information about you and will also give you complete control over what appears therein.
According to the Facebook Blog Post “you can adjust the size and prominence of stories and can choose between having one-line stories, short or full stories. One-line stories are one sentence long, while short stories include thumbnail photos or content, and full stories display large, noticeable images.”
As the Facebook generation moves into a new phase of their lives the redesign will offer them a way to change their social networking practices in turn. Facebook will increasingly become a tool for networking in the business sense of the word and less about partying and hanging out.
But whether Facebook becomes appealing to younger audiences is unclear. They’re still having fun and Facebook is growing up.
Facebook began as a social networking site for university students in 2004. The closed nature of the site, requiring a university email address, made it an instant hit. Students were able to do all the things they do now, including joining groups and posting embarrassing photos without the risk of parents or employers getting a look in.
Those same students are now graduating and entering the job market. Cleaning up friend lists and ditching annoying applications is almost a coming of age process. Those former students need a network that reflects their changing social profile and accession to the job market.
Although the site does offer a few privacy restrictions, it isn’t necessarily “Safe for Work.” If Gen Y’s want to use their profiles for work purposes they need to rid themselves, and others, of the annoying applications which clutter the site.
The new profile page is cleaner and simpler. It moves all applications into the “Boxes” tab. But it also provides application security. Facebook says that the new site will have a “try before you buy” application system. You can use the application before deciding to add it and grant it access to your personal information.
Applications that promote themselves but that don’t meet certain privacy requirements will be banned, as SuperWall and Top Friends showed earlier this month. Hopefully this will spell the end of the annoying Facebook applications.
The privacy controls that existed before will still be in place, but further restrictions on the news feed will also be available. The feed will now show more pertinent information about you and will also give you complete control over what appears therein.
According to the Facebook Blog Post “you can adjust the size and prominence of stories and can choose between having one-line stories, short or full stories. One-line stories are one sentence long, while short stories include thumbnail photos or content, and full stories display large, noticeable images.”
As the Facebook generation moves into a new phase of their lives the redesign will offer them a way to change their social networking practices in turn. Facebook will increasingly become a tool for networking in the business sense of the word and less about partying and hanging out.
But whether Facebook becomes appealing to younger audiences is unclear. They’re still having fun and Facebook is growing up.
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Comment by Aimzster
Health and Beauty
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
Comment by Fobzy
Fobz
Growing up, never, it takes longer than that.
Just thought I'd mozie over with my tact.
Comment by Johnny Come Lately
Jack's Back
Facebook is juvenile and a huge privacy risk as their constant security blunders show. It's all too little too late.
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Australian Chick
Fashion Peach
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
Australian Chick
Fashion Peach
So, an adendum, if you please.. I've never been happier since deleting my myspace account.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I spend most of my time ignoring requests.
But most of my Gen X friends are mad for them and they are the main culprits. My Gen Y friends pretty use Facebook as a contact site.
I always thought the Profile page looked messy.
Mrs M