The Observer, September 19, 2008
Volume XLI, Issue 4
New Facebook: improvement or disaster?
Con: Out with the new
Facebook has upgraded to a "new and improved" version. But then what's the deal with all the groups popping up with the words "against the new Facebook" in the title? While the new layout offers essentially the same features as the original, the transition has been, for many of us, a little trying. Here's why.
For one thing, it's new. Everything is in a different place, meaning it takes more time and effort to find what you're looking for. For example, the list of options below the profile picture - photos, friends, applications, etc. - has been drastically shortened. Where did the other options go? They must be somewhere…but they might take a few minutes to find. And what happened to the little search box that's so helpful? Oh, there it is, over on the opposite side. While all of our favorite features are still there, the new layout just makes Facebook that much harder to navigate. Then there's the issue of various seemingly pointless changes. Take, for instance, the Applications menu, which includes photos, groups, events, etc. It used to be located in the upper left corner; now it can be found in both the upper right and the lower left. Why put it in two places - it only serves to make the new layout seem crowded and disorganized. Unnecessary additions like these seem to be a pet peeve for many users, who argue that the old Facebook was fine just the way it was.
Another common complaint is the new wall, which is no longer just a wall, but a sort of wall-and-minifeed-jumble. Instead of showing only wall posts, the wall also includes your most recent status updates, friend confirmations, and posts on friends' walls. Everything is in chronological order, so rather than viewing an entire uninterrupted wall thread, you get the "wall and mini feed, all bunched together" says freshman Jacquie Jordan. Fans of the original Facebook seem to miss the ease and familiarity offered by the simpler version.
Many users have also taken issue with the new profile page, which no longer includes all the fun stuff like personal information (favorite sports, movies, etc.) and applications such as Bumper Stickers and I Am Green. Now, everything that used to be shown on the profile page is under its own separate tab - wall, info, photos, or boxes. The idea behind this might have been to cut clutter, but many users find it more difficult to locate things with the new format.
During the course of its makeover, Facebook has added several new features - including wall filters, feed filters, and "publishing" options - to help improve the Facebook experience. The problem is, too many users are turned off by the convoluted new layout to get the most out of the upgrades. While everything does seem a bit more cluttered and confusing, part of it is just an issue of getting used to all the changes.
