Facebook users can be a grumpy group when the interface of their beloved social networking site changes. Resistance to the new design has led some users to set up groups protesting the changes slowly being introduced Facebook. Allfacebook looked into two groups recently, and noted that "People against the New Facebook System" had over 26,000 members registered, with 2,000 members joining daily, and another, "The New Facebook Layout SUCKS!"
The biggest group, however, appears to be "Petition Against the 'New Facebook'" with over 117,000 members, and growing at over 10,000 per day. The ultimate slur can be found in the posts on this group, accusing Facebook of "becoming MySpace" with the layout changes.
Even combined, however, the groups lack the numbers that protested the Beacon program, which Facebook pulled after a strong user outcry. Issues over privacy will always be a larger and more controversial draw than user interface changes, however, and it's unlikely that the protest groups will gain enough traction to get Facebook to change direction again.
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Comments
It amazes me how many people are complaining about the new design, personally I like it a lot better. With the "status updates" you can comment on any of the little status messages friends put on Facebook, and you couldn't do that before. There are many additional comment areas as well, which really improves Facebook, my friends are actually talking to me now instead of exclusively "commenting on some other friend's photos" and there seems to be a welcome decrease in the viral junk app usage and page clutter. I'm just astounded at the number of groups against the new facebook, seems I'm the only one who actually likes it because it promotes a lot more, easier interactivity, and less viral crud! What's with people? If it was the otherway around, they'd probably beef about the design change if FB went from what's currently new to what we know as the old FB design. The new way is confusing at first, but given half a chance, people might actually realize that it does make interactions with friends more convenient.
Sooner or later, facebook will have to have some sort of accountability to it's users or something better will take it's place. Here's my surprise ban story. http://pats-animation.livejournal.com/22285.html
Capri, long story short is people don't like change. It happens with every Web site at some point. Ask those same people in two years when they change it again, and I bet there'll be a hue and cry for the design they are fighting now.
Pat, a lot of what's happening now is the culture shift from being a popular niche site to a mainstream corporate social network. The problem is that their application of site terms of service is sketchy. No pun intended. ;)
Capri - even with the old facebook layout, one is still able to "comment" on other users' profile.
Nope.. it's no good.
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