5 posts tagged “facebook”
So as everyone is adjusting their hate of Facebook "news feeds," they've started featuring "sponsored" news on there such as a Facebook credit card and previews for Van Wilder 2. I'm sorry, but I really should be able to turn that off. I don't think I should read that my friend broke up with her boyfriend right next to an ad about a Tahiti vacation for students. I'm ok with banner ads but airing everyone's dirty laundry and making ads look like their part of what your friends are doing on Facebook is just plain weird.
Ahh yes college students, now you can not only spend hours on facebook, you can read about it too! Yup, the senior engineer of Facebook from 2005-2006 has published a book that is available online now.
The book seems pretty interesting and the thing I liked most was that they offered a special price for those that are students or unemployed. (only $9). It has a few parts with a brief history of facebook and his observations of how to build a successful social network and where they see this going in the future.
Now for some fun facts from the first 12 pages that they gave for a preview of the book:
It is the most successful, privately held social network.
Visitors of Facebook spend more time on it than on any other site.
---haha I totally believe it. As they say "it has become an essential part of college life."
Yahoo has recently been in talks to buy out Facebook like it did recently with flickr. It seems that there a trend in these huge companies overtaking small start-ups which in many ways isn't a bad thing. More resources, better reliability, competent support--all things that typically come with a larger operation (I'm using typical in a very liberal sense--more like should).
However, there are a lot of sad things that come with such a change. I work for a start-up right now, PBase.com, and it would be great temporary news if a huge check came but at the same time, it would be sad to see a homegrown business turn completely cold and corporate (I don't care if they would have casual Friday and not have cubicles - I still find most offices to be very creepy with horrible flourescent lighting.)
I hope that if Facebook is bought by Yahoo!, they ensure that they keep a very young staff on board. Nothing is worse than an older person trying to "be like the kids." (i.e. - Oprah saying "you go girl" though she could get away with it more than say Barbara Walters). In any case, Facebook probably won't change too much and if it does it might be for the better (like, maybe getting rid of the news feed that no one wanted or wants???)
So Yahoo!, you have a gold opportunity to make people happier by giving yourself less work. Basically, I'm saying that there's not many reasons (well maybe money...) not to buy Facebook right now.
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=2422125 - Como What?!
I know I already did my generic facebook complaining post but seriously, why would they do that?! (By that, if you are too lazy to read the article they're going to open up facebook to people not in college or high school who receive invitations from current users)
Facebook's whole appeal is its exclusivity.
- Before (When only college students were on facebook): "Yay! I'm going to ___ College! OOh I'm gonna get a facebook now!"
- Later (When they introduced high school facebook): "Yay! I'm out of middle school! I'm so awesome that I'm getting a facebook and a myspace!"
- Now (Or atleast after they introduce this change): "Wow, this is so convenient! This site was made for stalkers like me! I get first names, last names, all online activity--vital tools necessary to keep up with my creepy lifestyle all in a convenient place!"
Ok maybe that's not always true but anyone with friends who are not in high school or college and are interested in being in a social networking site are already on myspace anyways.
It will be very interesting to see what the effects of all this are since Facebook profiles often contain a lot more personal information than on other sites (i.e. - residence hall, cell phone number, class schedule, etc.).
Either way, I probably won't be creeped out enough to change until I get a message that says "Hot pics" or an equally disturbing message from someone who I really don't even know or could possibly know. Not sure what a message would say that would creep college boys out...but I'm sure I'll hear about an instance of one after this debuts and it will be hilarious.
Let's compare and contrast the complaints shall we?
- http://www.petitiononline.com/faceb00k/petition.html -Facebook.com Users Against the "News Feed" and the "Mini Feed" Petition
Let's be honest, everyone's still talking about the facebook "Mini Feed" and "News Feed." It's getting almost as old as people saying they're "bringing sexy back."
(PS- you're not.)
I guess all this can make one sympathize with the celebrities who complain about the poparazzi. Add some pictures, expensive clothes, anorexia, and (maybe) talent and you've got the people.com home page.
If there's gonna be a news feed, I demand details and pictures of the parties at hand looking angry without makeup carrying a coffee and commentary on why that couple that I see everywhere suddenly broke up. If you're gonna provide stalker tools you gotta go all the way. Perhaps message boards where people can discuss the news feeds? or even better, how about we receive an Oscar (or more realistically a Teen Choice award) and millions of dollars from the deal?
