On Sunday, Facebook introduced a new, more expansive version of their profile pages. The aim of the company via this move is to encourage greater interaction between users by integrating more images and re-organizing all profile information. However, like any other change to Facebook’s interface, users were displeased with the changes.
One user wrote, "This new layout is just confusing and makes us more like a set of numbers and links than an actual human with that 'profile' feel," whilst posing the question, "Can you please stop 'updating' the aesthetics of Facebook as we once knew it to make it into a social media nightmare?" Another read, "Why is my job showing up next to my name on this post!? It's never happened before, & I did not authorize it!"
The move surely has sparked more privacy concerns given its rather casual display of personal information on these profiles as, understandably, some want their place or work and other tidbits kept in hiding. Despite the growing complaints, Facebook maintains that this move will be an eventual success.
According to a blog post by Facebook engineer Josh Wiseman, the re-designed Facebook profiles begin with basic information about Facebook users, including their location, university and employer. Furthermore, the page shows all of the users’ photos on one page instead of having to click in different areas to view said pages.
Additionally, the blog post explains that the new features allow users to: highlight their closest friends on the social network; share interests and activities, like recent work projects, and favorite musicians; quickly browse photos through an "infinite scroll" feature that eliminates the need to click through to subsequent pages; and search for friends by hometown, school and other criteria. These features were briefly outlined on Sunday’s 60 Minutes episode by Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
This move, like prior Facebook adjustments is being heavily scrutinized for being a bit too open. Expectations are every user will get used to the change of design at some point but it is fair to raise such question given Facebook’s recent history of privacy mishaps.
Comments
Am I the only one that sees nothing wrong with the new Facebook profile page? All they did was rearrange your information and present in a visually interesting way. Your privacy settings didn't change and they didn't reveal more personal information that you didn't put their yourself. If you don't like the pictures delete or detag them. I'm not sure what all the uproar is. All of this reminds me of a poll I took this morning, http://my-take.com/poll/How-do-you-feel-about-Facebooks-new-profile-page# The poll results indicate that most people are indifferent to the changes because they will have to get used to it eventually.
I totally agree with that last sentiment about people having to get used to it eventually. At first, every change Facebook makes might seem a bit weird to someone, but with time and patience, many users can see it actually does make the site more enjoyable and easier to deal with. It's more organized and once taking a look into it,anyone can see the solution to their so called problems aren't that hard to find.
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