I'm not one to complain out loud. I don't like face-to-face or voice-to-voice confrontation. It unnerves me and forces me to think on my toes. I have one chance to say what I need to say. When it comes to any minor issue I just sit behind my computer screen and immerse myself in the simplicity* of the internet and written word. It gives me time to think, edit, delete, wait, and disappear. But right now, I'm on a medication that heightens my emotions. It makes me bold, irritable, and somewhat passive-aggressive. So when I saw the new facebook format, I felt it best to send them some feedback.
"Oh facebook. There are so many things that I love about you. You allow me to live vicariously through the internet. I'm not sure if you're aware, but you're actually real life. It's true. Nothing is real or concrete without it being real or concrete on facebook first. For the most part, I've been pleased with the way you work. Sure, there was that uproar when you opened your doors to more than just college and high school students. The news feed was a little unsettling when it first appeared on our homepages. Despite it all, we still loved you so much. We learned to accept your flaws. We convinced ourselves that you just wanted to share the joy with new demographics and help us keep tabs on people we'd forgotten about on this world wide web.
But facebook, this new format, this isn't a little change. This is a big change. Frankly, I'm unimpressed. I'm unimpressed to the point that I am taking time out my life to write to you. There are so many things that I do not like about this new format that I feel it most appropriate to simply bullet point and make a slight commentary on each component.
The Homepage: Maybe it’s the minimalist in me, my desire to keeps things concise, my issue with wasted space but I was a fan of the skinny sidebars and the compact news feed. I was a fan of the thin gray lines that bordered everything. It assured me that you were under control – that you had boundaries, limitations, etc. Now I feel like something is missing [re: left-hand sidebar] and it’s been replaced with an unacceptable amount of white space between text and images.
The Profile [Tab Navigation]: The thing about the old facebook profile is that it was simple. You went to the page and everything you wanted to know was right there in front of you. It allowed you to learn about somebody without feeling too invasive. I understand that you think we go to other people’s profiles so we can write on their walls. For the most part, that holds true. However, it is not the only reason. After we’ve commented, it’s nice to just browse. I scroll down, I scroll up, and I’m done and satisfied. Clicking tabs is a nuisance. It’s profile browsing with a purpose and whether you like it or not, on facebook, there is no purpose. When I click on a tab to get to a specific location, I feel lazy. I know it’s on the page, I can find it myself. I’m a big kid now! Facebook says so.
The Wall: Walls are for writing. Walls are not for “stories.” This is why we have a news feed.
The News Feed: Ok, I get it. Bobby Teenager is now friends with Mary Adolescent. How do I know this? I saw it on the news feed on my homepage. But facebook, you have my back. In case I forget, you have it right there for me in the middle of Bobby Teenager’s wall. It’s a good thing Bobby can’t get rid of the news feed on his wall either, otherwise I’d have to go back to my homepage to see whose wall he wrote on or if he discussed something on the “i ♥ The Office" group. Thank goodness you did that because for a minute there I almost completely forgot that I don't care. But I do care - I care so, so much.
The Boxes: I do not like applications. I think they’re annoying, overused, and eventually neglected so when I actually add an application, I want it to be seen. You’ve gone and packed away all my applications into a little box. Granted, I’m actually glad my profile isn’t as cluttered but I want the ability to get my LOLcats back on there. I don’t think you realize how many clicks I made to find the right one.
Facebook, you’ve turned my cyber-world upside down. I do love you. I’m just glad you gave me a button to take me back home."
