Facebook’s new changes have left many users upset and confused. The cartoon correctly describes how so many people deal with change (and not just technology changes).
But, when it comes to Facebook, it’s something we’ve been through before and will indefinitely happen again.
If you’ve been living under a rock the past week, here are some of the new changes (some that have launched and some that will be launching soon):
- You’re going to get a Timeline — a scrapbook of your life: This is a stream of information about you — the photos you’ve posted, all your status updates, the apps you’ve used, even the places you’ve visited on a world map — that scrolls all the way back to your birth. It encourages you to post more stuff about your past, such as baby pictures, using Facebook as a scrapbook.
- You don’t have to just Like something — now you can [verb] any [noun]: “Facebook Gestures” which now means that Facebook’s partners and developers can turn any verb into a button. So you’ll start seeing the option to tell the world you’re Reading a particular book, for example, or Watching a given movie, or Listening to a certain tune.
- Facebook apps need only ask permission once to share stories on your behalf: Now, the first time you authorize the app, it will tell you what it’s going to share about you. If you’re cool with that, the app never has to ask you again.
- All “lightweight” information is going to the Ticker: A real-time list of things your friends are posting now that scrolls down the side of your screen.
- You can watch TV and movies, listen to music, and read news with your friends — all within Facebook: You can watch a show on Hulu, listen to a song on Spotify, or check out a story on Yahoo News. The ticker will tell you what your friends are watching, listening to or reading, allowing you to share the experience with them by clicking on a link.
What do you think of the new changes? Are you as excited as I am for the new Facebook Timelines?
If you haven’t seen the new functionality yet and have some time, check out the video describing the new features released at F8.
Comic courtesy of Endless Origami
