Controversy of New Facebook

On September 11th, 2009, ABC News site published a news, ‘Facebook makeover leaves some devotes fuming’, regarding the launch of new-look Facebook which followed by 100 million users fuming. According to The California firm, the new site has faster, more streamline and spam-resistant format. Confirmation from Facebook developer (2008) said that the new design enables Facebook members use tabs to give priority to up-to-date pictures, messages, or ‘feeds’. New Facebook, which is motivated by users feedback, still preserved the old Facebook application, like ‘walls’ and ‘graffiti’, and make pages livelier, better organized, and give people more control over software application they want to install. However, many users feel unsatisfied with the sudden changes and opines that the changes are horrible through ‘Who hates the new Facebook format’ forum.

New Facebook vs Old Facebook

According to Smashing magazine (2008), the element determines the success of failure of a web-site is usability. Both versions of Facebook have usability, proper navigation, interactivity, fresh (showing updates), and salience in their design. Here is some changes happened in Facebook:
First, new Facebook has used tabs generally to shorten the length of page and information overload. I-Com Solution.com (2009) stated that one of element of good website design is shorter page as viewers love to click rather than scroll.

Second, new Facebook reduce the freedom to rearrange the placement of your profile page. This is considered a flaw because research on users by Smashing magazine (2008) said that users want to have control, and Facebook just reduce the power of user control through the new version.

Third, there is addition of bookmarks section. This is a good development as it improves navigation function.

(Source: http://www.cdiabu.com/blog/post/rules-for-website-redesign.php)

Next, Previous Facebok had given a free opportunity for all users to customize their own profile page, they can rearrange the placement of any feature that they want to have in their page. But suddenly, when the new design of Facebook has been applied fully, users find out that thy own page has been changed and rearrange without asking their approval. Moreover, after so long the user played facebook daily and get used to the old placement and navigation, the new layout and arrangement makes things look complicated because the user has not enough time to adapt and have to get used to it all over again. I think these are the main reasons why so many people complain about the new changes, in other word, it is an issue or familiarity.

However changes will always has its pros and cons, especially in internet world with its huge range of international audience who share different personal values, culture and background. Diana Reep (2006, p. 55) suggested for author who has international audience should research specific communication customs and expectation of the audience. But of course author can’t please each audience expectation due to the various culture and background.

Related article and link:
• Geekadelphia Rants: Top 5 Reasons Why New Facebook is Better
• ‘Who hates the new Facebook’ forum

References:

AFP 2008, Facebook makeover leaves some devotees fuming, viewed 12th June 2009, http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24328928-15318,00.html.

Reep, DC 2006, Technical Writing: Principles, Strategies, and Readings 6th ed ., Pearson Education, New York.

Smashing Editorial 2008, 10 Principles of Effective Web Design, viewed 12th June 2009, http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/01/31/10-principles-of-effective-web-design/.

Wachtel, J 2009, Elements of Good Website Design, icomsolutions.com, viewed 12th June 2009, http://www.icomsolutions.com/elements.htm.