Let me take the liberty to create a stereotype out of the average (by average, I mean 300+ tagged photos, wall postings of 'hi, wts up! hvnt spken to u in ages!' and bumper stickers and what not) Facebook user when it comes to design trends.
As expected Facebook revamped their home page design, and tweaked individual profiles. As a person who knows that there exists an internet outside of Facebook (ZOMG, REALLY?), and happen to use other websites (and not Googling 'Facebook login') I welcomed the changes thoroughly, everything became cleaner, usability shot way up. Much less noise than the old one.
But of course, as with any design change, Facebook users revolted, suicided and all that tosh.
Why?
Well, not only because they don't have much design sense. There's more to it, and believe it or not they're right, in a way. Facebook addicts are on the site so much, constantly, that any interface change sends them flying. Their (now innate) muscle memory on where everything is and how to get there goes for a toss. Some go into anaphylactic shock, even.
Furthermore, as the users adapt (I mean physically, finger length/strength ratio and such, developed for P&S camera shutter release optimal speed) to the new changes, they'll end up loving it as much as before. Do you really think, I mean seriously, is anyone going to leave Facebook because they changed the design? And it isn't like they made everything pink or disabled the ever-so-grossly popular <3 symbol. Of course not. So quit whining retards.
So even though these design changes are for the better, any design change Facebook will ever make will send these people off bridges. This is where Facebook is guilty - releasing a somewhat complete revamp in one fell swoop can cause these people a bit of pain and sorrow. Gradual changes should be employed instead, and maybe these people would pay a bit more attention to their lives instead.
Twitter addicts, on the other hand... next time, next time.
Azhar Chougle | www.azharc.com
