/dev/null/kevin

Yahoo announced a new Facebook module for users.  I tried it and it's not quite for prime time.

I see two problems.

1. Fixed-width - C'mon guys.  Did you only test with one word updates?  That's a lot of wasted screen space.
   
2. Double "is" - Facebook users hated the is so much that Facebook caved and made it optional.  Now Yahoo adds an extra one?  Way to go, Skippy!

I'm sure these will may get fixed, but someone skimped on the QA.

Update: It's a little better now, but not much.  Plus, why do I need to know what I am doing?

Remember, you heard it here first.  Not here or here.  Although using their terminology, MySpace is AOL 2.0 and Facebook is AOL 2.1.

And to get a jump on things:

• Twitter is IM 2.0
• Pounce is Twitter 2.0
• Second Life is Porn 2.0
  
• "2.0" is the new black

Check out Richard Stelmach's mock up of Facebook in 40 years.  I would have added a few earrings and leathery tattoos, but it's pretty funny.

I'm an arrogant bastard.  Let's just get out of the way.  No need to tell me because I already know.  It's one of the burdens of usually being right.  Now, on with the show.

I've always had a strong dislike for those social networking sites like myspace.com and facebook.com.  I've considered them the AOL of the new century.  i.e. a place where really novice users go because they don't know any better.  AOL earned its infamy when they connected their users to the internet many years ago and USENET was flooded with with n00bs and "me too" emails.  There was nothing that AOL offered that wasn't available somewhere else, for free, and was better.  Still, it was very popular because it catered to new and inexperienced users.

AOL's popularity has waned as the general population gets more tech-saavy.  Today, if you want to find the most clueless people, you can find them at social networking sites trying to make "friends."  I try to understand why these sites are popular and the only reason I can find is that they are "easy."  These sites offer nothing new or unique but they are trendy and let you play music on your page.

Today there are news stories about a Facebook revolt over so called "News Feeds."  Apparently, Facebook users are shocked - shocked! - that if you post lots of personal information about yourself on a public web page that everyone can see it!  Oh, the pitiful life of a n00b!  Now the lazy stalkers can track your every move instead of just the vigilent ones.  RSS: Really Sinister Syndication

Facebook's response is also amusing: "we agree, stalking isn’t cool"  Sounds like that should be your company motto since MySpace already has, "MySpace: not just for pedophiles anymore!"

Tags: aol facebook myspace
September 07, 2006 03:49 PM PDT Permalink | Comments [3] |