This idea was touched on in last week's column: that internet applications, used by millions, may suddenly change their layout, radically alter their modus operandi, and leave people feeling disorientated and slightly confused as a result.
This week it's becoming a hotter topic because, according to the Facebook developer's blog, there's less than a week to go before the new layout of Facebook – which, until now, has been optional to use – will become compulsory. There'll be no switching back to the old way. And there are at least 666,682 people who aren't happy about it.
It's fascinating to contrast the buzz and excitement that occurs when new versions of desktop software – operating systems, browsers and the like – are released, with the wide-eyed horror that you see when a website or web application has an overhaul or an upgrade. This week sees a minor increment in the release history of the Firefox web browser – 3.1 alpha build 2 is out there, should you want to try it – and people are salivating over the various strides forward that it might make. Countless blog-inches are spent speculating over the contents of Apple's next operating system, known as Snow Leopard, and when it's finally released you'll see an almighty rush to buy it, test it, play with it and coo over its features.
But dare to introduce new features in Hotmail – sorry, Windows Live Hotmail – or YouTube, or Yahoo!, or Facebook, and you can almost feel the exasperation. The difference is, of course, that those who choose to upgrade desktop software are doing so because they want to; they're excited about advancements in technology and want to be at the cutting edge. The latter group, however, are more interested in using a familiar interface in the way they've always used it. You can't really blame them for that; being forced to change your habits against your will is never pleasant. But nor can you blame the companies who are always seeking to improve their sites, take advantage of new web technologies, and have a go at improving the user experience.
But you only have to look at the comments on the Facebook group linked to above to see that, at least for some people, these particular attempts haven't hit the mark. "Hell wit dis new facebook," says one. "dere r reasonz y facebook is so popular an kl in d 1st place..so y change dem??" Well put. "The new layout is simply too radical," says another. "Don't like change."
Fact is, without wanting to indulge in a detailed analysis of the site, it's not that bad. They've re-organised things here, they've moved things around there – but with a site as popular as Facebook, you can be sure that those kind of decisions weren't made without extensive reference to people's clicking habits, and the way the site is used.
I sometimes imagine that if decisions regarding website upgrades were made by some democratic, user-driven process, nothing would ever change. The anti-Facebook Facebook group clearly believe that amassing a huge number of people and getting them to whine might make a difference: "If enough of us hate it they'd HAVE to change it back!" they say. Thing is, 666,682 people is less than 0.66% of the number of Facebook users worldwide. Doesn't sound like much of a mandate to me.
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Over the past couple of weeks, I've grown to suspect that I'm the only person in the world (or at least among my friends) who actually likes the new layout! I've been using it since it first became an option, and although it took a bit of getting used to at first I wouldn't switch back now.
Posted by: last year's girl | Tuesday, 09 September 2008 at 09:23 AM
An analogy occurred to me: getting a new version of a browser is a bit like getting a new car. Most people don't care anyway and carry on with the old banger till it falls apart and they have no choice but to change. Others drool Clarkson-like over the latest must have sexy thing.
OTOH Facebook, Google, Hotmail etc, these are like the roads we drive that old or new car on. People that run transport systems - governments, councils, etc - might "consult" over changes (or charges) but at the end of the day, barring total incompetence, they are going to go ahead and do the thing they wanted to do in the first place.
That's why I suppose it's a bit like a kind of motorway but for information, not cars.
Posted by: Jerry Bakewell | Tuesday, 09 September 2008 at 11:47 PM
I too have been using the new facebook since it appeared and have no problems with it. There are a few minor annoyances, it is virtually impossible to reorder the boxes on the boxes page, but far more benefits to make up for that.
Posted by: Marysia | Wednesday, 10 September 2008 at 11:37 AM
I counted dozens of groups protesting the new facebook design. One group has doubled in size in one week's time to 2,000,000 members. Even considering duplicate memberships, the numbers of people against the new design must be approaching 3,000,000 conservatively. Could not readily find any groups in support of it. Yet, they don't seem to care.
Posted by: Gary Miller | Wednesday, 17 September 2008 at 01:08 AM
Today's column in the independent was incorrect to say that the old facebook can no longer be accessed. There is a facebook group called "GOOD NEWS: HOW TO GET THE OLD FACEBOOK BACK". This group page contains instructions on how to access the old facebook. I am still using the old facebook myself.
With regard to what is wrong with the new layout - from a visual point of view, I believe any photographer will agree that it is like looking at a badly composed photograph. A good layout, like a good photograph, should have a central focus with any lesser items to each side, which is exactly what the old facebook layout has and the new one does not.
From a phychological point of view, being forced to use the new layout is analogous to another experience I once had. It is like coming home to find a well-meaning friend had rearranged all the items in your kitchen cupboards to be where they know everything is in their own kitchen. So you try to cook a meal and you waste so much time because you don't know where anything is. Of course, if you settle for the new arrangement you will eventually know where everything is, but why go to all that time and trouble?
Posted by: Ruth Bingham | Wednesday, 24 September 2008 at 02:38 PM