You know something big is going on, when Twitter discussion is dominated by discussion of another social network. Currently my Twitter feed is filled with thousands of comments discussing the recent changes on Facebook, and the upcoming changes currently being discussed at Facebook’s f8 Developer’s Conference. With sweeping changes, it is no surprise that Facebook is the talk of the town. Only yesterday everyone was complaining about the new features of Facebook (which surprisingly I liked this time). Well, now get prepared to be inundated with even more statuses of how Facebook has single-handedly ruined someone’s life because of some changes.
Cue the latest splash Facebook is making in the world of social media, this time with their aptly named Facebook Timeline. The name explains itself pretty well, every embarrassing thing you’ve ever put on Facebook is now available in an easy to use timeline! So, now that awful racial joke you happened to post back in 2006 can be accessed by any future political opponent easily. In all seriousness, there is some great uses to it as well. Let’s look a few of the changes:
- Timeline – This new function is probably the biggest change to social media. It creates a timeline of your life by using existing Facebook items (and items you can add later) and creates a timeline of the most important things going on in your life. It is something better viewed than explained. My timeline will probably consist of my most important life events, like haircuts, not going to the prom, and watching re-runs of Buffy. (I lead an exciting life.)
- Reports – Just an expansion on your Timeline. The reports can be compiled for months or for years, meaning you can see the important events in a friends life in a certain month or a year. I have no witty comment for this, because frankly it scares me too much.
- Photo Headers – Not to confuse with your profile picture, which you still have, but a new photo that tops your profile. This photo can be anything, well anything you could post on Facebook (this isn’t 4chan folks). Doesn’t have to be important, just whatever you feel in the mood for. Want to highlight a spot of photography you did last weekend? Want to show everyone how cute of a dog you have? Have a rash that you can’t identify? OK, so maybe that last one isn’t what should be used for, although I guess they can’t stop you.
- Social App Integration – Add app boxes onto your profile which keep your friends updated on every freakin’ move you’ve ever made. Want someone to know what you are cooking? (I’m not going to make the obvious Rock joke here, this isn’t 2001.) Want to show everyone your superior musical tastes? Want everybody to know that you are patient enough to watch a whole documentary? You can do this all through social app integration through Facebook partners like Netflix, Spotify, and more! (No, they aren’t collecting your data? Why would you ask such a silly thing? They’d never betray your trust like that!)
- Integration of Google + – Haha….just kidding. Those two will be fighting to the death. Which could make a semi-interesting reality TV special. Have each side choose their champion, and the winner takes all? Too primitive? You’re right, they need to do it on a cyber platform…..
