Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Media/ Publishing Issues - second issue

2. Facebook makeover leaves some devotees fuming

Full launch of the new-look Facebook has left many of the social networking website's 100 million users fuming. The California firm said the new site has a faster, more streamlined and spam-resistant format but many devotees are in a state of rebellion.

The new design lets Facebook members use tabs to give priority to fresh pictures, messages, or "feeds" on main profile pages and compartmentalise mini-applications and "static" information such as curriculum vitae.

The changes are motivated by feedback from users as well as a trend toward people flooding the internet with videos, pictures, and musings they want to instantly share, said Facebook vice president of marketing Chamath Palihapitiya.

Walsh (2006, p.30) stated that internet sites vary in the modes they use including combining words and images with logo, menu bars , hyperlink and many more. It is useful to navigate users, to attract them and maintain their interest. So when facebook changed their layout, it is meant to assist users of facebook to have easier access to it. For instance, the Facebook members use tabs to give priority to fresh pictures, messagers or feeds on main profile pages. The California Firm also said it is faster and more streamlined that before.

Even though many may think it is not convenient, Facebook still maintained the change because people may be not get used to the new layout. Once they know about the layout and features, they will like it.

For online layout, publishers have to keep it simple and tidy with useful information provided. The layout also must be convenient for users to use.

Reference List:

Facebook makeover leaves some devotees fuming, 2008, ABC.com.au, viewed on 16th June 2009, http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24328928-15318,00.html.

Walsh, M 2006, `the Textual Shift: Examining the reading process with print, visual and multimodal texts`, Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol.29, no.1, viewed on 16th June 2009, http://search.informit.com.au.ezlibproxy.unisa.edu.au/fullText;res=AEIPT;dn=149631.


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