Well, Facebook's ambitions are rapidly distancing them from their subscribers. Expect a huge revolt. Soon enough, there will be a new kid on the block.
I am seeing enormous rosters of complains, and - not only no helpful responses - that familiar dead look in the eyes we've come to recognize from seeing too many Presidential campaigns.
People, as a rule, do NOT like changes. When these changes appear to be motivated by competition from other portals, like the leading Find-It-Fast Searcher, Google, and not in support of their very subscriber base, it's just a bunch of "new rules" to which we are forced to learn, not an improvement, as they'd like us to believe. It's a gimmick, we get that.
Here's a dead giveaway:
Whenever you see the word "relevant," it means Google. That's their war banner. It took hold once they evolved from a search engine, past their maps across the globe, to now, where they are leveraging those maps for profit from businesses located in their "Google Places." Now Facebook has a "Places" place, too, just like Google, only completely different. And totally irrelevant.
Confused? Thank Facebook. They're not making improvements, they're squirming.
You're paying for their misdirection, too. Time is money. How much have you spent trying to figure your way around their useless improvements?
From the Place Of Face: "We are excited to introduce major improvements to Pages. (They are not actually excited; more like frightened.) These new features," FB continues, "will help you manage communication, express yourself, and increase engagement." [That, also, is a load of Horse Droppings.]
Let's look at this mess they left all over the road.
"Facebook Better Communication"
FB says many people "have asked for better ways to keep up with activity on their Page." That's not true; the horse again. Most people haven't differentiated between their FB Profile and their FB "Page." The new FB PAGE is still daunting and confusing, as are the introduction of iFrames, as you'll see below in a correction hack.
Now FB is introducing a LIST OF FEATURES to help? And, now we KNOW they're in trouble: they must provide help. A lot of help. Entire new feature-laden assists. You just have to read all about it, make mistakes as you learn the new help and there you are. [That's moved on my meter from "fun" to "WORK," an activity for which we are supposed to be paid.]
Most FB users thought things were fine the way they were. We liked the Wall. But now, since an entire LIST must be introduced, we're figuring it must have been way worse than we thought. Look! Rats running on the docking! We better follow the vermin's lead and get out now while the deleting's good.
"More Opportunities for Expression"
FB says, "...introducing new opportunities for Pages...We recently launched a new Profile design...now, Pages will benefit from many of the same enhancements."
WHY? That garbage is already on your Profile page. Why reiterate on the other supposedly different page? Really, why?
FB: "...you can feature photos of your Page’s most recent experiences at the top
of your Page. You can highlight other Pages you are connected with as well as
the people who are managing your Page." There follow whole LISTS of
complaints from formerly content Facebook users who were used to the Wall and
are unable to control these new exposed photos.
From FB: no explanation, deaf ears, remain on message.
FB has became very much like a dysfunctional family, no consistency any more. Some pages have a "Like" while others don't. I get emails asking me to "like" a page, but, try as I may, cannot find that thumbs-up. It's getting to be an enormous chore. When, instead of addressing this, FB puts out a vibe that's it's hard work to keep up with their latest improvements, that's just inviting us all to go play together elsewhere. It was their game to lose and, byte by byte, they keep doing it. All that's needed to topple them is a site that does what FB USED TO do. And, they're out there. And, we're all shopping.
Finding new social sites, too. Too many other gatherings exist that don't require such involvement. They're fresh, easier, more user-friendly and don't rearrange the furniture while you're sleeping. They let you put up videos and pictures and it's EASY. We're all noticing.
"FB Will Improve Relevancy"
[read: FB is copying the outer surface of Google without comprehending why. "Relevancy" was introduced by Google, and whenever you hear it henceforth, it means the site that said it is in fear and, thusly motivated and is wanting to drag you in. Also, be careful of who is saying they're "excited." That's a code word meaning "I'm trying to express emotion because it will make my statement more believeable to the gullible." These same people have never really been excited before over anything legal, I'd bet on it.]
FB: "...excited to announce some new features to make your Page even more engaging for users. People can filter these by Top Posts, which shows the most interesting stories first, or by Most Recent..." In other words, they can predict and dictate what they think you're interested in and put what they determine isn't interesting at the bottom. For me, that now means reading from the bottom up.
If I sound like a squeaky wheel here, then let's make it a hit record while I bring in the chorus: (TINY sample follows of the squeaky complaint choir, INCLUDING a wonderful extemporaneous work-around)
...I just clicked to get a preview and don't know how it upgraded on its own. Any way to get back old style? I lost my music player on my page.
...Randomized order of photos at the top of the wall is a problem and inconsistent with what we were told at the Page Upgrade Webcast...that we could put a banner where the five photos are...but... can't...because FB randomizes...the 5 images show.
...FB took away the Information Box on the left side of the page with this...Now, people viewing my page don't know what the page is about....
...HERE'S THE FIX NOW THAT YOU'RE NOT SEEING ALL YOUR FRIENDS ANY MORE ON FACE BOOK: On the homepage click the "Most Recent" title on the right of the Newsfeed, then click on the drop down arrow beside it and select "Edit Options", click on "Show Posts From" and change the setting to "All Of Your Friends and Pages" (you can also access the "Edit Options" link at the very bottom of the facebook homepage on the right) Note: Business pages do not have a newsfeed however page owners should adjust the settings on their personal accounts...
[I delight in and appreciate the ingenious souls who figure out their own way around the ridiculous FB interferences:]
"...The Facebook upgrade will not defeat me! They took away the Information Box ...which was essential to tell fans what my page is about since that affects what they post and the quality of the Wall experience. So I figured a way to put that information into 5 photo images that are the ONLY photo images which show on the top of my wall...."
What can we do? Get used to it: JUST when you think, "everything will be OK, I can work around this foolishness," they add rock salt to our open wounds by telling us this lack of stability will continue:
FB: "We plan to develop even more features and improvements for Pages over the course of the coming months...."
Great. So, get in, buckle up, hold on and shut up, then, Facebook? 'Fraid not.
I USED to like it there. Don't drop by much at all anymore. Found much more friendly "places" that have names other than "Places" and actually listen to their subscribers, thanks anyway.
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