February 5: New Facebook Layout
Facebook again changed its layout today and to be honest this time, unlike the other changes to the original layout before, I like it!
Perhaps, you don’t. But let me tell you why I like it first.
Here you can see pictures of the new one against the old one. Let’s compare these. (Click on either of images to see in full size.)
Old Facebook Layout
New Facebook Layout
- First icon to notice in this new layout is the new Friend Requests sub-window thingy which is very handy. If you take a look at this feature in the old layout, you can see it was just under or over the requests part. Which was rational, cause it’s a friend REQUEST after all. But it was perhaps not in the right place for ease of use? My choice: New Layout
Why: OK, so I personally get a lot of requests in there and although sometimes friend requests aren’t that much, they used to get mixed up due to friend requests being displayed in the same place as other ones. Now I can be sure they don’t! - Messages are probably the only way to privately contact someone on Facebook. Although we all know some people forget about that all the time. Messages were kind of ‘hidden’ before, as you can see it was in ‘Inbox’. And some people didn’t know they have to go through their inbox to send/reply to messages, too. Now it’s fixed! It says messages and it organises them beautifully!My choice: New Layout
Why: Even though Social Networking is all about messaging, messages weren’t all that nice in Facebook. Now with this new layout change, I can enjoy messaging even more! - Notifications! Perhaps the most controversial change of all. The notifications are now on top! Sorry to spoil the surprise (or the nightmare for some) if you still haven’t got the new layout. But it’s true. It’s faster, it’s easier to view and it completely stays IN the page. This is looking good so far!My choice: New Layout
Why: I love notifications more than anything else in Facebook. And it’s looking nicer right now and the bugs seemed to have been fixed. It’s fast and that’s how I like my notifications to be! - Before looking at this one, first ask yourself this question: do you change settings of your account everyday? And more importantly even if you do, do you care if you spent like half a second more than before? I’m guessing you answered no to both questions. And that’s also why making the Account section more general and all-in-one menu is better.My choice: New Layout
Why: Wasted space in the old layout caused by unnecessary direct menus to account settings and logout in different locations. I like the new layout’s compact approach better. - This feature is a new one and not even available in the old layout. Now you get to see your own profile image and name in your own window! Makes sense doesn’t it? Kind of makes me question myself why haven’t they made that until now. It’s that much needed.My choice: New Layout
Why: Now I get to see my own profile pic whenever I sign in to my facebook. Well, you might think it’s a waste of bandwith and space but I think it makes it look more customized. - Friends online feature is also a new one, although it was previously available through chat. Now you can see who’s online without the need to click Chat and wait for a few seconds just for it to load to scroll around and… well you know the rest. Got to say I’m not a fan of Facebook chat because of it being unreliable, but this feature is awesome!My choice: New Layout
Why: Even for me this feature is great, because it enourages you to engage in communication and helps you see who’s online and message them easily. Two words: Love it! - Every good plan has its kinks and bad points. This is probably the new layouts low point. You won’t notice it much if you don’t chat regularly, but I’m being told by many friends that it’s not handy due to the chat box being seperated from the rest of the bottom pane making it stand out too much and annoy you at times. Personally it’s not much a change for me but when I looked closely it does look somehow out of place.My choice: Old Layout
Why: The chat box really looked better on the old one. Sorry Facebook, but it’s going to be only 6 out of 7. A great new layout though!That was my view on the new and old layouts, let me know your opinions whether you agree or disagree in the comments section!
RSS 2.0 feed
Amazing blog!
There’re actually fantastic designs.
What contraction were you trying to produce when you created this atrocious abuse of the English language?
Ano Reply:
A damn funny one.