Why I'm Giving Social Networking a Second Chance (Part 1)

Earlier I had mentioned that I had grudge against Myspace. At the time, the post was really filler, but now I think I should explain why I have such a disdain for Myspace...and until recently, all social networks. I've always hated Myspace, and not due to the idea of interconnecting users from across the world into groups of like minded individuals. (That, btw was a good idea)

In the end, I hate MySpace because it allowed the users,aka your friends, to say 'fuck you' to Design, Usability, and Communication. So in short, I hate Myspace because people are total fucktards when you let them be. Hell I only went to my sisters Myspace page twice and each time I couldn't get some Brook Hogan rap out of my head and couldn't focus on anything except the cursor which at the time I believe was a dancing monkey. I get the Idea that people like to show off the stuff they are interested in....and I'm not saying that you can't make Facebook totally unusable either.

But it's a step above MySpace in overall usability and design.

I've had a Facebook account since they launched their platform back in May, but had completely missed out on how good it was until today. Today is the first time I got passed the login screen. That's right, I've had an account since May and had yet to log in....I was totally avoiding it like the plague.  The reason for that was thrice fold.

1. Myspace (I won't even do it the service of adding a link) had already scared me off to the concept of social platforms. Oh look I can change my stylesheet....Awesome...Black text on a Black background....Brilliant....I'll play annoying music.....Fanf#@$Tastic.....oh and ads please.....you know the kind, he kind that goes “HELLLLLLLLOOO” as your boss walks past your computer... or that I can't even send a message to my brother on his comments because I can't even find the button on his page to do it.
   
2. I was to busy mocking Myspace to care. And even told friends I was leaving for Live spaces. 
   
3. Noone in my immediate group was ever in them. Well, let me correct that. There were people that were in them, they just never asked for me to join them. That's right Josh Sager, I'm calling you out. I mean that's why I won't deinstall my Pownce...I actually really like Pownce, but I think all my friends are only using Twitter. No one is in my Pownce friends is active except Justine....but I mean she'll try anything once. This reason makes me assume noone uses it that I know.  So in the end I don't use them till “everyone” is. I'm pretty sure Incarna doesn't even know what Pownce (and possibly even Facebook) is.

I also love the idea of how Facebook hass opened up their API for their apps, which makes me super excited by the news Michael Arrington released yesterday about Google. In fact I'll be writing more about it's implications on the future of the web, tomorrow.

Since I'm still technically new to the Facebook I may change my mind as I get to start using it...but I'll keep you updated. And if anyone has anything I that I should be checking out in Facebook, let me know!  You can do it through Facebook or this site.

Update 1: Omg, Their friend integration system, alone, utilizing AOL and my already existing mail contacts made me want to say....”you had me at....the login screen”.....

Update 2: First Application Installed, is the Bob Dylan application. =) I'm sure it will get old but I thought it was nifty, but not as evil as the Dexter video application found here, Incarna and I got our secretary seriously flipping out, on that one.

Tagged with: API, Bob Dylan, FaceBook, Google, Josh Sager, Justine Ezarik, Michael Arrington, Myspace, Pounce