Category: Let's talk
The world's biggest social networking site has launched a slimmed-down version for people with slow or poor internet connections.
Facebook has said the Lite site will be faster and simpler because it offers fewer services than the main site.
Initially it is meant to support users in developing countries and where bandwidth constraints make the current version too slow to use.
At the moment it is only available in India and the US.
The company said around 70% of its more than 250 million users were from outside America. Countries in Southeast Asia and Europe are seeing a massive increase
in growth where fast internet connections are more common.
News that Facebook was testing the Lite site was first leaked in August.
'Twitter-like'
The options on Facebook Lite are limited to letting users write on their wall, post photos and videos, view events and browse other people's profiles. There
are no apps or special boxes.
"It appears, at a quick glance, to be a better site for Facebook newbies or for anyone who finds the current site overwhelming and noisy," said Rafe Needleman
at technology website Cnet.
Facebook developers conference, BBC
More than 70% of users are outside the United States
"The new layout feels almost Twitter-like."
Terence O'Brien at Switched.com gave the slimmed-down version of what he called "ol' blue" the thumbs-up because it "strips away distractions".
"The simple site loads noticeably faster, is easier to navigate, and is much easier on the eyes thanks to the lack of people sending you 'virtual booze'
or asking you to join their 'vampire fraternity'.
"The new layout seems like a direct challenge to Twitter, which can attribute much of its success to is simplicity and portability," said Mr O'Brien.
'Worldwide rollout'
Many industry watchers said they believed that even users with good internet connections might well flock to Facebook Lite because of its new look and ease
of use.
"That is what some US users are planning to do," said Eric Eldon of InsideFacebook.com
"Indeed the reaction from US users has prompted Facebook to release it intentionally for US users, something it hadn't previously planned on doing."
Mr Eldon said he believed a "worldwide rollout doesn't seem too far away".
Facebook screen shot 2005 and 2006
Fans of Facebook Lite have said it is like a return to the early days
Facebook has acknowledged this is a possibility in a statement on the site which said the firm was "working on translating Lite into other languages".
So far those who have posted comments on Facebook seem to like the company's new Lite approach.
"It's good to see Facebook listening to their users," wrote one user.
Another said: "Facebook Lite should be great for college campuses like mine that are hung up on bandwidth."
Having no third-party apps on the site also garnered a fair amount of support.
"The no-apps thing is killer. There's nothing about them I'll miss," noted one user, while another said: "Whatever you do, please, PLEASE do not allow the
quizzes, games, or apps to ruin this pristine version of Facebook."
Anyone who switches to Facebook Lite and does not like it can switch back to the fuller version of the site.
This sounds totally wonderful! The only thing is, I wish it would let you join and view groups. They also didn't give the website for it. Is this the same thing as
http://m.facebook.com
Anyway, gonna try it. *smile* I hate the way Facebook's become so cluttered lately.
Okay, it's
http://lite.facebook.com
Very strange indeed. I'm trying it with the Mac and can't even find an edit box in which to write my status. They do have a write option but it doesn't take you to a box and then a post button. It takes you to an edit box and then to a post photo button. Maybe, I just need more time to figure out out or maybe it's better on XP.
So what exactly are the differences between Facebook lite and the mobile version of the site?
I haven't played around with it long enough to tell, but I know you can do some things in groups with the mobile version and it allows you to use aps. Also, the box to type in your status is easily found.
I have WinXP, and no edit box for the status to be found. I left feedback about it.
Ah I'll be interested to see how this new version works. Personally I can't stand all of the third party apps on fb now. Also as time goes on I've found the site more and more confusing to navigate - and some of the features not as accessible as could be.
Glad it's not just me. I joined in December of last year but only really started using it a few months ago. Even in that time, they've done alot of shit. I don't know why they have to take a concept like that and make a mess of it.
yeah there are a lot of features that are not accessible... like there is a lot that one can edit from one's profile page, without going into edit profile, but it's all visual and though there are writing fields, they are not redable by jaws and therefore one cannot use forms mode etc. I have also found that there are lot of visual buttons for deleting people an all sorts of things that are invisible to jaws. Besides all that the layout is confusing and terible imo. wow I feel better now after b*tching a lil :)
hey, I agree with y'all!
Facebook just sucks!
Suckie suckie fucky facebookE! oops I'm in a silly mood.
But I checked out facebook light, very cool. Same with the status updates thing, though. Ah well. I'd compare this to basic HTML in Gmail: If you have a phone/note taker, you might be able to use it to get more features, like better profile editing. Other than that, I'd still say that m.facebook.com is more accessible - wish you could access that with a browser though
What browser are you using? It should work fine in IE 7 and 8 as well as Firefox.
Yeah, it works in IE, WebbIE, Firefox and Safari in Leopard. Also, I didn't know that there were buttons and things that JFW etc can't read other than the one that let's you delete aps. I hate that we can't do that. I need to have a trusted sighted friend go into my account and get rid of some.
yeah it is with the deleting apps and with deleting friends