Facebook Lite Review
A blog post about my personal opinions of the benefits for using Facebook Lite
Author: Matthew Wittering | Published: 21st September 2009
The last time I blogged it was in anticipation of the new Facebook Lite service. Now I have used the service for about seven to ten days, I would like to publish my opinions. I have found using the service pleasurable and look to continue using the Lite version in preference to the full version for the foreseeable future.
The decision to swap from the full fat mayonnaise to the diet version of Facebook was simple. Currently I find like many friends believe the service is grinding to a halt under the weight of its users. This slowing is manifesting itself as crashing client scripting in both the main site and chat program.
I suppose most of the problems users experience could be the result of network latency from more concurrent connections to the service because of the waning light of autumn and recession. Simply put, people are turning in greater number to indoor activities for entertainment now summer is over.
So why is a version of Facebook with less functionality of interest? I use the iPhone and iPod Touch version of the service because it is extremely simple to check status updates, wall posts and notifications while on the go during the pauses life affords. The interface is clean and depending upon network coverage and speed, quick. The same is true for Facebook Lite. Its quick, simple, attractive and importantly for me uncluttered with information that simple does not interest me.
I do indeed allude to both Facebook's desirable and detestable feature, the Facebook Platform. As default the site bombards me with far to much information about the application(s) my friends are installing and using. I have no interest to be honest that Laura has progressed to such and such new level in an application I do not use.
As I channel David Mitchell or another equally talented comic with well honed dry wit, you probably believe I have know right to complain. I do after all use a free service developed around the premise that it is good for me to spends tens of minutes or hours at one sitting on Facebook messaging or playing games. The more time I expend the greater the probability I will click an advertisement which support the company.
The truth of the matter is, I cherish Facebook. I find the functionality of great benefit to remain in contact with people around the planet. I found the service irreplaceable. While living in the south of Spain for a year I was able to keep in touch with friends in Loughborough and see photos of them as they were able to see photos I published.
Facebook Lite is important because its shows what I consider to be the core information exchanged on Facebook, wall posts, photos, events, groups and fan sites and status updates. Facebook Lite like the iPhone application shows me this information with out the need for me to scroll through the page looking for the news actually relevant to me.
The irony is that Facebook Lite is the FriendFeed or Twitter I want. The killer feature of Facebook Lite is obvious to me. It shows the information important to me; information I have subscribed too. Nothing more, nothing else. Try it out at http://lite.facebook.com.
Links
- http://www.facebook.com
- http://lite.facebook.com
- http://www.matthewwittering.co.uk/blog/facebook-lite.htm
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence
I am a graduate of Lougborough University where I read Computing and Management BSc (Hons) earning a 2:1 classification.