Hate the New Facebook Format? Listen Up.

When I logged into Facebook this morning, I noticed two things. First, the way the news feed is displayed had been overhauled. Second, my Facebook friends had launched a futile campaign of protest against the changes. I'm not a big fan of the new news feed, and it seems like nobody else is either. 

While I'm sure that will change over time as people get used to it, there is one thing that won't change: Facebook users will not be in control of the appearance of Facebook.com, with the exception of those things that Facebook allows you to change. It is, after all, Facebook's web site. They can do what they want, and they have no fear of the user. What are we going to do, stop paying them? 

But there are some things you can do to minimize your irritation with the busy-looking, double news feed.

 1. Use a different medium to access facebook.

 Those of us that use Facebook regularly likely have more than one way to reach the site. For instance, my phone has a simple Facebook app that pulls data from the site, and displays it in a way compatible with my phone. Here, I've got a regular, old news feed and the new changes are nowhere to be found. If I update that app, that may change, but because of the way the app talks to Facebook, I'm in the clear for now.

This is because the phone uses the Facebook API to communicate with Facebook's server.  For those that are wondering, API is an acronym for "Application Programming Interface" and is the same technology used to create those Facebook games that are all the rage. Right now, our only saving grace is that Facebook has an API, and that it is "open" to use by the public.

The general public, however, doesn't have the expertise required to just sit down one night and crank out a Facebook interface that meets their needs. If only a few skilled programmers are able to tackle this challenge, what good does it do you? 

However, there is more than one way to skin a cat, which brings me to my next point. 

2. Use a different browser.

If you don't like the way Facebook looks or performs in your web browser, you can try another. The superior ability to deal with Flash heavy web sites (like Facebook games) makes Google Chrome the go-to browser for Flash intensive sites. For a more drastic (and Facebook centered) look at Facebook, users may find the Rockmelt "social browser" is more convenient.  If you prefer to stick with your current browser, there are also a host of "extensions" that can help by modifying Facebook inline.  There are just so many different browsers and interfaces for Facebook out there that it would be impossible to list them all, so I will leave you to Google around for your perfect fit.

Finally, some parting words: All of the scrutiny Facebook is subject to, especially when changes are made, teaches us another important lesson on technology. Without that Facebook API being open to the public, there would be no opportunity for innovation.

Ever since the personal computer entered the marketplace, development of technology has taken place at an alarming rate. This is primarily because of the ability to entrepreneurs and tinkerers alike to inspect, experiment on, and eventually share a new use for that technology. Imagine if Facebook decided that only a few of their corporate buddies could access the API for a substantial fee. Innovation would all but disappear, the application developers would face increased costs which they would pass on to the users, and the whole house of cards topples.

Luckily, Facebook knows that the utility of their site depends on widespread adoption, so they are unlikely to close their API in the future. 

Have a question, technology pet peeve, or other topic you would like covered? E-mail the author at patchblog@budsandbytes.com