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Could widgets find their way onto Facebook?
Widgets on Facebook. Is this a way to add clutter, or add valuable content?There is a rumor buzzing around the WorldWideWeb that Facebook users could start to see the ability to add in widgets to their profiles. This could be seen as a disaster, or an improvement. I'm voting for the disaster. Currently the site is extremely clean and easy to navigate. Facebook serves its purpose to a T at present, hooking up friends and staying in touch. Cluttering the space with audio, video, and other distracting content pushes it to the mess that is now evident on the MySpace social network.
What are your thoughts? Would widgets benefit the user experience? Or wreck it?
Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsDiddleApr 18th 2007 2:46PM
I ditched Myspace because of all that horrid web design, start-without-asking audio and video BS. I seriously hope they reconsider.
Engineer_ThisApr 18th 2007 3:01PM
I don't think this will necessarily be a disaster. Knowing Facebook, it will be a very controlled experiment. I'm sure they'll have a dedicated spot on every profile page where 3rd party widgets could be added. I highly doubt they'll allow the changing of backgrounds and other things. The clean format is what attracts people to Facebook. I think they understand that.
keevesApr 18th 2007 3:11PM
I would agree with the comment above, there is no way that facebook will allow a myspace free for all. [i hope!!] If you look at the slight new modifications to layout about a week ago, facebook are trying to reduce clutter as much as possible, and allowing widgets to people's profile would immediately ruin that.
If facebook did however add the facility, i doubt very much whether they would be able to remove it without a massive backlash... so they better get it right first time!!
JezApr 18th 2007 4:24PM
I'm for and against :)
I'm with diddle in that I left SpySpace for facebook because of all the mess and peoples terrible redesigns. But a well thought out Photo widget could work out really well, as well as the ability to embed videos from YouTube.
They should support the communitys ability to design widgets, but I think Facebook should reserve the right to be able to control the size and placement, so that the new easy to navigate and designed site keeps it clean feel!
JeffApr 18th 2007 9:44PM
Facebook is already starting to move past it's simple beginnings. My log-in page now has a sponsored ad as part of my "news."
Widgets are fun personalization tools... but I think it would change the whole feel of facebook (which is already changing - and I'm not sure it's for the better.) I would not be a fan of facewidgets. :(
Chris RoweApr 19th 2007 7:35AM
I think this is a much needed feature. They can easily control the content. How about an "Add widget" feature, where you can either enter your flickr/twitter username. Limit it to specific services and avoid myspace-messiness