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Why Facebook sucks

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Re: Why Facebook sucks

#2
Uhhh...maybe I'm missing something, but who cares about Facebook being an address book?

"Reddit sucks -- you can't use it to reserve seats at your local movie theater! You know what else you can't do? Thwart velociraptors. When is someone going to release a social news site which allows me, the user, to outwit a raptor? Google is, as usual, our only hope."

I dunno, maybe I wouldn't be so flippant if I had invented RSS and was, apparently, in constant contact with Robert Scoble ;)

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#4
post #2

Uhhh...maybe I'm missing something, but who cares about Facebook being an address book? "Reddit sucks -- you can't use it to reserve seats at your local movie theater! You know what else you can't do? Thwart velociraptors. When is someone going to release a social news site which allows me, the user, to outwit a raptor? Google is, as usual, our only hope." I dunno, maybe I wouldn't be so flippant if I had invented RS…

The real point is that it doesn't give you control over your data while profiting off of it.

Others have said this in different ways before but it bears repeating.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#5
post #4
post #2

Uhhh...maybe I'm missing something, but who cares about Facebook being an address book? "Reddit sucks -- you can't use it to reserve seats at your local movie theater! You know what else you can't do? Thwart velociraptors. When is someone going to release a social news site which allows me, the user, to outwit a raptor? Google is, as usual, our only hope." I dunno, maybe I wouldn't be so flippant if I had invented RS…

The real point is that it doesn't give you control over your data while profiting off of it. Others have said this in different ways before but it bears repeating.

Maybe, but the thing is...Facebook is pretty awesome.

I know that probably sounds a little juvenile, but that's the attitude that most of its users have. They could care less about having control of their data. The vast majority have no clue that Facebook could give them control of their data, and even if it happened they wouldn't know what to do with it.

"Hey neat, I downloaded my Facebook. I wonder if I'm supposed to play XML files in iTunes or Powerpoint..."

The only thing that millions of people would (not could) potentially do with their Facebook data is: move away from Facebook, given a better alternative. I haven't yet seen a solid argument for why Facebook should open up that data. Maybe there are decent ethical/moral/rhetorical reasons, but none which make business sense for Facebook and the majority of their customers...

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#6
I'm convinced that people who slate facebook haven't really used it. It is currently my most effective means of communicating with friends and family. And I don't think I've ever come across such a polished application before, web-based or otherwise.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#7
post #6

I'm convinced that people who slate facebook haven't really used it. It is currently my most effective means of communicating with friends and family. And I don't think I've ever come across such a polished application before, web-based or otherwise.

Agreed. They're better stewards of my social data than I could ever be.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#8
post #6

I'm convinced that people who slate facebook haven't really used it. It is currently my most effective means of communicating with friends and family. And I don't think I've ever come across such a polished application before, web-based or otherwise.

He's not arguing that facebook isn't an effective means of communication or a good web-app.

His (valid) point is that users put all their information into facebook without being able to take it back out when they want. There's an imbalance there and it does suck.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#9
post #5
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The real point is that it doesn't give you control over your data while profiting off of it. Others have said this in different ways before but it bears repeating.

Maybe, but the thing is...Facebook is pretty awesome. I know that probably sounds a little juvenile, but that's the attitude that most of its users have. They could care less about having control of their data. The vast majority have no clue that Facebook could give them control of their data, and even if it happened they wouldn't know what to do with it. "Hey neat, I downloaded my Facebook. I wonder if I'm supposed…

I concur, and ignorance is bliss :)

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#10
post #8
post #6

I'm convinced that people who slate facebook haven't really used it. It is currently my most effective means of communicating with friends and family. And I don't think I've ever come across such a polished application before, web-based or otherwise.

He's not arguing that facebook isn't an effective means of communication or a good web-app. His (valid) point is that users put all their information into facebook without being able to take it back out when they want. There's an imbalance there and it does suck.

Well the article is entitled 'Why Facebook Sucks'. I personally don't agree that the point is valid. What you have in Facebook is a list of contacts for other Facebook users. It wouldn't be that useful outside of Facebook.
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