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Why Facebook sucks

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21–28 of 28 posts

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#21

Post by boucher »

almost wrote: post #11

What about the API? It wouldn't be at all hard to make a "Facebook-exporter" application using that. The question is: why would I bother doing that? Facebook is crap as an address book, it's the other bits that are useful... Whatever other reasons there are to think Facebook sucks I don't think this is one.

It's also worth noting that you can't get e-mail or any other contact info from the API.

What's interesting about this argument, is that facebook used to have a feature to export all your friends to vCards. I asked their VP of Product Marketing recently why they got rid of the feature, and he claimed it was to protect users from spam. "Facebook is all about edge cases, and we haven't had the time to focus on the problems that would cause", or something to that effect.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#22

Post by Goladus »

boucher wrote: post #21
almost wrote: post #11

What about the API? It wouldn't be at all hard to make a "Facebook-exporter" application using that. The question is: why would I bother doing that? Facebook is crap as an address book, it's the other bits that are useful... Whatever other reasons there are to think Facebook sucks I don't think this is one.

It's also worth noting that you can't get e-mail or any other contact info from the API. What's interesting about this argument, is that facebook used to have a feature to export all your friends to vCards. I asked their VP of Product Marketing recently why they got rid of the feature, and he claimed it was to protect users from spam. "Facebook is all about edge cases, and we haven't had the time to focus on the prob…

I think spam is the biggest reason, after the inherent difficult of developing client-side apps, that online social networks growing towards email were more successful than email growing towards social networks.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#23

Post by utnick »

henning wrote: post #3

I'm hoping Facebook will acquire the same stigma that AOL, an older data roach motel/walled garden, did.

I think a facebook-aim comparison is far better than a facebook-aol one

aol instant messenger is still BY FAR the most popular im network in America

Geeks and hackers can sit here and say the world would be better if everyone used Jabber or some other open protocol, but it won't catch on because...

1) people like aim 2) their friends are on aim

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#24

Post by zaidf »

kmt wrote: post #17
zaidf wrote: post #15

Most college folks would celebrate if all the Winers of the world abandoned facebook.

Not clear. What do you mean?

99.9% of facebook users don't care about how "open" facebook is--until it remains a very useful social tool.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#25

Post by veritas »

zaidf wrote: post #24
kmt wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not clear. What do you mean?

99.9% of facebook users don't care about how "open" facebook is--until it remains a very useful social tool.

So because a majority doesn't care, we're not allowed to critically assess Facebook's shortcomings or voice our opinions over its policies?

Winer is simply stating his opinion and pointing out the lack of openness when it comes to Facebook's data.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#26

Post by zaidf »

veritas wrote: post #25
zaidf wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

99.9% of facebook users don't care about how "open" facebook is--until it remains a very useful social tool.

So because a majority doesn't care, we're not allowed to critically assess Facebook's shortcomings or voice our opinions over its policies? Winer is simply stating his opinion and pointing out the lack of openness when it comes to Facebook's data.

If Winer was stating his opinion, so was I:)

Perhaps I should have been more clear: I think facebook is pretty open, I don't think there is an immediate need for facebook to make it easy for users to move to other networks.

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#27

Post by reidman »

fauigerzigerk wrote: post #13
reidman wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

If it was possible to export that data there would be apps to help people to process it further. No need to stumble around in XML piles. Your "makes no business sense" argument is not even Web 1.0 ;-) It's the ages old argument that was brought forward wrt Office file formats, pre TCP/IP network protocols and an endless list of other lock-in strategies. Even Microsoft has shed that retro attitude to some degree exact…

Your post and the one above by Goladus have helped me change my attitude towards this. Thanks for your replies.

That "pre-Web 1.0" stab wound will certainly take time to heal, though ;)

Re: Why Facebook sucks

#28

Post by zaidf »

Harj wrote: post #8
jsmcgd wrote: 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.

No sane company would open itself completely after only few years of existence.

First, obviously it is a social networking fest out there and facebook would be scared--even as it leads--of potential competitors. That is a valid reason to not open up.

Secondly, opening up at any level has lots of implications, especially concerning privacy. I would say we should be pretty happy with the direction facebook is going in. Few years into existence and it has built a promising application platform.

To all the folks saying that facebook will die the AOL way: they can, but not with the current team. If a day comes when facebook's existence is threatend because they are not opening up enough, guess what? They'll open up some more.

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