Facebook: I Love You – I Hate You (Part I)
Dear Facebook:
We’ve been spending a lot of time together recently. I think we should finally open up and be honest. While I love so much about you, you drive me crazy. And here’s why…
Over the past 13 years working in web development, I’ve planned and managed over 50 large, content management system/database driven websites. If one of my projects ended up with your usability, my ass would’ve been fired long ago.
Your interface screams classic Unix developer. It’s clean and things are organized, it’s not intuitive, logical or friendly for ordinary people. Being with you is too much damn work.
You need an extreme makeover. Hire some former Apple designers who understand how to use colors, space, gradients, fonts and titles for normal human beings. How can your iPhone application be easier and nicer than your website? Maybe simplicity is the key. I’m overwhelmed by ALL the options that are available ALL the time.
We’ll chat more later.
XXOO,
Gary
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Comments
But here’s the thing that’s so interesting about Facebook – the value surpasses the need for good usability. Yes, people complain (do you remember the petitions when they launched the new layout?), but they continue to use the service.
Don’t tell the usability folks, because this just means legions of clients think they won’t need to worry about it. But the fact remains: clunky or not, people will make the effort to use something if it is of value.
It’s all a matter of degree – facebook is better than myspace, who knows what will come next?
Andrea: I agree! It’s amazing how popular Facebook is despite itself. Maybe that’s part of what annoys me. Just imagine the potential if Facebook’s developers worked with Apple’s (specifically the iPhone’s) usability experts.
Maybe the “Next Big Thing” will be something with super-easy usability that ties all these various social media tools together easily. I know “pipes” exists, but it, too, is intimidating for average users.
Or maybe standalone app like iTunes that can leverage all the functionality of these popular website, but offer user-friendly, non-browser based skin to manage it.
I guess time will tell 
Caroline on February 7, 2009 @ 12:06 pm
RIGHT! I totally agree with you. Mr. FB should meet Mr. Bunnysmith.