By now, it would be safe to say that nearly all Facebook users are familiar with the new Timeline feature. The new layout is much different than prior templates, which has caused some users to doubt the appeal of Timeline and chose not to make the switch. On January 24, Facbeook announced that within the next couple of weeks, all Facebook profiles would be non-optionally changed to the Timeline setting.
Change is nothing new to Facebook, the social media network seems to dramatically revamp its style several times a year; whether it be with adding the “poke” feature, or creating a new Farmville game. This new double column layout with cover photo gives the website a whole new look.
So what exactly is Timeline? According to PCMag.com, “Timeline is a section of a Facebook user’s account that replaces the Profile and Wall pages, and merges them together. It shows the story of your life, as you choose to tell it or as Facebook has recorded it, in a visual, scrolling, reverse-chronologically ordered timeline. It’s a cross between a visual blog and online scrapbook. Fun fact: Facebook Timeline was accidentally released very briefly to the public back in December 2010 when it was called “Facebook Memories,” but it was promptly removed.”
Timeline has made quite an impact on the Facebook world, particularly college students worldwide. While some, very few, people are enjoying the dramatic change, the Timeline feature is leaving many people in an uproar. To sum it up in the words of college senior, Mitchell Zimmermann, “It sucks.” To counteract his argument, senior Paige Dalesandro proudly states, “I wish there was a ‘dislike’ button, I’d prefer a ‘love’ button; but as for Timeline, I actually love it!” Not sure if you’re ready for the switch? Embrace the old Facebook while you can, because once you convert to Timeline, there is no ‘undo’ button!
