DISQUS

@Scott - http://ping.fm/apps/all/

Anyone who gives their login and password without taking the time to read what that site is going to do with their info and then complain about whatever said site does with that info - looks dumb. That site has a horrible UI, no privacy policy and is a feature you can find on socialtoo.com.

Workstir.com did something similar when we were in private beta. We clearly stated what the message was going to be and stated that the info would not be saved.

Use Ping.fm.

Stan,

Interesting analysis. One important fact that I think you overlooked was the ability for publishers to use xFBML anywhere in their site. With GFC you are limited to iframes. With xFBML you just include a facebook javascript file and a new name space to you doctype (top of your xhtml file) and then you can start using xFBML tags directly in your XHTML file. This provides a new level of customization for publishers and seamless integration of Connect far above that of GFC.

Nice man!

So when you say the buttons are "protruding" do you mean on the touchscreen?

sick.

A part of me wishes I took this amazingly weird photo.

That's a really great idea. Imagine a Wikipedia API mashed with a NYT API. Talk about some really interesting projects.

It doesn't matter, as soon as we become content OPEC will just drop the supply -- and BOOM $140 a barrel again. Wind is the future.

You obviously have no idea what you're talking about.

1. I don't work for Facebook.

2. Facebook does not develop those applications.

Research before you post.

So then Facebook also stole CNN's "layout" because CNN has a fluid top section just as Facebook does?

Layouts are based on standards in UX. The more data we have on how user's interact with websites, the more you will start seeing websites follow those standards.

For example, having a column on the left that anchors the vital information on the page. Why would most designers do this? Are they copying each other? No. They do this because data tells us that users read pages in an "F" shaped pattern, starting on the left, and gradually making an"F" pattern with their eyes. Google search it.

Good designers do things for reason -- not to copy someone else.

If you, or Multiply, have been following the new profile you would have seen the multiple mocks Facebook has shown their users, and the enormous amount of feedback they have received. This has been an ongoing process for the last 3 months (at least).

They did not just come up with this layout out of thin air. Some designer didn't just walk in Monday morning and slap this down and call it done. There has been months of planning, and iterations. The process was an open one, in which any Facebook user could have given feedback.

Ask any UI designer if they take theft of their work serious.

If you would like to continue the conversation please email me.

ryan@ryanmerket.com

What does that have to do with anything?

I have also design OpenSocial apps and Bebo apps...

Your point?

No bias here.

If Multiply would called out ANYONE on these grounds I would have posted the exact same thing.

Multiply has no ground in which to stand. I fail to see ANY possible form of UI theft.

As a UI designer, this is a huge deal -- you don't call someone out on theft of your UI unless you know for sure they did.

Multiply orchestrated this entire thing from the very first post Mashable made about the new design. They had 3-4 employees come on and leave comments saying that Facebook ripped them off. They must have peaked Mashable's interest with the comments, by doing so, they created a pretty graphic explaining why Multiply is better than Facebook, and a creative e-mail subject line that Mashable bit on, and published.

App spam driving you to use Multiply? Have you seen the privacy control Facebook offers?

You can easily remove yourself from app spam with a quick 2min trip to www.facebook.com/privacy

Not when the startup is stooping to this level of calling out another company for "stealing their design."

Think about it.

There's nothing to call out. The UI's are no where close to being similar.

You are "giving them their 10 minutes" by posting a story that is reeking of link bait.

They make a pretty graphic explaining why their social network is better than Facebook, without ever going into the design. Why? Because they know they are stretching by saying Facebook stole their design.

This was nothing more than a way to get in Mashable with a pretty graphic explaining why they are better than Facebook.

This is absolute Bullsh*t.

Nothing more than a lame PR attempt. The designs look NOTHING alike. And I'm not even talking about the right column (which is a proposed design for the new Facebook profile --and something they didnt go live with).

Multiply, your design consists of stock icons from istockphoto.com -- and you want to accuse Facebook of copying YOU? Give me a break, your UI is worthless, and looks to be done by an offshore firm.

Facebook has teams of designers working on their UI, do you really think they went to Multiply for pointers on the new design? Well, I don't just by looking at the starking differences in the quality of XHTML/CSS, and spacing issues in your UI.

Mashable, you should be ashamed of yourselves for giving these guys their 10 minutes of fame.

Move on -- nothing to see here.

PS) Multiply, PLEASE file a lawsuit on Facebook for "stealing your design" -- I would love to see you sell your IP in legal fees.

Users can "socialize" on Dotspotter, too. Create profiles, mobile, social widgets, and more.

I see Myspace users as the same demographic as the Clinton supporters, and the Facebook users as the same demographic as the Obama supporters.

Is this wrong?

Robert,

There is money in almost any kind of data... Sure there is a bit in who controls the social graph.

That being said, Facebook cannot afford to allow ANY 3rd party company to create Facebook applications that export user data. Facebook created the development platform so that applications can reside inside Facebook, and outside of Facebook -- not to export user data. Facebook is created a new set of APIs called Facebook Connect that will all users to export their data.

Google needs to realize that Facebook wants to play nice with "data portability" -- but they need to implement some new layers of privacy on the granular level, and make sure things are done correctly -- Facebook Connect. The development platform was never intended as a "export feature" -- which is what the user's have come to expect.

I'm sure if Google can wait for the proper APIs, Facebook will have no problem letting Google being an official partner with Google Friend Connect.

Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Facebook.

Agreed. Huge. But I hope they embrace standards...

Look...

If you don't like the applications -- CHANGE YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS.

It's not that hard. Facebook has spent A LOT of time and energy to make sure that nearly every action that can be done on Facebook can be either ignored indefinitely or banned, by editing privacy controls.

Can Myspace say that?

NO.

Myspace can say that they have put CAPTCHAs on nearly every action in effort to combat spam bots -- I think I would rather edit privacy settings than enter a CAPTCHA everytime I want to post on a friends wall.

If you hate the applications... goto your privacy controls and "ignore all". It's really that easy.

I challenge ALL OF YOU to find a social network with more privacy customization.

The Myspace staff can go back to Myspace now...