Facebook Lite Goes Live - More Twitter Imitation
A month ago we reported that Facebook was beta testing a 'lite' version of its popular social networking site. http://lite.facebook.com has just become available to U.S. users. The lite version offers users a "faster, simpler version of Facebook." Judging from what we have seen so far, Facebook Lite turns Facebook into a very Twitter-like experience. Facebook Lite has comment threading, more features than Twitter and no word count limits. But the influence is plain to see.
It's a been a busy news day at Facebook. Earlier today Facebook launched a new Twitter-like tagging feature, plus they announced it has open sourced the real-time web development framework that runs its new acquisition Friendfeed.
We're hearing the term "Twitter-like" a lot in regard to Facebook's announcements these days - just as earlier in the year Facebook was apt to copy Friendfeed. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery indeed, but remember that Facebook's user base is still much larger than Twitter's.
It's a tried and true strategy for big Internet companies (ref Microsoft, Yahoo, AOL): copy the best new features from smaller startups and gradually introduce them over time to a mainstream audience. Even though Twitter is nearly mainstream, its only just broken into the comScore top 50 sites in the U.S. - whereas Facebook is now in the top 5.
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"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" pushed to the extreme ( as in today's rash of IP theft by Facebook ) is just envy.
"Don't innovate - imitate!" is the war cry of Steve Ballmer and the "me too" brands.
I expect much, *MUCH* more from Facebook, considering how smart the people who work there are.
I reviewed it http://www.mashyep.com/2009/09/review-facebook-lite-a-twitter-alternative/
is it just me or does the lite url just takes you to the normal facebook, and the @user features are not up as ppl are saying they are
I actually like Facebook Lite. Sure it seems that they're taking cues from Twitter, but they manage to focus in on what makes Facebook great. I always hated the stories in my news feed about the latest results from quizzes people were taking, or the spam-like invitations to games I never play. With FB Lite, I still get the wall posts, photos, comments I always received, but this time without all the ancillary clutter.
still lerning just finding out what going on
I think Facebook has always been to busy, the lite version seems like a good idea (even if it's taken from Twitter)... and no character limit!
Just visited my Facebook Lite page. Hmmmm! I prefer my Facebook Rich features. I guess Lite will work for those that may feel overwhelmed on Facebook.