Comparing The Big Dogs…
Social networking is big these days. That’s not really a revelation or anything. Well, maybe it is to some…because very very few of my friends actually use social networking sites. But I’m digressing…
Anyway, to cover all the bases, I started accounts way back at both Facebook and MySpace. Over the past couple years, I’ve made some observations about both services and the people who use them. This may hurt your feelings. If it does, go cry in your room.
As I’ve ranted before, MySpace is the biggest collection of disgustingly poorly-designed pages in the history of the Internet. I’m not kidding. If your page is twice as wide as my screen and I’m on 1024×768, you’re an idiot. If six different songs all begin playing simultaneously when I visit your page, you’re an even bigger idiot. How did you think those six songs playing together would sound? And the color schemes? Amazing. Do you think close to black text is easy to read on your black background? Well. It’s not.
Now on to Facebook. Facebook, until recently, did not offer much in the way of customization (a lesson MySpace could use). But the exclusivity of Facebook made it popular and somewhat elitist. With the recent addition of applications, Facebook’s functionality has gone through the roof and it is easily way cooler than MySpace.
To contrast the two, I once heard a podcaster say that MySpace was the trailer park of social networking. Sad, but very true. Facebook’s recent decision to open up to everyone may eventually help them either destroy MySpace as the de facto social networking site OR drive away the original members who enjoyed the seclusion from the common man. It could go either way.
I have accounts at both…and I just got into Pownce.
Possibly related posts:
August 4th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
MySpace has proven to be a wonderful networking tool for the station. I do not have a personal page there and I wouldn’t want one but it’s brought me in touch with a myriad of musicians from all over the world I would otherwise have no awareness of. I’m discovering indie artists are usually better than the drek they play on the radio and MySpace gives these artists a chance to find a station like KMRL, get in touch with me and get played. It works for us, we get great new tunes. It works for them, they get either royalties or can use it for entrance into ASCAP.
I didn’t like Facebook, I looked it over and nothing drew me to it. I have an Orkut account I neglect. I guess I’m not looking for social networking or to re-connect with my past but for the station, I am glad there is a MySpace.
[Reply]
August 5th, 2007 at 12:22 am
You bring up a good point and I will totally give you that. MySpace does the music scene very well. (Wasn’t that it’s original purpose before the social networking aspect came about?)
Excellent point!
[Reply]
August 5th, 2007 at 10:41 am
“Facebook would be the Yacht Club and MySpace would be public dock”
hehe, well said
[Reply]