Facebook vs. FriendFeed

10Jul09

I almost got rid of my Facebook account a few months ago. Facebook had just debuted the new, new Facebook and did away with the status feeds. That’s all I needed Facebook for, actually: to make a status update so I could pull it into my lifestream. I was already sore about Facebook opening itself up to networks other the colleges, but having access to feeds made things better. So when they dumped it for the atrocity that is the new, new Facebook, I decided that I would delete my account at the end of the semester. And lo and behold, my dad sent me an email telling me he was on Facebook. Then my aunt, uncle and cousins showed up on Facebook. Then my mom. Then my brother. Then my family from the other side. I decided that I would have to keep Facebook around so I can connect with my family who live so far away from me. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

But I’m not going to pretend that I like Facebook. It’s not the worst social networking site out there, but it’s getting into that territory. There’s just too much going on: too many apps, too many stupid quizzes, too many obnoxious people. Furthermore, the lifestreaming capabilities are minimal — and lifestreaming seems to be the next best thing.

This why I’m endorsing FriendFeed as a good replacement for Facebook. The lifestreaming in FriendFeed is FAR superior to Facebook’s. I can pick from a multitude of sites/social networks/blogs to pull in and even add my own if I want. There aren’t any stupid apps or quizzes that show up on my front page. I can sort my groups and friends into different sections (personal, favorites, and professional — you can add more) and have them appear on my home page or in separate pages. Recently, FriendFeed updated their user interface — which initially looked horrible and ugly and did away with the icons — with themes, so you can choose how you want your FriendFeed experience to look. Your friends can “like” or comment on posts just as they can in Facebook. Also, FriendFeed’s homepage updates automatically without you having to reload the page. You can also post original content if you don’t want to take advantage of lifestreaming.

The downsides? Well, the major downside is that FriendFeed isn’t Facebook. When it comes to popularity, Facebook smashes FriendFeed to bits. I tried explaining to my friends in person what FriendFeed was all about and no one knew what I was talking about. FriendFeed also does not have an iPhone app yet. If you’re an iPhone user and you dismiss anything that doesn’t have an iPhone app, I guess this would be a problem. But it does have a mobile site that works on all smartphones, so I don’t see this as a bad thing.

I am not saying get rid of Facebook. I know I can’t (at least not yet >_<). Maybe FriendFeed only appeals to those jaded with what you call the “Facebook experience.” Do I see Facebook going anywhere anytime soon? Not in the near future.

If you have not given FriendFeed a try yet, please do! You can subscribe to me too, if you want. ^_^

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Tags: Facebook, FriendFeed, lifestreaming