As site grows, new applications abound
When social networking Web site Facebook.com was created in 2004 by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg, it was simplistic, designed to be similar to a virtual college yearbook with a search engine. Since then, the site has expanded exponentially.
Over the summer, Facebook underwent some drastic changes. The Web site introduced a number of applications for users to add to their profiles. Some of the more popular applications include iLike, Travel Map and Graffiti.
“It’s another way for developers to make applications fit into Facebook and another way for you to share your favorite applications with your friends,” said Facebook Engineer Kevin Der.
These applications invite users to enhance their personal pages by adding different kinds of multimedia. These are all new ways for users to put more revealing information about themselves on their page in a multi-faceted way.
iLike is an application created to mimic iTunes. Users can post their favorite songs and upcoming concerts on their page, and their friends can listen to and discover new music.
Travel Map and similar programs such as Where I’ve Been is a virtual map of the world where users can pinpoint all of the places they have been to.
Graffiti is used as a type of font to write on another user’s wall. Friends can draw and write things with a digital spray can.
From picking a Hogwarts house to posting your very own personality DNA, Facebook now offers thousands of application opportunities.
“I like that Where I’ve Been application. It’s a great way to kill some time,” said Brent Behler, a senior international affairs major.
As of July 2007, Facebook has over 30 million users, 29 percent of which were between the ages of 18-24. Time Magazine reported that of the majority of Facebook of users, 39 percent are 35 or older.
Some of these users approve of the new applications and the sophistication. At the same time, many users, such as Tim Swales, a senior math major, feel otherwise.
“I ignore all of them,” Swales said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Sarah Stern at sarah.stern@colorado.edu.
