Facebook announced Tuesday that profiles, as many of us have known them for years, will be gone in a few weeks — replaced by Facebook Timeline.
Facebook Timeline, the new interface equipped with a plethora of features, was introduced last September at the annual f8 conference in San Francisco. Eager Facebook users could previously test out the new design by activating developer accounts.
In December, Facebook began giving all users the opportunity to switch over. All you had to do to get Facebook Timeline was click the Get Timeline button on the Introducing Timeline page, rather than going through the multi-step process of creating a developer account.
Facebook Timeline, for those of us already using it, has meant a whole lot of changes and new features. Timeline neatly packages your life events in the form of photos, status updates and wall posts.
Here’s an overview on how to fill in your Timeline’s new features:
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As you scroll down your new Timeline, a floating menu bar will appear at the top of your screen. Use it to add new events.
Events are divided into categories. The first is "Work and Education," in which you add jobs, studies, volunteer work and military service you completed before joining Facebook.
Next is "Family and Relationships," where you can note engagement and marriage events. Facebook also suggests you add the birth of your child or a pet adoption here. Finally, you may feel inspired to write your reaction in the "Lost a Loved One" category.
"Living" events include relocation, buying a home and even getting a new roommate. For anyone who likes showing off their shiny wheels, Facebook also included a new vehicle category.
Facebook may have overstepped the privacy concerns of some users with its "Health and Wellness" section. It provides the opportunity to tell friends about broken bones, surgery or overcoming an illness.
Finally, "Milestones and Experiences" is the catch-all category, a broad yet flexible ode to all of life's turning points. Currently you have the option to add a hobby, a new language, a license, an achievement or award, a trip and a "piercing or tattoo." Hmmm, we'll all be looking forward to the pics, that's for sure.
Facebook also allows user to add an "Other Life Event" to each category for circumstances that don't fit into its pre-set milestones.
When you add an event, a pop-up window appears for you to complete simple fields relevant to said event. You can add more info via the "Story" box, and attach a suitable photo, either from pics you've already uploaded to Facebook or from your computer.
Note that events you add to your Timeline default to "public" view. If you want to keep your events private to your friends, you need to click the drop-down menu on the bottom of the window to set your preferred privacy level. As well as selecting just your friends, you can also include relevant groups or set up a custom option.
Once you've added and saved your event, it will show up large in your Timeline display, taking up a two-column space. We presume that because you've taken the time to add it, Facebook deems the event important to you.
If this isn't the case, you can shrink the event down to one-column size. To minimize, click the star at the top-right of the event box.
You can also edit, hide or delete events from the same menu.
Be aware that when you add an event to your Timeline, Facebook notifies your friends via the "Recent Activity" module. If you were hoping to fill in your Timeline with little attention, you can remove the alert by hovering over it and hitting the "X."
Alternatively you can add events directly in the Timeline. This is a convenient feature, as you may find that looking back through your Timeline's existing content jogs your memory. To add an event in the Timeline just hover over the central blue line. Click the plus symbol that appears to add whatever kind of event suits your fancy.
We suspect the average Facebook user may add a few milestone events to fill in the blanks of their online past. On the other hand, maybe you're not willing to take the time to detail your past so thoroughly.
What do you think? Will you fill in your Timeline? Will your mom fill in hers? Will you click through to see other's Timeline events as they add them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Image courtesy of Shawn Allen
If you’re dedicated to your classic Facebook profile, you may be weary of the implications of losing Facebook as you know it. To help ease the transition, we asked a Facebook spokesperson some of the pressing questions that may be on your mind as you transition to Timeline.
Everything You Need to Know About the Timeline Roll Out
How long until the roll out will be complete?
While Facebook hasn’t specified an exact date the roll out will be complete, they have confirmed the day will come within the next few weeks. In other words, it’s safe to start counting down to the end of the Facebook Wall.
While Facebook hasn’t specified an exact date the roll out will be complete, they have confirmed the day will come within the next few weeks. In other words, it’s safe to start counting down to the end of the Facebook Wall.
What does the home page notification message say?
The notification lets you know you now have Timeline and will have seven days before it will be live for your friends to see (you can also publish it earlier, should you prefer). It will also direct you to go to the Introducing Timeline page to learn more.
The notification lets you know you now have Timeline and will have seven days before it will be live for your friends to see (you can also publish it earlier, should you prefer). It will also direct you to go to the Introducing Timeline page to learn more.
Who will receive it first?
Facebook is starting with a few smaller countries to test performance and then they’ll start rolling everyone over in the next few weeks.
Facebook is starting with a few smaller countries to test performance and then they’ll start rolling everyone over in the next few weeks.
Is there any way for users to go back?
No, Timeline is the new Facebook profile.
No, Timeline is the new Facebook profile.
What steps do you recommend Facebook users take before they publish their Timelines?
Facebook advises you take the time to review your Timeline and choose what you want to show and what you want to hide (by selecting to “hide” a story or by managing your activity log). Here are two ways you can get started:
Facebook advises you take the time to review your Timeline and choose what you want to show and what you want to hide (by selecting to “hide” a story or by managing your activity log). Here are two ways you can get started:
1. Choose a Cover photo: Your Cover is the first thing people see when they visit new profiles. It’s a space for you to fill with an image that represents you – the sunset over the ocean on your vacation, the day your baby took her first step, anything you want. Think of it like the cover of a book or album. Your cover photo is in addition to your Facebook profile photo.
2. Manage your Activity Log: Your Activity Log is list of everything that is on your timeline plus activity from the apps or websites you use. The log itself is visible only to you. From your Activity Log, you can choose which stories you want to feature and which ones you’d prefer to hide. To find a specific story or type of story, simply filter by content type or application. You will also find your pending posts here and can quickly approve new content tagged by your friends.
If someone were to not log on to Facebook for three months right now, would they sign on in April with a Timeline they didn’t recognize?
Facebook doesn’t have the specifics figured out for people who haven’t logged onto Facebook for a long time. However, Facebook says it will have to start the seven days for them at some point.
Facebook doesn’t have the specifics figured out for people who haven’t logged onto Facebook for a long time. However, Facebook says it will have to start the seven days for them at some point.
What happens to Facebook Mobile users? Is it the same procedure?
Mobile users will not receive the home page notification message; however, Timeline does appear on Facebook for iOS version 4.1 (or later), iPhone and iPod Touch and Android (version 1.8.1+) devices.
Mobile users will not receive the home page notification message; however, Timeline does appear on Facebook for iOS version 4.1 (or later), iPhone and iPod Touch and Android (version 1.8.1+) devices.
More on Facebook Timeline
Concerned about your privacy with the new Facebook? We’ve got you covered. Take a look through Facebook’s new privacy features to make sure you’re only sharing the information you want public.
Ready to get your hands dirty with the new Facebook Timeline? Here are some lovely Cover design ideas we’ve seen that can provide you with some inspiration.
Do you have any more questions about what the Facebook profile overhaul means for you? Let us know in the comments below.
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