Facebook v. MySpace
Admittedly, I’m new to the social networking world, but I find Myspace harder to use, navigate, and avoid spam. Facebook seems to be easier to use (issues with the new version of the interface aside), and where all the cool kids now hang out.
I’m only going to have time with a bazillion upcoming projects and marketing efforts to handle one social networking site...and so far, I’m leaning towards Facebook.
Am I missing something? Is Facebook the new place to be? Or is Myspace still the reigning champ?
I’m only going to have time with a bazillion upcoming projects and marketing efforts to handle one social networking site...and so far, I’m leaning towards Facebook.
Am I missing something? Is Facebook the new place to be? Or is Myspace still the reigning champ?
posted by Eric Nylund at 5:18 AM
17 Comments:
I used to be on myspace, but no one seems to really go there much anymore (within my circle). Facebook does seem to be better, although I do like the categories that Myspace has (band pages, etc...). I would imagine if your fans don't already have one, that they would pick one up once they read you are on there. Besides, it is free.. :)
Personally, I don't use any of these newfangled social networking sites. If someone I know wants to get ahold of me, then they already know my cell phone, my home phone, my email address, or my home address. Basically, the people I want to keep in touch with already get in touch with me without it.
I heartily agree that Facebook is easier to use. Myspace just really confused me and the interface was not at all user friendly or even friend-searching friendly. Like, it was just weird.
I'm actually something of a huge Facebook addict, so I am admittedly a little bit biased, but hey, I think there's evidence to support my position and rationalize my addiction.
Facebook is where it's at. Hope to see you on there!
Definitely Facebook. Glad to see you on Facebook socializing with your fans!
If you want to avoid the hassle of the ventual swith just go to Facebook. The progression of these things seems to be pretty linear. People get sick of Friendster and Livejournal and go to xanga or what have you, then to myspace, now facebook. Besides, I find facebook easier on the eyes and smoother overall...
For an in depth comparison and analysis, I recommend Dana Boyd. The feed for her blog, apophenia, has several articles on facebook and myspace.
"If someone I know wants to get ahold of me, then they already know my cell phone, my home phone, my email address, or my home address."
I don't think Eric would want to go that route. He might have some stalker show up on his front steps in one of these:
http://www.urban-collector.com/machcoco.html
Hey Eric.
I'm personally not really in-the-know about all these social networking sites. I simply use forums.
I do have a suggestion to make, though. Forums are easy to handle and widely efficient in helping people socialize. Have you considered such an option? It would take a little more time to browse through and maintain, but a forum offers numerous advantages. It's a more fluid discussion and interaction medium.
Just a suggestion. ;)
Best of luck on your projects!
When I first started MySpace it drove me nuts with spam and stuff but then I made my profile private, went under the Spam filter under the My Account button by the Sign Out button and customized everything. Non-friends can send messages, but they have to use the captcha, and only people who either know my last name/email can add me as a friend and they have to use captcha on top of it. Of course, it's easier for me to a point because everyone doesn't know my name. For everything else, like group invites, I have it set to only friends can invite.
Most of my friends are in the late twenties to mid thirties age bracket and they seem to go for MySpace more. Probably because they're all narcissistic and like the blogging aspect of it that Facebook doesn't have. It's more customizable, too. Plus there's the whole music aspect of MySpace that Facebook just can't compete with.
Then there's this, which sort of says it all: http://news.cnet.com/1606-2-6187901.html
Definitely stay with Facebook. It's great to see you on there.
I just have to say it - anyone on Facebook can join the Official Eric Nylund Fan Club!
Thanks for all the opinions and advice.
Facebook seems to be the frontrunner. In the coming months I’ll be adding stuff to my blog and f/b page (and probably ignoring Myspace until I find more time).
Lot of changes and new stuff coming—but most, okay all of it, is still under wraps. I’m really hoping at least one thing is going to get announced next week.
UNSC Trooper—Forums? It’s a great idea, but until after Xmas I have to be strategic how I allocate my time. I can see sinking lots of energy into getting forums up and running!
Nikoda—that made me laugh. Thanks.
Thanks for setting that up Dangerousdave :)
In my opinion, Facebook IS easier to use. Also, Myspace DOES have the creeps and perverts and such. Add meh on Facebook d00dz! :D http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1373650472&ref=profile Not working link? Search Benjamin Hsu and click on the Asian dude crushing some woman and the Golden Gate Bridge! lololololol
Let's face it, the origins of both social networks in this discussion dictate how their audiences are perceived. MySpace started as an indie band site, for groups and artists with little or no budget for formal marketing to get their work out to the mass media. People started creating their own profiles, dumping code into suggested content areas and then with other updates, we have the myspace of 2008. Facebook started as a project for Harvard students, was restricted to educational institutions for a block of time, and in the last year or so, has been open to the general public.
My opinion is that Facebook is used actively by and whose audience has a reputation of the educated. Facebook would be an example of a thought-through application released to audience groups as appropriate. Where on the other hand MySpace is more a marketing tool that exploded in an unplanned popularity contest that's now a mess of personalization and non-standard user experience.
MySpace is pretty much a waste of time; Facebook is more interesting, and I've been delighted to see an explosion of writers, artists, and English Country Dancers over the past few months - Facebook does seem to be where the grown-ups are connecting, even in meaningful ways!
Content. It's all about the content-rich zone...
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