Juxtapose: Facebook Timeline and The Myspace Profile

I've heard it a hundred times at least, "I hate the new Facebook. It's like Myspace all over again." I have no idea why that comparison has ever been made considering they are absolutely nothing alike. Here is a short list of obvious differences that I hope will help others appreciate the differences between the two.

No custom HTML

You still can't use custom HTML and CSS. 'Nuff said!

"Facebook Timeline" is a Timeline

A "timeline" by definition is a list of events in chronological order. Facebook Timeline is just that. The most recent events at the top of the profile in descending order dating all the way to your birth (weird). It honestly is not so different from the wall, it is simply a different layout. One advantage the timeline has over the old "wall" is that you can now feature posts which display a post at full width and larger font size.

However, if you can remove yourself from your current social media addiction, think back to the old days of Myspace profiles. You will remember that there was a "comments" section. That is the closest thing to anything listed by post date on the Myspace profile besides the (failed) blog section on the top right which people rarely used.

The closest thing Facebook has gotten to customizing your profile

I'm sure Facebook debated and argued about how they could implement some sort of customization to profiles without allowing the God-rights that Myspace did. Yes, I agree. Myspace became a train wreck.

Facebook came up with a "cover" for your profile. As of now, it seems like a great idea. Upload a photo to be displayed as a banner above your profile. Note: they do not allow advertising as a cover photo. I'm interested in seeing how much more creative the spam bots of Facebook get.

No obnoxious banner ads

Facebook still does not display large obnoxious advertisements.

Remember when Fox first purchased Myspace? They turned it into one big annoying commercial for their movies. Guess what? People wised up and left. Facebook won't make that same mistake.

Too Long; Didn't Read

Overall, Facebook Timeline isn't that different from the previous wall. It is simply your wall, with a somewhat unorganized layout and less scrolling. Myspace allowed for custom unrestricted HTML which (amongst other things) is what undoubtedly ruined the viewing experience for everyone.

To all that like to complain about changes in Facebook, I leave you with some words of wisdom:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.