A few reasons why facebook is better than Myspace

I have just read a post outlining the top ten reasons why Myspace is better than facebook. I think that cheezhead has some good points but misses the reason that users and I stress, USERS, make use of social networks.cheezhead's top ten reasons why Myspace is better than facebook:

1. Traffic
2. Brand leader
3. Media powerhouse
4. Rock 'n Roll will never die
5. Mo' money
6. Rupert Murdoch
7. Custom URLs
8. Customizable pages
9. News corporation and phat partners
10. Classifieds

Now I agree with a couple of the above points: Custom URLs and Customizable pages are the main two. I think that custom URLs and the ability to change your page are great ideas. However in practice Myspace is simply difficult to use. I am fairly well versed in CSS and html and I struggled to understand where and how to customize a page. Thus if you are going to make pages customizable, make it simple or be like facebook and leave it out. The custom URL thing on Myspace is great.My reasons why facebook rocks:

1. Groups - facebook has the uncanny ability to link people through groups. I have found tons of mates that I lost contact with years ago through these groups. While Myspace is filled with millions of useless users who become your friends to spam and promote a product or themselves. That's not what users are after. Plus the porn on myspace is terrible.
2. Group Creation - the ability to create groups and invite your mates and others in to these groups is definitely a big plus.
3. Simplicity - facebook makes users want to return and use their service because it is so ridiculously simple. Part of the simplicity factor is the fact that pages are the same and not customizable. If they couldn't make it easy, they left it out.
4. Mini-feed - facebook's mini-feed is absolutely incredible. You can see which of your friends are friends with other people you might know. It allows you to see who is changing their profile pics, uploading photos, adding posts, blogging etc etc etc. This little tool is invaluable when it comes to finding people you know and meeting people you don't.
5. Blog RSS - facebook makes it simple to add your blogs posts to your facebook page and allow your mates to read your posts. I have received hundreds of hits on my blog from my facebook profile. Myspace does this too, but screw me if I know how.

At the end of the day I don't care how much money Myspace earns, how many millions of users are on Myspace or if Ruper Murdoch owns my life online. I care about meeting up with people that I know and facebook does this better than Myspace by a long way.

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