Some Facebook users make it a priority to update their profiles constantly. But soon, the social-networking site will make some profile changes of its own.
This spring, Facebook is launching a redesigned profile page that will resemble the iPhone-friendly version of the site created last year.
The new look features a multi-tabbed layout, meaning users will no longer view members' entire profiles on one screen. Facebook has posted screenshots of the new profile layout at www.facebook.com/FacebookPreviews.
One tab will include personal information. Another will display user-uploaded photo albums. And a third will feature a new version of the "wall" - which will merge messages with news feed updates, status changes and various other updates.
Users can also create tabs for their favorite applications.
In order to make the page look cleaner, there will be small, one-line stories published on the "wall" whenever Facebook members take an action, according to a feedback report Facebook has posted on its site.
Users must pre-approve any larger stories published by applications.
Also, the site is working on ways to condense multiple stories from the same application to further reduce clutter. These stories can be expanded if friends want to view more information.
According to a statement released on the site, these changes will make Facebook "simpler, cleaner and more relevant, while still giving you control over your own profile."
Students expressed mixed reactions to the proposed Facebook updates. Some said the changes might be helpful in the long run, but admitted that users might initially be confused and frustrated by them.
College sophomore Corey Singer said Facebook's design is "neater and easier to use" on his iPhone, but he predicted outcry from users, similar to the complaints that followed Facebook's addition of the news feed.
"People are hooked on Facebook, so any minimal change is radical," he said.
To help prevent uproar, Facebook created a profile preview page to let users view the upcoming improvements and offer feedback on the designs.
Facebook members also can sign up to receive weekly updates about the redesign project.
Though Facebook has based its changes on user feedback, some students said any modifications to Facebook's layout are unnecessary.
According to Wharton freshman Steven Cook, the iPhone version of Facebook is not very different from the site's main layout.
"Facebook is fine how it is now," he said.
Wharton freshman Tobi Olopade added, "The tabs are nice, but at the same time they're really unnecessary."
