Facebook's Facelift Becomes Permanent

Facebook users may be in for a shock logging into their accounts today. That's because if you haven't switched to the new Facebook layout, which debuted a few weeks back, your account may be sporting the new Facebook look - whether you like it or not.

As of today, Facebook says it will begin forcing its 100 million users to get used to the redesigned Web site. Facebook begins today rolling out the new Facebook look to all of its customers. As of this writing the update isn't yet enforced across Facebook's entire network, but some users are reporting they are locked into the new Facebook template with no ability to revert back to the old one.

Seven weeks ago, the Facebook unveiled a makeover of its service that allowed users to decide whether they wanted to opt in the new design. During the trial, users were able to revert to the old version of Facebook if they didn't like the new look. There is no turning back now.

Facebook Makeover Now Permanent

By now, around 40 million users made the switch to the new Facebook version while the rest haven't or proved resilient to the makeover. Plenty of groups sprung out in the past few weeks campaigning against the new version with some of them reaching up to 220,000 members.

With a significant number of unhappy users, Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Facebook, is said to know that he he will alienate some of Facebook's fans, risking driving more people to other social networks like Bebo or MySpace.

Nevertheless, Zuckenberg, who had to issue public apologies twice in the 4 1/2 years of Facebook existence, hoped he found a way to stop users moaning when they are forced (read upgraded) to a new design.

But let's face it: Facebook is free to join and besides that, the new layout is the only way forward, accommodating new features, enhanced security and an enlarged number of users. There are many Facebook fanatics that think that the social network can be a better place for all (read more underage drinking party photos and lack of privacy) but there's really not much one can do. Sooner or later they will have to comply to the new design.

Are Techies Afraid of Change?

Many consumers faced with change get out of their comfort zone. We've seen this happen many times before and Microsoft seems to be a veteran. There are many unhappy users with Vista and stuck in their XP ways or even looking forward Windows 7, waiting to be able to complain again.

Same happened with the redesign of Microsoft Office with the introduction of the ribbon menu. Even Mac users had complaints about the 3D dock introduced in Leopard. And still that didn't stop Microsoft or Apple moving forward and certainly won't stop Facebook implementing the new layout.

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