Facebook Lite Goes Live, Strips Away Distractions

This alternate version strips away the apps, the groups, the boxes, and leaves Facebook's most important features -- the inbox, status updates, photos, and comments. Also, gone are the semi-useful customized filters, feeds, and chat, which are vital for some. The simple site loads noticeably faster, is friendlier to navigate, and is much easier on the eyes thanks to the lack of people sending you virtual booze, or asking your to join their Vampire Fraternity.
Although some of the features (e.g. external Web site, privacy settings, and controls) aren't online yet and the site is still a bit buggy, Facebook Lite should suffice as a full-time replacement for the regular ol' blue -- at least for those poke-shy or Mafia-weary (like Mom). The new layout seems like direct challenge to Twitter, which can attribute much of its success to simplicity and portability. Too minimalist for your tastes? Need your Kitty App fix? You can always head back to the regular version at Facebook.com.
Check out the gallery below if you want to get a quick feel for the Lite version of Facebook before you log in for yourself.





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Comments
43
Subscribe to commentsMindofMyOwnSep 10th 2009 9:20PM
I logged into the lite version. And was redirected to the regular site.
colojake3532Sep 29th 2009 10:06PM
i wish that they would weed out the viruses
marchergirl2007Sep 11th 2009 2:30PM
I love Facebook Lite! It reminds me of a better time when Facebook didn't try to be Myspace...
JapanimeGrl2101Sep 11th 2009 3:40PM
but now their tryin to be twitter!
katejSep 11th 2009 3:41PM
Umm...actually myspace was the one that was becoming more like facebook. U got it all switched around. lol
spidkid6Sep 11th 2009 3:16PM
it sucks, enough said.
blumenneidigerSep 12th 2009 6:55AM
baraye dustan va aschenayan
abbyxanneSep 11th 2009 4:13PM
i don't like it
i can't chat or see highlights
kidmammothSep 11th 2009 6:22PM
it says in the article that they took the chat part off :(
jykathySep 11th 2009 4:14PM
I like the apps. why bother if you cant play around.
KaylaSep 11th 2009 4:19PM
It's so...stark. Ack.
Stop pretending to be Twitter, Facebook.
CharSep 11th 2009 4:25PM
I got a viscious virus from facebook. I will not use any of the applications, and am afraid to even log on for fear my computer at work, which when I logged on last week it turned my works virus program off. I love the site , but now I have to pay $300 to have this virus taken out and loosing a lot of information as a result. They need to make this safer, and virus free.
rita_napierkowskiSep 11th 2009 6:06PM
You don't have to pay. Call microsoft after you do the scan at safety.live.com. They do it for free.
durdenmsSep 11th 2009 6:32PM
You're "loosing" information? Or LOSING information? **sigh**
Leo V.Sep 11th 2009 4:26PM
tried it, it bites! all my games are missing
swish44grlSep 11th 2009 4:43PM
I hate it!! You can"t chat to ur friends!
whaauduingSep 11th 2009 5:05PM
Can we say BOORRIINNGG? I checked out facebook lite, and immediately went back to my favorite stuff on regular facebook. No, I'm not a teen, or a twenty-something young adult. Heck, I'll never see 21 again, or 31, or 41, or even 51! I'm creeping up on 60 (but not for another 17 months!), and I get a kick out of all the silly apps( especially Mafia Wars, Super Poke Pets, Vampire Wars, Farmville, and Yoville), and I love launching sheep, and sending friends and family a swift kick in the ass, or a pretty heart. Participating in all those goofy little quizzes makes me laugh, and are a pleasant way to pass the time (which I have a lot of nowadays). I LIKE being part of groups where I can chat with people of similar interests. I ENJOY watching frivolous little member-made videos, getting to the next level in Mafia Wars, playing with my Super Poke Pet, and growing crops in the Farmville App. I LOVE looking at all the member-submitted photos, meeting and chatting with new people and forming friendships, and I LOVE doing silly things with my daughters and future sons-in-law, such as sending virtual hugs, or Mafia Wars gifts, and giving them a friendly, virtual poke...
I use Twitter, and it's okay. I've exchanged tweets with some famous folks on Twitter, like Harrison Ford, Bill Shatner, and Ellen DeGenneres. Which was cool. But not spectacular. Reading Governor Schwartzenegger's tweets are interesting, but could never be labled "fun". Certainly not as hillarious as browsing Sarah Palin's facebook page. That woman is a serious air-head! Thank God, she never made it into the White House! I like visiting Twitter, every now and then. But would never do it every day. There just isn't much going there, if you are not totally into texting, or yakking about the latest fashions, or Mary Jo's acne, or who Bobby is sleeping with these days. Yawn!
MySpace is fun. I like the apps, and the groups, and the games, but don't seem to spend much time there recently. YouTube is great fun for Baby-Boomers like me, who like watching videos of those old favorite TV Shows from the 50s, 60s, and so on...
But, for me facebook is where the fun is. I connect with my daughters there (they don't bother to call me, or write letters, or drop in for a visit, even tho I live just about 20 minutes away from them), I fool around with the apps, take the goofy quizzes, play the games, search for freebies (a hobby that is very addicting), browse through the photo galleries, and watch videos, chat with friends, and keep up with whats happening in my favorite groups. I'm disabled and can't work. My kids are grown, my husband pretty much takes care of the house, and himself, I've never spent more than an hour or two watching TV, my hands are deformed from arthritis, so I have to limit the time I spend scrapbooking, crafting, knitting or crocheting. I also have trouble holding a book for longer than an hour or so, my two little Chihuahuas don't like to go outside for walkies. What remains, is my computer. I play games and surf the Internet. A pleasant way to occupy my time. You can find an interesting page with every click of the mouse...
I just want to say, "Let my facebook alone! I like it just the way it is!
KarenSep 11th 2009 6:16PM
I totally agree with your post. I also am not a teenager...I am 66 & love the apps, etc. Not always interested in the small talk some put on here in my group. I am retired due to health reasons & spend a lot of time on Facebook. Leave me old one alone.. I hate boring & that is what the lite version is.
raily100Sep 12th 2009 8:07PM
wow, well said
GraceeeeeeSep 14th 2009 12:47AM
Thank you Hap, Harry and David for inviting me to Facebook. Hello, and I am happy to be able to see you and talk to you. Grace