Note that while this applies to most service websites, i am mainly focusing on Facebook in light of their new layout.
After every major change on popular websites such as facebook, there is a certain divide among users. Some adapt very quickly to the new layout or don't particularly pay it much attention. Others find the changes very disruptive for various reasons, and whether they have any actual foundation for their arguments greatly varies. One of the great things about social media sites is the fact that the service provides a way for users to present their thoughts on it. For that reason, user opinions are much more obvious then other sites where posts are hidden in the back alley forum.
I personally detest the new FB layout because it is too busy for a type of service that is most commonly taken in quick peeks. Nobody schedules an extended period of time to be active on facebook, like when checking email or reading up on news (although long visits do happen frequently by accident). A social media service really should provide a streamlined interface for users to quickly see what is happening, pop up a status, and then be on their way. The old layout actually did this pretty well. you checked your recent new, then top, then maybe a status and you were done. now the news feed is all F***ed up and the ticker is just a useless distraction.
Now despite my quite legitimate (at least it seems legitimate) complaint, I can't help but notice a bunch of people saying to stop the hate and not complain because facebook is free, voluntary, etc. These people don't understand that those reasons are not as clear cut as they seem.
1. "but facebook is free! stop whining you don't have to pay!" technically there is no upfront fee to use facebook, and yet it makes millions of dollars revenue. how does it do this? ADVERTISEMENTS. you "pay" for the service by giving facebook the legal right to see your personal information and use it to tailor advertisements specifically for you. google does the same thing in gmail, and so does every other "free" service. Just because it is free doesn't mean it comes without costs...
2. "nobody is forcing you to use facebook!" again, this seems true at first, but look more. Have you ever tried to quit facebook. Aside from issues of them making it difficult to find a way to completely remove yourself from the system this is very challenging. Sure many of us are addicted to facebook or some nonsense, but the real issue comes from the fact that all your cyber stuff is locked into their system. all your photos/posts/game scores/etc are all locked into facebook. YOU may be voluntarily using it, but your cyber presence is locked down tight to facebook. There is really no easy way to cut the cord even if you wanted too.
3. "you just don't like change!" For me change isn't the issue. facebook could change their desgn everyday and, as long as it was a good design, I wouldn't care. The problem is that when a poor design comes out and they offer no alternative it can be very frustrating for those who dislike the design, and likely will be for some time. I personally believe every service redesign should allow you to try both versions for an extended amount of time so that the designers can see the general public's response and adjust accordingly. New twitter did this perfectly.
So whether you love or loathe the changes, just remember that you are entitled to have an opinion about the changes. The more vocal you are the better, as future redesign's will be affected by the end users' response.
