The internet gives us amazing new ways to communicate with each other: blogs, RSS, Facebook, Twitter, etc. What often ruins these cool tools is that people use them as ego trips — not really posting anything useful, just trying to get more followers, more ‘friends’, more subscribers. (more…)
Via @mullican: Facebook will soon let you choose a unique username to represent your Facebook account. More details on Facebook’s blog.
How is this different from the way Facebook currently works? First, your username will be unique — many people are called John Smith, but there can be only one ‘johnsmith’. Second, Facebook will begin using usernames in profile URLs (probably inspired by Twitter):
Facebook also say that they “expect to offer even more ways to use your Facebook username in the future”.
It depends. If you’re a casual Facebook user, this probably doesn’t matter. But if your online identity is important for you, it makes sense to claim a Facebook username that matches, or is close to, the usernames which you use on other services.
Facebook will be allocating usernames on a first come, first served basis, starting (unfortunately) at 5 am on Saturday 13th June. So if you’d like to get a Facebook username to match the one you use on Twitter, set your alarm clock, and bookmark this page.
PS: if your name is James Wilding, forget you read this may the best man win.