Who cares if you have ten thousand followers on Twitter? How many of them do you think really read what you write? The whole ‘Social Media’ thing should be about real communication, not posturing.

When I read your blog, or follow you on Twitter, or subscribe to your RSS feed, I don’t want to read stuff that you think will impress me. I want to read about you: what you think, what you feel, what gets your attention. That’s what matters — that’s what makes my life more interesting and broadens my horizons. Everything else is just fluff.

What Does This Mean?

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”.

Should I Care?

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.