Facebook sees huge gains in popularity

By: Mihir Oza

Posted: 4/11/08

Facebook has become one of the most popular Internet networking sites, not only for college-goers, but also for anyone with an e-mail address. I know I can attest to this, and when you walk around the halls, library and dorms while computer screens are up and students are surfing, you're more than likely to see someone eagerly searching through Facebook. They could be writing on walls, admiring their pictures or those of others, or simply getting a sense of the social scene surrounding them.

More and more students are constantly logging in and anxiously awaiting their notifications, making the web site a vital element of our lives.

It's easy to overlook how Facebook has surpassed in size other sites such as Friendster.com and is rapidly approaching social networking giant MySpace.com. Facebook has evolved from a simple web site connecting students into a cultural utility, while carrying its simple yet effective motto, "Facebook is a social utility that connects you with the people around you."

In the past I couldn't have known or even sought to know what all of my friends were doing, who they were socializing with or what their latest hobbies were using only one tool. It may have once seemed impossible to connect students who go to schools all around the country and world, but time and Mark Zuckerberg's drive and energy have made it possible.

Mark Zuckerberg initially created this web giant "that invited visitors to judge students' attractiveness" based on photos he acquired by hacking into Harvard's "online student directory," according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. When I realized that the web site's foundations were based on an Ivy Leaguer's naughty intentions to rate his schoolmates, I was shocked! Not only because of the perversion factor, but because of how a seemingly futile idea could turn into a worldwide craze.

It took some thought to realize how the invention of the web site came at the perfect time in my life and the lives of all present students, for it has enabled hands-on networking like never before. Well, I can only boast about Zuckerberg's success to an extent because recently he's been in need of guidance. According to the Wall Street Journal, in order to continue growing at Internet speed, the 23-year-old CEO has "poached a top Google Inc. executive, Sheryl Sandberg" as chief operating officer, because his own astuteness isn't enough to furthermore expand the company.

Wouldn't we all love to hire a member for our team who's not only 15 years older, but also an expatriate of Google, another company that grew in a similar fashion to Facebook? Not all of us are so lucky, but Sandberg will be of much help to keep us students coming back to the web site and avoid the creation of applications that users begin to detest, or overstep their privacy. Not too long ago was Zuckerberg apologizing for invading users' privacy with Beacon, which made information public. For example, if you bought something from Overstock.com, your friends would come to know via "mini-feed."

Will Zuckerberg pull it off juxtaposing with Sandberg? I think for that we'll have to wait and see, but the answer will definitely be evident, for as I mentioned before, I surmise that most of us login to Facebook more than once or twice a day. As for updates, according to a recent Chicago Sun-Times article, "It's going to be a good spring for Facebook members."

The new iLike application will allow users to view and preview clips of upcoming movies and albums, along with "footage from thousands of movies, ranging from 'The Ten Commandments' to 'Forrest Gump.'"

So Mark, I think you'll be fine with your new aid, as long as these new applications are deemed fruitful and you don't bump heads with a zealous Facebook-like competitor.

Mihir Oza is a sophomore majoring in business and finance. He can be reached at ed-op@thetriangle.org.