MSN/PC World has an article about the 25 worst websites. MySpace made it to Number 1.
Here’s the article – I think it mirrors my feelings about MySpace.
1. MySpace.com
Yes, we know. With more than 90 million users, MySpace is now more popular than Elvis, “American Idol,” and ice cream. But the Web’s most visited destination is also its most poorly designed and counterproductive.The ease with which anyone of any age can create a page, upload photos, share deeply personal details of their lives, and make new “friends” quickly turned MySpace into a one-stop shopping mall for online predators. That in turn has made the site an easy target for politicians who pander for votes by playing on parental fears. In an era when the basic tenets of the Net are under attack by both Ma Bell and Uncle Sam, MySpace is a headache we don’t need.But let’s put all that aside for a moment. Graphically, many MySpace pages look like a teenager’s bedroom after a tornado–a swirl of clashing backgrounds, boxes stacked inside other boxes, massive photos, and sonic disturbance. Try loading a few of those pages at once and watch what happens to your CPU. Watch out for spyware, too, since it turns out that MySpace has become a popular distribution vector for drive-by downloads and other exploits. And in a place where “U are soooooooo hot!!!” passes for wit, MySpace isn’t doing much to elevate the level of social discourse.
In response to a public backlash and some well-publicized lawsuits, MySpace has begun modifying its policies–for example, limiting adults’ ability to contact minors. That’s hardly enough. Requiring some kind of authentication from MySpacers–or their parents–to validate their ages and identities would go a long way toward scaring off the creeps and making the site a kinder, gentler social network. Is MySpace totally bad? Not at all. Are we old farts? Yeah, probably. But the Web’s most popular site needs a serious security reboot. And probably a makeover. Until then, MySpace won’t ever be OurSpace.
It does piss me off when it’s slow or things are not working and I do think they need to up the anty on security. But I think a small percentage of the security issue needs to be picked up by parental units as well. It’s amazing how dumb my teenage cousins are for one. I’m always posting “hello”s above some slut’s picture. I know my page is one of those slow-downers. I’ve apologized a meellion times, hehe. But as a person who does not prey on youngsters or care about politics at all, turns in spammers and uses MS for its intent which is to keep in touch with real friends, I heart MySpace and find it very fun.
Comment by — June 27, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
As long as you don’t post anything that reveals exactly where you live, then I don’t see a problem.
Blah blah blah… myspace is bad.. blah blah blah.. the internet is bad. STEP the hell up Parents and take control of your kids.
While I’m ranting… Guns don’t kill people… people kill people. Yes, I used another trite expression. If the parents had stepped up and cared when the kid that shot someone was growing up.. maybe he wouldnt be in a gang poppin caps in the crypts AZZ.
I’m done 🙂 Thanks for listening.. Heehee!
Comment by — June 28, 2007 @ 10:12 am
Personally, I don’t care about kids and all that jazz. I’m coming from a purely technical point of view. I hate the technology. It is quite possibly the “most poorly designed and counterproductive” crap on the web. I also hate the freaking bullshit layouts. I mean, WTF?! “Graphically, many MySpace pages look like a teenager’s bedroom after a tornado–a swirl of clashing backgrounds, boxes stacked inside other boxes, massive photos, and sonic disturbance.”
Cristin, it doesn’t mean I love you any less, I just love MySpace less.
Comment by — June 28, 2007 @ 10:32 am
but waaaaiiiit… you have myspace in your links list on your blog!
I sank to the deep, dark low of getting a myspace profile this week, but it was for a good cause! I went to the 2-week early Harry Potter showing last night! And you had to have a myspace profile. Ugh, but yay! I’m so conflicted…
Comment by — June 29, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
How could I know how crappy it was if I hadn’t used it? One of my best friends is addicted so I signed up. I hooked up with some local friends and old college buddies and was trying to enjoy it, but never could.
I do, however, like FaceBook. Like MySpace for grownups. 🙂
Comment by — June 29, 2007 @ 5:54 pm
Interestingly, Jeniq, there was a study recently about facebook vs. myspace and socioeconomic implications of preference.
I hate myspace, too. For the same reasons. It’s clunky, with a horrid user interface. The layouts are seriously WTF-o-riffic, and I am hardwired to be extremely pissed at pages that load playing music.
That said, of course, I also have a page. One of my close friends ONLY uses it to keep in touch. So whatever.
Comment by — July 7, 2007 @ 3:14 am