Chasing Status..

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What's on your mind? Facebook are again introducing changes to the way we share our updates with friends. Starting today Facebook are launching a beta version of an improved Publisher. Currently only available to users that have made their Facebook profile and status privacy to "Everyone." The users with access to the beta can control which people can access that specific piece of content that they have shared through the Publisher.

The main place to add content such as photos, videos, and status updates on your home page and profile. The new Publisher has been streamlined a bit, and its most significant improvement is the new Publisher Privacy Control that gives you the opportunity to answer the question, "Who do you want to tell?" as easily as you answer the question, "What's on your mind?" ~ Olaoluwa 'Ola' Okelola [Facebook Blog]

This appears to further increase the comparisons with Twitter/Friendfeed, introducing features slowly to encourage users to be more open. Making their published content available publicly much like Twitter/Friendfeed. I'm impressed in the way the social network has shifted the balance, especially when you consider the userbase it has to convince that this is the way forward. Personally I rate the Facebook experience, the privacy controls and closed network are what I want from the social network.

The options are as follows:

Everyone: Anyone, on or off, of Facebook can see it.
Friends and Networks: People you have confirmed as friends and people in any school or work networks that you’ve joined can see it.
Friends of Friends: Anyone who is friends with a friend of yours can see it.
Friends: Only people you have confirmed as friends can see it.
Custom: Choose any friend or Friend List to include or exclude from seeing that piece of content.

Another feature that's sure to make an appearance on Facebook eventually is the latest enhancement to the Friendfeed services upload functionality. Now the service allows for us to easily attach any file, such as a PDF or a spreadsheet, to our FriendFeed post -

To share files on friendfeed.com, simply click the "Files" link underneath the post box and select which files you want to include. You can also share files by including them as attachments on emails sent to share@friendfeed.com. (Learn more about posting via email.) ~ Dan Hsiao [Friendfeed Blog]

This latest development is relevant to my needs as earlier this week I asked the question whether there was anywhere I could host Video Memos/Podcasts. With Friendfeed introducing this feature I'm certainly going to experiment to see what response I receive. Interested in your views on both stories, especially whether you are encouraged by Facebook pursuing openness?!

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