Whether you like it or not, Facebook Timeline is coming soon to a computer near you.
An update to the official Facebook blog last week announced all profiles will be updated with Timeline within the next couple of weeks.
Timeline has been an optional change up to this point, with many users switching over in December when the update went live. Others, like myself, chose to manipulate the social network by signing up as a developer and getting Timeline last September.
Facebook’s original way of encouraging users to change was to allow only those with Timeline to see other Timeline profiles. Now, everyone can see their friends’ Timelines with an option to update their own profile as well.
Of course, as with most Facebook changes, Timeline has been met with backlash. Throughout the past month, I’ve been able to tell who’s made the switch — not by going to their profile, but by seeing comments and complaints in my news feed.
I never understood why people love to complain about a free-to-use, completely optional website, but I digress.
For those who don’t have it, Timeline is a big adjustment — one of the largest changes to the site since its launch in 2004.
First, users will be able to customize their page with a cover photo. This cover will display proudly at the top of their Timeline alongside the normal profile picture. I’ve seen people use their profile and cover picture to do some pretty neat things referencing movies and video games or expressing themselves with original art.
Users can then add certain life events to their Timeline, such as their own birth or that fun trip to Europe they took after graduation, as well as add pictures and descriptions.
Timeline also organizes everything a user has done on Facebook since they joined the site. All status updates, pictures and likes are displayed aside a vertical line running down the middle of the page — your Timeline.
This idea doesn’t sit well with some people.
Since Timeline breaks everything down from year, to month, to date, Facebook stalkers have a much easier time to travel back in time to find out almost anything about somebody because people post their whole life on Facebook.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg and crew realize this, and they’re giving people a grace period before switching. Whenever your profile updates (if it hasn’t already) you will be notified you have seven days to delete or hide any and all material from your past before your Timeline goes live.
I don’t put any incriminating material on a public social network, but some of my friends are what we call “over-sharers.” If you’re one of these types of people, I highly recommend traveling down your Timeline and deleting those passive-aggressive posts about your ex or drunken pictures from last year’s Christmas party.
Overall, I have been highly impressed by the update. It’s Facebook’s best change since the news feed.
Sure, it will be met with scorn and contempt from many, but, just like all changes, people will learn to adjust and accept the new feature.
Instead of complaining about it, look at it as an opportunity to take a step back a few years and look how far you’ve come. While those angsty posts from 2008 may be embarrassing to relive, take the time to realize how much you matured over the past four years.
Facebook will continue to evolve to stay relevant in the public eye. Either climb aboard and welcome the changes or quit using the site altogether.
I jest, because we all know the latter will never happen — someone has to play those crappy Zynga games.
Adam Arinder is a 22-year-old communication studies senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_aarinder.
 
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Contact Adam Arinder at [email protected].