Facebook’s announcement regarding making Timeline mandatory might leave quite a lot of users unhappy.
But, that’s what all major Facebook update has gone through. And like it or not, Timeline is here to stay.
For Facebook, it’s a thing of the past and has gone ahead with launching 60 Timeline apps few days back, with the hope that its users will spend more time on the site through these apps.
Timeline apps, on one hand, will make it easier for users to keep tab of things they like without leaving the site. Once you install an app, all activities associated with that app will be neatly grouped into a small box on your Timeline. With the old profile, activity feeds of an app use to litter your wall with each individual action you take on a third-party site. But on the other hand, users will experience an influx of over-sharing with feeds from these apps on their Timeline, ticker, and News Feed.
There are about 80 Timeline apps available on Facebook’s Timeline Apps information page, divided into 9 categories that include Entertainment, Fitness, Food, Giving, Music, News, Shopping and Fashion, Travel, and Others. One can expects thousands more in the near future.
You too, will be using quite a few in a short period of time. So, here are few things that you can do to make the best use of Timeline apps and make the experience worthwhile.
1. Before you download the app, choose a setting for the app by going through the option “Who can see activity from this app on Facebook.” Note that your default privacy settings will kick in automatically for all your applications, unless you change it.
2. Be sure to broadcast your activities of an app only with those who have similar interest. Choosing the “Only Me” option will limit your activity feeds on your Timeline only, and it will only be visible to you.
3. You can always go back and review or change your preferences from your Privacy Settings Page.
You will see all the apps you have installed and the permissions associated with them by going through: Privacy Settings -> Edit Settings (next to Apps and Websites) -> Edit Settings (next to Apps you use).
Here, you can remove apps you don’t like/use. Review the permissions granted to them, and remove certain permission. Some permission is mandatory, as they are required for the app to work correctly.
4. Last but not the least, you should remember that your friends and people you share your information with can also share your activity with apps they use.
If you don’t want people sharing your app activity, go through: Privacy Settings -> Settings (next to Apps and Websites) -> Edit settings (next to How People bring your info to apps they use) -> uncheck the box next to “My app activity” on the dialog that pops up.
Remember that Facebook is about connecting, sharing, and discovering. Don’t do it in a way that risks your privacy or your online connection.
