Facebook to Remove 'Classic' Web Design Option Next Month

[C DM]

Initially, Facebook was a chronological feed where the further you scrolled, the older the posts were. You could always find something if you scrolled far enough. It was a way to know what your actual friends are DOING and POSTING onto Facebook.

Many years ago, they changed this, to make the posts seemingly random. If you go to Facebook, you have no idea what you'll see. A post from 2 days ago, or from 2 minutes ago. And if you refresh the page, it will be something completely different. You will mostly see ads disguised as posts from your friends, because your friends will share pages that are basically ads. Then there's "stories" which is just... I don't even know. A photo that you can only look at for 2 seconds and then it loads another one. I never had enough time to figure out what the hell that is.

Ever since then, Facebook is not about what people POST on Facebook. It's some unpredictable, obscure, automated feed that says stuff about people that you may not even know (because they are comments on a post that a friend of a friend shared so it has nothing to do with any of your friends). So basically I go on Facebook, and if there's nothing that makes sense immediately, I close it. I don't bother scrolling because there's no point, it doesn't increase my chances of finding something I'm looking for. Seems like Facebook is not designed for you to actually LOOK for something, but rather for when you have no idea what you want and it literally just "feeds" you completely random stuff.

The bad part is that I have no idea what my friends are doing unless I ask them. The good part is that this means I spend almost no time on Facebook anymore, especially thanks to their standalone Messenger app which is pretty cool. You no longer have to load the website to talk to people.

The "most recent" feed is still there.

 

[2979382]

I’m bothered by the fact that there are so many mouse-over pop ups. Mainly infoblox about posters and commenters. It’s visually distracting to have the pop up in and out as you move the pointer around. It’s also a minefield for clicking. If you move the cursor to click on the ‘like’ icon, a pop up may appear over it and you have suddenly send a friend request to the person you were arguing with!

Also not accessible or WCAG compliant. They don't seem to follow the Domino scandal. Not long before someone launches a class-action lawsuit against Facebook...

 

[BigSur]

New design, same spyware.

 

[ErikGrim]

Click on the arrow in the top right hand corner, there should be an option listed there.

The new layout looks hideous on an iMac... so much space unused. And it resembles too much like Twitter.

Incorrect. I know where to look for it. It's never been there.

 

[cgs1xx]

It’s ugly.

 

[ErikGrim]

If you use the Fluff Buster browser extension, you can revert it back to the old scheme, at least for now. Dunno if it'll continue working after their Sept cutoff date 😶

OK, so I finally got the new design, and it's ....not great on a 27" screen. Fortunately Fluff Buster / FaceBook Purity still works and allows for custom CSS. So let's turn this layout:

into this:

First of all, grab http://fbpurity.com. It works with AdGuard and Tampermonkey extensions in Safari. I've used both, but AdGuard is a twofer, so if you want the best adblocker and fix FB that's the way to go.

Then set the FB settings to some sane defaults. The key here is to set the default zoom level to 75%. Don't worry that the text is too small, we'll use FBP to fix that.

(I livestream on FB in case you're aghast at allowing Camera/Microphone by default, YMMV)


Copy and paste this into a text file called FBP-Settings.txt (or whatever), then in FBP hit Import Settings and Save and Close and you're done:

{"filterappmessages":1,"becamefriends":1,"becamefan":1,"joinedgroup":1,"attendevent":1,"attendedevent":1,"createdevent":0,"watchinglistening":0,"commentlikeslink":0,"commentwall":0,"commentgroupwall":0,"commentpagewall":0,"commenteventwall":0,"updatedprofile":1,"changedprofilepic":0,"changedrelationship":0,"recommendations":0,"uploadedphoto":0,"sharedphoto":0,"uploadedvideo":0,"taggedinvideo":0,"livevideo":1,"postednote":0,"productshown":1,"taggedinnote":0,"sharedmemory":0,"yourmemories":0,"commentedonthis":0,"likedthis":0,"taggedthis":0,"postedlink":0,"trendingstory":1,"checkedin":0,"suggestionsbox":0,"connectbox":0,"sponsoredbox":1,"pokebox":0,"newstoriesbutt":0,"typingcomment":1,"offlinefriends":1,"groupconvos":1,"requestsbox":0,"eventsbox":0,"questionsbox":0,"chatbox":0,"pagestory":0,"nonlikedpagepost":1,"bubblechat":0,"condensedchat":0,"tagsuggestions":0,"hidesearchpopup":0,"hidesearchtrending":0,"cookiespolicy":1,"hidefriendreqtopnav":0,"hidemesstopnav":0,"hidecreatetopnav":1,"topnavbarlogout":0,"sendmoneybutt":1,"startcallbutt":0,"chatplaygamebutt":1,"chatquickcambutt":0,"chataddfilesbutt":0,"chatstartplanbutt":0,"recentactivity":0,"fontsize":"17","fontfix":1,"fontcolour":"#00ff00","fontcolourfix":0,"fontbgcolour":"#000000","fontbgcolourfix":0,"linkcolour":"#ff0000","linkcolourfix":0,"fbpfont":"verdana","fbpfontfix":0,"fbpwebfont":"ABeeZee","fbpwebfontfix":0,"notificationsbgcolour":"#ffc0cb","notificationsbgcolourfix":0,"topnavcolour":"#c0c0c0","topnavcolourfix":0,"topnavfontcolour":"#000000","topnavfontcolourfix":0,"backgroundimage":"","backgroundimagefix":0,"flogoimage":"","flogoimagefix":0,"freezetopnav":1,"topnavimagefix":0,"reactionsimagepack":"","reactionsimagepackfix":0,"reactionsboost":0,"customphotoblocklist":"","stretchbkgimg":1,"transnewsfeed":0,"showsetasbackgbutt":1,"colouredbackgsquares":0,"hidesearchbox":0,"hidepadlock":1,"hideaccountswitcher":0,"newsfeed":0,"widescreenfeed":0,"leftcolumncounters":0,"homelink":0,"homelinkcounter":1,"sortmostrecent":1,"sortfriendfeed":0,"fixarticleredirects":1,"hovercards":0,"wholeleftcolumn":0,"colouredbg":0,"lcadvertmgr":0,"lcconnect":0,"lcallpages":0,"lcpagesfeed":0,"lclikepages":0,"lcallapps":0,"lcappcenter":0,"lcevents":0,"lcgamesfeed":0,"lcpokes":0,"lcprofile":0,"lcmusic":0,"lcplaceseditor":0,"lcallgroups":0,"lcfindfriends":0,"lcfindnewgroups":0,"lccreatepage":0,"lccreategroup":0,"lccreateframe":0,"lcdeveloper":0,"lcfundraisers":0,"lcfriends":0,"lconthisday":0,"lcbrowse":0,"lcfbpnews":0,"lcweather":0,"lcwelcome":0,"lcnotes":0,"lcoculus":0,"lccreatorstudio":0,"lclinks":0,"lcmanagegroups":0,"lcsaved":0,"lcshops":0,"lcmarketplace":1,"lcsuggested":0,"lcsuggestedits":0,"lccreateevent":0,"lcphotos":0,"lcsalegroups":0,"lcbusinessdiscovery":0,"lcpayments":0,"lclivevideos":0,"lccovid19":0,"lcdiscovergroups":0,"lcyourposts":0,"lcmovies":0,"lcmessages":0,"lcmessengerkids":0,"lcrecommendations":0,"lcsafetycheck":0,"lcexplorefeed":0,"lcwatch":0,"lccreate":0,"lcshortcuts":0,"lcinsights":0,"lcjobs":0,"lcrecentadactivity":0,"lcmoves":0,"lcgreetings":0,"lcgamingvideos":0,"townhall":0,"wholerightcolumn":0,"rcrecommendedpages":1,"rcrelatedgroups":1,"rcpokes":0,"rcbirthdays":0,"rcfriendrequests":0,"rcgamerequests":1,"rcyourpages":0,"rclive":1,"rctodaysgames":1,"rcwatchlist":0,"rcstories":0,"rooms":0,"rcrelatedvids":0,"rcsavedlinks":0,"upcomingevents":0,"sharedevent":0,"sharedpage":0,"likedlink":0,"commentedlink":0,"likepagebutton":0,"hideallphotos":0,"taggedphoto":0,"likedphoto":0,"commentedphoto":0,"sharedvideo":0,"likedvideo":1,"commentedvideo":1,"youtubevideo":0,"sharedstatus":0,"likedstatus":0,"commentedstatus":0,"taggedstatus":0,"smileys":0,"reactions":0,"notificationpopup":0,"hidealllinks":0,"hideallvideos":0,"expandnewscolumn":0,"deletedfriendalerts":1,"fulltimestamps":0,"highlightpublicposts":0,"squareprofilepics":0,"commentbubbles":0,"textanimations":0,"hideanimatedgifs":0,"fullURL":0,"fbpnewsnotifier":1,"listheaderimage":0,"listsuggestions":0,"tlgamesapps":1,"tlinvitefriendslikepage":0,"tllikesbox":0,"pymk":1,"nonags":1,"chrononotifications":0,"customtextfilter":"","autohidefilter":"","userappwhitelist":"","fbpcustomcss":"/* Center the page */\n#mount_0_0 { max-width: 1800px; margin: 0 auto; }\n\n/* Make better use of the space */\n.ejjq64ki.ejjq64ki { width: 1000px!important; }\n\n.marjyy4e, .o4feeg3o { max-width: 1500px!important; }\n\n.tn7ubyq0, .o4feeg3o { width: 1500px!important; }\n\n.qmfd67dx { max-width: 700px!important; }\n\n/* Better placement for the close icon */\ndiv[role=\"banner\"] div[aria-label=\"Close\"] { left: 50px; height: 44px; width: 44px; }\n\n/* Search icon adjust */\n.fcg2cn6m { top: 6px!important }\n\n/* Restore font size for backgrounded statuses */\ndiv[style*=\"30px\"] * { font-size: 45px!important }\n\n/* Fix ugly hover for FBP icon itself */\n#FBPBUTT { cursor:pointer!important; }\n#FBPBUTT:hover { background-color: transparent!important;cursor:pointer!important; }\n.fbJewel:hover { background-color: rgba(0,0,0,.2)!important;cursor:pointer!important; }\n.fbJewel:hover * { color: white!important;cursor:pointer!important; }\n\n/* Fix ugly FBP close post icons */\n\n.hidepostlink,\n.hidelink {\n  visibility: hidden;\n}\n.hidepostlink:after,\n.hidelink:after {\n  color: black!important;\n  visibility: visible;\n  opacity: .3;\n  content: '×';\n}\n.hidepostlink:hover:after,\n.hidelink:hover:after {\n  color: black!important;\n  opacity: 1;\n}\n\n.hidepostlink {\n  left: -35px!important;\n  top: -17px!important;\n}\n\n/* Get rid of the useless info bar */\n#fbpurityinfobar { display: none; }","vidvolume":1,"lcoffers":0,"lctownhall":0,"lcorderfood":0,"catphoto":0,"dogphoto":1,"babyphoto":1,"childphoto":1,"memephoto":0,"selfiephoto":0,"couplephoto":0,"foodphoto":0,"drinkphoto":0,"smokingphoto":0,"carphoto":1,"customphotoblocklistfix":0,"imagetagsonhover":0,"seemoreexplore":0,"seemoreshortcuts":1,"fullscreenchat":0,"showfbpvidplayerlink":0,"friendswhitelistArr":"{\"696710333\":\"\"}","threedphoto":0,"rcmarketplace":0,"topnavwatch":0,"topnavgroups":0,"topnavgaming":0,"topnavmarketplace":0,"lcliftblackvoices":0}

If you already have FBP, and have custom settings, copy this into the CSS field:

/* Center the page */
#mount_0_0 { max-width: 1800px; margin: 0 auto; }

/* Make better use of the space */
.ejjq64ki.ejjq64ki { width: 1000px!important; }

.marjyy4e, .o4feeg3o, .l946jzrp, .ecyo15nh { max-width: 1500px!important; }

.tn7ubyq0, .o4feeg3o, .ecyo15nh { width: 1500px!important; }

.qmfd67dx { max-width: 730px!important; }

/* Better placement for the close icon */
div[role="banner"] div[aria-label="Close"] { left: 50px; height: 44px; width: 44px; }

/* Search icon adjust */
.fcg2cn6m { top: 6px!important }

/* Restore font size for backgrounded statuses */
div[style*="30px"] * { font-size: 45px!important }

/* Fix ugly hover for FBP icon itself */
#FBPBUTT { cursor:pointer!important; }
#FBPBUTT:hover { background-color: transparent!important;cursor:pointer!important; }
.fbJewel:hover { background-color: rgba(0,0,0,.2)!important;cursor:pointer!important; }
.fbJewel:hover * { color: white!important;cursor:pointer!important; }

/* Fix ugly FBP close post icons */

.hidepostlink,
.hidelink {
  visibility: hidden;
}
.hidepostlink:after,
.hidelink:after {
  color: black!important;
  visibility: visible;
  opacity: .3;
  content: '×';
}
.hidepostlink:hover:after,
.hidelink:hover:after {
  color: black!important;
  opacity: 1;
}

.hidepostlink {
  left: -35px!important;
  top: -17px!important;
}

/* Get rid of the useless info bar */
#fbpurityinfobar { display: none; }

/* Kill Watch */

li.buofh1pr:nth-of-type(3) { display: none; }

There you go. I'm still tweaking the code as I go, but this is the first place I've been happy to release it. Hope this works for you.

 

[dumiku]

Looks like Facebook is now forcing the new design on everybody just opened logged into my account today and there it is a new design by default with a setting modal, switching to the Facebook classic design button is also now available until they fully integrate it.

 

[bradders_uk]

Still have "classic" FB, I've never had the option to try out the new one. I guess they'll spring it on me eventually.

 

[Simon Shevchuk]

I use this Chrome extension - https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/switch-to-classic-design/oancckmjgaoejmbedngcoiakblhacbog
Works perfectly even when there is no switch button and it doesn't let Facebook to revert it back to the new layout.

 

[bradders_uk]

Another month and I still have “classic” Facebook. How odd!!

 

[nickdalzell1]

One way I keep the real classic option (as in the option from 2012) is by using Facebook 3.x on my Android tablets. No need to worry about unnecessary change since the app is immune to website design changes.

But the last time I used that app to login was to enable Monster Busters to resync my progress from the cloud. I only saw the login and that was it. I haven't used the site for anything else since 2013. I kinda jumped ship to Google+ which was a far more mature platform then Google gave it the Reader treatment and killed it. No alternative to Facecrap. Never used Instagram or Snapchat so I have no idea what I'm missing and quite frankly, don't care.