A couple of my MySpace friends have super cool new profile layouts and when I asked them was told that it's just the new MySpace interface. Uh, it isn't on my account. How can I get to this new interface where I can pick a more modern layout and appearance?

Dave's Answer:

After years and years of the same basic interface, MySpace finally heard the drumbeat of Facebook and the many other social networks out there that are growing at a far faster clip and presumably said "oh, all right, we'll tweak things!" :-)

What they've done is created what they call "MySpace 2.0", and it turns out to be pretty easy to upgrade your MySpace profile and account to use the new 2.0 interface features and capabilities, but it's not where you'd think.

Log in to MySpace and you see a bunch of places that might offer up the possibility of upgrading, notably including "Page Themes". Click on that, though, and you see the same dozen or so options with no indication that there might be something greater underneath.

Try "My Account" and you'll wander around without getting there either.

The secret? You need to choose "Customize Profile" from the "Profile" option on the navigation menu:

Choose that and you'll be asked if you're ready to upgrade:

Choose "Upgrade to Profile 2.0" and...

Won't take long for you to get this cheery window:

That's it, you're in the Profile 2.0 world. Stay tuned, I'll be writing about how to do lots of cool things with MySpace Profile 2.0 here over the next few weeks...

Now, as to why you'd want to update, MySpace offers some suggestions on that too:

• Profile 2.0 gives you granular control over privacy, and enhanced customization options.


• Hide your comments, friends, age, last login, and more.


• Make parts of your profile visible to specific groups of friends (friend categories).


• New themes to style your page without any knowledge of HTML or pasting codes.


• Profile 2.0 loads faster and has a sleeker, more modern look.

Now, go try it out, and let us know what you think!

Comments

About the Author: Dave Taylor has been involved with the Internet since 1980 and is internationally known as an expert on both business and technology issues. Holder of an MSEd and MBA, author of twenty books and founder of four startups, he also runs a strategic marketing company and consults with firms seeking the best approach to working with weblogs and social networks. Dave is an award-winning speaker and frequent guest on radio and podcast programs. AskDaveTaylor.com http://www.intuitive.com/blog/