The social networking services provider, Facebook (News - Alert), has a new interface for messages, known as the Facebook Web Messenger. Facebook, in August, is said to have pushed for a much needed facelift to its messages page. 

Facebook Web Messenger presents a side-by-side (dual-pane) layout, instead of a single column, to make it easier and more practical for subscribers to visualize and browse through messages. The dual-pane view has the name of the person who is conversing with the user on the left-side, while on the right side, the expanded conversation the user had with that person over time appears.

The amended interface, which “mimics the look of Timeline (News - Alert),” is meant to improve how users visualize their messages: Facebook Web Messenger allows users to find all posts from a person on the dual-pane without having to search for messages sent and/or received by that person.

The Facebook messages page also includes ways to make it easier to attach files, multiple photos and emoticons to one’s posts. The update also included changes that would allow better search and navigation capabilities: Now it is possible for users to be able to search for messages by using keywords or by sender.

There are also keyboard shortcuts that will allow users to "compose, reply and navigate through their messages” as well.

Facebook is counting on their updates to keep current users happier with the system and help future users see the benefits of a quicker, more reliable and customer-friendly communication tool.

For now, Facebook Web Messenger will be offered to limited users, but there are intentions to offer this upgrade, in the near future, to global users. Those who have been upgraded to the new Facebook messaging system can begin to take advantage of the new changes and features added to the site.

All other users will have to wait for the changes to hit their Facebook account.

Facebook obviously doesn’t want any of its users who have yet to try out the new interface to switch to, say, Google (News - Alert)+ Messenger – which has been gaining more in popularity these days – without first seeing the improved features and new look first for its Messages page.

The updated interface and the easy-to-use layout may be enough to convince Facebook users to stick with their site for messaging.

Facebook is also trying to correct issues that have bugged its message system. “To address issues with disconnection, incorrect message counts and missed and duplicated messages,” the company stated, “we recently undertook an effort we called the 'mercury project.'"

To learn more about Facebook messages, click here.

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