The world's biggest social networking site has launched a slimmed-down
version for people with slow or poor internet connections.

Facebook has said the Lite site will be faster and simpler because it offers
fewer services than the main site.

Initially it is meant to support users in developing countries and where
bandwidth constraints make the current version too slow to use.

At the moment it is only available in India and the US.

The company said around 70% of its more than 250 million users were from
outside America. Countries in Southeast Asia and Europe are seeing a massive
increase
in growth where fast internet connections are more common.

News that Facebook was testing the Lite site was first leaked in August.

'Twitter-like'

The options on Facebook Lite are limited to letting users write on their
wall, post photos and videos, view events and browse other people's
profiles. There
are no apps or special boxes.

"It appears, at a quick glance, to be a better site for Facebook newbies or
for anyone who finds the current site overwhelming and noisy," said Rafe
Needleman
at technology website Cnet.

Facebook developers conference, BBC

More than 70% of users are outside the United States

"The new layout feels almost Twitter-like."

Terence O'Brien at Switched.com gave the slimmed-down version of what he
called "ol' blue" the thumbs-up because it "strips away distractions".

"The simple site loads noticeably faster, is easier to navigate, and is much
easier on the eyes thanks to the lack of people sending you 'virtual booze'
or asking you to join their 'vampire fraternity'.

"The new layout seems like a direct challenge to Twitter, which can
attribute much of its success to is simplicity and portability," said Mr
O'Brien.

'Worldwide rollout'

Many industry watchers said they believed that even users with good internet
connections might well flock to Facebook Lite because of its new look and
ease
of use.

"That is what some US users are planning to do," said Eric Eldon of
InsideFacebook.com

"Indeed the reaction from US users has prompted Facebook to release it
intentionally for US users, something it hadn't previously planned on
doing."

Mr Eldon said he believed a "worldwide rollout doesn't seem too far away".

Facebook screen shot 2005 and 2006

Fans of Facebook Lite have said it is like a return to the early days

Facebook has acknowledged this is a possibility in a statement on the site
which said the firm was "working on translating Lite into other languages".

So far those who have posted comments on Facebook seem to like the company's
new Lite approach.

"It's good to see Facebook listening to their users," wrote one user.

Another said: "Facebook Lite should be great for college campuses like mine
that are hung up on bandwidth."

Having no third-party apps on the site also garnered a fair amount of
support.

"The no-apps thing is killer. There's nothing about them I'll miss," noted
one user, while another said: "Whatever you do, please, PLEASE do not allow
the
quizzes, games, or apps to ruin this pristine version of Facebook."

Anyone who switches to Facebook Lite and does not like it can switch back to
the fuller version of the site.


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