I have just discovered the new “Facebook Lite” feature. Basically, it is a stripped down version of the Facebook page. You can get to this version by going to http://lite.facebook.com. I will be reviewing this new version for you and if you are confused as to where everything went, I will point you in the right direction.

In most cases the Lite version will load faster than the normal as it has less to load. This in itself is a good reason to use it. What I find appealing in the Lite version is how it concentrates solely on the status and page updates of the homepage. This is the only portion of Facebook that I use and am happy to see a version that concentrates on this, stripping away all other distractions.

To update your status or post a photo or video you must click on the corresponding buttons on the top portion of the page. Why it doesn’t just simply display the box to type in, I do not know. Clicking the “write” button will display the typical text box where you would type your message. Clicking “post photos” or “post video” will bring up a prompt for you to upload the media you wish to post.By default it appears to list the most recent status and page updates versus the “Top Stories” option. This is a welcome change from the regular version which always wants to default back to top stories.

The right hand column has been cleaned up a bit. It will still list the “People You May Know” list along with an ad following. Though it does remove the portion that listed requests for you, and as far as I can tell you are unable to see that anywhere else on the Lite version. It also removes the “Connect With Friends” section which gave quick links to invite friends and find people. After a few page refreshes, this column appears to always show an ad, though the people you may know section does not display all the time.

One notable omission is the notifications. Apparently they feel that if you want to view the Lite version than you must not want to know if there are replies to your posts. [UPDATE: See below]

The chat dialog has been moved to a simple link to the right of the Facebook logo on the top section. Clicking the chat link will open up a new window where you can then chat with your friends while still browsing other pages. I have mixed feelings about it being in a new window as I would prefer not to clutter my browser with extra Facebook tabs or windows.

Your profile can be viewed by clicking the link next to the Facebook logo. This page has also been stripped. You will no longer see the random friends and photos on the left column and links have been removed from that side as well as your general information. Pretty much what is left on the profile page is your wall, an ad, and your profile picture. You then have links to your Info, Friends, and Photos & Videos on the left column.

Clicking the Facebook logo will bring you back to the status updates page. The Inbox and Events are also links on the top section of the site, and the Inbox in particular is still just as useless.

Once your all done you can logout using the icon of a door sitting right beside the search box on the top right corner, or you can click the gears icon to go to your settings.

If you decide that you prefer this new Lite version, you should see an option in the right-hand column that allows you to set it as your default. If you so choose to do so it will then give you the option of adding a link to the top most section of the site that will allow you to quickly jump between the regular version and the Lite version.

In short, this is a very nice option for those like me who strictly ignore all games and such and only utilize Facebook’s status update feature. Though if you are one who uses Farmville, Mafia Wars, and all the other addictive timewasters, then the Lite version is not for you.

[UPDATE] I was a bit premature at stating that there was nothing showing the notifications on the Lite version. What instead happens is actually fairly nice. When there is a post that you have replied to or a post that is yours that has had more activity than that post will be bumped to the top of the list and display a red icon with a red bar going along this post. See screenshot below to see what I mean.