Cyberclinic: How do I get the old Facebook website back?

Well, here's the short answer: you can't. Those of you whose interest in Facebook is limited to wondering why people bang on about it will probably baulk at the longer answer – but it does reveal an interesting attitude towards online services that are, after all, free to use, and how small changes can provoke mass mutinies from dissatisfied "customers" who somehow feel akin to shareholders.

Facebook implemented some layout alterations a few weeks back. Initially, these were optional – you could stick with the old site if you wanted to – but last week it became compulsory. It happens with all websites – it's called moving with the times, and if they didn't, they'd all look like grotesque efforts churned out by web-design students after the "Lesson 2: Adding Your First Images" module. But when your site has millions of users, these changes don't go unnoticed. Most people expect to find the site in precisely the same condition as when they last visited. And if they don't, they can become disproportionately furious.

Nearly 2.5m people have joined the "Against The New Layout!" Facebook group – one of many forums dedicated to spleen-venting over the changes. "Hell wit dis new facebook," says one comment. "dere r reasonz y facebook is so popular in d 1st place..so y change dem??" Sure, no one likes having their habits forcibly altered, but the vitriol that's been directed at the Facebook team is astonishing to behold. All that's been done is to arrange the previous clutter across tabs. No big deal – and probably the result of extensive research into the way people use the site. But from the reaction, you'd think they'd sold everyone's personal details to a Macedonian crime syndicate.

A website is nothing without its users, but if decisions regarding layout changes were made by consultation, nothing would ever change. A colossal boycott might conceivably make Facebook listen – but the group referred to above have chosen to use Facebook itself to register their protest. And as they post endless rants, they're probably quietly realising that the new site is actually a vast improvement. What's so good about a democratic process, anyway?

Email any technology gripes to: cyberclinic@independent.co.uk or join the discussions on the blog at www.independent.co.uk/cyberclinic.
Currently under discussion: Can we blame the internet for infidelity?