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

世界上最大的社交网站为网速慢、网络差的用户发布了精简版本。

Facebook is working on other translations of its Lite site

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

Initially¹ it is meant to support users in developing countries and where bandwidth（频带宽度） constraints² 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 browse³ 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.

"The new layout（布局，安排） 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 distractions⁴".

"The simple site loads noticeably faster, is easier to navigate⁵, and is much easier on the eyes thanks to the lack of people sending you 'virtual booze' or asking you to join their 'vampire⁶（吸血鬼） fraternity（友爱，互助会）'.

"The new layout seems like a direct challenge to Twitter, which can attribute much of its success to is simplicity⁷ 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 intentionally⁸ for US users, something it hadn't previously⁹ planned on doing."

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

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 garnered¹⁰（储藏，积累） a fair amount of support.

"The no-apps thing is killer¹¹. There's nothing about them I'll miss," noted¹² one user, while another said: "Whatever you do, please, PLEASE do not allow the quizzes, games, or apps to ruin this pristine¹³（原来的，古时的） version of Facebook."

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