Facebook is new king of the Web

Move over, Google and Yahoo. Here comes the king of the Web: Facebook!

It used to be that Google and Yahoo were the most visited sites on the Web.

But just this last month, a report released by Google themselves and by Hitwise, a US-based Web monitor, showed social networking site Facebook lording it over the Internet.

To date Facebook has 540 million unique visitors per month or roughly 35.2% of the online population. It also hit 570 billion page views each month.

In the Philippines, the popularity of Facebook seems unstoppable.

Even if Friendster is still tops in terms of number of members, Facebook has much more activity, thanks to the numerous web apps and games such as Poker, Mafia Wars, Cafe World, and Farmville.

Virtual farming

Time Magazine recently came out with a list of 50 worst inventions of all time, and included Farmville, one of the most popular Facebook games.

According to Time, even if it is clearly addictive, Farmville shouldn't even be considered a video game given its concept of mindless chores tending to a digital farm. Players simply have to click away to take care of their crops--clearly a time and productivity waster, according to the magazine.

Pinoy Farmville addicts were quick to defend the popular game.

"I think it's unfair na sabihin nila Farmville is worst invention. In Farmville kasi you don't just click mindlessly. You also have to strategize. You plan your game. You also meet new friends," said Patrick Lim.

"I think it's pretty unfair to say that, kasi Farmville is [a] stress reliever eh. After a day's work, it's one way na to de-stress yourself," added Gerald Bitonio.

"I really think Farmville is a challenge. You need to strategize, and it's also a great way to meet people," said Hanna Do.

Meanwhile, one web technologist from Canada recently declared May 31 as Quit Facebook Day, in an apparent attempt to hit back at the new king of the Web.

Given the fact that millions all over the world are hooked on the Web, experts advise netizens to organize their time well when they surf the Web or even play games. This is to avoid paying the price of wasting too much time or even a portion of their lives to any kind of addiction.