When Facebook decided it would be a great idea to infuriate most of its user base by orchestrating its most drastic profile page change to date, I along with many others took the chance to jump in at the deep end and see what all the fuss was about.
But the new Timeline will dig up some seemingly long-lost memories, and many you will wish to forget. Some will choose to delete their Facebook altogether, while others will simply leave things be, deterred by the arduous task of deleting the vast amount of data they are presented with.
I kid you not, I spent four whole days wiping my Facebook timeline clean. And I stress from the bottom of my heart: there is no easy way of doing it.
But thanks mostly to the wider community, there are a number of ways you can give it a go yourself.
If you have yet to switch to the new timeline, then don't. Trust me, it will make your life far easier.
If you have, you can't go back, now that the new profile has been rolled out to the masses; unlike before which required an Open Graph application tweak to bring the timeline to life.
On with the show.
If you have not enabled the timeline yet, try the 'magic button' approach:
Thanks to clever developers on the Userscripts community, believe it or not there is a 'magic button' method of deleting Facebook wall posts and comments en masse. This method takes the least effort, and also requires the least user intervention.By installing Greasemonkey scripts, we can modify and change how Facebook acts, and how the user interacts with the site. This is how you do it.
A Windows machine is recommended, as is Firefox as your weapon of choice. While Chrome on Mac does work, considering how tricky macros can be, the software in the video set forth below does require the use of Windows.
If you are a skilled developer, or feel comfortable with using your own software, then go ahead.
If the 'magic button' approach does not work, try this:
Now we begin our venture into macro territory. Macros automate mouse clicks or keyboard presses, allowing actions to be repeated on an infinite loop. This method therefore is perfect should one be trying to delete a near infinite number of Facebook wall posts, for example.Because how the macro is created is all but impossible to describe, this video should guide you through what you need to click, and how to set up your macro to run on an indefinite loop, until there are no more wall posts left to delete.
You need to download JitBit Macro Recorder, a free download that works perfectly for the task at hand on a 30-day unrestricted trial.
But if it does the job well, consider buying the software to say thanks.
If you have the timeline enabled, there is still hope:
Of course, the one thing here we are trying to avoid is manually clicking each and every post and hitting the delete button. That would take you days, and the tedium of doing so should come with a severe health warning.Because the timeline's switch is fully in the 'on' position, you cannot go back. You're stuck. You can either bail now and delete your account -- as tempting as it might be -- or kick Facebook where it hurts by defiantly deleting all of your valuable personal data.
It may take you a bit longer to do, and a great deal of trial and error work, but it can be done. Here's how you can do it.
If you have better luck than me, by all means shoot your suggestions in the comments.
Related:
- Facebook Timeline goes live: Gives users seven-day grace
- Facebook Timeline a 'stalker's paradise': Mass exodus on the way?
- Between the Lines: Facebook’s Zuckerberg unveils revamped profile: Timeline
- Facebook flaw allows access to private photos
- Social Business: Facebook Timeline privacy concerns deepen as rollout begins
- Friending Facebook: How to get started with Facebook Timeline