Facebook without the Facebook app

operaSo you have seen the warnings on the news and the internet about how intrusive Facebook can be with their new apps.
I get upset knowing that they can do this and people will install the applications anyway. What I am most bothered by is the fact that you need so many applications to use just one website. What I used to do with just one app, now requires three Facebook apps. No. I refuse and will not do this.
There is an alternative to using the Facebook app if you want to use Facebook on your mobile device.and a good alternative to Facebook app at that.

I use opera browser for Facebook. android version | Iphone Version
Also if you registered your phone number to Facebook, then go into setting (here)and you can get a text message feature added to your account so that you can send messages to Facebook via text message. once that is activated, send a text to Facebook saying “on”.
facebooknotifications
This way you get notifications when you get another text message.
when that becomes too much, send a message to Facebook saying “off” and it will turn notifications back off.

As you see in this image you can add shortcuts to the Opera browser that look just like the apps. just hit the pluss button next to the navigation bar to add the page to your favorites/bookmarks and your icon will be placed on the front page of your Opera install.

Opera works better than your default browser and ten fold better than chrome or Firefox.

Opera Mini 5

Installed on blackberry 8100 rim and on G1 android.
I was using opera mini on my lg flip phone and Motorola rizr and blackberry for years before I got my android. Seems my rizr didn’t quite measure up so I had to install version 4.
I’m not too keen on opera on my computer. Feels kinda netscape navigator-ish.

The blackberry install was fast. Use was very smooth. Impressive appearance. Small pop ups look druple like. Could not find settings to change browser color. Navigation and page change smoother and softer than previous versions. Bookmarking has been made easier refreshing and closing ap happens fast with no lock ups.
Blackberry install I give a 10/10

Install for android, was 5 beta.
I’m beyond impressed. This is one sharp looking application. I have yet to see another app look this great. Downside is the menu bar at the bottom uses some of the screen realestate. I’m scared to turn it off, it might not come back. Menu button does nothing. Maybe if I close the bottom navigation bar it will show up in menu area. ( if anyone tested this, let me know results). Navigation bar has a forward and back button with refresh button. You no longer have to hit back button a million times to exit 10 minutes of surfing. This feature needs to be in all programs.
After you install this, do not change your home page. Look at the home page that is provided. You can have basically a bookmarks with thumbnails as your home page. Touch screen is now functional, in my honest opinion better than the default android browser. very fluid with your finger movements.
Again I could not change color or theme.
I give opera mini beta 5 for android a 10/10

Opera 4 for motorolla rizr 9/10