Facebook has been a busy group: making changes, apologizing for them, renigging them, making more changes, being met with adoration, being met with disdain, being met with adoration once again, and (in the midst of it all) being slapped over the face with Twitter’s sudden rise in pop-culture power.

The status updates on Facebook received a very welcome update over the past few weeks.  Before the updates, Facebook automatically inserted “is” after the user’s name, before the update.  Updates would read like a “what’s up” for the user.

“Micah Johnson is going to the premier of Watchmen.”

“Lisa Sorenson is hanging out with her BFFs @ Lake Calhoun.  What a nice day in MPLS!”

And, so updates were so bold as to be, “John Jacobs is.”

That was all fine and good, when people followed the rules of grammar and common sense.  However, people would ignore the “is” and begin their own personal dialog with the world of Facebook, making for some brutally awkward syntax: “Kevin Manning is Why do people act like such jerks?”

Or they would change voice from third to first: “Aaron Tague is happy to be home with his kids.  I love them so much.”

Facebook dropped the ubiquitous “is” from their updates, making the status box almost EXACTLY like, um, Twitter.  But here is the separating factor: Facebook has created a venue for people to discuss everything—everything—neatly.

Writes Mashable:

Some of my friends have been known to give me flack for not replying to posts to my “Wall” on Facebook (and in earlier times, MySpace). The main reason I usually don’t do this is because I think it’s a silly way to have a conversation – you end up with random comments on your wall that don’t make any sense to the other people viewing your profile. Facebook has finally fixed this problem in a sensible way by adding Comments to Wall postings. In the same way you can now comment on Status Updates (which, seems to have become the most popular means of communicating within my network), you can now comment on Wall Posts, both on your profile and on those of your friends.

Ah!  A place for everything and everything in its place!  Truly, an inspired move.  Now, users can comment on a status update, a note, a video…anything.  The conversation stays in one place.  Neat!

These changes have been implemented alongside this (even more brilliant) move: the “like” button.  Users can “like” anything on which they can comment.  It is the ultimate in information gathering.

What’s more, Facebook is beta testing a point system.

Reports VentureBeat:

Facebook is testing out a way for people to show how much they appreciate friends’ status updates, links and other items on the site — its a new feature called “credits.” The idea is a more advanced form of commenting or liking an item on the site — and if it works, it could spur people to share more information that they think their friends will enjoy (and give them credits for).

Hmm.  Interesting.  MySpace has become stunningly obsolete (outside of the music realm).  The complete mishmashtrash of information become entirely too overwhelming for most users.

Brands that grasp changes decisively will connect with consumers in a powerful manner.  With new features pouring out onto the ‘net constantly, there is always a great way for a brand to deliver its message effectively and powerfully, given the right media mix and messaging.

Speaking of media mix and messaging, our very own Arizona State Univeristy…ahhhh, it’s too soon.  I’ll get back to you on that one.