Facebook username registration opens for the firs time in just a few hours, marking a major milestone in Facebook identity. For the first time since Facebook began over 5 years ago, users will be able to choose a username to go by on the site. And while it may not be clear today how broadly Facebook usernames will be used in the future, everyone should be careful to pick a username that they will want to be associated with their real Facebook identity for years to come.In addition, Facebook has set up several rules for businesses interested in getting vanity URLs for their Facebook Pages. Only those Pages with more than 1,000 fans on May 31 will be eligible for usernames starting tonight. The rest will also have to wait until June 28.
Facebook chose to start the username landrush at midnight on a Friday night in the US to ease the transition on its internal systems and processes. Europeans probably have the toughest time though - they’ll be getting up at (or staying up until) 4-5am to get their Facebook username.
