Facebook isn't dying but I think it is easier to leave than it once was. The pull of Facebook is weaker with the proliferation and growth of more niche social networks - or networks such as Twitter where users can carve their own niches - and other methods of discovery of content (the article mentions Reddit and StumbleUpon).
The common complaint that Facebook is full of advertising, apps and ranty, passive aggressive status updates is justified. It is possible that people will grow tired of having their friendships and other social interactions mediated through Facebook without major changes in usage habits (maybe something more intimate and limited like Path) and the way that Facebook goes about making money.
While I agree that Facebook makes it easier to keep in touch with friends - possibly due to the critical mass rather than anything inherent in the service, - I do not think this is necessarily a good thing. It is often passive (stalking) rather than active. I deleted my Facebook account last weekend and I already feel as if I have an obligation to actively pursue friendships if I want them to continue.
Thank for you those resources. I've added the book to my Amazon Wishlist. It seems that coding for the web is probably the 'easiest' entry into the world of coding and I have an idea that I wish to pursue so having that goal will give me extra motivation.
Apart from the actual languages and frameworks, what would be the best way to go about learning? Gradually or intensive?
I kind of deliberately left the question fairly wide just to see how people would reply. I think I would edge towards websites and similar but I would like to understand the processes involved in developing software for Linux. What would you recommend for a beginner (apart from JS and Python)?
Thank you, I remember using that a few months ago but other things got in the way. I have done a few exercises since you replied and it is proving very helpful.