Facebook announced a new profile page design dubbed the "Timeline" on Thursday and while it may be weeks before the change rolls out to most users, you can try it right now. Here's how.

Greg Kumparak at TechCrunch explains that the secret to getting an early look at your Facebook Timeline is simple: You just have to trick the social network into believing that you are developing apps for its Open Graph feature.

Of course, this deceit means that there are some risks and drawbacks to the whole affair. There are some bugs here and there, your Facebook accounts has to be verified (by the addition of a confirmed phone number), and your profile could unexpectedly revert to the old design. Oh, and none of your friends will actually be able to see your Timeline unless they use this same trick.

Not bothered by any of those things? Great! Here's what you need to do then:

• Head to Facebook's developer's page (after logging in to your account, of course).
• Hit the "Apps" button on the blue bar and give the "Developer" app permission to access your information.
• You should be redirected to a page which offers you the option to "Create New App." Click that button. (If you don't see it, go right back to the developer's page and hit the "Apps" button again.)
• Enter an "App Display Name" and an "App Namespace." (Don't worry, no one will see what you put here since you're not actually making an app.)
• Read the "Platform Privacy Policy" and check the box to agree to it. Hit "Continue."
• You'll now see a confusing looking settings page for your fake app. Ignore it and click the "Open Graph" button on the left side.
• You should arrive at a page which suggests that you get started with Open Graph.

Facebook

• Enter some kind of action and object into the boxes on the screen ("watch" and "movie" will do the trick just fine). Click "Get Started."
• You'll get to another confusing settings page. Ignore it and scroll all the way down. Click "Save Settings."
• Twiddle your thumbs for a few minutes and then go to the Facebook homepage. You should see a message offering you the chance to enable your Timeline.
• That's it. Go enjoy looking at your shiny new profile page.

Whew! That wasn't so tough, right? But what if you want to go back to your normal profile for a little while longer? No problem. Here's how to do it:

• Go back to Facebook's developer's page (after logging in to your account, of course).
• Hit the "Apps" button on the blue bar.
• You should see the fake app you created. Hit the "Edit App" button on it.
• Look to the left. There should be an option to "Delete App." Select it and confirm that you want to do that.
• Go to your Facebook privacy settings.
• Select the option to edit the "Apps and Websites" settings.
• Click the "Turn Off Platform Apps" button. 
• Check the "Developer" app in the pop-up window and confirm that it's what you want to do.
• Go back to the same page and click the "Turn On Platform Apps" button. This won't bring back the "Developer" app, but it will simply prevent you from having problems with any of your other apps.

Related stories:

• Facebook shows off new Timeline profiles, apps and more
• Facebook gives the News Feed a makeover, users get angry
• Facebook Timeline tells 'story of your life'

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