Facebook to launch new commenting system

The popular social networking website Facebook is elaborating an expanded commenting system for third-party Web sites that is expected to launch within the next few weeks.

The system - which reportedly is similar in many respects to those offered by developers such as Disqus, Intense Debate, Echo, and Livefyre - comes on the heels of Facebook's hiring of executives from Newsweek and the Daily Beast, and meetings with several large publishing organizations. Facebook is in discussions with several media outlets and blogs, CNET reported.

Facebook's comments technology could become the engine that powers the comments section of the often-popular reader-feedback sections in newspapers, blogs, and digital publications, according to CNET. With its new tool, Facebook will manage the login and publishing, will cross-promote comments on users' Facebook walls, and could promote them on publications' fan pages, too, CNET said. It is unclear how Facebook will integrate its "Like" button into the comments capability, the report further said.

In addition, the tool will allow people to use Google and Twitter logins, and will include comment synching between Facebook and the publisher's site.