Facebook to let users carry profile with them

Users will be able to automatically copy pictures, personal information and other customized applications established on Facebook to other Web sites without extra effort once the changes announced Friday take effect.

The privacy settings attached to a person's Facebook profile will remain in effect at external Web sites.

Palo Alto-based Facebook unveiled its intention to extend its reach into other Web sites the day after its larger rival, MySpace, laid out a similar plan.

Both social networks say it will be several more weeks before their users' data becomes portable.