When learning of Facebook’s plan to open up to developers, my eyebrow rose in curiousity. It seemed that implementing an API (application programming interface) would allow Facebook to strap on a jet pack and soar above the Myspace competition. But for those who haven’t logged onto Facebook before – or lately – allow me to further explain what this developer thing is all about.
From my understanding, the gurus over at Facebook have made it so that users can add their own applications directly into the Facebook platform. For example, an existing application is a compass that determines your political “direction” based upon a brief survey for those unsure of their status. Not a fan of politics? How about a “trakzor” tool that allows you to see who is viewing your profile? (the developer claims its safe and not creepy). The list of available tools and apps goes on and on and on. But, for some facebook users, that’s precisely the problem.
“Too much goin’ on,” says a friend of mine. “I don’t like how they keep constantly updating stuff.” Interesting, to say the least. I guess I had never thought of it with a ‘if it aint broke, don’t fix it’ mentality. But just like when Facebook added the news feed feature, users will eventually warm up to the latest changes. Perhaps the top priority within these social communities should be to continue giving users OPTIONS, and Facebook is great about it. It seems like the most success occurs by introducing new features when the messages are direct, subtle and not “in your face.”
I haven’t played with many facebook applications thus far, but this doesn’t mean that i’m not tempted. A developer created a “top friends” application, which Myspace would probably label as “old news” since they’ve had that as a standard feature on their site. Listing my top friends isn’t something that I deem neccesary, though, so I will ignore this one. But give me the poltical compass and the ability to play games with other users – Now we’re talkin!
But before I sign off for the night, I need your guys’ thoughts. Do you like the new Facebook applications? If so, which ones? Why or why not?
