Depending on what side of the fence you sit on, you might think Facebook is making the right moves, or think it is totally going in the wrong direction. Facebook has tried, since the beginning, to open up its system to various application developers, advancing the functionality, features, and draw of the site, all the while trying to make its developers and itself wealthy. In this equation, little thought is given to the users except what new “trend” can be taken advantage of, and this is what people are currently complaining about as Facebook’s front page starts to mimic Twitter and other micro-blogging tools more and more.
In a world that barely understands blogging, can the masses take advantage of, and enjoy micro-blogging through status messages and whatnot that Facebook now employs?
Talking to many Facebook faithfuls, and Twitter users alike, most seem unhappy with the changes, one of my friends recently saying that Facebook has, in its latest version lost what made it interesting and worthwhile.
In the last design change, Facebook relegated most applications to other pages, rather than the single profile page, we all had before the redesign, and in doing so, they greatly reduced the application development ring that was so large earlier in Facebook’s history.
But with Facebook creating and managing relationships through Facebook Connect, and other application sharing models that are coming to fruition, from a developer’s perspective, Facebook seems determined to attract attention to its platform and user base.
Facebook Connect is the next evolution of Facebook Platform – enabling you to integrate the power of Facebook Platform into your own site. Enable your users to…
- Seamlessly “connect” their Facebook account and information with your site
- Connect and find their friends who also use your site
- Share information and actions on your site with their friends on Facebook
What is it about Facebook that has made it so addicting to millions of people, and has it made a mistake in its recent redevelopment, refocus and redesign? Could someone now take over as the new-Facebook, as Facebook did against MySpace according to many people?
Or as a developer, is it just a chance to get in on the fbFund that attracts you to the platform?
From TechCrunch:
Facebook will choose 50 teams based on app metrics, developer talent and potential to succeed. From those teams, a subset will later be chosen and offered the opportunity to receive up to $100,000 in equity investment and an invitation to participate in an incubator program in Silicon Valley later this year. While there, the teams will be able to meet with Facebook engineers, venture capitalists and other tech executives.
I think Facebook is interesting, but as an early adopter when it comes to the web, and technology, I am ready for the next big thing, aren’t you?
