Re:Fucked Facebook
by SwellJoe on Thursday May 24, 2007 @03:47PM
(#24424)
I've been researching widgets/gadgets a bit and the Netvibes API allows cross-platform widgets...which removes their monopoly power, and insures that even if they replicate your functionality, you can refocus on other sources of users.
So, if one were to abstract the Facebook API into a "social networks" API of your own, it'd be a sane path. Then, if Facebook launches an exact duplicate of your app, you just refocus your efforts on MySpace, Xanga, LinkedIn, whatever.
Of course, this assumes that the others follow the lead of Facebook (which I think is a great idea business-wise--APIs are great for business and good for your users...but not good for your "partners", if you have a habit of picking the winners and killing them with your own implementation).
So, I'm definitely not saying folks shouldn't make use of the Facebook API. But think about using it to add value to something already valuable, rather than just building tools that live and die by involvement with Facebook.
So, if one were to abstract the Facebook API into a "social networks" API of your own, it'd be a sane path. Then, if Facebook launches an exact duplicate of your app, you just refocus your efforts on MySpace, Xanga, LinkedIn, whatever.
Of course, this assumes that the others follow the lead of Facebook (which I think is a great idea business-wise--APIs are great for business and good for your users...but not good for your "partners", if you have a habit of picking the winners and killing them with your own implementation).
So, I'm definitely not saying folks shouldn't make use of the Facebook API. But think about using it to add value to something already valuable, rather than just building tools that live and die by involvement with Facebook.