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Facebook Opens Pages to Outside Developers
prostoalex writes "Facebook is now allowing third-party developers to create pages within the site. Developers can use a combination of the Facebook API and a subset of HTML to create interactive pages accessible from within Facebook. Users retain complete control over which applications they want to have installed, and which applications they want to see on other people's profile. Developers can build on top of Facebook's social grid, and in case of a popular application gain distribution through Facebook newsfeed."
The ability to make home pages look as shitty as Myspace. I hope they've implemented a taste filter that prevents fluorescent green paisley backgrounds is all.
So this is where Facebook takes a stab at MySpace's success. People like MySpace because they can do whatever they want with it. Pink text on red background with four movies and three songs all going at once? Why not make the page blink, too? Yes, friends, it's all possible via MySpace.
Now, it looks as though Facebook wants in on the game, too. What I loved about Facebook was the simplicity of design that it keeps losing with every new feature and redesign. The site slows down and becomes less usable. Time will only tell if it stays clean and modular like the screenshot in the article shows, or if it's one more weapon in Facebook's arsenal of bloat.
At least Facebook still works, unlike the piece of crap they call MySpace. Seriously, Tom needs to learn how to make stuff that doesn't break without fail every time I try to use it. Until then, he's not my friend.
Does this mean that facebook will become as crappy as microsoft or will they just start storing all my info for *undisclosed* purposes? I knew as soon as facebook opened up to the public it would be more than just kids at my own college stalking me...
Facebook akin to a system where users are provided access to everything needed to do their jobs and nothing more, while Myspace is like giving everyone root access and telling them to run with it. Which would you rather admin?
From hell's heart I fstab at /dev/hdc
Myspace, Bebo etc wouldn't be half as bad if you could choose to render all the sites you view in either your own chosen theme, or as a generic preset - overriding the shite. I use ffox extensions (such as stylish) to nerf most crap on these sites currently, but would much rather there were just a tickbox in the user pref's that would provide a similar result.
Alternatively, lock the style and offer some sensible preset colour schemes, like most web forums do.
It's this kind of attitude that separates the innovators from us normal people. The easy viewpoint is to isolate the one reason you use service A over service B, and then complain that A is changing their interface. The innovator has the viewpoint that you chose their service A because it was different from B, and hence, another competitor C can come along and make yet another simple change to make the drones move over to C.
Facebook is innovating, they realize they can't stand still. And yes, the large crowd will complain and ask, "why are you changing?" When Facebook released the News Feeds, it seemed like everyone screamed, but sure enough, they've proved successful and have only increased traffic.
Facebook will be replaced by the next guy, and everyone will point out why Facebook sucks, and for that reason, they have to stay ahead of the curve.