FaceSpace: Users Fight Back?

June 19th, 2007

By Jonathan Lipps

While the majority of the world basically loves the Facebook app platform, whether due to hype-blinding or no, a growing number of users (perhaps necessitated simply statistically) are disgruntled. At least two well-attended groups (here and here) have been created in opposition to the free creation and proliferation of apps, due to a fear that Facebook will turn into the garish mish-mash of design and functionality that is Myspace.

One group has even taken to writing “Anti-Reviews” of the most despised (most Myspace-like) apps, humorously pointing out the (from the perspective of the writer) childish ways in which the apps are generally being used. Top Friends, as you’d imagine, gets roundly chided, for, as it appears, nothing more than being a Myspace feature ported to Faceboook.

Users who feel this strongly about such apps are undoubtedly a majority, and this counter-platform movement is certainly not going to have any long-lasting traction. However, it is interesting to note that here is yet another example of the power Facebook is giving third-party developers in the form of their platform–now their good name is being tarnished (in the eyes of however few) because someone else has decided to add an application they don’t like. The user experience is indeed different, even for one who doesn’t install any apps–their friends might choose to do “horrible” things to their profile.

Facebook is (I think rightly) betting that the benefit will outweigh this potential negative.

[tags]facebook,myspace,app-platform,apps[/tags]

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3 Responses to “FaceSpace: Users Fight Back?”

Doobybrain.com / Changes are happening!! YAR! Says:
June 21st, 2007 at 1:36 pm
[...] I’ve been feverishly adding and removing different Facebook applcations to my account. There are so many that seem so interesting that I just have to test them out and see if they stand up to my attention test (most don’t). Anyway, I like to add and test out Facebook applications on my own time, so when I get sent “invitations” to add a certain application to my account, I get really annoyed because 1, I don’t like being told what to add; and 2, usually the applications are really stupid. Lately, the requests have gotten a bit out of hand especially when people just decide to invite THEIR WHOLE LIST OF FRIENDS TO ADD THE APPLICATION! Argghhh…I guess that’s what social networking is all about, but I do think there’s a more proper way to handle it than to just send it out to your entire friend list. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love the Facebook applications, but I can sorta relate when users get annoyed at the requests that are sent to their accounts. [...]
appelmoes Says:
June 21st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I think the applications are great for Facebook to get more people to join and some are probably usefule for current Facebook users, but isn’t one of the reasons people like Facebook over MySpace the fact that it is clean and structured? They better watch these applications to avoid the MySpace clutter disaster.

I like to use Facebook for my personal networking over MySpace just like I do like Konnects over Ning. Their communities (http://www.konnects.com/communities) are focused on professional use not just another place for people to hangout. Please Facebook stay focused and listen to your fans.
Sharon Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I agree with appelmoes. I like facebook, but I find it more for a social aspect and “spy” on my old friends from college.

With Konnects, it all about you as a professional. They set up their communities for the sole purpose for professionals to be able to find new business in a community that has to do with their industry or location of business.