"Facebook is just as likely to compete with you as pay a few bucks and just buy you"<p>facebook is still at the size where they can churn out code and features quickly. i'd be surprised if they purchase many third party apps while they're in that position.
Here's a different sort of friends app that you might find interesting:<p><a href="http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=5469363031" rel="nofollow">http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=5469363031</a><p>Find out what your friends have told everyone you are good at and track your public expertise rankings.<p>In turn, increase your karma by telling everyone about your friends.<p>Discover experts on Facebook.