Why Facebook apps are focused on fun, not utility

Social networks are first and foremost venues to interact with peers.<p>If I want to talk about an RFP with a client or an app. spec. with a developer, I hit them up on email, Skype, etc.<p>That's not to say sites like Facebook don't have business value, just that to be successful, applications should be relevant to the platform they're distributed through.<p>If you want to build an app. for business use and expect adoption, Salesforce.com is a much better prospect than Facebook. If you want to share LOLcats, Facebook's where it's at.

It is an excellent article. However I don't really get the hoo-ha about most Facebook apps being just for fun. I guess if you asked most of Facebook's users why they use Facebook they would say to have fun and connect with friends, not manage their schedule.<p>I guess that isn't good for Facebook's secret evil world domination strategy (is that still a secret) but not an issue otherwise.

very well-written and persuasive argument. the one thing i think a lot of people are glossing over, though (i've seen this same chart many times in various posts over the past few days) is that fun != useless. just think about sites like addictinggames.com...