Best Practices

True Facebook applications versus wanna-be applications


MuseStorm lets you take a widget you created for the web and morph it into at true Facebook application.  What you get when you do this is true Facebook application, one that has a canvas page, takes advantage of friends notification through the mini-feed functionality within Facebook, and where comments made by usersappear on the Wall.  This type of functionality is the hallmark of a true Facebook application versus what the industry has taken to calling “wanna-be” applications.  Wanna-be applications look like Facebook applications but in fact the functionality that deeply integrates them into the social aspects of Facebook are lacking.  And without the social functionality that makes a widget a social application, wanna-be applications are a lot like bumper stickers.  Pretty to look at but without any functionality that lies underneath.  Contrast this with the MuseStorm approach where we empower companies to quickly and easily build true Facebook applications that - because they integrate into the social graphs and social networking APIs - have much greater viral velocity.

Hallmarks of a True Facebook application

  • Notify friends through mini feed on installation and selective activity as it happens through your application
  • Canvas page to merchandise your widget to Facebook users
  • Application integrates into user’s profile pages - doesn’t just sit on top
  • User comments get written to the Wall for everyone to see
  • Your application takes on familiar Facebook look and feel