Dan Romero

So there has been a lot of talk about Facebook recently. And by a lot of talk I am referring to the fact that the whole blogosphere/online media outlets can't stop covering the constant arrival of new and exciting Facebook applications. Whether iLike to ChipIn, Facebook applications are the new darlings of TechCrunch and Robert Scoble.

That's nice. But for the moment, most of these apps are just costing developers money and not yielding much of a return. Who knows maybe Facebook is planning to launch a developer ad network to compete against the likes of Google's AdSense. Brad Feld, Mark Evans and Fred Wilson each offer there own take on where they see Facebook headed.

For Facebook, I think they need to focus on the major reason people use the site: sharing photos with their friends. That's what most people I know use Facebook for. Yes they are "adding" apps to their profiles, but I can guarantee almost all Facebook users spend most of their time looking at pictures.

Here's an idea: design image-recognition software that recognizes labels on beverage containers or brands of clothing in user's pictures. Then tailor the ads on the page to match. Talk about viral marketing. See really cool kid wearing a new Designer X shirt, simply click on the advertisement to purchase the same shirt. Now you too, can be cool.

I just signed up and started using 37 Signals's online CRM application, Highrise. I already use Basecamp for Dratius and have been quite happy with the functionality included in the basic (free) account. Anyways, upon logging in for the first time, I tested out adding a fictional contact, Joe Smith. The contact creation process was simple and intuitive. I immediately wanted to add every person I knew into it.

Like the good web geek that I am, I then began to explore around the various tabs and menus within the application. Specifically, I was looking for method to link my Highrise account with my Basecamp account (in the way you can link 37 Signal's group chat application, Campefire, to Basecamp). Unfortunately, this was nowhere to be found.

Although not a crucial feature (I will still probably use it), it would be nice to see 37 Signal's integrate their applications better. Joyent's Connector is a good example of what they could do (something I have for life but not currently in use), but without the excruciating slow performance of the Connector.

What is most surprising to me however, is why 37 Signals has not been bought by Google/Microsoft/Yahoo. Personally, I think their software would enrich Google's Apps for Your Domain.