Facebook Apps: How many is too many?

Ah yes, listening to young innovators and hearing their ideas. On the DEMOfall stage, Chris Shipley is joined by 24 year old Michael Callahan, 22 year old Emile Petrone, and 25 year old Arash Sabet. I had to chuckle after listening to one of them beg the audience NOT to overdo it on third-party Facebook apps.

Hmmm, are they not the original Facebook users? The bulk of the Facebook audience? The early adopters (all my geek friends) disagree but do consumers? His point: When there are so many apps scattered all over the screen, it makes it harder to find people's primary information.

So that begs the question, what do people primaily use Facebook for today and how do people want to use it in the future? A page or series of pages cluttered with virtual toys to play with?

I have two clients who have recently build their own Facebook apps, both of which are being added by users. (Spock and Retrevo, interestingly enough both vertical market search engines) And do these widgets and apps drive traffic back to their sites? You betcha. If its interesting, people want to learn more.

BUT, how far will people take Facebook apps? At what point, will there be too much to choose from? At what point does is it less of a social network and more of virtual Web 2.0 trade show full of add-ons that take us deeper and deeper into an online only world?

I'm sure my Facebook profile page is more cluttered than most, yet I'm careful about what I add, meaning I ask myself - will I refer to it often? will I use it? So I decided to check to see just how much I've added in my less than two month trial with Facebook to-date.

The horoscope add-on one isn't particularly useful, nor do I check it regularly. The 'places I've been in the world' map was incredibly addictive when I first added it, yet I don't check that one often either.

I do wonder which travel or services company will be able to zap that data and start selling me something inside my now advertising-free Facebook world, at which it no longer becomes a quiet online haven. Yet, I got sucked into both of them.

What's interesting about my Facebook horoscope read today is that Money is through the roof, at 99% and innovation and creativity is at an all time low. (normally my highest percentage). Are they saying that the less innovative and creative I am, the more money will flow into my life and vice versa?

Sagittarius Horoscope for September 25 2007

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It's a day full of luck and charm and you are likely to be lax or extravagant with your money. Material benefits probable at this time, but beware of being overly generous. Emotional well-being and contentment characterize this time period. You feel quite relaxed and carefree. Wellness: 69% Intellect: 26% Love: 87% Emotions: 86% Intuition: 4% Creativity: 2% Work: 58% Money: 99% Power Numbers: 9, 16, 21, 26, 42, 13 Born Today: William Faulkner, Red Smith, Robert Bresson, Shel Silverstein, Barbara Walters, Cheryl Tiegs, Christopher Reeve, Heather Locklear, Will Smith, Catherine Zeta Jones