Social networking and open platforms

From eweek, "Google, MySpace Must Open Platforms for Social Network Growth"

"Allowing third-party programmers to build applications on top of social networking platforms is increasingly becoming table stakes for businesses that want to sustain themselves in a burgeoning market, according to experts who follow the space.

When Facebook opened its platform for outside development in May, it triggered speculation that other Internet companies would follow suit to reach broader audiences and increase site stickiness.

That speculation has reached a boil of late, with reports in the blogosphere that Google, MySpace and LinkedIn are considering opening up their platforms to allow developers to write free software programs that consumers can play with and share with others in their social networks."

These open social network platforms are great news. They give any business or organization new opportunities to reach out as well as pull in ideas, data, and information

We believe the ability to communicate and collaborate with people both inside and outside the company is a key business differentiator.