One of facebook's biggest advantages over its competitors though is its application feature. Applications, or apps, are simply mini programs that you can add and remove at will to your facebook profile. Some of them are meant for fun, some are useful tools, and some are just plain useless. So, here are a few that you should try out:
Triond Application
Useful for members of Triond only. This little widget allows you to submit and review your work through facebook rather than using the Triond portal. While this is a nice feature, it is not the most useful aspect of the program. That lies with the fact your most recent submissions are always displayed on your facebook profile, effectively giving you free advertising, and if you have fans on facebook, a very easy way for them to check your latest work. This is particularly useful for photographers as the thumbnails can attract attention quite easily.
EVE Online
Useful for players of EVE only. This app works like a very stripped down version of the hugely popular program EVEmon. You register your account, provide your API Key, and bingo. You can log in to facebook at any time to check the progress of your character's skills. This is quite useful as there are frequently situations where you might be able to check facebook, but not EVE.
Super Wall
This program works a lot like the wall application, but with many more features. Aside from just sending messages, you can draw pictures, upload your own pictures, add flash files, videos and see what other popular content is being sent through the app. A useful application to have if you want to share a funny video or audio file with people but can't be bothered passing around the link. I don't use super wall very often, but I do find it is useful to have around, even if it is just to spread some humour every so often.
Texas HoldEm Poker
I love poker, and this app lets you play online poker- free. No charges, no gambling, just free poker. A lot of people don't like playing poker without money involved, but for those who do this app is a real treat. There is a massive and growing online community, there is support within the application to automatically put you at tables with your friends and there are many tables at different skill levels and different blind amounts. The application also uses several servers and will try to get one as close to you as possible to minimise lag. If you're looking to learn poker, or you're a high roller, then you'll probably enjoy this application.
Testimonials
This neat little application is an example of how Facebook can be used for business. Testimonials allows people to leave remarks about you for others to view. While this initially sounds like a somewhat childish concept, remember that more and more people are using facebook, and your co-workers, or even your boss might be on there. Provided you only accept submissions from people in a professional capacity, you can build up a bank of references which can be very useful when applying for a job, or any other time you need references. Such as trying to get bail. Admittedly, many employers will not see the worth of this, but even then it's another notch on your belt as they say, and can help make you stand out from the crowd.
Or you can just write “X is a wanker” on it and wait for the streams of hate...
KnightHood
This is an MMO strategy game, and is quite fun. The game concept is simple. You are a state, you recruit your friends to act as your vassals, and then assign them to various parts of your territory. Depending on where they are, they can create new buildings, defend you, or attack your enemies. Attacking your enemies allows you to steal their gold and their vassals to add to your growing empire. The game is very fun, but it does require that you have a lot of friends who are willing to become your vassals, as capturing and holding onto other people's vassals is hard, even harder if you don't have your own loyal vassals. There's also something of a time commitment as you need to check frequently to make sure you are not overrun by your enemies.
Birthday Alert
Does exactly what it says on the tin. Facebook has a birthday alert system built in, but all it does is show you in a small, easily missed panel. With birthday alert though, you actually receive an e-mail warning you of upcoming birthdays. Never get in trouble with your girlfriend for missing her birthday again.
Zombies/Werewolves/Vampires/Slayers
These are four separate apps that link together to provide a larger game. You take on the role of one (Or more) of the above. Recruit people into your army, fight to earn points and in game money, level up as you fight and recruit, spend the money on weapons and accessories, get more money and points for fighting outside your "species"... It's a generic RPG that can be a lot of fun for awhile, especially as it seems to spread through circles of friends like wildfire. Gets boring after a while, but hey! It's not like your paying for it, or you have to play either!
Logging off
Well, there we have my opinions on just a handful of the God only knows how many applications available on facebook. Remember, it's always worth trying out new applications, as if you don't like them you can just delete them afterwards. Some applications are worthless, be very careful of marketing applications or applications that force you to sign up some friends before you can use them. Unless you are certain you will use them, steer clear as you will only end up annoying your friends with unwanted invites. Well, peace out y'all!
