Facebook - The New Windows

Facebook is the new Microsoft Windows.

Why?

Before my time, Microsoft introduced Windows as a revolutionary new platform for developers make everyone’s lives easier. Apple came out with their aesthetic, remarkably easy interface that made (almost) everyone want a new Mac.

It wasn’t long before these big companies like IBM, Xerox, Microsoft, HP and of course Apple knew what was coming down the train tracks. These revolutionary new personal computers were going to change everyone’s life.

And they did. Bill Gates became the richest man in the world and Steve Jobs continues to lead the technology industry with their classy products.

So where does Facebook come in?

Microsoft and Apple have maintained their operating systems for many years now and will continue to dominate that market. There are a few new systems that pop up, such as Linux and Ubuntu, but the two that will always be there are Windows and Mac. BUT as you may know, we are going through a rapidly changing era where the internet is transforming business, medicine, law, and daily life! The transformation of web2.0 technology enables us to entertain ourselves with YouTube, read news stories from hundreds of different sources, and outsource business projects to other companies for cheaper than ever possible. We can meet our future husbands and wives online and write on our friends’ virtual walls on Facebook and MySpace.

OK, so I know about web2.0, what about Facebook?!

This last spring of 2007 Facebook launched its developer platform, unleashing web developers to create their own online software programs enhancing user profiles on facebook, providing more content and entertainment while in the process making lots of money! Everyone wants software to be interactive these days. In the U.S., I can say that most of everyone I meet has broadband internet access. Businesses can’t work without e-mail, internet access, and instant messaging. People can’t sit on the computer for 18 hours out of the day without internet access. The wave of the new internet has brought so many opportunities and there is still a lot to come. Instead of programming a game to play against a computer, we now have Wiis, X Box 360s, and computers that rely on your connection to the internet as a necessity to play. People want interactiveness, and they’ve got it with web2.0.

Web2.0 allows for mass collaboration, information sharing, and social networking at an overwhelming pace. In order to keep up, you almost can’t stay off the computer learning the new stuff for a day!

With that, I would like to say: If you haven’t joined facebook, do so. You will have a blast, especially if you know people already on it. If you are a developer, check out the developer platform and get to know it. It just may provide a new business opportunity!

Thanks for reading, comments are welcome!