Facebook Applications

Web Development, Facebook, Photoshop, MySQL, PHP, Social Networks, Project Management, Web Design, jQuery, SQL, XML, HTML, Javascript, CSS, Integration

When Facebook launched their first platform in May 2007, I was excited for the opportunity to help expand the social network I had grown to love after years of increasingly disgusting MySpace profiles. Having some familiarity with PHP from past experiences with Drupal, I started the long project that became my first Facebook Application. During this trial and error phase, reading through sparse and ever-changing documentation, I made many friends in the developer group.

This initial application was simply called HTML Box as it allowed a user to enter basic HTML and display it on the profile page. A very quick, painless application that only became complicated as Facebook started reducing the amount of HTML it accepted as it switched to its FaceBook Markup Language (FBML). It was during this time that ads were placed on the edit page of the application. Thanks to a friendship with a few developers at Top Friends, we were able to convert thousands of users to our application each week. This increased traffic caused revenue in excess of $2,000 each month.

My friendships with fellow developers was not unique. A community of Facebook developers formed and in response to the overwhelming use of the Facebook Developers group (which was much more basic in this day), they launched a new documentation Wiki, forum and suite of test tools. Seeing my past involvement in the developer circle, as well as my intention to help those new to the platform, I was asked to become a moderator of this new community.

While a moderator, I worked with other developers on a large amount of other applications - with varying degrees of success. I also began taking on freelance jobs regarding Facebook applications - all the while watching the platform grow and adapt. As my time required for school work rose, I had to step away from the Facebook community. In the years since, I have attempted to keep my favorite applications up to date but have since removed the ads. Without my dedication to the project, the ads were simply a nuisance to the user - with little benefit to myself.

I am always eager to return to the community and work on more projects.