The Facebook Productivity Suite?
Posted by Nick O'Neill on June 18th, 2007 5:18 PMAs I mentioned in my last post, it is theoretically possible to run conferences using Facebook’s platform. Additionally, you can store your files using Box.net’s application, keep your calendar with 30 Boxes’ application, and according to Krishnan, there is the possibility of a Facebook office suite provided by Zoho. I could also envision integration of Basecamp to handle project management. Suddenly your Facebook profile could become the center of your business. Honestly, I am truly interested in trying this out on my next venture. While the concept of a startpage already exists, I haven’t found one that has been perfectly created. Perhaps I haven’t spent enough time browsing iGoogle.
For some reason the concept of a start page had not particularly attracted me until I thought of using it as a center of my business. Within weeks or months Facebook will rapidly have all of the functionality that all other start pages provide. Additionally they will have the power of a development team that is 40,000 strong. Is it possible to jam all of my necessary items (email, calendar, to-do list, teleconference, etc) onto one page? Maybe. What differentiates this service from other start pages? The people that you are connected with can all view your start page. This is different than most existing services. When everyone in my organization can drop by my profile, see my schedule, and what I’m working on, you are talking about a revolution in organizational infrastructure. This could be huge! My own personal goal is to try to make a Facebook profile as the center of my business. Let’s see how it works!
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June 18th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I use iGoogle and find it does just about everything you need it to, especially if you use your tabs.
I wrote a post that looks at using iGoogle to increase productivity.
I have even added my Facebook account in its own tab, so I don't ever need to leave the page!
June 18th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I agree with you that iGoogle can be used. The only difference here is that my other contacts can access my page. That type of access has added value for organizations.
June 18th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
I use iGoogle and find it does just about everything you need it to, especially if you use your tabs.
I wrote a post that looks at using iGoogle to increase productivity.
I have even added my Facebook account in its own tab, so I don’t ever need to leave the page!
June 18th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
I agree with you that iGoogle can be used. The only difference here is that my other contacts can access my page. That type of access has added value for organizations.
June 18th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
To be honest, I don't know that I want Facebook to be the center of my business. I do want it to be the center of my social world however. Keep us posted on how it goes.
June 18th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
I understand where you are coming from Peter. I am simply doing it since my new company will be heavily involved with Facebook. I think it's best for all the employees to be as integrated as possible with the platform that they are programming on. While I won't be doing my accounting on there … I'd like to take as much advantage of it as possible.
June 18th, 2007 at 10:18 pm
To be honest, I don’t know that I want Facebook to be the center of my business. I do want it to be the center of my social world however. Keep us posted on how it goes.
June 18th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
I understand where you are coming from Peter. I am simply doing it since my new company will be heavily involved with Facebook. I think it’s best for all the employees to be as integrated as possible with the platform that they are programming on. While I won’t be doing my accounting on there … I’d like to take as much advantage of it as possible.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:00 am
“The only difference here is that my other contacts can access my page.”
Google docs and Calender are set up to be multi user.
If you want to share e-mail or anything else on iGoogle all you have to do is set up a new e-mail account named for whichever project and just run it from there, then you can share the password with whoever else may be participating.
June 19th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Google docs and Calendar are set up to be multi user but iGoogle is not. Sharing a password is completely different then having them view my profile page. While I'm sure that Google is rapidly working to fill the gaps in the system, there are still gaps. That's a fact of life. While there may be workarounds in the system, it results in using the system for something it is not intended for.
While my usage of Facebook may not be the ideal way for using it, the concept of giving others complete access to my calendar, docs, etc all through my profile page is what is unique. That's all I'm saying.
June 19th, 2007 at 9:00 am
“The only difference here is that my other contacts can access my page.”
Google docs and Calender are set up to be multi user.
If you want to share e-mail or anything else on iGoogle all you have to do is set up a new e-mail account named for whichever project and just run it from there, then you can share the password with whoever else may be participating.
June 19th, 2007 at 9:07 am
Google docs and Calendar are set up to be multi user but iGoogle is not. Sharing a password is completely different then having them view my profile page. While I’m sure that Google is rapidly working to fill the gaps in the system, there are still gaps. That’s a fact of life. While there may be workarounds in the system, it results in using the system for something it is not intended for.
While my usage of Facebook may not be the ideal way for using it, the concept of giving others complete access to my calendar, docs, etc all through my profile page is what is unique. That’s all I’m saying.
July 2nd, 2007 at 1:55 pm
[...] to view what the application looks like, go check out the Zoho App screenshot. A few weeks back I discussed the possibility of a Zoho application suite and questioned whether or not Facebook could ultimately be used as a complete productivity [...]