Facebook's OAuth flow has the same issue re verifying that its an actual Facebook login. I think browser chrome would go a ways to help me feel its a legit login.
I felt if they had made it an optional item in the settings they would have avoided the backlash, and they would still be generating money off of it. The fact it was not optional, then they announced limited API access for developers whipped everyone into a frenzy.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way about their documentation. I don't make Facebook apps all the time. I've made a couple. Each time a client has me make one I have to spend hours trying to gather info about whether a requirement is possible because the docs suck.
I find Calacanis a bit annoying, but I think he's mostly right. Contrary to what Calacanis thinks, adding new features that let you compete with other apps isn't wrong. Its part of business. If they want to muddy the purpose of their product by adding 101 bells and widgets to compete with everyone under the sun, they sure can do it.
I do agree with Jason that Zuckerberg seems to have a questionable history of integrity...based on rumor. And I certainly agree that Facebook seems hell-bent on harvesting the souls of their users. The latter is far more troubling that any competitive feature additions.
A guy I know used to work at Inetz. Here's a small chat exerpt from a few minutes ago...
Confirmation that the guy that worked at Inetz is _why. Perhaps take it with a grain of salt.
emullet
you worked at Inetz right?
friend
4:20
yeah
emullet
4:20
You work with a guy named Jonathan Gillette
?
friend
4:21
not allowed to answer that
emullet
4:21
lol
why do you say that?
friend
4:21
but I've heard that a lot of his stuff "disappeared" today
emullet
4:21
ya
you know whats up?
friend
4:21
nope
emullet
4:21
its very odd
kinda cool he worked with you
I mostly agree with the article. On the other hand, adding more features isn't necessarily a bad thing in the case of the netbook as long as price and size/weight are still minimized or maintained.
Thanks for asking this. I've been feeling the same way lately and many of the suggestions here seem like great ideas. Time to set my homepage to dontbreakthechain.com and hit the gym!