Flixster "Critique"

All right! I was assigned "Flixter" (it's really Flixster - do I get brownie points for noting a tiny typo HAHA) and it's pretty cool since this was the first app I used after joining Facebook. Orry mentioned a loyal fan base from the original site - well, I was one of them ;D

So, about the app, i.e. what I think is significant.

Well, I think the thing that the most obviously unique thing about Flixster as an app would be that it is less reliant on Facebook that other apps - like Orry has said, it won't die if Facebook is gone. It has it's own site and all. And that's what makes it a great app. When it came onto Facebook, it already had a lot of functions in place already - it was merely integrating it into Facebook. It gave them a huge advantage since it was probably one of the better apps when Facebook first started out, and it gave them A LOT of exposure. Flixster setting up in Facebook was a great idea due to it's vast network. It was perfect.

In the original Flixster site, your friends actually have to have a Flixster account for interaction, and well, unless you are a movie buff, why would you specifically create a Flixster account? :P (okay, you would, just not as many as they would on Facebook). By integrating it into Facebook (from here on referred to as FB, so tiresome to type it in full) they harnessed it's power: a vast network of connected friends. The users that they needed was just there in and delivered right into their hands. Of course, the users had to actually allow the Flixster app, but it removed hassle - only a few clicks (for those with existing FB account; people are more likely to key in their data for a FB account that Flixster), and therefore a huge encouragement for people to use their FB app. It was great advertisement for their main site as well.

So, so what if it didn't start out in Facebook :p If an app like Flixster started out in FB w/o an existing template, it'd be impressive. The fact it is an app that is sort of an advertisement that comes from another site doesn't undermine it at all. I think it's actually rather fortunate since it makes a much stronger app :D

As mentioned, I was a loyal fan of Flixster (but I don't watch movies so much now. Heck, I've only watched one this year). And there are plenty of other loyal fans like me. When Flixster started in FB, it brought along with it a ton of data about existing users on their main, which was imported into the FB app. Yeah, if my memory serves me right (I am old) I was pleasantly surprised to see all the info in my Flixster account was in FB so it saved me a lot of time. And plenty of my friends who saw there was already info in the app were obviously encouraged to use it also. They'd get more reviews and matches. Again, this gave them a competitive advantage.

So, the FB version isn't as comprehensive, and it really has nothing new from the main site. I think rather than a bane, it's a good thing. You don't want the FB version eclipsing the main site. It wouldn't be good if all their users moved there; it isn't a replacement. Then they may as well close down the main site and shift to FB. The thing is, the FB version shouldn't be too different from the original Flixster site - it'd be messy for one thing. Then I'd have to be using both the FB Flixster AND the main for different purposes. The FB Flixster, I feel, is more of a really quick thing - an at a glance to serve the basic purposes of the main. It doesn't intend to draw users from one site to FB, but the FB app enhances and makes more convenient the original experience. And I think it has achieved it's purpose well.

I think the important thing about Flixster on FB is that it really shows how flexible and powerful FB is. Not only do new, FB dependent apps come up, but old sites evolve also. Even sites with their own loyal fan base see the need to, or perhaps value in setting up in Facebook and it's really win-win. A lot more similar sites will replicate what they have in FB if they haven't already done so. It doesn't make sense not to. And it's really scary if you think about how some people may actually end up doing everything online from FB some day. Well, I think it is possible anyway, haha. Flixster is a nice case study of something that has successfully harnessed and used FB to their advantage, and I think it may have been a better idea to discuss that, rather than Flixster's uses as a whole - because really, that is not very unique to FB.

One thing I think that does suck would be that it was mentioned the database only contains US/CA movies :( But I think that is the market they are focusing on, but they are missing out on a lot. If even my 7yo cousin can possibly play Texas Hold'Em on FB, why can't people review a Chinese movie on Flixster? Well, I am not a law student, so, actually I'm just saying. It may be easier said than done, and they probably have real reasons (=

End.

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On an unrelated note:

My wave group met today. Glad I am in another awesome team :D We are like some United Nations - all from different countries HAHA.