As a user, the applications bring the networking platform to life, as they create new ways to interact with friends. As a business, applications mean new business opportunities. Yet as in many aspects of business, where one application succeeds many others will fail.

An O'Reilly Radar Report, The Facebook Application Ecosystem: Why Some Thrive and Most Don't, will be a good investment if you are planning to develop a Facebook application. This 20 page PDF provides insight into how to make money using Facebook, what makes an application popular as well as the topics that Facebook users are most interested in.

For example, the number one user goal driving application installations is enhanced communication, followed by social comparison tools.

The report is available for download from the O'Reilly website for USD$149.