no im not testing many apps lately but as a user of many networks, i do agree with you with the rule of simple function.
i can say that people here in thailand are using hi5 more than any other networks. and as far as ive talked to many many friends, the reason for that is hi5 is the most easiest one to use. and when everyone here are using it, in order to keep in touch with your friends you have to use it too. and people are just fine with it and stay there since it takes not much time to learn how to play. user friendly is the key!

I recently discovered http://www.picnik.com/ . It was introduced to me by a 13 year old. It is a pretty genius on-line photo editing tool. You absolutely must try it (I have nothing to do with the company).

Since you asked for new toys, I would also like to introduce http://www.favequest.com . I am one of the founders (based in Ottawa). This is a video app we launched a couple of weeks ago in facebook (myspace, bebo & iPhone coming soon) that does the following:
-search & watch: across many sites including youtube, metacafe, aol and many others sites.
-create: your own channels. for example, I created a David Usher channel (see public channels). We fill up the channel automatically for you. I check it to see new stuff (lots of footage from Dundas show!)
-share: share & comment on videos AND channels. I created the David Usher channel and shared it with other fans

We built this as a platform so we can easily create different versions very quickly for others. For example, we could create a David Usher Video app controlled by David and fans. David creates channels based on his fave bands (which I would love to see) and fans load the app and can also create their own channels … a community music app. We would be happy to do this for free and include promotion for important causes voted on by the community.

I think this is pretty cool! How about you guys? go to http://www.favequest.com and hit the “try it” button and it will take you to our facebook app.

Allan Isfan
http://isfanstartup.blogspot.com

I initially found Facebook to be fantastic for keeping in touch with friends all over the world but, over time, the experience seemed to lack the personal touch. Lately, I have been using an application called skype a lot more for direct P2P connections like video calling. As with anything it has its benefits and limitations… it’s free and allows for a more personal interaction with users anywhere in the world but it means having to put on the makeup before going online in the morning!

Hi Shannon:-) I agree. I like to use Skype as well to talk to family. It’s way easier than typing out a conversation on instant message! It would be cool to have some of David’s comments on here be a voiceover or video message. But then he would be really spoiling us!

hi,,, my boyfriend use Skype when he’s in china for his work. We talk hours without paying a fortune. He told me that it cost 14$ for ten hours. ( he has microphone and i receive the call on my phone. -no webcam-) when i went to Thailand, i called my family -friends with Skype. its a great thing to save money!!!

coComment is a website that allows a user to track comments across blogs, storing the user’s comments and follow-up comments on a central server.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoComment

Danny Bonaduce spoke about it today on Showbiz Tonight (Crazy as he is)!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103759.html

here’s a good article about facebook apps

The web offers a lot of cool things today. I’d like to tick CoveritLive.com, Canada-based.
Explore the site and get an idea how to use it in the best way. It can become New online experience!

I can’t say I explore many of the new applications and some of the new ones on myspace I took off my site as it just seemed gimmicky and not reflective of the meaning I place in people in general and my relationships.

I remember when I first got started on the net I developed a real close nit group of people that I chatted with and had friendships with. With every new gadget, and new thing, we lost people(divided) until our groups got so low in numbers it was no longer stimulating.

And we just got a new radio station, and it really pisses me off to no end how quick people became mean and bad mouthed the radio people they had listened to prior and been happy with. It bothers me at how fast a person’s loyalities can switch, no it doesn’t bother me, it infuriates me. It is plain not right.

I have a point it and I guess it just be wise and aware and it seems you are, and that sometimes more becomes less. I can only speak from experience though..I am a mass too.

i think a good app is something worth having for a while….in my opinion

Any application that does “Lose” information is a great start!

*doesn’t lose*