"Facebook is just as likely to compete with you as pay a few bucks and just buy you"

facebook is still at the size where they can churn out code and features quickly. i'd be surprised if they purchase many third party apps while they're in that position.

Here's a different sort of friends app that you might find interesting:

http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=5469363031

Find out what your friends have told everyone you are good at and track your public expertise rankings.

In turn, increase your karma by telling everyone about your friends.

Discover experts on Facebook.

I hate it that all links to facebook arrive at a login screen. I don't want to login just to see what that app is all about.

Facebook - nah...

This isn't a function of the platform itself, it's just an annoying thing that most of the app developers do. You don't have to require a login, let alone require the user to add your app, just to show a canvas page that says what your app is all about.

Maybe this will change when Google releases its competing platform.