So, I see people complaining about Twitter doing things like buying Tweetie, and pushing features out that were originally created as separate applications by other developers using the platform. I guess Fred Wilson’s post about how they are looking for people to use Twitter to build revolutionary projects, instead of plug holes, ruffled some feathers too.

Seriously though, if you stop and think about it, it’s Twitter’s responsibility to build the best application they possibly can. Now, if you come out with an application, built entirely using Twitter’s platform, that a large portion of Twitter’s users would want, it’s Twitter’s job to either acquire you or build their own. It’s also Twitter’s job to it’s investors to make that choice based off of fiscal decisions. And a lot of times, I bet Twitter will be able to build their own version of your app cheaper than the price you may ask them to buy it for. That’s just simple economics.

Twitter is new, and they still have a growing team of developers. They made a smart decision, they pushed out an API first, and let the rest of the world go crazy making apps. That allowed them, for free, to see what people wanted from their product. Awesome idea, and my hats off to whoever made that decision. Now though, Twitter has developers, and they’re ready to start polishing their product.

This is of personal interest, because I’m using the Twitter platform for part of the app I’m working on. The thing is though, Twitter is a part of the application I’m working on. Twitter stated it’s goal months ago, it wants to be like the power companies. It’s not being written for someone to make a buck building a client for, it’s there to empower businesses to use it as an information store to build unique products. I kind of thought this was a given. I think the key point here is if you’re making an application to improve Twitter, stop, or go apply for a position at Twitter. Otherwise, think about how you can make an app that uses Twitter. Start looking at Twitter an a wealth of information, and a widely used source of authentication. Then I think you might start have some ideas you can really found a business worthy product on. I’m hoping I do.

For the record, I don’t mean my www.choip.me hack. In fact I’d love for Twitter to throw together a way to turn Tweets into full public conversations so I don’t keep feeling like I should go back and really polish that app.