As reported on TechCrunch, LinkedIn has plans to launch open API's that will allow developers similar access to what is currently available via the Facebook Platform. It was expected that at least one social networking site would be smart and follow in Facebook's footsteps. But, while this news is certainly a move in the right direction for LinkedIn, I wonder what kind of applications could actually make the site more useful. As I have mentioned before, short of forming connections with my friends and colleagues I admire in my specific industry, I have yet to find any use for LinkedIn. In short, it doesn't seem to work, at least not among most people I know. It is unclear to me if allowing developer access will really change this. I suppose it depends on what developers create.