Comments on: Look Out MyBlogLog - Here Comes Explode http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:09:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jonathan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1018891 Jonathan Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:48:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1018891 FWIW , FindMeOn.com has had many of those services available since October. FWIW , FindMeOn.com has had many of those services available since October.

]]> By: Arnaud Fischer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1017286 Arnaud Fischer Thu, 22 Feb 2007 12:43:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1017286 These widgets are awesome, a new form of viral marketing, that will end up being useful (Web 3.0) to users. MyBlogLog took off in spite of privacy issues; I guess human nature's voyeurism ... is a stronger behavior, for some. I love seeing these pics of real people stopping by versus a referrer server log. Some of these social search and social networking widgets do inform on context, ad value to content, relevance, credibility, and eventually will be extracting more data not perceivable when looking at one piece of content in a vacuum. Distributed widgets could connect dots and create value. To paraphrase Microsoft's Naam it’s like every human being is a neuron, and humanity as a whole is one giant brain, smarter as a connected whole. If you can increase the ability of humans to communicate with each other, you make the whole planet smarter. Even though most probably more widgets will surface and go forgotten, there is a shift taking place from few with the power to users getting empowered, from a "few-to-many" to "many-to-many" publishing models with exploding consumer generate media., making the Web more transparent, more fluid. -arnaud Search is the Internet OS! These widgets are awesome, a new form of viral marketing, that will end up being useful (Web 3.0) to users. MyBlogLog took off in spite of privacy issues; I guess human nature’s voyeurism … is a stronger behavior, for some. I love seeing these pics of real people stopping by versus a referrer server log. Some of these social search and social networking widgets do inform on context, ad value to content, relevance, credibility, and eventually will be extracting more data not perceivable when looking at one piece of content in a vacuum. Distributed widgets could connect dots and create value. To paraphrase Microsoft’s Naam it’s like every human being is a neuron, and humanity as a whole is one giant brain, smarter as a connected whole. If you can increase the ability of humans to communicate with each other, you make the whole planet smarter. Even though most probably more widgets will surface and go forgotten, there is a shift taking place from few with the power to users getting empowered, from a “few-to-many” to “many-to-many” publishing models with exploding consumer generate media., making the Web more transparent, more fluid.

-arnaud
Search is the Internet OS!

]]> By: Library clips http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1014134 Library clips Thu, 22 Feb 2007 04:43:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1014134 <strong>Explode implodes!...</strong> At the moment meta-personal network services are sorely needed as our content is scattered all over the place (bookmarks, blogs, photo’s, video’s, audio, networks, etc…), and this need is certainly being met due to the number of meta... Explode implodes!…

At the moment meta-personal network services are sorely needed as our content is scattered all over the place (bookmarks, blogs, photo’s, video’s, audio, networks, etc…), and this need is certainly being met due to the number of meta…

]]> By: Benedict Herold http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1013805 Benedict Herold Thu, 22 Feb 2007 03:58:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1013805 Social Networking powers the Web2.0... yet another one in the series... Social Networking powers the Web2.0… yet another one in the series…

]]> By: David Mackey http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1012620 David Mackey Thu, 22 Feb 2007 01:07:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1012620 Hooray for OpenID support. Hooray for OpenID support.

]]> By: Doug L. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1011620 Doug L. Wed, 21 Feb 2007 22:53:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1011620 Looks like Jason Kottke's http://www.kottke.org/04/01/metaster "meta-ster" joke, made real. Well, as "real" as web 2.0 gets, anyway... Looks like Jason Kottke’s http://www.kottke.org/04/01/metaster “meta-ster” joke, made real. Well, as “real” as web 2.0 gets, anyway…

]]> By: engtech http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1010852 engtech Wed, 21 Feb 2007 21:19:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1010852 MyBlogLog has an image-only widget available as well. You have to temporarily change your doman to .wordpress.com or myspace.com to get the code though. more info: http://engtech.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/mybloglog-widget-for-wordpresscom-blogs-one-of-the-best-web-widgets-available/ MyBlogLog has an image-only widget available as well. You have to temporarily change your doman to .wordpress.com or myspace.com to get the code though.

more info:
http://engtech.wordpress.com/2.....available/

]]> By: TECH CRUNCH ME.COM http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1010669 TECH CRUNCH ME.COM Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:58:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1010669 Not another social networking site, Please! visit http://www.techcrunchme.com Not another social networking site, Please!
visit http://www.techcrunchme.com

]]> By: Joe Duck http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1010386 Joe Duck Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:23:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1010386 Hey, Arrington's dog is a very handsome hound! Explode doesn't have the spam problems of MBL because it was *virtually unknown* (until now). Unless Explode's features are dramatically better I need to stick to the one I know and the one almost everybody else is using. Hey, Arrington’s dog is a very handsome hound!

Explode doesn’t have the spam problems of MBL because it was *virtually unknown* (until now). Unless Explode’s features are dramatically better I need to stick to the one I know and the one almost everybody else is using.

]]> By: Helen http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1009834 Helen Wed, 21 Feb 2007 19:08:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1009834 I really like it. I find it easy to use and very addictive - plus from the message boards I gather you will be able to see user activity by groups of friends (ie 'work' or 'football' or 'drama group') which would be really really ace. Plus, y'know, British! Huzzah! I really like it. I find it easy to use and very addictive - plus from the message boards I gather you will be able to see user activity by groups of friends (ie ‘work’ or ‘football’ or ‘drama group’) which would be really really ace.

Plus, y’know, British! Huzzah!

]]> By: kevin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1009477 kevin Wed, 21 Feb 2007 18:19:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1009477 Marshall, I already pinged you about this but I'd suggest checking out <a href="http://milliondollaravatar.com" rel="nofollow">www.milliondollaravatar.com</a> which launched at midnight this AM. The tagline is "get hits or die tryin" - and basically that sums up the goal of MDA. It's an avatar based social networking community created to help people find new sites and promote their own. Read the blog, About us, and FAQ for more details. It's kinda/sorta like mybloglog but with a twist - more focused on helping people find new sites. Check it out. Marshall, I already pinged you about this but I’d suggest checking out http://www.milliondollaravatar.com which launched at midnight this AM.

The tagline is “get hits or die tryin” - and basically that sums up the goal of MDA. It’s an avatar based social networking community created to help people find new sites and promote their own.

Read the blog, About us, and FAQ for more details. It’s kinda/sorta like mybloglog but with a twist - more focused on helping people find new sites. Check it out.

]]> By: Paul Stamatiou http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1008718 Paul Stamatiou Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:42:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1008718 Too bad their logo is hideous. Too bad their logo is hideous.

]]> By: Gain Traffic For Your Blog Today http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1008617 Gain Traffic For Your Blog Today Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:28:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1008617 this sounds like a cool idea actually! this sounds like a cool idea actually!

]]> By: Ben Werdmuller http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1007690 Ben Werdmuller Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:20:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1007690 We're not trying to solve the same problem as MyBlogLog, and as the week carries on you'll start seeing features that really differentiates Explode. I've got an alternative, web 2.0 compliant logo in a comment above that appears to be stuck in moderation hell. Suffice to say it has shadows and everything; it has been suggested that I stick "beta post-stealth mode proof of concept" on the end, but I'm resisting. We’re not trying to solve the same problem as MyBlogLog, and as the week carries on you’ll start seeing features that really differentiates Explode.

I’ve got an alternative, web 2.0 compliant logo in a comment above that appears to be stuck in moderation hell. Suffice to say it has shadows and everything; it has been suggested that I stick “beta post-stealth mode proof of concept” on the end, but I’m resisting.

]]> By: markus941 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1007499 markus941 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:55:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1007499 Horrible logo. I doubt a lot of MyBlogLog bloggers will take the time to switch unless there's something truly extraordinary that differentiates this new service (which doesn't seem to be the case) - especially with the number of people using MBL. It's the same reason MySpace still dominates - they were the first one to reach significant critical mass and people have to be on there because everyone else already is. MBL has been very responsive to plugging up security holes and they are backed by Y!'s infrastructure. MBL gained a lot of traction in this space being the first mover. It's nice to see a competitor in the space though - at least it drives innovation and progress. Horrible logo.

I doubt a lot of MyBlogLog bloggers will take the time to switch unless there’s something truly extraordinary that differentiates this new service (which doesn’t seem to be the case) - especially with the number of people using MBL. It’s the same reason MySpace still dominates - they were the first one to reach significant critical mass and people have to be on there because everyone else already is.

MBL has been very responsive to plugging up security holes and they are backed by Y!’s infrastructure. MBL gained a lot of traction in this space being the first mover. It’s nice to see a competitor in the space though - at least it drives innovation and progress.

]]> By: Thomas Ryberg http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1007171 Thomas Ryberg Wed, 21 Feb 2007 13:02:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1007171 Drama 2.0: "The biggest hurdle to their success is the fact that they have to get website/blog owners to participate." I think the good thing about Explode! is exactly that you don't need to "participate" in a community - it is just a service that allows you to connect to your friends and contacts across different sites and each and everyone can choose their own profile-page, be it a blog, homepage, MySpace-profile or whatever. In turn then, I don't need to subscribe to all kinds of different services to stay connected to different people and have the relations to them be visible to others. Drama 2.0: “The biggest hurdle to their success is the fact that they have to get website/blog owners to participate.”

I think the good thing about Explode! is exactly that you don’t need to “participate” in a community - it is just a service that allows you to connect to your friends and contacts across different sites and each and everyone can choose their own profile-page, be it a blog, homepage, MySpace-profile or whatever. In turn then, I don’t need to subscribe to all kinds of different services to stay connected to different people and have the relations to them be visible to others.

]]> By: Alex Iskold http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1006930 Alex Iskold Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:22:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1006930 It would be interesting to see how many people would be willing to give this a shot instead of MyBlogLog. There is something to be said about inertia, even these days. Alex It would be interesting to see how many people would be willing to give this a shot instead of MyBlogLog. There is something to be said about inertia, even these days.

Alex

]]> By: David Scott Lewis (in Beijing) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1006643 David Scott Lewis (in Beijing) Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:30:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1006643 I'd like to see people use their real names, make the system less juvenile. Also, real names provide more transparency. If someone wants to remain anonymous, wants to be a lurker, they can: They don't have to sign up for MyBlogLog. I’d like to see people use their real names, make the system less juvenile. Also, real names provide more transparency. If someone wants to remain anonymous, wants to be a lurker, they can: They don’t have to sign up for MyBlogLog.

]]> By: sharpshoot http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1006293 sharpshoot Wed, 21 Feb 2007 10:32:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1006293 Just to put it into mainstream context - have a look at Slide.com's guestbook widget - with slide's reach on myspace, bebo, facebook etc - is that the mainstream distributed social network starting up? Just to put it into mainstream context - have a look at Slide.com’s guestbook widget - with slide’s reach on myspace, bebo, facebook etc - is that the mainstream distributed social network starting up?

]]> By: Ben Werdmuller http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1005947 Ben Werdmuller Wed, 21 Feb 2007 09:32:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1005947 To answer some of the points brought up in the article and comments: The ability to add friends on the site will magically appear today. We were going to do it yesterday but ran out of time - this is moving a lot faster than we expected it to. <i>Personally, I find MyBlogLog and Explode to be quite basic and uncompelling. The biggest hurdle to their success is the fact that they have to get website/blog owners to participate. In my opinion, this will probably always limit their growth and I would be surprised to see any service with this type of hurdle really breaking out into the mainstream unless there’s a greater value proposition for participating.</i> We've made it a lot easier to participate. You don't need to slap a Javascript widget on your site; all it takes is a graphic, which you can stick in a blog post (if you've ever read a Livejournal post or been to Myspace, you'll know this isn't much of a barrier). We're going to be adding the ability to let people choose the graphics and share them with others; for example, serious bloggers might be allergic to the badge we have at the moment, so we'll design up a smaller, smarter alternative. As for the logo, <a href="http://elgg.net/bwerdmuller/files/18/15776/explode-web20.png" rel="nofollow">here's a suitably web 2.0 alternative</a> ;) (PS: one note - the link to Elgg in the article should point to <a href="http://elgg.org/" rel="nofollow">Elgg.org</a> rather than Explode, and I'd like to rather cheekily ask anyone interested in building a social networking service to check it out. It's completely free.) To answer some of the points brought up in the article and comments:

The ability to add friends on the site will magically appear today. We were going to do it yesterday but ran out of time - this is moving a lot faster than we expected it to.

Personally, I find MyBlogLog and Explode to be quite basic and uncompelling. The biggest hurdle to their success is the fact that they have to get website/blog owners to participate. In my opinion, this will probably always limit their growth and I would be surprised to see any service with this type of hurdle really breaking out into the mainstream unless there’s a greater value proposition for participating.

We’ve made it a lot easier to participate. You don’t need to slap a Javascript widget on your site; all it takes is a graphic, which you can stick in a blog post (if you’ve ever read a Livejournal post or been to Myspace, you’ll know this isn’t much of a barrier). We’re going to be adding the ability to let people choose the graphics and share them with others; for example, serious bloggers might be allergic to the badge we have at the moment, so we’ll design up a smaller, smarter alternative.

As for the logo, here’s a suitably web 2.0 alternative ;)

(PS: one note - the link to Elgg in the article should point to Elgg.org rather than Explode, and I’d like to rather cheekily ask anyone interested in building a social networking service to check it out. It’s completely free.)

]]> By: Debbie Davies http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004748 Debbie Davies Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:14:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004748 I don't get widgets. Why do you want something on your site that everyone else can have? When I visit a site with things like MyBlogLog or Snaps I just think oh another site with the same stuff. I much prefer sites with original content. I don’t get widgets. Why do you want something on your site that everyone else can have? When I visit a site with things like MyBlogLog or Snaps I just think oh another site with the same stuff. I much prefer sites with original content.

]]> By: ipodcase http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004713 ipodcase Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:11:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004713 I like the site, has potential indeed.. layout could be improved a bit..though I like the site, has potential indeed.. layout could be improved a bit..though

]]> By: Drama 2.0 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004642 Drama 2.0 Wed, 21 Feb 2007 07:02:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004642 AL: According to the stats I've seen reported, MyBlogLog is on 45,000 blogs, a good portion of which are tech blogs. I would not consider this to be a safe position, nor would I consider that to be "mainstream" traction. Personally, I find MyBlogLog and Explode to be quite basic and uncompelling. The biggest hurdle to their success is the fact that they have to get website/blog owners to participate. In my opinion, this will probably always limit their growth and I would be surprised to see any service with this type of hurdle really breaking out into the mainstream unless there's a greater value proposition for participating. Josh: I don't know what the Yahoo management is thinking anymore, but shareholders should be thinking "Damn. We just paid $10 million for a simple service with no defensible technology and limited traction." AL: According to the stats I’ve seen reported, MyBlogLog is on 45,000 blogs, a good portion of which are tech blogs. I would not consider this to be a safe position, nor would I consider that to be “mainstream” traction.

Personally, I find MyBlogLog and Explode to be quite basic and uncompelling. The biggest hurdle to their success is the fact that they have to get website/blog owners to participate. In my opinion, this will probably always limit their growth and I would be surprised to see any service with this type of hurdle really breaking out into the mainstream unless there’s a greater value proposition for participating.

Josh: I don’t know what the Yahoo management is thinking anymore, but shareholders should be thinking “Damn. We just paid $10 million for a simple service with no defensible technology and limited traction.”

]]> By: AL http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004403 AL Wed, 21 Feb 2007 06:34:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004403 I think MyBlogLog has reached the tipping point in their network effect and they're bound to sustain their position in this particular niche, especially when they're working hard on fixing all problems that arise in a "timely" fashion. I'm very skeptical at this point on how much market share Explode will be able to pull. I think MyBlogLog has reached the tipping point in their network effect and they’re bound to sustain their position in this particular niche, especially when they’re working hard on fixing all problems that arise in a “timely” fashion.

I’m very skeptical at this point on how much market share Explode will be able to pull.

]]> By: Louis-Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004003 Louis-Eric Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:41:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/20/look-out-mybloglog-here-comes-explode/#comment-1004003 Speaking of two excellent services, what is the deal with the first ? MyBlogLog has been off the TC pages for days now, and we miss it. Speaking of two excellent services, what is the deal with the first ? MyBlogLog has been off the TC pages for days now, and we miss it.

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