Comments on: MySpace: Why We Block Widgets http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:28:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: MySpace: Why We Block Widgets at kid’s allright http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1440941 MySpace: Why We Block Widgets at kid’s allright Mon, 18 Jun 2007 20:06:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1440941 [...] MySpace: Why We Block Widgets [...] [...] MySpace: Why We Block Widgets [...]

]]> By: MySpace is Run By Morons » Personal Insights on Web 2.0, Blogging, and Business http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1327128 MySpace is Run By Morons » Personal Insights on Web 2.0, Blogging, and Business Thu, 12 Apr 2007 05:54:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1327128 [...] end being mediocre at everything and good at nothing. I certainly hope they maintain this course of blocking widgets since I’ve always been rooting for Facebook.   « Can (& Should) the [...] [...] end being mediocre at everything and good at nothing. I certainly hope they maintain this course of blocking widgets since I’ve always been rooting for Facebook.   « Can (& Should) the [...]

]]> By: Sharks, Lampreys and Widgets « Screenwerk http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1250715 Sharks, Lampreys and Widgets « Screenwerk Tue, 20 Mar 2007 13:29:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1250715 [...] the traffic, but MySpace is seeking to control who or what makes money on its site. TechCrunch has written in the past about MySpace and its widget-blocking, which is not total but widespread. (The company [...] [...] the traffic, but MySpace is seeking to control who or what makes money on its site. TechCrunch has written in the past about MySpace and its widget-blocking, which is not total but widespread. (The company [...]

]]> By: Gina http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1243592 Gina Mon, 19 Mar 2007 03:55:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1243592 I hope myspace and flickr don't block my image captioning widget http://www.captionbubble.com I hope myspace and flickr don’t block my image captioning widget http://www.captionbubble.com

]]> By: IMR: Extras: HawaiiBlog http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1122920 IMR: Extras: HawaiiBlog Sun, 04 Mar 2007 02:56:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1122920 <strong>Alas, iLike Lacks Feeds...</strong> A Twitter update by Burt reminded me that I wanted to revisit my review of...... Alas, iLike Lacks Feeds…

A Twitter update by Burt reminded me that I wanted to revisit my review of……

]]> By: Micki Krimmel (Revver) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1094088 Micki Krimmel (Revver) Thu, 01 Mar 2007 20:36:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1094088 Jocular, thanks for the clarification. My point is that Myspace has become a huge promotional tool for everything from bands to companies to videobloggers. Whatever the ratio, I know the vast majority of friend requests I receive are promotional in nature. Where is the line when determining the definition of "commercial activity?" Revver is a heck of a lot more than a widget and our business model was certainly not built on the back of myspace. What's important to us is that our users are able to share their videos as widely as possible and to promote their work on myspace. Jocular, thanks for the clarification. My point is that Myspace has become a huge promotional tool for everything from bands to companies to videobloggers. Whatever the ratio, I know the vast majority of friend requests I receive are promotional in nature. Where is the line when determining the definition of “commercial activity?”

Revver is a heck of a lot more than a widget and our business model was certainly not built on the back of myspace. What’s important to us is that our users are able to share their videos as widely as possible and to promote their work on myspace.

]]> By: Kyle Korleski http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1090478 Kyle Korleski Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:12:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1090478 Maybe it's really because they are run by the same company that gives that asshole, O'Reilly, airtime. Maybe it’s really because they are run by the same company that gives that asshole, O’Reilly, airtime.

]]> By: DaveBarousse.com » How I Trick MySpace To Allow My Widget http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1087995 DaveBarousse.com » How I Trick MySpace To Allow My Widget Thu, 01 Mar 2007 08:11:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1087995 [...] use of widgets on Myspace pages is pretty common these days, unless the widget breaks the Myspace Terms Of Service. To make our widget stand out in the crowd, I wanted it to dynamically show the number of votes [...] [...] use of widgets on Myspace pages is pretty common these days, unless the widget breaks the Myspace Terms Of Service. To make our widget stand out in the crowd, I wanted it to dynamically show the number of votes [...]

]]> By: Mike Cianciabella http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1084489 Mike Cianciabella Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:04:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1084489 Calvin - Very well stated. I agree 100% Calvin - Very well stated. I agree 100%

]]> By: Louis-Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1083858 Louis-Eric Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:19:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1083858 I'm curious about this story, which came out today: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/ap_on_hi_te/myspace_hacking 2 guys who seem (by the general wording of the article) to have written a Flash-based MySpace visistor analytics widget were sued in criminal court for computer trespassing ? Can anyone shed light on this strange story ? I’m curious about this story, which came out today:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200.....ce_hacking

2 guys who seem (by the general wording of the article) to have written a Flash-based MySpace visistor analytics widget were sued in criminal court for computer trespassing ? Can anyone shed light on this strange story ?

]]> By: Jocular http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1082839 Jocular Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:19:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1082839 >One more thing - what ISN’T an ad on myspace? The whole site was built >to help bands promote themselves, no? No, it wasn't Micki - band profiles didnt even exist until a year after MySpace's launch. And MySpace lets every user BLOCK bands friend requests, because they were sensitive to the fact that bands may go overboard trying to market themselves. There's 155 million myspace profiles, and less than 1 million of them are bands. >One more thing - what ISN’T an ad on myspace? The whole site was built >to help bands promote themselves, no?

No, it wasn’t Micki - band profiles didnt even exist until a year after MySpace’s launch. And MySpace lets every user BLOCK bands friend requests, because they were sensitive to the fact that bands may go overboard trying to market themselves. There’s 155 million myspace profiles, and less than 1 million of them are bands.

]]> By: Chris http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1082794 Chris Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:12:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1082794 Myspace is probably one of the worst sites to fall under the Web 2.0 banner. It may have kick-started social networks in a way, but there's plenty of sites that do the same thing but better and with more class and style. The only problem is the userbase of 12-year old girls who don't give a f--- about Web 2.0, or decently-crafted websites for that matter. For Myspace to claim that it has, essentially, propelled Web 2.0 all by itself is a crime. Especially not when most Myspace pages harken back to the middle ages of sites like Geocities and Tripod... Myspace is probably one of the worst sites to fall under the Web 2.0 banner. It may have kick-started social networks in a way, but there’s plenty of sites that do the same thing but better and with more class and style. The only problem is the userbase of 12-year old girls who don’t give a f— about Web 2.0, or decently-crafted websites for that matter.

For Myspace to claim that it has, essentially, propelled Web 2.0 all by itself is a crime. Especially not when most Myspace pages harken back to the middle ages of sites like Geocities and Tripod…

]]> By: Rand http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1081969 Rand Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:42:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1081969 Why is myspace so popular, I find myspace to be very messy, loading sucks and I have so many errors trying to do the simplest things such as accepting friend requests. I only use myspace to send out bulletins now and use Bebo to keep in contact with friends, I find bebo to be clean and fast loading with some very cool features that work very well. Why is myspace so popular, I find myspace to be very messy, loading sucks and I have so many errors trying to do the simplest things such as accepting friend requests. I only use myspace to send out bulletins now and use Bebo to keep in contact with friends, I find bebo to be clean and fast loading with some very cool features that work very well.

]]> By: chu http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1081546 chu Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:24:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1081546 Let's not forget that myspace is still blocking all outgoing links on _all_ widgets. TOS and security have nothing to do with with that - seems like they think outgoing traffic is a bad thing as Chernin confirms. You'd think they'd realise that the less they encourage outgoing traffic, the less reason anybody has to use the site. Couple that with the fact that their entire success is based on being the main venue and you couldn't design a better process for sending their business the way of geocities. Let’s not forget that myspace is still blocking all outgoing links on _all_ widgets. TOS and security have nothing to do with with that - seems like they think outgoing traffic is a bad thing as Chernin confirms. You’d think they’d realise that the less they encourage outgoing traffic, the less reason anybody has to use the site. Couple that with the fact that their entire success is based on being the main venue and you couldn’t design a better process for sending their business the way of geocities.

]]> By: Forsooth http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1079989 Forsooth Wed, 28 Feb 2007 09:40:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1079989 Let's not forget that in the value-add chain sites like myspace add very very little to the value proposition. What they is an arbitrary meeting place that people have "chosen". The reason myspace took off was simply that it had music embedded in the page. Which, btw, was an accidental feature, since the purpose was originally for bands to play their own songs. You could farm out to India the coding of a site identical to myspace for less than a few grand. (and it would probably be better written) The hubris of Peter's statement is laughable. Let’s not forget that in the value-add chain sites like myspace add very very little to the value proposition. What they is an arbitrary meeting place that people have “chosen”. The reason myspace took off was simply that it had music embedded in the page. Which, btw, was an accidental feature, since the purpose was originally for bands to play their own songs. You could farm out to India the coding of a site identical to myspace for less than a few grand. (and it would probably be better written) The hubris of Peter’s statement is laughable.

]]> By: Ming http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1078101 Ming Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:54:50 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1078101 Seems MySpace is hiding behind the TOS a bit and generalizing. That sweeping statement could be applied to just about every widget. Seems MySpace is hiding behind the TOS a bit and generalizing. That sweeping statement could be applied to just about every widget.

]]> By: Calvin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1076077 Calvin Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:20:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1076077 Sad that in the middle of the Web 2.0 build out, people are still trying to create and maintain walled gardens. Human nature, I suppose.... The very openness of myspace is what contributed to its success early on. You could paste everything into your own digital whiteboard... The more myspace tries to AOL themselves, the more their users will leave... Sure - it may work for 18 months or so - enough to earn the fat bonuses, but users do not want to be corralled and prohibited from authoring the experience they want to project online. The smart social networks will realize this and begin to differentiate themselves by marketing the fact that they are open platforms and the profiles are truly their users' spaces. Amazing to see what happens to companies when they get acquired by greedy media conglomerates... it's like a bunch of 3 year olds in a room with one toy... mine! mine! mine! Sad that in the middle of the Web 2.0 build out, people are still trying to create and maintain walled gardens. Human nature, I suppose….

The very openness of myspace is what contributed to its success early on. You could paste everything into your own digital whiteboard…

The more myspace tries to AOL themselves, the more their users will leave… Sure - it may work for 18 months or so - enough to earn the fat bonuses, but users do not want to be corralled and prohibited from authoring the experience they want to project online.

The smart social networks will realize this and begin to differentiate themselves by marketing the fact that they are open platforms and the profiles are truly their users’ spaces.

Amazing to see what happens to companies when they get acquired by greedy media conglomerates… it’s like a bunch of 3 year olds in a room with one toy… mine! mine! mine!

]]> By: Micki Krimmel (Revver) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1074615 Micki Krimmel (Revver) Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:17:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1074615 Just to be clear about a few things here: Revver does not sell advertising on Myspace's pages, we sell advertising against videos that are uploaded to the Revver site or one of our affiliated sites. Where the videos are distributed is up to our users. Interestingly enough, our system is built in such a way that we also split revenue with folks -- and sites -- who share "Revverized" videos. We could very easily include Myspace (or any other site) in that arrangement, so that they’d earn money for every Revverized video uploaded to their site. We've already provided this option to Myspace and look forward to continuing the discussions about how we might work together. Regarding our rallying our users to build an "outcry against myspace," this wasn't sneaky at all. We were simply responding to our community who were looking for a way to get in touch with Myspace to express their wishes. As Myspace users, they have all the right in the world to tell Myspace they want to be able to use Revver there. We firmly believe that creators of online video should have the opportunity to earn some money from their work. Even more importantly, they should be able to choose a video hosting service with creator-friendly TOS. One more thing - what ISN'T an ad on myspace? The whole site was built to help bands promote themselves, no? Just to be clear about a few things here: Revver does not sell advertising on Myspace’s pages, we sell advertising against videos that are uploaded to the Revver site or one of our affiliated sites. Where the videos are distributed is up to our users. Interestingly enough, our system is built in such a way that we also split revenue with folks — and sites — who share “Revverized” videos. We could very easily include Myspace (or any other site) in that arrangement, so that they’d earn money for every Revverized video uploaded to their site. We’ve already provided this option to Myspace and look forward to continuing the discussions about how we might work together.

Regarding our rallying our users to build an “outcry against myspace,” this wasn’t sneaky at all. We were simply responding to our community who were looking for a way to get in touch with Myspace to express their wishes. As Myspace users, they have all the right in the world to tell Myspace they want to be able to use Revver there.

We firmly believe that creators of online video should have the opportunity to earn some money from their work. Even more importantly, they should be able to choose a video hosting service with creator-friendly TOS.

One more thing - what ISN’T an ad on myspace? The whole site was built to help bands promote themselves, no?

]]> By: Don Wilson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1074315 Don Wilson Tue, 27 Feb 2007 21:43:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1074315 So not reading TOS automatically exempts you from any legal worries. Sounds like a sure bet to me. So not reading TOS automatically exempts you from any legal worries. Sounds like a sure bet to me.

]]> By: Ty Graham http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1073376 Ty Graham Tue, 27 Feb 2007 19:46:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1073376 What about people who want to put vflyer's widget of their craigslist post on their myspace page? isnt that 'commerical activity'? I think a class action lawsuit would get myspace to clarify it's TOS. Check out this mashable article of the same day: http://mashable.com/2007/02/26/vflyer/ What about people who want to put vflyer’s widget of their craigslist post on their myspace page? isnt that ‘commerical activity’? I think a class action lawsuit would get myspace to clarify it’s TOS. Check out this mashable article of the same day: http://mashable.com/2007/02/26/vflyer/

]]> By: promotingblogs.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1072290 promotingblogs.com Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:40:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1072290 <strong>MySpace: Why We Block Widgets...</strong> MySpace PR has replied to our request for comment on the Imeem blockage that we reported over the weekend. Julie Henderson, SVP Corporate Communications at Fox Interactive (MySpace’s parent company)... MySpace: Why We Block Widgets…

MySpace PR has replied to our request for comment on the Imeem blockage that we reported over the weekend. Julie Henderson, SVP Corporate Communications at Fox Interactive (MySpace’s parent company)…

]]> By: Blogger http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1072185 Blogger Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:26:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1072185 It makes sense but to be honest who ever reads the TOS's? It makes sense but to be honest who ever reads the TOS’s?

]]> By: TallFreak http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1071610 TallFreak Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:15:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1071610 Photobucket.com is genius. They don't use javascript which can easily be blocked by myspace. Instead they use plain and simple HTML. If companies want to "ride the back of myspace" then they will have to come up with a fun application for myspace users that only involves HTML. Personally I don't blame myspace for blocking widgets. They are making everyone these widget companies money and probably not getting a dime of it. Photobucket.com is genius. They don’t use javascript which can easily be blocked by myspace. Instead they use plain and simple HTML. If companies want to “ride the back of myspace” then they will have to come up with a fun application for myspace users that only involves HTML. Personally I don’t blame myspace for blocking widgets. They are making everyone these widget companies money and probably not getting a dime of it.

]]> By: Amy Wilsch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1071347 Amy Wilsch Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:41:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1071347 I don't think I've ever read a TOS in my life. I just click "accept" automatically. Guess I'd better start or keep handing over my paycheck to the legal guys... I don’t think I’ve ever read a TOS in my life. I just click “accept” automatically. Guess I’d better start or keep handing over my paycheck to the legal guys…

]]> By: rack pallet http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1070771 rack pallet Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:27:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/26/myspace-why-we-block-widgets/#comment-1070771 yeah really it seems like 90% of TC users agree with Myspace on this one. - They have a right to ask "Please dont put ads on MY site" .. - Kind of like, "Please don't put your garage sale sign on my front lawn" -rb yeah really it seems like 90% of TC users agree with Myspace on this one.

- They have a right to ask “Please dont put ads on MY site” ..

- Kind of like, “Please don’t put your garage sale sign on my front lawn”

-rb

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