Comments on: ScratchYourself: Viral Sweepstakes That Brands Could Love http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/ Startup and Technology News Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:38:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Adam http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1356046 Adam Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:15:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1356046 Yea great idea, By the way when are we going to see Gravatars on TechCrunch? Yea great idea,

By the way when are we going to see Gravatars on TechCrunch?

]]> By: Noah http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1355698 Noah Mon, 30 Apr 2007 01:48:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1355698 Since you win if someone else wins on one of your cards, you can improve your chances by posting your ScratchYourself card at SiteRaffle.com. Since you win if someone else wins on one of your cards, you can improve your chances by posting your ScratchYourself card at SiteRaffle.com.

]]> By: Karyn Little http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354812 Karyn Little Sun, 29 Apr 2007 06:16:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354812 Monty is correct, everything old is new again, on the web. This is very similar to the greeting card spam of the late 90s with the sligtly new twist of a prize thrown in. <a>eBusiness</a> Monty is correct, everything old is new again, on the web. This is very similar to the greeting card spam of the late 90s with the sligtly new twist of a prize thrown in.

eBusiness

]]> By: David Smith http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354711 David Smith Sun, 29 Apr 2007 03:53:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354711 Their privacy policy blows. -- begin excerpt -- We may, in Our sole discretion, sell, license, or allow access to certain personally identifiable information We collect from You when using this site and/or entering the Sweepstakes to one or more third parties who may then use it for their own purposes. -- end excerpt -- Their privacy policy blows.

– begin excerpt –

We may, in Our sole discretion, sell, license, or allow access to certain personally identifiable information We collect from You when using this site and/or entering the Sweepstakes to one or more third parties who may then use it for their own purposes.

– end excerpt –

]]> By: Monty Loree http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354694 Monty Loree Sun, 29 Apr 2007 03:33:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354694 It's fun when I first looked at it. However, I sent myself a scratch card by mail. This reminds me of the spammy greeting cards that get over abused. I won't ever open greeting cards. This will be abused by emailers and distrusted by spam haters for sure. It’s fun when I first looked at it.
However, I sent myself a scratch card by mail.
This reminds me of the spammy greeting cards that get over abused.
I won’t ever open greeting cards.

This will be abused by emailers and distrusted by spam haters for sure.

]]> By: nomadicalloy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354597 nomadicalloy Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:00:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354597 cool idea, but i never win with scratch off cool idea, but i never win with scratch off

]]> By: Michell http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354310 Michell Sat, 28 Apr 2007 17:12:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1354310 I win 50$ - Michael Arrington should receive 50 dollars too. But am Russian - to me will not send money? Strange: www.GoodLuckFinder.com - I create this site and it has brought to me success. It not a spam it is really strange. Michael will receive from a ScratchYourself acknowledgement of a prize. I win 50$ - Michael Arrington should receive 50 dollars too. But am Russian - to me will not send money?

Strange: http://www.GoodLuckFinder.com - I create this site and it has brought to me success. It not a spam it is really strange.
Michael will receive from a ScratchYourself acknowledgement of a prize.

]]> By: HowTo Spoter http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353713 HowTo Spoter Fri, 27 Apr 2007 23:02:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353713 This is an interesting information and while I know that many people don't like flash - it creates interactive sites and for my site that concentrates on web 2.0 interactivity is very important. Thank you for the info This is an interesting information and while I know that many people don’t like flash - it creates interactive sites and for my site that concentrates on web 2.0 interactivity is very important. Thank you for the info

]]> By: Lawrence http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353686 Lawrence Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:14:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353686 inspite of the viral concept that this program gets spread through - it still looks like spam marketing that will annoy people. inspite of the viral concept that this program gets spread through - it still looks like spam marketing that will annoy people.

]]> By: JasonM http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353661 JasonM Fri, 27 Apr 2007 21:36:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353661 This is an idea that should have mass appeal and its a alternative to sending friends an online postcard. This is an idea that should have mass appeal and its a alternative to sending friends an online postcard.

]]> By: Jay (living in First Life) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353585 Jay (living in First Life) Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:46:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353585 @ 17 - I pulled it out of my ass. TechCrunch pulled out "That Brands Could Love" out if its collective ass too. People who fall for dumb sweepstakes are aplenty but they tend not to have the latest browsers and the companies that they get tricked by tend not to be featured on TechCrunch. @ 17 - I pulled it out of my ass. TechCrunch pulled out “That Brands Could Love” out if its collective ass too.

People who fall for dumb sweepstakes are aplenty but they tend not to have the latest browsers and the companies that they get tricked by tend not to be featured on TechCrunch.

]]> By: Vijay Chakravarthy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353583 Vijay Chakravarthy Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:43:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353583 Hmm, wouldnt this need a captcha? The prizes are currently pretty low to warrant any interest, but what prevents someone from creating a scratchbot (trademark opportunity anyone? ;)) Hmm, wouldnt this need a captcha? The prizes are currently pretty low to warrant any interest, but what prevents someone from creating a scratchbot (trademark opportunity anyone? ;))

]]> By: bdb http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353561 bdb Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:56:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353561 Firefox works fine here, but since there are so many add-ons, it doesn't really provide much trouble-shooting info to say just that; maybe disabling 'no script' will help. Jay, I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering why you can't envision the revenue potential this service possesses. I don't think you even care to consider and would rather nay-say. That's cool, and I do agree with the "1%" characterization. But, you pulled the, "50% who might, won’t be able to scratch these things off." assertion out of your @ss. The real question is competition and execution. From some of the comments, it sounds like there are several competitive offerings. I still don't understand why a "scratch card" format is necessary, or the specific mechanism for revenue generation, but I can imagine a number of scenarios. Wait and see, I guess. Firefox works fine here, but since there are so many add-ons, it doesn’t really provide much trouble-shooting info to say just that; maybe disabling ‘no script’ will help.

Jay, I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering why you can’t envision the revenue potential this service possesses. I don’t think you even care to consider and would rather nay-say. That’s cool, and I do agree with the “1%” characterization. But, you pulled the, “50% who might, won’t be able to scratch these things off.” assertion out of your @ss.

The real question is competition and execution. From some of the comments, it sounds like there are several competitive offerings. I still don’t understand why a “scratch card” format is necessary, or the specific mechanism for revenue generation, but I can imagine a number of scenarios.

Wait and see, I guess.

]]> By: John_Mccain http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353552 John_Mccain Fri, 27 Apr 2007 18:40:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353552 There are at least 2 different scripts like this that I know for $50 each; anyone can easily setup a website like this one. There are at least 2 different scripts like this that I know for $50 each; anyone can easily setup a website like this one.

]]> By: I love Flash! http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353505 I love Flash! Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:12:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353505 I mean hates flash in the first line :P I mean hates flash in the first line :P

]]> By: I love Flash! http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353503 I love Flash! Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:09:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353503 Arghh! Another guy who flash! Flash is absolutely elegant and ITS not heavy. Flash in the hands of a proper programmer can do magic. And it'll load faster than any other script which can do something similar. As Amy says, it takes much less time to create things with flash than JS. Why take the pain and spend time on re-inventing things. Flash is getting way better than it used to be. It no longer is the slow turtle. Arghh! Another guy who flash! Flash is absolutely elegant and ITS not heavy.
Flash in the hands of a proper programmer can do magic. And it’ll load faster than any other script which can do something similar.

As Amy says, it takes much less time to create things with flash than JS. Why take the pain and spend time on re-inventing things. Flash is getting way better than it used to be. It no longer is the slow turtle.

]]> By: Amy Wilsch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353462 Amy Wilsch Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:00:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353462 palletJack, why is flash "weaksauce"? I know some people hate it, but think it's nearing time to get over the aversion. Flash, used correctly, is a powerful (and great looking tool). Sites should use the right tool for each component. If it can be done well with HTML/Javascript, go for it. If it would work out better with Flash, then why waste time recreating something with Javascript that you could build 3 times faster with Flash? Flash is getting better at handling text than it used to, while DHTML is making smoother and fancier animations than it used to. So pros and cons to each, but Flash is not as annoying as it used to be. palletJack, why is flash “weaksauce”? I know some people hate it, but think it’s nearing time to get over the aversion. Flash, used correctly, is a powerful (and great looking tool). Sites should use the right tool for each component. If it can be done well with HTML/Javascript, go for it. If it would work out better with Flash, then why waste time recreating something with Javascript that you could build 3 times faster with Flash? Flash is getting better at handling text than it used to, while DHTML is making smoother and fancier animations than it used to. So pros and cons to each, but Flash is not as annoying as it used to be.

]]> By: Larry Chiang http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353448 Larry Chiang Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:49:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353448 OR!, take this live on college campuses where Russian mobsters and French hackers can't *game* the system OR!, take this live on college campuses where Russian mobsters and French hackers can’t *game* the system

]]> By: Jay (living in First Life) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353397 Jay (living in First Life) Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:36:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353397 Like #6 Dean, I'm using the latest version of Firefox and the cards don't scratch properly. Now unlike some of you on here I'm not in the top 0.0001% of most technically savvy people, but I am in the top 1%. People in the top 1% don't care/respond to advertising anyway and the bottom 50% who might, won't be able to scratch these things off. Great idea! It's a "neat idea" but it's not a business. Then again, the latter rarely get featured on TechCrunch. Like #6 Dean, I’m using the latest version of Firefox and the cards don’t scratch properly. Now unlike some of you on here I’m not in the top 0.0001% of most technically savvy people, but I am in the top 1%. People in the top 1% don’t care/respond to advertising anyway and the bottom 50% who might, won’t be able to scratch these things off. Great idea!

It’s a “neat idea” but it’s not a business. Then again, the latter rarely get featured on TechCrunch.

]]> By: Mike La Rotonda http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353396 Mike La Rotonda Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:35:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353396 Votigo is another site in this space that allows anyone to easily create their own customized photo or video contest. They’ve worked with partners like Epic Records and The Motley Fool to run online contests but the service also allows anyone to create a contest just for fun. They have some new viral contest features in the works that’s similar to ScratchYourself. In the interest of full disclosure I’m the Co-founder and CEO of Votigo. Votigo is another site in this space that allows anyone to easily create their own customized photo or video contest. They’ve worked with partners like Epic Records and The Motley Fool to run online contests but the service also allows anyone to create a contest just for fun. They have some new viral contest features in the works that’s similar to ScratchYourself. In the interest of full disclosure I’m the Co-founder and CEO of Votigo.

]]> By: pallet jack http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353367 pallet jack Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:58:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353367 Everybody is in love with this - I am not - -#1 although most are willing to give up their email address (especially on stupid myspace) I am not - #2 its flash, therefore - weaksauce - #3 Its an old model, Everybody is in love with this

- I am not -

-#1 although most are willing to give up their email address (especially on stupid myspace) I am not

- #2 its flash, therefore - weaksauce

- #3 Its an old model,

]]> By: adam http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353320 adam Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:49:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353320 what a cool idea... but maybe the actual scratching can be more fun than just seeing the logo of the company... some surprise element, something to make me laugh... anything than just expecting to see the logo of the brand... what a cool idea… but maybe the actual scratching can be more fun than just seeing the logo of the company… some surprise element, something to make me laugh… anything than just expecting to see the logo of the brand…

]]> By: Adam http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353311 Adam Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:33:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353311 How cool is that, I like the fact that you don't leave the site you are on to enter the contest. A great way to encourage daily visitors. But if you do one on one site, can you do one on another site as well? How cool is that, I like the fact that you don’t leave the site you are on to enter the contest. A great way to encourage daily visitors. But if you do one on one site, can you do one on another site as well?

]]> By: pligg.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353307 pligg.com Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:26:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353307 <strong>scratch and win 1 meg of transit perhaps ?...</strong> transit+peering prospect perhaps ?... scratch and win 1 meg of transit perhaps ?…

transit+peering prospect perhaps ?…

]]> By: Dean http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353300 Dean Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:14:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/27/scratchyourself-viral-sweepstakes-that-brands-could-love/#comment-1353300 I'm using the latest version of Firefox and it wouldn't scratch... I’m using the latest version of Firefox and it wouldn’t scratch…

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