Comments on: Acebucks Gets $1.5 Million For Virtual Facebook Currency http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/ Startup and Technology News Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:49:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: UrTurn veut vous payer pour vos activités sur Facebook; une monnaie virtuelle pour le web? http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2333308 UrTurn veut vous payer pour vos activités sur Facebook; une monnaie virtuelle pour le web? Wed, 28 May 2008 13:46:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2333308 [...] de micro paiement et cette monnaie virtuelle pourrait répondre à ce besoin. Acebucks, couvert sur TechCrunch l’année dernière tente aussi de s’établir dans ce [...] [...] de micro paiement et cette monnaie virtuelle pourrait répondre à ce besoin. Acebucks, couvert sur TechCrunch l’année dernière tente aussi de s’établir dans ce [...]

]]> By: BetterLabs http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2321983 BetterLabs Fri, 23 May 2008 16:05:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2321983 [...] an effective micropayment system, and virtual currencies may be the answer. Acebucks, which we covered last fall, is another company that is trying to establish itself as a unified currency for social [...] [...] an effective micropayment system, and virtual currencies may be the answer. Acebucks, which we covered last fall, is another company that is trying to establish itself as a unified currency for social [...]

]]> By: TechCrunch en français » UrTurn veut vous payer pour vos activités sur Facebook http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2320694 TechCrunch en français » UrTurn veut vous payer pour vos activités sur Facebook Fri, 23 May 2008 05:15:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2320694 [...] de micro paiement et cette monnaie virtuelle pourrait répondre à ce besoin. Acebucks, couvert sur TechCrunch l’année dernière tente aussi de s’établir dans ce [...] [...] de micro paiement et cette monnaie virtuelle pourrait répondre à ce besoin. Acebucks, couvert sur TechCrunch l’année dernière tente aussi de s’établir dans ce [...]

]]> By: UrTurn Pays You To Use Facebook http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2320256 UrTurn Pays You To Use Facebook Fri, 23 May 2008 00:40:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-2320256 [...] an effective micropayment system, and virtual currencies may be the answer. Acebucks, which we covered last fall, is another company that is trying to establish itself as a unified currency for social [...] [...] an effective micropayment system, and virtual currencies may be the answer. Acebucks, which we covered last fall, is another company that is trying to establish itself as a unified currency for social [...]

]]> By: NetFreeInfo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1680168 NetFreeInfo Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:54:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1680168 <strong>Could Acebucks be the the new face of money?...</strong> href=”http://netfreeinfo.com/blog/wp-content/images/acebucks.gif”>Read an article of interest today on TechCrunch. The folks at Buddy Media have have developed a virtual currency for Facebook called Acebucks ...... Could Acebucks be the the new face of money?…

href=”http://netfreeinfo.com/blog/wp-content/images/acebucks.gif”>Read an article of interest today on TechCrunch.
The folks at Buddy Media have have developed a virtual currency for Facebook called Acebucks
……

]]> By: John http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1680121 John Wed, 17 Oct 2007 14:08:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1680121 Acebucks has the ability to become S&H greenstamps reborn! Acebucks has the ability to become S&H greenstamps reborn!

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1644597 Eric Tue, 25 Sep 2007 05:37:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1644597 What the world needs, is a good free micropayment engine. Why not use real money? or is it already being done? What the world needs, is a good free micropayment engine.

Why not use real money? or is it already being done?

]]> By: Danny http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1643471 Danny Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:47:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1643471 The fatal flaw is that unlike Linden Dollars in Second Life, Acebucks and presumably the forthcoming Facebook-backed micropayment platform will not be convertible to and from real money. You go around accumulating Acebucks or whatever through your automated programs (or legitimately, but who would waste the time) so you can spend it on...what exactly? one of a very specific number of items with whom Acebucks happens to have partnerships. Not quite as flexible as good ole greenbacks in my opinion. The fatal flaw is that unlike Linden Dollars in Second Life, Acebucks and presumably the forthcoming Facebook-backed micropayment platform will not be convertible to and from real money. You go around accumulating Acebucks or whatever through your automated programs (or legitimately, but who would waste the time) so you can spend it on…what exactly? one of a very specific number of items with whom Acebucks happens to have partnerships. Not quite as flexible as good ole greenbacks in my opinion.

]]> By: Andy Swan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1643275 Andy Swan Mon, 24 Sep 2007 13:12:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1643275 Congrats to Mike and the team. What people on this board seem to miss is that investors aren't just betting on a virtual currency here....they are betting on PEOPLE (Mike Lazerow) who have done the startup-to-buyout thing before. The investment is in BUDDY MEDIA, the (intended) media focus is on their first project....Acebucks. Disclosure: I'm personally a small investor in this through Howard Lindzon's fund and very happy to be invested in Lazerow and his team. Congrats to Mike and the team. What people on this board seem to miss is that investors aren’t just betting on a virtual currency here….they are betting on PEOPLE (Mike Lazerow) who have done the startup-to-buyout thing before.

The investment is in BUDDY MEDIA, the (intended) media focus is on their first project….Acebucks.

Disclosure: I’m personally a small investor in this through Howard Lindzon’s fund and very happy to be invested in Lazerow and his team.

]]> By: David Litsky http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1643219 David Litsky Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:24:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1643219 Attempting to create your own economic ecosystem is tougher than people think. Look at the issues that face Second Life when their too good to be true bank went defunct. I agree with the other commenters that these virtual currencies are in effect a pyramid scam and will blow over with the social network pop. Why doesn't TechCrunch evaluate an applications that promote saving for real goals with real money like iWant does? Attempting to create your own economic ecosystem is tougher than people think. Look at the issues that face Second Life when their too good to be true bank went defunct. I agree with the other commenters that these virtual currencies are in effect a pyramid scam and will blow over with the social network pop.

Why doesn’t TechCrunch evaluate an applications that promote saving for real goals with real money like iWant does?

]]> By: Adam Loving http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642845 Adam Loving Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:33:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642845 While I originally thought a currency would have broad utility, I now think they are more useful to the casual gaming crowd. Therefore, I'm not convinced that everybody needs "Facebook points" attached to the platform. My users have convinced me, however, that given the right sponsorship - a virtual currency carries a ton of value. What you get by sponsoring an auction is much more (in terms of user engagement and passion) than spending the equivalent money on banner or text ads. However, managing this will require very specific analytics and thus virtual currency providers. While I originally thought a currency would have broad utility, I now think they are more useful to the casual gaming crowd. Therefore, I’m not convinced that everybody needs “Facebook points” attached to the platform.

My users have convinced me, however, that given the right sponsorship - a virtual currency carries a ton of value. What you get by sponsoring an auction is much more (in terms of user engagement and passion) than spending the equivalent money on banner or text ads. However, managing this will require very specific analytics and thus virtual currency providers.

]]> By: Dipankar http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642816 Dipankar Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:09:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642816 I think facebook will go the second life way "facebook dollars" , it has become a virtual closed-society ... though not an internet within the WWW I think facebook will go the second life way “facebook dollars” , it has become a virtual closed-society … though not an internet within the WWW

]]> By: phenom http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642784 phenom Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:40:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642784 Virtual Money, that sucks http://vidsonly.blogspot.com Virtual Money, that sucks
http://vidsonly.blogspot.com

]]> By: Fresh Prince Of Bell-Air http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642772 Fresh Prince Of Bell-Air Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:35:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642772 Soon, soon it will burst. Facebook which is worth 5 billion virtual dollars, trying to build an internet inside the internet, and these Flooz and Beenz startups on top of it. Soon, soon it will burst. Facebook which is worth 5 billion virtual dollars, trying to build an internet inside the internet, and these Flooz and Beenz startups on top of it.

]]> By: Nick Gonzalez http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642770 Nick Gonzalez Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:33:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642770 I think Facebook will have better things to do than control the business relationships between app developers. It's not like they've shut down other virtual offerings, like free gifts. We're more likely to see them enter the app advertising space, either through their own competing platform, or solving a lot of the promotional issues apps deal with by actually making an app directory that works. Why they haven't applied the "social graph" directly to the app directory by letting you see the most popular/engaging apps amongst your friends and friends of friends boggles my mind. I think Facebook will have better things to do than control the business relationships between app developers. It’s not like they’ve shut down other virtual offerings, like free gifts.

We’re more likely to see them enter the app advertising space, either through their own competing platform, or solving a lot of the promotional issues apps deal with by actually making an app directory that works. Why they haven’t applied the “social graph” directly to the app directory by letting you see the most popular/engaging apps amongst your friends and friends of friends boggles my mind.

]]> By: Dipankar http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642762 Dipankar Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:20:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642762 This is virtual currency with no physical, and i see very little chance of them moving into the micro payment space that facebook is targeting (read : real virual money) because of their model right now. I doubt if facebook will look at them as a threat in terms of virtual facebbok currency. This is virtual currency with no physical, and i see very little chance of them moving into the micro payment space that facebook is targeting (read : real virual money) because of their model right now. I doubt if facebook will look at them as a threat in terms of virtual facebbok currency.

]]> By: LiquidBoy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642732 LiquidBoy Mon, 24 Sep 2007 04:49:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642732 Facebook will definetely want to control virtual currency. They'll come out with there own solution thus making all in this space redundant! In time once a third party works out how to make it work in Facebook, they'll copy the formulae and add it to there arsenal of home made applications! Facebook will definetely want to control virtual currency. They’ll come out with there own solution thus making all in this space redundant!

In time once a third party works out how to make it work in Facebook, they’ll copy the formulae and add it to there arsenal of home made applications!

]]> By: Adam Loving http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642706 Adam Loving Mon, 24 Sep 2007 04:18:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642706 IMHO, even though the thought of trading virtual currencies seems a bit hokey, the proliferation of casual gaming on Facebook, and the young audience makes virtual currencies compelling. Please check out Zuckerbucks (http://apps.facebook.com/zuckerbucks/). We've been around as long as Acebucks, and have a more complete feature set, including: * API that any app developer can sign up for. * Sponsored auctions where you can spend your Zuckerbucks for real-life products. * Integrated "Profile Plot" virtual real-estate game * Integrated market place where Zuckerbuckers are trading goods * Integrated service provider directory Thanks! IMHO, even though the thought of trading virtual currencies seems a bit hokey, the proliferation of casual gaming on Facebook, and the young audience makes virtual currencies compelling.

Please check out Zuckerbucks (http://apps.facebook.com/zuckerbucks/). We’ve been around as long as Acebucks, and have a more complete feature set, including:

* API that any app developer can sign up for.
* Sponsored auctions where you can spend your Zuckerbucks for real-life products.
* Integrated “Profile Plot” virtual real-estate game
* Integrated market place where Zuckerbuckers are trading goods
* Integrated service provider directory

Thanks!

]]> By: Nick Gonzalez http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642660 Nick Gonzalez Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:42:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642660 I think the situation is different on Facebook. The environment offers a closed system where the currency can be controlled and virtual goods distrubuted, similar to the way they are on other virtual worlds (second life, WOW). A key difference is that, unlike beenz, this virtual currency doesn't need to be converted into real-world currency. Also, advertiser buy-in is easier with a plethora of applications looking for promotion as a virtual good or limited time offers. All that being said, it does seem hokey, but hey, so does MySpace. I think the situation is different on Facebook. The environment offers a closed system where the currency can be controlled and virtual goods distrubuted, similar to the way they are on other virtual worlds (second life, WOW).

A key difference is that, unlike beenz, this virtual currency doesn’t need to be converted into real-world currency. Also, advertiser buy-in is easier with a plethora of applications looking for promotion as a virtual good or limited time offers.

All that being said, it does seem hokey, but hey, so does MySpace.

]]> By: brian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642653 brian Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:36:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642653 on a 2nd thought, if I have 30 hours a day I can write an application that use the Abuck API and print my own $$. Or simply applying 200 yahoo email to get free startup $. so how many email accounts do I need to get an ipod nano? on a 2nd thought, if I have 30 hours a day I can write an application that use the Abuck API and print my own $$. Or simply applying 200 yahoo email to get free startup $.

so how many email accounts do I need to get an ipod nano?

]]> By: Duncan Riley http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642649 Duncan Riley Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:33:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642649 When I think virtual currency I think Beenz and all the other Web 1.0 startups...it's not a vertical I'd be investing in :-) When I think virtual currency I think Beenz and all the other Web 1.0 startups…it’s not a vertical I’d be investing in :-)

]]> By: brian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642642 brian Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:28:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642642 why would people want to send friends here and there to get monopoly $ online? I just don't get it. why would people want to send friends here and there to get monopoly $ online? I just don’t get it.

]]> By: =Jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642635 =Jason Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:22:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642635 MLM MLM

]]> By: Jon Kelly http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642614 Jon Kelly Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:05:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642614 ugh is right. First all the blogrush hype and now this. I sure hope Web 3.0 isn't the home of spammy virtual pryamid schemes. ugh is right. First all the blogrush hype and now this. I sure hope Web 3.0 isn’t the home of spammy virtual pryamid schemes.

]]> By: joe http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642610 joe Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:03:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/23/acebucks-gets-15-million-for-virtual-currency/#comment-1642610 what's wrong with the term "faceBuck"? i think it sounds so much better and could be so much bigger. maybe there is legal issues or something. what’s wrong with the term “faceBuck”? i think it sounds so much better and could be so much bigger. maybe there is legal issues or something.

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