Comments on: Flux Takes Off http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/ Startup and Technology News Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:35:27 -0800 hourly 1 By: Terbaik.Net » Blog Archive » Ning: All Our Charts Point Up And To The Right http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-2049624 Terbaik.Net » Blog Archive » Ning: All Our Charts Point Up And To The Right Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:19:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-2049624 [...] off a cliff (we’re checking with Comscore on that data - see our earlier post on Flux growth here, including the [...] [...] off a cliff (we’re checking with Comscore on that data – see our earlier post on Flux growth here, including the [...]

]]> By: Viacom’s Flux Goes OpenSocial Compatible http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-2000073 Viacom’s Flux Goes OpenSocial Compatible Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:29:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-2000073 [...] In November Michael Arrington reported on the feature differences between Flux and Ning from a site owner’s perspective, and earlier this month he analyzed their respective traffic patterns. [...] [...] In November Michael Arrington reported on the feature differences between Flux and Ning from a site owner’s perspective, and earlier this month he analyzed their respective traffic patterns. [...]

]]> By: Ryan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1979156 Ryan Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:29:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1979156 The freedom of flux is very important. You can keep it as simple or complicated as you want. Very important. I'll be creating a flux network during this next week. The freedom of flux is very important. You can keep it as simple or complicated as you want. Very important. I’ll be creating a flux network during this next week.

]]> By: Edward Domain http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1978705 Edward Domain Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:06:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1978705 @ 21 Allen: GREAT article and dead on right. You showed exactly what I encounter day to day- the sites in the lead all bellow their Alexa or Comcast Score, while those behind point out that no one can agree on the numbers. It's a joke. @ 21 Allen:

GREAT article and dead on right. You showed exactly what I encounter day to day- the sites in the lead all bellow their Alexa or Comcast Score, while those behind point out that no one can agree on the numbers. It’s a joke.

]]> By: allen stern http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1977411 allen stern Wed, 06 Feb 2008 02:18:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1977411 fyi, i wrote a lengthy post about this today - about the need for a real web comparison engine: http://www.centernetworks.com/will-we-ever-see-a-web-comparison-engine and from reading mike's update tonight, it looks like i was right. i kinda wish i wasn't. fyi, i wrote a lengthy post about this today – about the need for a real web comparison engine:
http://www.cent...mparison-engine

and from reading mike’s update tonight, it looks like i was right. i kinda wish i wasn’t.

]]> By: Edward Domain http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1977320 Edward Domain Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:40:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1977320 @ #2- you can name the domain whatever you want- but you have to own the domain name AND pay for Ning's premium services. I use Ning myself for my passion project: www.troopspace.net and it works well.(I am still working on the design- so be kind) I pay approx. $52/month to "white label" my site. As I am not trying to make money off my users and don't want ads right now to keep the site clean, this solution works for me. Everytime I have emailed anyone at Ning- Gina Bianchini included- I have always received a very fast answer. In fact, I am due to meet with her sometime soon. Is Ning perfect? No- but as with any good web property it is constantly being improved and the folks at Ning listen to their users. I can't speak for Flux, but that is probably because Ning is keeping me happy and I have no reason to jump ship. There are a lot of white label social network solutions out there- some inexpensive and some REALLY expensive- whatit always comes down to is service vs. What you are willing to pay. Foe me, Ning is a GREAT value For my day job, I am involved in online media and everyone uses Comscore and the rest even though we all know they are full of it. Its kind of a joke- if Alexa says a site is getting high traffic, the people from that site scream it from the rooftops. When they say their site is bad, it's always, "well, everyone knows you can't trust any of those reporting sites" Even with online advertising, it is hard to get reliable numbers because every analytical company out there (atlas, 24/7, Double click) always has different numbers than everyone else. So always take those statistics with a grain of salt @ #2- you can name the domain whatever you want- but you have to own the domain name AND pay for Ning’s premium services.

I use Ning myself for my passion project: http://www.troopspace.net and it works well.(I am still working on the design- so be kind)

I pay approx. $52/month to “white label” my site. As I am not trying to make money off my users and don’t want ads right now to keep the site clean, this solution works for me.

Everytime I have emailed anyone at Ning- Gina Bianchini included- I have always received a very fast answer. In fact, I am due to meet with her sometime soon.

Is Ning perfect? No- but as with any good web property it is constantly being improved and the folks at Ning listen to their users. I can’t speak for Flux, but that is probably because Ning is keeping me happy and I have no reason to jump ship.

There are a lot of white label social network solutions out there- some inexpensive and some REALLY expensive- whatit always comes down to is service vs. What you are willing to pay. Foe me, Ning is a GREAT value

For my day job, I am involved in online media and everyone uses Comscore and the rest even though we all know they are full of it. Its kind of a joke- if Alexa says a site is getting high traffic, the people from that site scream it from the rooftops. When they say their site is bad, it’s always, “well, everyone knows you can’t trust any of those reporting sites”

Even with online advertising, it is hard to get reliable numbers because every analytical company out there (atlas, 24/7, Double click) always has different numbers than everyone else. So always take those statistics with a grain of salt

]]> By: Kin Lane http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1977010 Kin Lane Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:09:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1977010 Whoever is winning...it is great to see the competition and the innovation that brings into this space. Whoever is winning…it is great to see the competition and the innovation that brings into this space.

]]> By: Jason Martell http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1976528 Jason Martell Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:06:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1976528 Social Project has come a long way - Flux is so awesome with open-ended possibilites to expand. Social Project has come a long way – Flux is so awesome with open-ended possibilites to expand.

]]> By: Alex http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1976517 Alex Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:03:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1976517 Ning allows for domain mapping (see my site) Also, Ning properties tend to be NOT connected to larger, established properties/brands so I think it will take longer for their properties to gain traffic, even though the quality is higher. Ning allows for domain mapping (see my site)

Also, Ning properties tend to be NOT connected to larger, established properties/brands so I think it will take longer for their properties to gain traffic, even though the quality is higher.

]]> By: Jim T http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1975170 Jim T Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:47:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1975170 Despite your take on which analytics service is better it seems to me the numbers show Flux on a path to surpass Ning (even if they haven't already). Both companies base their business on subdomains so I assume the Comscore numbers are being measured pretty accurately. Ning's is a subdomain of Ning.com (which is quite low rent imo) and Flux uses a subdomain provided by the partner site. It's the same thing but one looks better than the other to the user. I don't think Flux has enough penetration of their "f share" icon/widget (at least I haven't really seen them around too many places) to make the numbers unfairly skew in their favor. I think Jon's earlier comment is right. We're beginning to see the strategy of working with a network of brands and highly trafficked websites (vs Ning's everyman communities) take shape. It almost feels like Facebook developing from the opposite direction. Even though they have a long, long way to go I'm impressed with the Flux thought process. Despite your take on which analytics service is better it seems to me the numbers show Flux on a path to surpass Ning (even if they haven’t already). Both companies base their business on subdomains so I assume the Comscore numbers are being measured pretty accurately. Ning’s is a subdomain of Ning.com (which is quite low rent imo) and Flux uses a subdomain provided by the partner site. It’s the same thing but one looks better than the other to the user. I don’t think Flux has enough penetration of their “f share” icon/widget (at least I haven’t really seen them around too many places) to make the numbers unfairly skew in their favor. I think Jon’s earlier comment is right. We’re beginning to see the strategy of working with a network of brands and highly trafficked websites (vs Ning’s everyman communities) take shape. It almost feels like Facebook developing from the opposite direction. Even though they have a long, long way to go I’m impressed with the Flux thought process.

]]> By: steve http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1975093 steve Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:29:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1975093 8,9 and 10 all raise good points @11, consider hiring a woman Arrington thinks is hot and he'll cover you (well, her). I can't say I blame him, though. I'd just note that t is interesting that Ning's obnoxious valuation makes Flux the underdog here. 8,9 and 10 all raise good points

@11, consider hiring a woman Arrington thinks is hot and he’ll cover you (well, her). I can’t say I blame him, though. I’d just note that t is interesting that Ning’s obnoxious valuation makes Flux the underdog here.

]]> By: Anonymous Coward http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974990 Anonymous Coward Tue, 05 Feb 2008 07:01:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974990 The reason why Flux is "taking off" is because of the stupid Flux "f share" icon (aka "Post this" pop-up link) Arrington puts under each TechCrunch post and the popularity of TechCrunch. Specifically, Flux are probably getting traffic attribution for that stupid little icon each and everytime TC is loaded. And all y'all click on it and wonder WTF it is - thus increasing Flux traffic. LOL. Far better "share this" tools are out there. They only made it to TechCrunch probably because of Heather "she's probably connected to a friend at Flux" Harde. Los Angeles media connection, much? The reason why Flux is “taking off” is because of the stupid Flux “f share” icon (aka “Post this” pop-up link) Arrington puts under each TechCrunch post and the popularity of TechCrunch. Specifically, Flux are probably getting traffic attribution for that stupid little icon each and everytime TC is loaded.

And all y’all click on it and wonder WTF it is – thus increasing Flux traffic. LOL. Far better “share this” tools are out there. They only made it to TechCrunch probably because of Heather “she’s probably connected to a friend at Flux” Harde. Los Angeles media connection, much?

]]> By: i am under age http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974860 i am under age Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:25:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974860 why keep using complete.com? they are not reliable. why keep using complete.com? they are not reliable.

]]> By: anymouse http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974825 anymouse Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:15:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974825 siteanalytics shows visitors only for flux.com but the flux network is made of 2000 sites...so 6 millions visitors from comScore fits well siteanalytics shows visitors only for flux.com
but the flux network is made of 2000 sites…so 6 millions visitors from comScore fits well

]]> By: Soap http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974788 Soap Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:06:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974788 jeremy you've answered yourself: you don't have a celebrity CEO. btw Ning's Gina wasn't a celeb. afaik. Marc'a is/was... and so now is Gina... so just get some twopointoh celeb join your board then watch others complain about you getting all the attn. jeremy you’ve answered yourself: you don’t have a celebrity CEO.

btw Ning’s Gina wasn’t a celeb. afaik. Marc’a is/was… and so now is Gina…

so just get some twopointoh celeb join your board then watch others complain about you getting all the attn.

]]> By: Josh http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974717 Josh Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:40:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974717 Comscore and Compete provide US data sampling only, so to the extent that a company's audience is limited to the US, it will be accurate; in this case I'd say it's not very accurate. There is the domain issue as well for both flux and ning; since they provide domain masking options there's no clear way to know what kind of traffic either is really doing. If Hitwise provided some metrics on each, that would be interesting. @Jeremy: pull your head out of your butt; the fumes are clearly getting to you. Comscore and Compete provide US data sampling only, so to the extent that a company’s audience is limited to the US, it will be accurate; in this case I’d say it’s not very accurate. There is the domain issue as well for both flux and ning; since they provide domain masking options there’s no clear way to know what kind of traffic either is really doing. If Hitwise provided some metrics on each, that would be interesting.

@Jeremy: pull your head out of your butt; the fumes are clearly getting to you.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974686 Jeremy Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:22:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974686 Speaking of compete data, this is funny stuff: http://siteanalytics.compete.com/ning.com+flux.com+funadvice.com/?metric=uv :) Our start up is neck & neck with Ning! And they got 44 million & a celebrity CEO. We've got five part time & two full time employees, and zero marketing budget...but, we're not in the business of offering a "platform" for other people to create their own social network. Still, though, it always fascinates me to see how a company with so much money, talent & resources to NOT be able to kick my start ups ass ;) Perhaps it isn't just money & write ups on TechCrunch that enable sites to succeed? If it is, though...I wonder why there aren't more stories about sites like ours, plentyoffish, or fanpop on here. Speaking of compete data, this is funny stuff:
http://siteanal....com/?metric=uv

:) Our start up is neck & neck with Ning! And they got 44 million & a celebrity CEO.

We’ve got five part time & two full time employees, and zero marketing budget…but, we’re not in the business of offering a “platform” for other people to create their own social network.

Still, though, it always fascinates me to see how a company with so much money, talent & resources to NOT be able to kick my start ups ass ;) Perhaps it isn’t just money & write ups on TechCrunch that enable sites to succeed?

If it is, though…I wonder why there aren’t more stories about sites like ours, plentyoffish, or fanpop on here.

]]> By: anonymouse http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974679 anonymouse Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:19:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974679 As a followup, many of the flux visitors cannot be viewed by comparing the flux.com domain. Many of their networks are on custom domains, like mtv.com, pcdmusic.com, etc. So ning looks good, as they require the ning.com domain, Flux doesn't... As a followup, many of the flux visitors cannot be viewed by comparing the flux.com domain. Many of their networks are on custom domains, like mtv.com, pcdmusic.com, etc. So ning looks good, as they require the ning.com domain, Flux doesn’t…

]]> By: scratchiti http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974671 scratchiti Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:17:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974671 I'd generally trust comscore before i trust compete or alexa (to the extent that i trust any 3rd party analytics tool) I’d generally trust comscore before i trust compete or alexa (to the extent that i trust any 3rd party analytics tool)

]]> By: anonymouse http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974670 anonymouse Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:16:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974670 Who knows how well any of these tracking systems support API-based access of the flux platform. The initial MTV launch used a lot of API-based access of the flux platform. Though that's likely changing. Viacom is continuing to launch a lot of properties on Flux too, so it's not going to slow down. Who knows how well any of these tracking systems support API-based access of the flux platform. The initial MTV launch used a lot of API-based access of the flux platform. Though that’s likely changing. Viacom is continuing to launch a lot of properties on Flux too, so it’s not going to slow down.

]]> By: Michael Arrington http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974641 Michael Arrington Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:56:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974641 Josh - good catch. updated the post. http://siteanalytics.compete.com/ning.com+flux.com/?metric=uv Josh – good catch. updated the post.

http://siteanal....com/?metric=uv

]]> By: Josh http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974631 Josh Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:47:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974631 Interestingly, Alexa tells a very different story here, as does Compete. Interestingly, Alexa tells a very different story here, as does Compete.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974602 Jon Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:35:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974602 I think it's only a matter of time before facebook et. al. begin following this business approach to further grow it's membership and perceived 15B value... it needs to do something and this seems like a logical step. Sure, it may dilute facebooks brand but it also gives it enormous potential that has yet been tapped. Jon http://buzvia.com - Share Influence I think it’s only a matter of time before facebook et. al. begin following this business approach to further grow it’s membership and perceived 15B value… it needs to do something and this seems like a logical step. Sure, it may dilute facebooks brand but it also gives it enormous potential that has yet been tapped.

Jon
http://buzvia.com – Share Influence

]]> By: Bruce Warila http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974591 Bruce Warila Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:25:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974591 Can't Ning do something different with domain mapping. Having Ning in the URL is a subtraction for me. Can’t Ning do something different with domain mapping. Having Ning in the URL is a subtraction for me.

]]> By: Technicle http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/comment-page-1/#comment-1974580 Technicle Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:20:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/04/flux-takes-off/#comment-1974580 Impressive growth for flux... Ning's busy design needs revamp! Impressive growth for flux… Ning’s busy design needs revamp!

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