Comments on: Intel puts $3.5 million into ‘bragging rights’ startup http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:57:13 -0800 hourly 1 By: stephen http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-2001222 stephen Thu, 21 Feb 2008 01:55:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-2001222 The true Jackasses are intel for investing in that sh….t . I feel a new tech craze coming on. Now that real estate is dead they want to invest in BS web sites again. Where is my sock puppet maybe I can sell dog food over the web. The true Jackasses are intel for investing in that sh….t . I feel a new tech craze coming on. Now that real estate is dead they want to invest in BS web sites again. Where is my sock puppet maybe I can sell dog food over the web.

]]> By: Too Many Spammers on TechCrunch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1989236 Too Many Spammers on TechCrunch Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:18:38 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1989236 Intel really has that consumer web thing down. I can't wait to pitch them. You know big hits like Eons and tutor.com. Oh wait, no one uses those sites. Shoot! Intel really has that consumer web thing down. I can’t wait to pitch them. You know big hits like Eons and tutor.com. Oh wait, no one uses those sites. Shoot!

]]> By: Tony Stubblebine http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988840 Tony Stubblebine Wed, 13 Feb 2008 22:18:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988840 Reality All Starz has a pretty good take on this idea too: http://realityallstarz.com/ Reality All Starz has a pretty good take on this idea too:
http://realityallstarz.com/

]]> By: Ben Strackany http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988795 Ben Strackany Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:52:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988795 @Raskin - not to mention that IIRC their liability goes up if they're actively screening/approving items, instead of doing what most sites do (aka don't screen, but take stuff down quickly if there's a complaint). @Raskin – not to mention that IIRC their liability goes up if they’re actively screening/approving items, instead of doing what most sites do (aka don’t screen, but take stuff down quickly if there’s a complaint).

]]> By: Mary http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988465 Mary Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:57:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988465 Well Intel's other social network is also awesome. I'm sure you've all hear of Eons... Well Intel’s other social network is also awesome. I’m sure you’ve all hear of Eons…

]]> By: james http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988458 james Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:53:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988458 Sounds alright, no idea how it'll make money, or any company that'll want to be associated with penguin stealing. Sounds alright, no idea how it’ll make money, or any company that’ll want to be associated with penguin stealing.

]]> By: Affiliate Expert http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988445 Affiliate Expert Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:47:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988445 This is amazing to see these type of investment still exist in the internet ventures. Would be interesting to see how the venture will develop. This is amazing to see these type of investment still exist in the internet ventures. Would be interesting to see how the venture will develop.

]]> By: Raskin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988429 Raskin Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:36:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988429 @Wim: It doesn't matter how much you spent on your TOS, the fact is that when 1 kid breaks his collarbone on a prank / trick / ??? that was initiated on your site, you have yourself a lawsuit. Doesn't even matter if the lawsuit ends up winning, you will spend money defending, and if my recollection of UK laws is still good, the defender in that suit is at a distinct disadvantage. Multilply that by 100 and you're done. I've pitched shows to MTV before and their biggest fear is anything that encourages dangerous / illegal behavior in the users - the did get a lawsuit for Jackass, and that wasn't even interactive like your site hopes to be. Finally, the whole "we have editors" argument is weak and unscalable. @Wim: It doesn’t matter how much you spent on your TOS, the fact is that when 1 kid breaks his collarbone on a prank / trick / ??? that was initiated on your site, you have yourself a lawsuit. Doesn’t even matter if the lawsuit ends up winning, you will spend money defending, and if my recollection of UK laws is still good, the defender in that suit is at a distinct disadvantage.

Multilply that by 100 and you’re done.

I’ve pitched shows to MTV before and their biggest fear is anything that encourages dangerous / illegal behavior in the users – the did get a lawsuit for Jackass, and that wasn’t even interactive like your site hopes to be.

Finally, the whole “we have editors” argument is weak and unscalable.

]]> By: Brent http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988410 Brent Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:23:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988410 I always wonder about 'startup exaggeration,' they say they have 800,000 users, but their compete people count is like 65,000. How many are ACTIVE?? I signed up for gottabet when it was first on techcrunch and haven't been back, am I one of the 800,000? One startup I know say that advertising on their facebook app gives you the opportunity to reach 'thousands, even millions' of unique users...but their four facebook apps combined have 12 active users. Let's ditch the rose-colored web startups glasses and give some real numbers. Also the beauty of techcrunch readers is that we probably know the acquisition strategy and who will buy them...don't need to read that a 'social network,' may be their acquisition target. Good luck to em, I still like the original gottabet idea I just would've need more of my friends on it. I always wonder about ’startup exaggeration,’ they say they have 800,000 users, but their compete people count is like 65,000. How many are ACTIVE?? I signed up for gottabet when it was first on techcrunch and haven’t been back, am I one of the 800,000?
One startup I know say that advertising on their facebook app gives you the opportunity to reach ‘thousands, even millions’ of unique users…but their four facebook apps combined have 12 active users. Let’s ditch the rose-colored web startups glasses and give some real numbers.
Also the beauty of techcrunch readers is that we probably know the acquisition strategy and who will buy them…don’t need to read that a ’social network,’ may be their acquisition target.
Good luck to em, I still like the original gottabet idea I just would’ve need more of my friends on it.

]]> By: Alan Wilensky http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988363 Alan Wilensky Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:56:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988363 It's like the fall of the Third Reich, were money and debauchery were flowing like wine in the private sector. For this crackpot deal - how much 3 mil? Excuse me, 3.5 mil. For any number of sane verticals that have come and genuflected in the meeting rooms of Sandhill, nada. It'll all come tumbling down. It’s like the fall of the Third Reich, were money and debauchery were flowing like wine in the private sector. For this crackpot deal – how much 3 mil? Excuse me, 3.5 mil. For any number of sane verticals that have come and genuflected in the meeting rooms of Sandhill, nada.

It’ll all come tumbling down.

]]> By: Steve http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988358 Steve Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:51:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988358 You're f'in kidding me, right? You’re f’in kidding me, right?

]]> By: antje wilsch http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988301 antje wilsch Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:22:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988301 I'm more surprised that it was Intel Capital that backed this. They're not exactly known for cutting edge investments... they're boring in their portfolio. I’m more surprised that it was Intel Capital that backed this. They’re not exactly known for cutting edge investments… they’re boring in their portfolio.

]]> By: Marzipan from Toledo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988292 Marzipan from Toledo Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:16:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988292 you need the funding so sites like techcrunch pick it up. no funding = no techcrunch. get it you need the funding so sites like techcrunch pick it up. no funding = no techcrunch. get it

]]> By: Mikey http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988240 Mikey Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:46:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988240 I think it's a good concept but yep needs focus. For an idea like this to work, it needs focus and has to be viral. You can't market something like this...it has to market itself. Otherwise it's not working. I feel if they focused on the dares and removed polls, they would get richer content. It might seem like a risk but it's highly necessary. You can't be everything to everyone for success to take hold. I think it’s a good concept but yep needs focus. For an idea like this to work, it needs focus and has to be viral. You can’t market something like this…it has to market itself. Otherwise it’s not working.

I feel if they focused on the dares and removed polls, they would get richer content. It might seem like a risk but it’s highly necessary. You can’t be everything to everyone for success to take hold.

]]> By: Peter http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988228 Peter Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:39:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988228 This could be cool, if they got rid of all of the crap and just had Jackass-y stuff. It looks like they've got a lack of focus. Also, why don't they allow open dares to the community or something? Keeping it one to one is a serious limitation to the application. I'm also wary of any start-up that gives unique visitors instead of user numbers. Application not so sticky, eh? This could be cool, if they got rid of all of the crap and just had Jackass-y stuff. It looks like they’ve got a lack of focus.

Also, why don’t they allow open dares to the community or something? Keeping it one to one is a serious limitation to the application.

I’m also wary of any start-up that gives unique visitors instead of user numbers. Application not so sticky, eh?

]]> By: Josiah http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988184 Josiah Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:13:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988184 1 person to check submissions presents multiple problems (assuming success) a. Scaling. As the site gets more popular you gotta pay more of these people. b. Rules. What is inappropriate? Stealing a penguin from a Zoo is, but what about taunting a penguin at Zoo? or a Tiger? (okay bad joke) c. Strong T&C's are fine and dandy, enforcing them and doing so without pissing off the community that built the site is another. The idea though is problematic as these "dares" and "stunts" will become increasingly hard to police and filter, and will increasingly come close to "the line". 1 person to check submissions presents multiple problems (assuming success)

a. Scaling. As the site gets more popular you gotta pay more of these people.
b. Rules. What is inappropriate? Stealing a penguin from a Zoo is, but what about taunting a penguin at Zoo? or a Tiger? (okay bad joke)
c. Strong T&C’s are fine and dandy, enforcing them and doing so without pissing off the community that built the site is another.

The idea though is problematic as these “dares” and “stunts” will become increasingly hard to police and filter, and will increasingly come close to “the line”.

]]> By: JimmyHat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988176 JimmyHat Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:11:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988176 @Tony T: Or a Facebook application. @Tony T: Or a Facebook application.

]]> By: Tony T http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988171 Tony T Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:07:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988171 this may be better integrated into an existing site like break, or collegehumor etc this may be better integrated into an existing site like break, or collegehumor etc

]]> By: Aaron http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988158 Aaron Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:02:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988158 This is just so ridiculous, I can't even comprehend the funding number. Why would you even need millions of dollars to make a site where people write stuff? I mean, wow, I can tell my friends I'm going to jump into a freezing pool or ghost ride the whip.... ON THE INTERNET! Can the next Crunchies please have a "Most Unnecessary Startup" category this coming year please? And the prize could be the monkey scratching its head. This is just so ridiculous, I can’t even comprehend the funding number. Why would you even need millions of dollars to make a site where people write stuff? I mean, wow, I can tell my friends I’m going to jump into a freezing pool or ghost ride the whip…. ON THE INTERNET!

Can the next Crunchies please have a “Most Unnecessary Startup” category this coming year please? And the prize could be the monkey scratching its head.

]]> By: Jahbuh Dahut http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988081 Jahbuh Dahut Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:24:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988081 Some ideas are so absurd they should go directly to the deadpool and funding she be donated to a charity of our (techcrunch readers) choice. This is a social network widget at best not a full fledged site. Some ideas are so absurd they should go directly to the deadpool and funding she be donated to a charity of our (techcrunch readers) choice. This is a social network widget at best not a full fledged site.

]]> By: Andras http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988075 Andras Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:18:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988075 Fascinating. I'm absolutely amazed that anyone would be funded for this. But on the other hand people seem to like "Jackass" and all the other stupid reality shows on TV, so what not. Good luck. Fascinating. I’m absolutely amazed that anyone would be funded for this. But on the other hand people seem to like “Jackass” and all the other stupid reality shows on TV, so what not.

Good luck.

]]> By: Fabian Schonholz http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988070 Fabian Schonholz Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:14:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988070 Wow!!! The idea so puts me off that I would have not even red the business plan. But again, I could not stand "America's Funniest Videos". Good luck to them. Wow!!! The idea so puts me off that I would have not even red the business plan. But again, I could not stand “America’s Funniest Videos”. Good luck to them.

]]> By: Wim http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988049 Wim Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:57:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988049 Raskin, there is a dedicated CS person that checks all newly created brags and takes down the ones that are inappropriate. Other than that the community can flag stuff or contact us directly. One example was a guy who said he would steal a penguin from the London Zoo and bring it back the next day (unharmed!)... Although we found it quite an entertaining thought, we removed it from the site. I guess the reality is that we need to continue fostering a fun but sensible community where certain things are "Don't try this at home" material. (And ooh, did I mention we have a bunch of expensive lawyers that drafted an exhaustive set of Terms and Conditions?) Raskin, there is a dedicated CS person that checks all newly created brags and takes down the ones that are inappropriate. Other than that the community can flag stuff or contact us directly. One example was a guy who said he would steal a penguin from the London Zoo and bring it back the next day (unharmed!)… Although we found it quite an entertaining thought, we removed it from the site.
I guess the reality is that we need to continue fostering a fun but sensible community where certain things are “Don’t try this at home” material.

(And ooh, did I mention we have a bunch of expensive lawyers that drafted an exhaustive set of Terms and Conditions?)

]]> By: Ilan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1988039 Ilan Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:52:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1988039 I liked this idea so I signed up. It seems like it's more of a Questions & Answers website, the original idea of bets isn't working.. people are just asking questions like Yahoo answers or Yedda lol.. funny.. I liked this idea so I signed up. It seems like it’s more of a Questions & Answers website, the original idea of bets isn’t working.. people are just asking questions like Yahoo answers or Yedda lol.. funny..

]]> By: Raskin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/comment-page-1/#comment-1987960 Raskin Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:02:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/02/13/intel-puts-35-million-into-bragging-rights-startup/#comment-1987960 Liability? Liability?

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