Comments on: FatDoor Closes Its Doors. Reopens as Centerd. http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/ Startup and Technology News Sun, 06 Jul 2008 08:31:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Center’d, Née FatDoor, Relaunches As A Local Search/Event Planning Site http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2377957 Center’d, Née FatDoor, Relaunches As A Local Search/Event Planning Site Wed, 18 Jun 2008 03:58:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2377957 [...] is Chandu Thota, previously the lead developer on Microsoft Virtual Earth. I reviewed the site last April: Center’d is both a local search engine and an event-planning application. You can search places [...] [...] is Chandu Thota, previously the lead developer on Microsoft Virtual Earth. I reviewed the site last April: Center’d is both a local search engine and an event-planning application. You can search places [...]

]]> By: Co-Founders (Technical) to help me get to know my neighbors | computer Jobs in sfbay http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2374544 Co-Founders (Technical) to help me get to know my neighbors | computer Jobs in sfbay Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:16:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2374544 [...] I am creating a new startup to help me get to know my real life neighbors in the bay area. This is based on the abandonment of the concept by CenterD (formerly Fatdoor) reported in TechCrunch today (see: http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179471 [...] [...] I am creating a new startup to help me get to know my real life neighbors in the bay area. This is based on the abandonment of the concept by CenterD (formerly Fatdoor) reported in TechCrunch today (see: http://www.techcrunch.com/2008.....nt-2179471 [...]

]]> By: YouYap.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2287076 YouYap.com Sat, 10 May 2008 12:46:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2287076 there have too much money and dont know what to do with it. so why not build new site. it will fail there have too much money and dont know what to do with it.
so why not build new site. it will fail

]]> By: me, duh http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2188446 me, duh Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:13:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2188446 odd that CTO is a MS mapping guy but they now use google maps. odd that CTO is a MS mapping guy but they now use google maps.

]]> By: Mike Greenberg http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2183744 Mike Greenberg Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:53:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2183744 There is already a company out there prior to FatDoor that has been extremely successful in the residential space. LifeAt (http://www.lifeat.com) is a modern twist on the building bulletin board, the self-proclaimed neighborhood gossip, the welcome wagon, and the earmarked local business guide, LifeAt keeps residents in touch with everything their community has to offer. CHECK IT OUT! There is already a company out there prior to FatDoor that has been extremely successful in the residential space. LifeAt (http://www.lifeat.com) is a modern twist on the building bulletin board, the self-proclaimed neighborhood gossip, the welcome wagon, and the earmarked local business guide, LifeAt keeps residents in touch with everything their community has to offer. CHECK IT OUT!

]]> By: Masoud http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2181515 Masoud Wed, 16 Apr 2008 03:04:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2181515 All the activity in this area indicates the potential that Activity Oriented search has to take search from "what" to "why". None of the players trying to unseat evite have shown any indication that they know how to go beyond the few core users to the general demographics of evite users, and then move beyond invitations. Someone will figure that out sooner or later. All the activity in this area indicates the potential that Activity Oriented search has to take search from “what” to “why”. None of the players trying to unseat evite have shown any indication that they know how to go beyond the few core users to the general demographics of evite users, and then move beyond invitations.
Someone will figure that out sooner or later.

]]> By: FatDoor and the Challenge of Local | After Beta http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2180856 FatDoor and the Challenge of Local | After Beta Tue, 15 Apr 2008 21:28:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2180856 [...] TechCrunch reported that FatDoor, originally envisioned as a social network for neighbors, was abandoning its business [...] [...] TechCrunch reported that FatDoor, originally envisioned as a social network for neighbors, was abandoning its business [...]

]]> By: Eric http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2180493 Eric Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:17:18 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2180493 #33, there is no need to start a new one. We already started one in the East Bay, and is ready to expand to the Bay Area and internationally later this year. BTW, we'd really like to have a small fraction of that 7 millions! #33, there is no need to start a new one. We already started one in the East Bay, and is ready to expand to the Bay Area and internationally later this year. BTW, we’d really like to have a small fraction of that 7 millions!

]]> By: henr141 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179520 henr141 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:40:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179520 ps... I am really serious about starting a new company to help me get to my neighbors, given that this company is dazed and confused about what is a good idea. Email me if you have the technical talent to work with me at : gigs-643121488@craigslist.org. Just posted on craigslist gigs http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cpg/643121488.html I live in the bay area, we just need a couple of us to make this happen... ps… I am really serious about starting a new company to help me get to my neighbors, given that this company is dazed and confused about what is a good idea. Email me if you have the technical talent to work with me at : gigs-643121488@craigslist.org. Just posted on craigslist gigs http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cpg/643121488.html

I live in the bay area, we just need a couple of us to make this happen…

]]> By: henr141 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179471 henr141 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:24:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179471 the post from the "head" of Marketing at centerd is bs. Who needs a head of marketing for a prelaunch web concept company anyway? how many people are working there? on another note, who wants to start a company with me to help get to know my neighbors? Looks like Centerd has abandoned that concept.. email me if you do, seems like a good opportunity still. the post from the “head” of Marketing at centerd is bs. Who needs a head of marketing for a prelaunch web concept company anyway? how many people are working there?

on another note, who wants to start a company with me to help get to know my neighbors?

Looks like Centerd has abandoned that concept.. email me if you do, seems like a good opportunity still.

]]> By: Snaptalent Blog » The problem of Overcapitalization http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179393 Snaptalent Blog » The problem of Overcapitalization Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:05:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179393 [...] Techcrunch’s write up about startup FatDoor changing their idea after taking $6.5m of funding puts huge pressure on their founders to turn their situation around.  [...] [...] Techcrunch’s write up about startup FatDoor changing their idea after taking $6.5m of funding puts huge pressure on their founders to turn their situation around.  [...]

]]> By: Roy http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179311 Roy Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:46:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2179311 Meh. Did a community events/reviews project, then a community business reviews project, then a community real estate referrals system, then a... I learned that the web 1.0 model of selling stuff to people for money is WAY easier. My ceiling might be in the tens of millions instead of billions, but I think I can sleep knowing that. Oh, and I GET to sleep. It's neat, I highly recommend it. Meh. Did a community events/reviews project, then a community business reviews project, then a community real estate referrals system, then a…

I learned that the web 1.0 model of selling stuff to people for money is WAY easier. My ceiling might be in the tens of millions instead of billions, but I think I can sleep knowing that. Oh, and I GET to sleep. It’s neat, I highly recommend it.

]]> By: madison and filth http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177804 madison and filth Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:59:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177804 F L O P, but you did manage to get on TC. F L O P, but you did manage to get on TC.

]]> By: Dan Visnick http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177791 Dan Visnick Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:55:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177791 I head up marketing at Center’d and wanted to share our point of view about the company’s evolution and let everyone know that we’re excited about the recent interest in our site. To paraphrase Samuel Clemens, the rumors of our death have been greatly exaggerated. ;-) The work done while we tested Fatdoor has provided a great foundation and infrastructure for us to build upon – indeed, much of the functionality still exists in the new Center’d site. Based on consumer research and feedback from our experience, we have enhanced our product concept and added tools that help address everyday needs like planning. To reflect how the product and our vision for the company have evolved, and in response to consumer input, we changed our name to Center’d. We are currently in a closed beta (our “first draft,” if you will) while we add new features and put the finishing touches on the site. We will start sending invites to the site in a few weeks. I head up marketing at Center’d and wanted to share our point of view about the company’s evolution and let everyone know that we’re excited about the recent interest in our site.

To paraphrase Samuel Clemens, the rumors of our death have been greatly exaggerated. ;-) The work done while we tested Fatdoor has provided a great foundation and infrastructure for us to build upon – indeed, much of the functionality still exists in the new Center’d site. Based on consumer research and feedback from our experience, we have enhanced our product concept and added tools that help address everyday needs like planning. To reflect how the product and our vision for the company have evolved, and in response to consumer input, we changed our name to Center’d.

We are currently in a closed beta (our “first draft,” if you will) while we add new features and put the finishing touches on the site. We will start sending invites to the site in a few weeks.

]]> By: Lollipops http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177774 Lollipops Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:47:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177774 i personally prefer http://www.rottenneighbor.com . and no i'm not affiliated with them in case some of you are having dirty conclusionary thoughts i personally prefer http://www.rottenneighbor.com . and no i’m not affiliated with them in case some of you are having dirty conclusionary thoughts

]]> By: Larry http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177742 Larry Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:38:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177742 "How would you like to be at the center, and have the people, places, and plans you care about revolve around you, just waiting to be experienced?" Sounds more like self-centered. “How would you like to be at the center, and have the people, places, and plans you care about revolve around you, just waiting to be experienced?”

Sounds more like self-centered.

]]> By: Clarence Wooten http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177712 Clarence Wooten Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:30:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177712 Wow. I don't have a word to describe VCs motivation for funding some startups. Why are VCs funding teams consisting of former large Internet company executives before they prove that their entrepreneurial concepts as worth anything? This is the age of founding companies on the cheap and proving that they scale... then funding to accelerate growth and further product development. Not funding to the tune of $7 million before the company has proved anything. I don't care what corporate credentials the founders have... in fact, corporate credentials are not a good indicator entrepreneurial aptitude. In many cases, they are an inhibitor to success. There are plenty of web 2.0 startups that are not yet funded that will emerge as significant businesses within the next 24 months. Why? Because they are building scalable businesses based on early customer traction and feedback. CollectiveX is one such business. And guess what, we haven't raised a dime of institutional funding yet. Wow. I don’t have a word to describe VCs motivation for funding some startups. Why are VCs funding teams consisting of former large Internet company executives before they prove that their entrepreneurial concepts as worth anything?

This is the age of founding companies on the cheap and proving that they scale… then funding to accelerate growth and further product development.

Not funding to the tune of $7 million before the company has proved anything. I don’t care what corporate credentials the founders have… in fact, corporate credentials are not a good indicator entrepreneurial aptitude. In many cases, they are an inhibitor to success.

There are plenty of web 2.0 startups that are not yet funded that will emerge as significant businesses within the next 24 months. Why? Because they are building scalable businesses based on early customer traction and feedback.

CollectiveX is one such business. And guess what, we haven’t raised a dime of institutional funding yet.

]]> By: sd http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177683 sd Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:20:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177683 just tried to go in, private beta. I personally hate company doing PR before public release, i will never go back to sites that were in private beta when I first visit. last one was dropbox, won't go back even they are now public. why I have to wait to try their products? just tried to go in, private beta. I personally hate company doing PR before public release, i will never go back to sites that were in private beta when I first visit. last one was dropbox, won’t go back even they are now public. why I have to wait to try their products?

]]> By: henr114 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177494 henr114 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:23:39 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177494 I think this is a case of bad venture capitalists and poor engineering execution screwing up a great idea. The original concept was better. This idea around making plans is useless. Lots of startups in this space, this idea is destined to flop faster than webvan. I think this is a case of bad venture capitalists and poor engineering execution screwing up a great idea. The original concept was better. This idea around making plans is useless. Lots of startups in this space, this idea is destined to flop faster than webvan.

]]> By: Salim Ismail http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177403 Salim Ismail Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:54:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177403 The big issue I see is distribution. It may be a great idea, but how do you get millions of local residents on board? It's essentially a marketing problem. However, I worked a bit with Jenn Dulski at Yahoo, and I agree with JoeLaz (#16) - she's pretty amazing. I look forward to seeing what comes of it... The big issue I see is distribution. It may be a great idea, but how do you get millions of local residents on board? It’s essentially a marketing problem.

However, I worked a bit with Jenn Dulski at Yahoo, and I agree with JoeLaz (#16) - she’s pretty amazing. I look forward to seeing what comes of it…

]]> By: Brett http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177338 Brett Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:32:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177338 Are you sure it's not built on Virtual Earth? Are you sure it's using Google maps? Are you sure it’s not built on Virtual Earth? Are you sure it’s using Google maps?

]]> By: Anatoly http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177336 Anatoly Tue, 15 Apr 2008 03:29:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177336 Shouldn't that be " is closing its fat doors"? Shouldn’t that be ” is closing its fat doors”?

]]> By: bala http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177238 bala Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:57:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177238 I am not sure events focus is good idea, it is really really hard to make people switch from evite.......many startups are trying but I do not see any success story yet!! I am not sure events focus is good idea, it is really really hard to make people switch from evite…….many startups are trying but I do not see any success story yet!!

]]> By: CH http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177149 CH Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:33:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177149 I used Fatdoor when it was in testing, played around with it and everything. I found out about it because I know some of the guys there. Like Joe said, they have some new leadership as well as a solid base to start from. I think it will be cool to see what they do with taking what they learned from Fatdoor and move forward with Center'd. I used Fatdoor when it was in testing, played around with it and everything. I found out about it because I know some of the guys there. Like Joe said, they have some new leadership as well as a solid base to start from. I think it will be cool to see what they do with taking what they learned from Fatdoor and move forward with Center’d.

]]> By: sd http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177076 sd Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:09:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/14/fatdoor-closes-its-doors-reopens-as-centerd/#comment-2177076 Sorry, I meant Erick ! Sorry, I meant Erick !

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