Comments on: GigPark: Recommendations From Your Friends http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/ Startup and Technology News Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:23:42 -0800 hourly 1 By: The Far Edge » Blog Archive » Canpages Bets On Social Recommendations, Buys GigPark http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2945107 The Far Edge » Blog Archive » Canpages Bets On Social Recommendations, Buys GigPark Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:57:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2945107 [...] a Canadian local search firm, is acquiring GigPark, a nifty social recommendations platform that enables users to find and praise local businesses and service providers together with their [...] [...] a Canadian local search firm, is acquiring GigPark, a nifty social recommendations platform that enables users to find and praise local businesses and service providers together with their [...]

]]> By: The Far Edge » Blog Archive » Canpages Bets On Social Recommendations, Buys GigPark http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2945106 The Far Edge » Blog Archive » Canpages Bets On Social Recommendations, Buys GigPark Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:57:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2945106 [...] a Canadian local search firm, is acquiring GigPark, a nifty social recommendations platform that enables users to find and praise local businesses and service providers together with their [...] [...] a Canadian local search firm, is acquiring GigPark, a nifty social recommendations platform that enables users to find and praise local businesses and service providers together with their [...]

]]> By: Canpages Bets On Social Recommendations, Buys GigPark http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2944344 Canpages Bets On Social Recommendations, Buys GigPark Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:04:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2944344 [...] a Canadian local search firm, is acquiring GigPark, a nifty social recommendations platform that enables users to find and praise local businesses and service providers together with their [...] [...] a Canadian local search firm, is acquiring GigPark, a nifty social recommendations platform that enables users to find and praise local businesses and service providers together with their [...]

]]> By: e-cigarette http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2738818 e-cigarette Sat, 09 May 2009 06:21:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2738818 it is a good post ! think for sharing! it is a good post ! think for sharing!

]]> By: Printer Parts http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2544282 Printer Parts Sun, 23 Nov 2008 15:55:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2544282 Noah & Pema have a good track record and have the smarts to turn on monetization when the time is right. Noah & Pema have a good track record and have the smarts to turn on monetization when the time is right.

]]> By: WOM - tastier « Me Like The Interweb http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2434822 WOM - tastier « Me Like The Interweb Tue, 12 Aug 2008 17:15:11 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2434822 [...] recommended by her friend.  Word of mouth - and now, in social media flavor: GigPark is a “social recommendation website” which allows you to find “trusted service people your friends use” (sort of a [...] [...] recommended by her friend.  Word of mouth – and now, in social media flavor: GigPark is a “social recommendation website” which allows you to find “trusted service people your friends use” (sort of a [...]

]]> By: Electronic Cigarette http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2358586 Electronic Cigarette Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:10:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2358586 Noah & Pema have a good track record and have the smarts to turn on monetization when the time is right. Noah & Pema have a good track record and have the smarts to turn on monetization when the time is right.

]]> By: John Philip Green http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2353141 John Philip Green Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:29:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2353141 GigPark v2 really improves on v1. It wasn't mentioned above that in this new version, you can see not just your friends recommendations but also those from friends of friends. This means that if you add just one reasonably connected friend (such as being invited by one) , you can get off and running quickly enough. It sounds like a small improvement but it makes a big difference to the initial utility after signup. Noah & Pema have a good track record and have the smarts to turn on monetization when the time is right. GigPark v2 really improves on v1. It wasn’t mentioned above that in this new version, you can see not just your friends recommendations but also those from friends of friends.

This means that if you add just one reasonably connected friend (such as being invited by one) , you can get off and running quickly enough. It sounds like a small improvement but it makes a big difference to the initial utility after signup.

Noah & Pema have a good track record and have the smarts to turn on monetization when the time is right.

]]> By: StartupNorth » Blog Archive » Weekend Reading - May 31, 2008 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2339674 StartupNorth » Blog Archive » Weekend Reading - May 31, 2008 Sat, 31 May 2008 14:31:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2339674 [...] GigPark got featured on TechCrunch. [...] [...] GigPark got featured on TechCrunch. [...]

]]> By: trademanufacturer.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2330320 trademanufacturer.com Tue, 27 May 2008 08:55:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2330320 gigpark is completely diffrernt, it does? I don't place on my list gigpark is completely diffrernt, it does? I don’t place on my list

]]> By: mp4 player http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2330306 mp4 player Tue, 27 May 2008 08:45:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2330306 how many sites you’ll sign up for, but the ones you sign up to are the ones that give you something substantive in return. Gigpark does that, so it’s on my list. how many sites you’ll sign up for, but the ones you sign up to are the ones that give you something substantive in return. Gigpark does that, so it’s on my list.

]]> By: Barcode Printer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2327463 Barcode Printer Mon, 26 May 2008 07:49:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2327463 I read similar article also named o.us poetry, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me I read similar article also named o.us poetry, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me

]]> By: David http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2326989 David Mon, 26 May 2008 03:46:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2326989 I'm a long-time user of Gigpark and the reason I think it's going to work is that I'd be stressed if it stopped. Having just bought a new house, the first site I'm going to go to is Gigpark. I agree with some of the posts that there is a limit to how many sites you'll sign up for, but the ones you sign up to are the ones that give you something substantive in return. Gigpark does that, so it's on my list. I’m a long-time user of Gigpark and the reason I think it’s going to work is that I’d be stressed if it stopped. Having just bought a new house, the first site I’m going to go to is Gigpark. I agree with some of the posts that there is a limit to how many sites you’ll sign up for, but the ones you sign up to are the ones that give you something substantive in return. Gigpark does that, so it’s on my list.

]]> By: Noah Godfrey http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2325713 Noah Godfrey Sun, 25 May 2008 16:37:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2325713 @Abhishek You make some great points! Thanks. We see GigPark less a destination and more as a tool that makes it easy to discover the trusted service people your friends use. So, we plan on offering GigPark wherever friends already communicate – these conversations happen on GigPark.com, Facebook, Open Social, etc. @robert Moving to a new city is a great example of a circumstance where GigPark has excelled already. I know people who have moved to my town, Toronto, and have found everything they need by connecting on GigPark to the one person in the city they knew ... all of sudden, they had access to a whole bunch of recommendations they know they can trust (from that one person they knew and all of their friends). Noah Godfrey Co-Founder, GigPark @Abhishek You make some great points! Thanks. We see GigPark less a destination and more as a tool that makes it easy to discover the trusted service people your friends use. So, we plan on offering GigPark wherever friends already communicate – these conversations happen on GigPark.com, Facebook, Open Social, etc.

@robert Moving to a new city is a great example of a circumstance where GigPark has excelled already. I know people who have moved to my town, Toronto, and have found everything they need by connecting on GigPark to the one person in the city they knew … all of sudden, they had access to a whole bunch of recommendations they know they can trust (from that one person they knew and all of their friends).

Noah Godfrey
Co-Founder, GigPark

]]> By: Daniel http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2325677 Daniel Sun, 25 May 2008 16:16:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2325677 I read similar article also named o.us poetry, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me I read similar article also named o.us poetry, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me

]]> By: robert http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2324465 robert Sun, 25 May 2008 00:30:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2324465 Not seeing how someone can say this is their goto app over yelp, which is much, much broader. I guess it depends on how they were using yelp. The problem I see is the time it takes for someone to build up their network, those in their network to build up reviews etc, and so on.. As an example, I recently moved to Chicago and do not know many people here, and I may have died if it weren't for Yelp. All kidding aside, I am blown away by how incredibly useful Yelp has been to me. The sheer scale of reviews, and information is pretty incredible - from where to eat, my real estate management company and how they potentially may suck, where to get decent quality furniture, gyms, mexican..its really impressive in my opinion. I still think the gang at gigpark could build something compelling, I mean who thought yelp was going to be anything special a few years back as there where already a few things in the market then? Not seeing how someone can say this is their goto app over yelp, which is much, much broader. I guess it depends on how they were using yelp. The problem I see is the time it takes for someone to build up their network, those in their network to build up reviews etc, and so on..

As an example, I recently moved to Chicago and do not know many people here, and I may have died if it weren’t for Yelp. All kidding aside, I am blown away by how incredibly useful Yelp has been to me. The sheer scale of reviews, and information is pretty incredible – from where to eat, my real estate management company and how they potentially may suck, where to get decent quality furniture, gyms, mexican..its really impressive in my opinion.

I still think the gang at gigpark could build something compelling, I mean who thought yelp was going to be anything special a few years back as there where already a few things in the market then?

]]> By: Abhishek Shrivastava http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2324106 Abhishek Shrivastava Sat, 24 May 2008 20:29:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2324106 I think Facebook and Open Social integration is the key here. People are just weary of joining yet another recommendation site and having to ask their friends to come over in order to improve the site's utility to them. There is a Bangalore based startup http://www.babajobs.com/ which has an interesting spin on this model - they actually compensate people along the referral chain. @12: Anonymous aggregated reviews are helpful when the sample size is meaningful. For example, I trust product ratings on Amazon only when the number of reviewers is more than 50. Below that threshold, recommendation from friends has more meaning. I think Facebook and Open Social integration is the key here. People are just weary of joining yet another recommendation site and having to ask their friends to come over in order to improve the site’s utility to them. There is a Bangalore based startup http://www.babajobs.com/ which has an interesting spin on this model – they actually compensate people along the referral chain.

@12: Anonymous aggregated reviews are helpful when the sample size is meaningful. For example, I trust product ratings on Amazon only when the number of reviewers is more than 50. Below that threshold, recommendation from friends has more meaning.

]]> By: Mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2324054 Mark Sat, 24 May 2008 19:10:33 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2324054 I've been using GigPark for a little while and it's really, really helpful. I almost always get multiple responses to my requests within an hour. It's pretty much my go-to over Yelp these days. Good luck, guys! I’ve been using GigPark for a little while and it’s really, really helpful. I almost always get multiple responses to my requests within an hour. It’s pretty much my go-to over Yelp these days.

Good luck, guys!

]]> By: Pema Hegan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323860 Pema Hegan Sat, 24 May 2008 15:31:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323860 Thanks Anand and Ryan. Very glad to hear you are getting a lot out of GigPark! We've heard stories recently from members doing home renovations, planning weddings or even starting a business who have literally hired every service they need through recommendations from their friends on the site. We've got a long way to go but getting these kinds of emails definitely motivates us to come to work everyday and make the site better :) Pema Co-Founder, GigPark Thanks Anand and Ryan. Very glad to hear you are getting a lot out of GigPark!

We’ve heard stories recently from members doing home renovations, planning weddings or even starting a business who have literally hired every service they need through recommendations from their friends on the site. We’ve got a long way to go but getting these kinds of emails definitely motivates us to come to work everyday and make the site better :)

Pema
Co-Founder, GigPark

]]> By: Ryan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323690 Ryan Sat, 24 May 2008 12:57:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323690 I love this site; I've got some really good advice through it. I love this site; I’ve got some really good advice through it.

]]> By: Anand Agarawala http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323340 Anand Agarawala Sat, 24 May 2008 07:10:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323340 I'm a user and admit I was a bit skeptical at first. But what really makes this work is your group of friends wanting to help you and providing really qualified recommendations. I've asked for some pretty esoteric stuff and gotten replies with super helpful leads within a day or two. And thats when I was converted. I’m a user and admit I was a bit skeptical at first. But what really makes this work is your group of friends wanting to help you and providing really qualified recommendations.

I’ve asked for some pretty esoteric stuff and gotten replies with super helpful leads within a day or two. And thats when I was converted.

]]> By: Jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323220 Jason Sat, 24 May 2008 04:36:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323220 I'm sorry Godfrey. I don't think this is a good business idea. Why? Like other people have said, I just don't think I would use it. It won't reach critical mass. I’m sorry Godfrey. I don’t think this is a good business idea. Why? Like other people have said, I just don’t think I would use it. It won’t reach critical mass.

]]> By: Biznews http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323203 Biznews Sat, 24 May 2008 04:22:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323203 I guess this is what you call a lukewarm reception . Anyway stick with what you believe in and listen to feedback and adjust . @9 .. Thats like saying - Why email or text my friends when I can call them . I guess this is what you call a lukewarm reception . Anyway stick with what you believe in and listen to feedback and adjust .

@9 .. Thats like saying – Why email or text my friends when I can call them .

]]> By: whoopie http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323182 whoopie Sat, 24 May 2008 03:53:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323182 by focusing only on recommendations from "friends", this site moves even further away from solving the "cold start" problem of recommendation system. how do you seed it? drop the "friend" requirement, its a pointless artificial barrier to entry into the network, it only serves to limit utility while doing nothing to improve quality. look at sites like amazon who do anonymous peer grading of reviews. amazon gives me great reviews from people i don't know. by focusing only on recommendations from “friends”, this site moves even further away from solving the “cold start” problem of recommendation system. how do you seed it? drop the “friend” requirement, its a pointless artificial barrier to entry into the network, it only serves to limit utility while doing nothing to improve quality. look at sites like amazon who do anonymous peer grading of reviews. amazon gives me great reviews from people i don’t know.

]]> By: ImageCo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/comment-page-1/#comment-2323002 ImageCo Sat, 24 May 2008 00:51:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/05/23/gigpark-recommendations-from-your-friends/#comment-2323002 Their logo kind of looks like a moth or butterfly...could also be a bow on top... I'm also seeing a snarky cat staring at me. Regardless it doesn't make any sense to me. Their logo kind of looks like a moth or butterfly…could also be a bow on top… I’m also seeing a snarky cat staring at me. Regardless it doesn’t make any sense to me.

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