After a tumultuous history including lost data, upset users, and seemly endless name changes, TheLinkup (aka MediaMax) has shut its doors. Users of the storage site will be unable to access their files after August 8th.
The company has a long (and extremely confusing) history. In our last post on the site, Charlie Jackson, one of the company’s investors, left a comment explaining the following (we’ve added links to relevant events):
The original entity was Streamload. The product name was changed to MediaMax and it was still the same service. Steve Iverson, the founder, was still CEO. Patrick Harr was brought in to be CEO and to help raise money, Iverson was moved to being CTO.
When a C round investor was found, Mission Ventures, this venture firm wanted nothing to do with the consumer service of MediaMax, only wanted to be in the back-end business. The C investor allowed a spin-out to be done, and the new company was allowed to take the name MediaMax and the consumer customers, but no software, no servers, no data. The front-end software was licensed to the spin-out, but for a limited time. Steve Iverson took over this company, while the existing company, with all the servers and data, was re-named Nirvanix. Virtually all the employees stayed with Nirvanix. Nirvanix is trying to compete with Amazon’s S-3 service.
Around the time this spin-out was happening, Nirvanix engineers screwed up royally and accidentally deleted half the files. Most were recovered over time, but it took months, and there was never 100% recovery (I never got some of files back).
MediaMax wrote new front-end software and recently changed its name to TheLinkup. Nirvanix wrote new back-end software, but had trouble migrating all the MediaMax files from its old software to its new software.
MediaMax/TheLinkup coudn’t make all its customers’ files available, ran out of money, and not having a viable business anymore, had to shut down (the C investors never put any money into the spin-out).
The company’s latest venture, TheLinkup, was supposed to be a social network centered around storage, but it barely managed to get off the ground. This could be considered a blessing in disguise, as a storage-centric social network would have probably had a difficult time building a substantial userbase, and may have simply resulted in more lost time and money.
We’ve added the TheLinkup to the Deadpool.
Is this the same Charlie Jackson, investor in the *original* Flash Player (before it was even called that) ? (I think it was called FutureSplash animator, or something similar)
If so, wow. Charlie was quite the visionary in those days. It’s a bummer his recent investment turned out this way.
Yes, it’s the same Charlie Jackson.
Now what would happen to the GB’s of files stored with them?
Users have to back them up or there will be some alternative arrangement done?
as a former employee i can’t tell you how glad i am to be out of there. why they hired that tool patrick harr is beyond me and i wouldn’t trust him or that company with a single data bit. the mediamax crew were good guys and ended up really getting screwed. fucking vc assholes.
“Nirvanix engineers screwed up royally and accidentally deleted half the files.”
Ummm… how does that happen? there were no backups?
Let’s see if we can simplify this:
The company began as Streamload.
Changed name to Mediamax. Patrick Harr was brought in to lead the company at this time. He “left” shortly after.
Behind the scenes, the company Mediamax was forming another company, Nirvanix. That company would have the same president, Patrick Harr, many of the same employees as Mediamax, AND use the same computers/servers containing the data from Mediamax customers.
Nirvanix LOSES many terabytes of Mediamax customer data, pissing many people off. They still deny they’re affiliated.
For some reason, possibly to escape their now poor reputation, Mediamax changes names YET AGAIN to “The Linkup”.
Nirvanix instructs Mediamax to LIE TO THE PUBLIC and insist they’re not related (this piece of info comes from John Hood, former Mediamax/Linkup head of Customer Service).
The Linkup folds due to massive loss of customer data. They blame Nirvanix, and say that Nirvanix, as the storage solution for Streamload/Mediamax/The Linkup, STILL HAS OUR FILES SOMEWHERE.
Throughout the whole ordeal, Mediamax/The Linkup continues to charge users monthly fees - when asked about refunds, they say that they’re going into bankruptcy and take them to court along with their other creditors.
Meanwhile, Nirvanix, the company that is actually responsible for losing all those terabytes of customer data, and has most of the same staff AND same computers/servers, comes out smelling like a rose? It sounds like they knew the Mediamax ship was sinking, made a lifeboat called Nirvanix, jumped into it, and left their customers to drown. Now they’re portraying Nirvanix as not only a new ship, but a luxury cruise liner capable of competing with Amazon.
I repeat what has been said by others many times before: Do NOT trust Nirvanix. They’ve already lost MILLIONS of customer files - this comes from the former head of Mediamax Customer Service and a former board member, not from me. If you trust Nirvanix, you WILL LOSE YOUR DATA.
Streamload was a great service and worked great, but when Streamload became Mediamax it just went down hill. I am disappointed! If it is not broke, do not try to fix it.
I guess this space is too crowded, and only the best will survive. I just tried to login and couldn´t; I´m sailing through with DropBox, however. And that service is amazing!
The problem is called “Steve Iverson”. The CEO of the first Streamload, the foundation to all this mess. This guy is an amateur. I know, I used to work with this clown during the first year of Streamload. No work ethics, no integrity, zero people skills, oh boy what a mess.
I guess its true what they say “what comes around goes around…”
So sad.
Funny, just few days ago i canceled my account with them.
2 years ago i sign up for free account and I upload some educational videos.
Few months later they suddenly change download policy for free account and limit it just on 10MB. Without any warning. I was forced to buy subscription to get my files back!
Their upload / download service never worked properly. During the transfer from mediamax to thelinkup they lost most of my files. Never got any explanation.
Finaly, I send them email and ask them to delete my account and to tell me how long I have until end of my subscription so I could take rest of my files. I got email from them that all my files will be deleted next day! Whats that? What would happened if I had 10-20 GB of files for which I would need few days to download?
I’m glad that I’m out. I’m moving to SugarSync which I found fantastic. And works with iPhone. Who needs more
Michael:Why was the post of ‘Delicious Bookmarks’ deleted..It dissappeared as i was writing a comment….
Through all of the denials, the half-truths and the mystery it appears as though some light is finally being shed on the matter. While there may be no official or formal link between the two organizations it is clear that there are more than enough informal links to support a sense of worry for anyone involved with Nirvanix. The trail left on the Internet will remain and provide the history of how one impacts the other. To view them separately by anyone considering using Nirvanix, or using Nirvanix now, would be a disastrous error in judgment.
All the cries of how the hands of MediaMax or TheLinkup or Streamload were tied, speaks volumes about how the entire transaction took place, but more importantly, how future transactions will most likely mirror those that have already occurred. Both hands knew exactly what the other was doing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if criminal investigations are underway based on the amount of complaints one can find over double billings and unjustified billings, without recourse or resolution.
The claim by John Hood that user files of MediaMax and TheLinkup are now in the possession of Nirvanix is the most telling of all as to how these organizations are inextricably linked. The conduct of these so-called professionals is shameful and corrupt and has not gone unnoticed. While Nirvanix may still be financially afloat it is most likely a question of time before this service bears the telltale signs of mismanagement, irresponsible spending and corrupt or even criminal practices. If I were an investor and saw the behavior engaged in with one organization by the same players of the other, I would have my pockets securely under lock and key as it relates to any future investment. There are many other and more worthy investment projects floating around in the world.
Anything built with a ’social networking twist’ deserves to be in the dead pool.
I wonder if Niranix will at least preserve the files in case someone wants to restart the company. Could Mediamax be purchased and restarted without the debts of thelinkup. I would like to hear a statement from Nirvanix on what they intend to do with the files.
Streamloader,
What are you talking about? Do you realize that for the first two and a half years of Streamload there were only 3 people in the entire company (I was one), and we are all still close friends today.
I think you are a troll looking to deflect blame on to others.
Hi,
I just found out today about the media max/link up name change and everything else. I uploaded hundreds of files when it was media max. I wasn’t notified about the change. My username/password are “not valid” so does that mean that even before the August deadline that all my files are gone? If you know of anything I can do please advise–the files are years of pictures and other info from an old computer.
Some Clarification…
TheLinkUp (TLU) built their applications using Nirvanix as a back end
storage platform, connecting their application to our service through
an API. Without the TLU application, and its database which maps
users to their files. The same is true for any application
interaction with back end storage and is not unique to TLU.
As has been noted by many TLU users, many cannot either find their
files or have found that other TLU files are in their accounts. This
isn’t a physical storage issue but rather TLU has somehow corrupted
their database in the build or deployment of the TLU application.
Unfortunately, as we are completely separate companies, Nirvanix has
had no control over the build, deployment or management of the TLU
application nor will we when it is shut down on August 8th, 2008.
For the benefit of TLU customers, Nirvanix has agreed to extend its
data services to TLU, at no cost, so that files that are in TLU system
can be retrieved during the period stated on their site. After the
TLU application ceases, there will be no way to access the files.
While I was another victim of lost data and the move fm Streamload to MediaMax, I terminated my account a few months ago after being frustrated w/the MediaMax software and realizing that they were double billing me for two accounts. This was actually caused during the Streamload/MediaMax transition. I couldn’t believe that they were keeping very many customers w/this behavior and very poor customer interactions, but I guess we can put that one to bed now
Sadly, I have to say, good riddance.
I am not a ‘techie’ so bare with me. I generally understand the front end back end software difference.
What happen to the Mediamax frontend.
If the files were not transfered to tlu couldn’t mediamax be restarted.
If the problem is the tlu front end isn’t there still a way to search for files. Say users knew the file names of their missing files.
Does Niranix know where all the mm/tlu files are. Wouldn’t they want to freeze this data in case someone buys tlu.
I am just trying to find some workable solution for people like myself who no lost valuable files (please do not lecture me on multiple backups).
Streamload, MediaMax and LinkUp have always had problems in managing customers and their files. Doesn’t sound like it was a storage-Nirvanix problem, but more so a LinkUp database one. Seems every time this company tried to fix their database problems, they either made them worse or added new ones.
LinkUp should take advantage of Nirvanix’s offer to help their users get their files back without cost, even though they weren’t to blame for the LinkUp problems. Nice to see a company trying to help users out
As a past customer of mediamax I was frustrated when they went down, although I did get my files back after a couple of weeks of waiting. I hate to see technology companies go down like this.
PS-Seems all of the negative posts on this site are from Venture Capitalists who cant fess up to the fact that they lost their investment or disgruntled ex employees.. Just a thought.
Looks like there are a fair amount of Nirvanix shills posting here.
All the pro-Nirvanix posts completely ignore the fact that the messing up of the data was CAUSED by Nirvanix engineers. True it was probably caused in the process of splitting up the entity, but it was Nirvanix’s fault that started the demise of Mediamax.
Once that happened, I’m sure the investors basically said. Well Steve, here’s the key, try to do what you can… we’re a “separate” company now.
I agree with Jordin! It’s easy to post negative and false comments against companies on blog sites, whether they are true or not. I would be very skeptical of comments from an investor (Charlie Jackson?) who lost money or disgruntled employees.
I haven’t seen a offer from Nirvanix to help get the file. They seem to be extending their service to tlu until they close on Aug 8. But if tlu can’t get that’s the end of it.
Am I wrong that no matter how bad the database gets the files are still sitting there.
I would like to know who is in control of the Mediamax front end. That was finally working well before the tlu change. All the more frustrating when you think they got it right and then one day it all disappeared.
Are there no efforts to sell the assets to another storage company.
http://informednetworker.com/b.....up-closes/
An interesting perspective
the youtube video is back up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iURDe5O4Fho
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And Here is Amazon Web Services Limitation of Liability from Section 11.8 of their click-through user agreement when a user signs up with S3.
11.8. Limitations of Liability.
NEITHER WE (AMAZON WEB SERVICES) NOR ANY OF OUR LICENSORS SHALL BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY DIRECT,INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER LOSSES (EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES) IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY SUCH DAMAGES RESULTING FROM: (i) THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE SERVICES; (ii) THE COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES; OR (iii) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR CONTENT. IN ANY CASE, OUR AGGREGATE LIABILITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY PAID BY YOU TO US HEREUNDER FOR THE SERVICES. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES OR THE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. ACCORDINGLY, SOME OR ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU, AND YOU MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL RIGHTS.
I was a victim of the whole linkup/mediamax lost-files and I too, was NEVER notified via email (I check my spam box every day as well).
I am going to sue the company for damages. Or at least file a civil suit with the owners.
actually i was sure they can’t continue with this service. unlimited storage, unlimited file size per each upload (if you use their software), unlimited download size. it was exactly like a pro account but they didn’t take any money instead. they were really stupid.
I was recently laid off from Nirvanix (Nov 2008). Not only is the company actively hiding the fact that they lost customer data (over 8,000 files) this year, but they can’t keep their nodes to meet their own SLAs. This is a very unstable company with very little cash left. Now with less than 20 people left to keep light on.