DISQUS

Great idea, I would love to be a part of this. Will blog about the project later today. =).

I would definitely say yes. In my opinion, the 3 points you raise for the case against aren't points that discount it from being a social network at all. It just means it's a more closed and niche social network. I don't think a social network needs to be open to be considered a social network.

Facebook, for example, when it first started was limited to college students. That didn't discount it from being a social network. It just meant it was a social network with a fixed target group - college students.

In the same way, the Xbox Live is a social network, but a social network purely for Xbox gamers. Having the barriers to entry, and the "lack of functionality", are just ways to define it's niche and focus, in my opinion. It's still a place where you can meet and build connections with others. As such, it's a social network.

That's my opinion, anyway. =).

Great post, as usual Chris.

Just thought I'd suggest another tool that's worked quite well for me: Zemanta (http://www.zemanta.com/). It basically suggests links, pictures, tags, etc based on the content of your post.

Hi, I'm glad you like the blog. I would think that you do have to start the rankings from scratch. But I wouldn't know for sure, I never really bothered about Alexa rankings.

Hi. Yeah, I admit, it does have it's good points. It's one of the cleanest looking social networks. But for me so far, the biggest plus point of it is how engaged people are over there. And more importantly, the fact that it gives me a way to connect with more people - including you. =).

Daphne: Haha. I'm...not going to comment on that. =P. But well, you are one of my readers, so I guess it does include you.

chinesealbumart: Yeah, I know. So even though I personally don't like it, that's kind of why I decided to join it.

Oh. Oops. Sorry, my mistake. But well, the point still stands. They've still got a really talented team.

Hi, Thanks for letting me know. =). I've corrected it.

Glad you like the post, Carlin's really a great, and he'll definitely be missed.

Good point, but as you said, the same applies.

I have no idea about how much he's being paid and all. Nothing's been revealed about that. But based on history, I think Manchester United would have offered him more, or at least no less than Arsenal.

Cheyenne: Thanks, I'm glad that the post got you thinking.

Wendy: Thanks, glad you like the post.

Robert: Yeah, I do think I'm sort of an introvert as well. I don't really talk too much, but when I start (when it's something I have an opinion about or am passionate about), it's hard to get me to stop. ;). Glad you think I'm a "pretty cool person", though. =).

Yeah. I used "connections" because it's a more general term, I guess. "Correlations" (in my mind) connotes a relationship with math, which I wanted to avoid. Good point, though. Thanks.

Yeah. But to be honest, I think that comparisons can be made between practically any two things, if you look deep enough for them.

Thanks for sharing, Paul. Maybe I really should check out The Secret. =).

I think Jon picked up on a very important point. I've been blogging for about a year now, and my blog is now on the first page (or top of the second) of Google for the search "derrick". And the whole first page of Google for "derrick kwa" are all refering to me and my content. Granted, "derrick kwa" is a unique name, but the fact that I'm on the first page for "derrick" speaks volumes, I think. =).

I remember asking Dan Schawbel and Seth Godin about it before, and both mentioned that they don't there's that much of a difference between "real", corporate brands, and personal brands - that the same principles apply.

I really agree with Lara here, though, so I thought I'd repeat what she said. Especially with the internet, people are going to talk about you, so you *should* stay on top of it.

As to how to build the brand. I think you've got some great tips, in terms of the general side of it. To me, I think a personal brand should be something you don't have to think too much about. It should be natural to you - what you really believe in, what you're passionate about - not something that you try to form. Yes, you make a conscious effort to develop it, but the foundations of it has to be natural.

A second thought - a large part of building your brand is thus surrounding yourself with the right people. People who encourage and inspire you.

Hank: Thanks for your comment too. =). Couldn't agree more - it's "all about being open to the possibilities and the potential". Nothing much I can add to that comment.

Hun Boon: Me? Personally I haven't really read The Secret. Kinda doubtful about it (which is why I haven't read it), but I don't want to say anything concrete about it, since I haven't

Hi,

Yeah, I think that was the point about the NIH syndrome he was trying to make - that the NIH syndrome is detrimental to your success.

Just to add my thoughts on the topic. Personally, I think there's a balance. At times, "re-inventing the wheel" can be useful, not in terms of the end product, but in terms of the process. Sometimes, by re-inventing the wheel, you learn and understand it (the tool) better. And in doing so you might learn to see it from a new way and find a new way of using it. From a purely business, end-product perspective, though, I agree with both of you that it isn't a good idea.

Thanks for letting me be a part of the book tour. And I'll definitely always be up for future tours. =).

Hi Dan, thanks for dropping by. Actually, yeah I think your point was quite clear. I just wanted to explicitly extrapolate the idea beyond just web design. =).

Agreed. I think people are starting to go overboard with the term "spam", to be honest.

Daryl: Well, I'd like to think it's more open, and not tied to any organization. Not knocking Ping.sg or anything. But for example, I'm not a member of Ping.sg. So if they have an outing, chances are I wouldn't know about it or be a part of it. So it's more or less limited to the members of the network. And it would be less open to newcomers, like Hun Boon, the guy who does bamboo flooring. At least that's what I would think.

Brad: Yeah, there's no reason why we can't have both, but personally, I see the interesting discussions as a natural by-product rather than the original main focus, if that makes sense.

 

Hi Robert, thanks for stopping by and commeting. Well said, and I've got to say, you're doing a great job in teaching and sharing those lessons. =).

PotPieGirl: Thanks for the comments, and I'm glad you liked the lenses. As for my bio box, yeah. I'm in the process of doing that. =).

I don't play golf much, but yeah. Agreed that one of the best things about it is the mental aspect.

Stacy: Yeah, I read about him borrowing some arrangements. Even then, some credit should go to him for taking the time to explore and choose the arrangements. But yeah, credit to Whitesnake and Chris Cornell for the arrangements in the first place.

Jim: Chill, man. I did say he wasn't at his best on the final day. And I did say that Archuleta has a great voice. I said I don't think he's ready YET. I don't doubt he's got a future.