DISQUS

actually this could become quite addictive. With the ability to add your own stats, equipment and photos there's a lot Takkle can do if managed properly.

They could offer national rankings, all-star teams, etc. While not 'official' by any means it could take on an almost fantasy football like appeal. What's my ranking, etc etc. I'm guessing they are doing this as I already see they have a stat dispute tool as well. Pretty cool.

Add in a Takkle widget for showing your stats and a way to mix & share your highlight videos and you're set.

ha - I thought of this for them back in March - even posted it on their forums. Where's my check??? :)

http://forum.meebo.com/viewtopic.php?t=3559

Ha - good one!

Also noticed the latest trendwatching brief - YOUNIVERSAL BRANDING was sent out today and it has quite a bit on the avatar scene and what can happen there.

www.trendwatching.com/trends/universalBranding.htm

I just wonder if stardoll is setup to do something a little bigger like 2nd Life since they already have a big user base.

When I first looked at the site I thought you could create a doll and then have your doll 'star' in a music video, maybe I need to give em a ring? :)

Looks like they can do some really interesting stuff here with ecommerce or advertising. I could see the Stardoll Prada shop or even the Stardoll mall being a way to build on the business model as long as it doesn't scare people away.

I think this is just something old packaged as new (unless I'm missing the point which is possible). In a different life I managed an IM client that had very similar features:
http://www.odigo.org/features/newtour/8.html

To me it makes more sense in an IM setting vs the browser as you can then share URLs w/friends, share favorites/history, etc. Of course it would be really cool as part of a Meebo-del.icio.us mashup as well... hmmm....

In case you are interested here's some more info on Odigo:
http://www.odigo.org/features/windows.html

It was a strange but ahead of its time IM client that worked with YIM, AIM & MSN... kinda sorta...

Pete,

Great post, I think for any startup targeting the community space you HAVE to have the flexability built in for badging your content on other sites.

The way most of us found YouTube, Photobucket, Imageshack, etc. was through looking at someone's profile on myspace.

Also interesting to note that facebook.com just turned down an offer for $750 million - they are looking for something closer to $2 billion!


They do own the college market and are going after HS now - the meat & potatoes of myspace. Should be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Jake - was great meeting you @ SXSW.


Your comment about the panelists is interesting. I think a number of then seemed put-off to answer questions at times.



A lot of the panels this year were about business and starting up it was interesting to see that many of the panelists didn't have a clear answer to questions regarding their success. Not sure if it was hard for them to articulate it or if they weren't really sure why they had been successful.