Disqus - Latest Comments for Aidan Henry

Re: I think Mike and Om should get hitched

Aidan Henry — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:20:30 -0000

Do you think Mike would demand a pre-nup?

Re: Andy Rutledge thinks you’re a moron

Aidan Henry — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 10:14:13 -0000

Wow,

I read Andrew's post. That guy is wacky to say the least. His doomsaday predictions lead me to believe that he is the David Koresh of the new web.

I always appreciate new insights, vantage points, and perspectives, but this guy is beyond me. I think he fails to see an important angle. If these 'mobs' or 'masses' can be focused in a specific direction with some level of co-ordination and guidance from a select group of educators and tech elite, social media and the power of the mob can work and succeed.

I think Andy needs to read up about the 'network effect'...

Why has Wikipedia been so successful? Why is it so accurate? The dynamic nature of wikis and real-time collaboration enable any site or live document to move toward 100% accuracy levels. Though this level will never be reached, the site will benefit greatly with every additional user/contributor. Essentially, the network becomes more and more valuable.

Did I mention 'crowdsourcing'?

Andy is living in his own little anti-web 2.0 echo-chamber and needs to take a walk outside... inhale some fresh air... and open his eyes to the new world.

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: An invite is Joost what you need

Aidan Henry — Wed, 02 May 2007 09:24:19 -0000

Hey Matt,

Interestingly enough, I posted a similar article a little while back here: http://www.mappingtheweb.com/2007/03/07/joost-i....

Apparently, my site has been fairly well optimized, as I show up first or second on Google for 'joost invitation' and 'joost invitations'. In any case, people must really want to try the service. I'm nearing 1,000 comments and I've received well over 100 direct e-mails. Just a random point of interest...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: iLike: Riding the Facebook tsunami

Aidan Henry — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 21:29:22 -0000

Sorry Matt, I can't help myself... totally off topic, but... iLike sounds like a web 2.0 company started by Borat.

"What company did you start? iLikeeeeeee..."

Re: How To Define Web 3.0

Aidan Henry — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 03:09:05 -0000

Wow Steve... I think you covered pretty much... EVERYTHING. Well done. Your post took me a long time to read. I can't imagine how long it took to write. Congrats.

I posted my thoughts on what I *hope* web 3.0 looks like here:
http://www.mappingtheweb.com/2007/06/08/web-30-...

Let me know what you think.

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com
www.ReadWriteWeb.com

Re: Exclusive: NowPublic turns down takeover bids

Aidan Henry — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 05:28:04 -0000

Wow Matt... great work with the exclusive. I wish I could get exclusives :( Any idea who the two major media entities were? What about their offers?

Congrats to the NowPublic team. It's nice to see a BC start-up get some well-deserved recognition :)

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: Can you say "Facebook bubble"?

Aidan Henry — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:44:56 -0000

Hey Matt,

Some good points. My thought is something along the lines of yours...

Though "Where I've Been" may have 2.3 million users, how many of them are actually active? There are so many apps that get installed and forgot about. Some people just install a given app because their friends have done so. Subsequently, they never get used. I would wager that a large percentage of FB apps fall into this category. Therefore, user numbers can be very deceiving. Perhaps 10% of all "Where I've Been" users are active. All of a sudden, it looks more like 230,000.

Just my two bits...

Cheers,
Aidan :)

Re: CNET to buy TechCrunch — why not?

Aidan Henry — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:08:59 -0000

I think the bigger question would be whether Arrington would stay on board. Let's be honest - what's a blog without the original publisher? Nothing more than a worthless content management system. TC is only worth something if Mike stays on board - at least in my mind. And I doubt he's willing to work for an archaic Internet firm.

Like I say, I think any blog is worthless without the original publisher as the user base has been built around their style.

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: Too much UGC can be a bad thing

Aidan Henry — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 04:35:05 -0000

This sounds like the argument that anti-social media critics use. They use the term "mediocrity of the amateur" and argue that a small number of unique, knowledgeable voices are better than a whole bunch of semi-knowledgeable, amateur voices.

I think the argument has some merit, but ignores a lot of the advantages of social media as well...

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: How to botch a launch: Razzle.ca

Aidan Henry — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:52:50 -0000

I agree that the company made some poor decisions. However, I do believe that part of the problem was out of their hands - it was pure bad luck. Unexpected business circumstances will come about all the time. How a company deals with these circumstances is the big issue.

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: » How to botch a launch: Razzle.ca | StartupNorth

Aidan Henry — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:52:50 -0000

Re: It’s a good thing you can’t burn blogs

Aidan Henry — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:47:10 -0000

That's gold... haha...

PS. How do I get in on this venture?

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: It’s a good thing you can’t burn blogs

Aidan Henry — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 12:10:31 -0000

I'm going to provide the most ambiguous answer ever, yet I think it does provide some value and insight...

We need both mediums.

Traditional media (books, magazines, newspapers) provides a unique, professional, well-researched, all-encompassing voice. What social media (and blogs) provides is the ability to challenge ideas and thoughts via comments and trackbacks, further solidifying arguments or completely disproving them. Previously, we were at the mercy of the given publisher.

Mathew... I always enjoy your perspective on a topic such as this, as you dangle a foot on each side of the fence...

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: News flash: I agree with Seth Finkelstein

Aidan Henry — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:36:32 -0000

I'm with Rob on this one...

I think it is important because it's the first time we're seeing this type of behaviour. If everyone just accepts it and goes along with it, who knows what they may want to do next? It may be a doorway to widespread acceptance. If there is an outcry right off the bat, then it will be a lot tougher to make any inroads.

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: Predictions ‘08

Aidan Henry — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:18:50 -0000

Wow... some great predictions. I think that they're all spot on, especially with the acquisitions.

I posted my predictions here: http://www.mappingtheweb.com/2007/12/31/2008-we...

Let me know your thoughts...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Wordpress lands a whopper

Aidan Henry — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:22:04 -0000

Seriously though... $29.5 million to build out the server network and add new features? That's one helluva B round...

It seems to me that the company was able to operate pretty lean up until now. I can understand taking on some money to boost the growth curve, but $29.5 million?

Wouldn't $10 or $15 million be enough? I also wondering what kind of valuation they got?

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: Digg: A social media Petri dish

Aidan Henry — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 17:14:57 -0000

I think the people that are pissed off are the people who "used to" regularly make the front page. I saw to heck with them. In theory, nobody should be making the front page on a consistent basis if the system is true. Only the best content should rise to the top, and I doubt a few given individuals are submitting all the best content. Therefore I'm totally FOR algorithm changes that level the playing field and only allow for the best content to reach the top.

These little groups and cliques that have prospered for so long are now in turmoil and they're in a pissy mood. Do you really think that a few top blogs and news sites produce the best content all the time? Think again. I'm not a conspiracy theorist here, but there Digg "rings" and "circles" out there. These groups pledge together and vote items to the top. My guess is the new algorithm recognizes voting patterns and a LACK of voting diversity, hence the reason some submissions aren't making the front page...

Just my two bits on a lovely Friday :)

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: Meebo: Chat rooms are so 1998

Aidan Henry — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:06:10 -0000

I would have to agree. I can use my IM client to chat with contacts. Chatting with random visitors who just happen to be on the same website at the same time as me is likely to provide very little value.

Cheers,
Aidan
www.MappingTheWeb.com

Re: “If the news is important, it will find me”

Aidan Henry — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:17:25 -0000

News is time-sensitive. Knowledge isn't.

-Aidan

Re: The Algorithm And The Crowd

Aidan Henry — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:38:51 -0000

Great post Steve. I love your posts on web issues and concepts. Keep them coming...

With respect to the article itself, I don't think there is a clear answer. Both algorithms and humans have their advantages and disadvantages, and this will never change.

I wrote a similar article last year called "Humans vs. Computers: The Editorial Debate" - http://www.mappingtheweb.com/2007/05/14/humans-...

Has any company explored the possible combination of algorithm + human-edited?

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Aggregation Obsession

Aidan Henry — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:29:53 -0000

Great article Greg.

I think that aggregation tools are needed to filter out the clutter. The theory is that aggregation saves time and hassle, ultimately revealing the most pertinent content. In the end, we are left with more time to focus on innovation and more important projects.

The big problem is when people let news and aggregation consume their attention. Productivity and focus are lost...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Web 2.0 in limbo? Let’s get a grip

Aidan Henry — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:48:47 -0000

The potential cost of launching a new web venture nowadays can be close to 0, if you discount human labour and leverage free software/tools/platforms. For this reason, I don't see an Internet bubble in sight. I wrote about it all here:

http://www.mappingtheweb.com/2008/03/20/there-i...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Poll: Why Do You Use Social Tools?

Aidan Henry — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:03:15 -0000

I can't pinpoint one reason...

I use Social Tools to learn, network, build relationships, stay up-to-date, etc... I'd imagine others do the same. Although different people have different needs, I would find it a bit short-sighted to think that Social Tools may be used to accomplish only a single task...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: How will Twitter ever make money?

Aidan Henry — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:41:59 -0000

Hey Eric,

Thanks for the kind words :)

I definitely think that Twitter needs to capitalize on its user base fairly soon, but it must be done in a very succinct manner. I acknowledge your idea of traditional advertising, although I think they can drive much higher CPMs and provide interesting, relevant ads if they leverage the context. It definitely is a potentially dangerous move, but I think it can be effective if done properly. And, at some point, Twitter needs to do something...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: How will Twitter ever make money?

Aidan Henry — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:38:03 -0000

I think you hit the nail on the head with:

"I'm starting to wonder if they might be in danger of rolling out some sort of revenue model "too late." Twitter's profile is very high right now, so they don't have the luxury of tinkering (as much) as they may have had a year ago or even the beginning of the year."

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Particle Accelerator Complete With Doomsday Theorists

Aidan Henry — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:14:48 -0000

Haha... that's great.

I never worry about stuff like this. If we're all gonna go, we're all gonna go...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Cambrian House: Failure or evolution?

Aidan Henry — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:07:19 -0000

So basically Michael is saying that the model failed rather than the execution? That was the main thing I wanted to find out...

Cheers,
Aidan

Re: Cambrian House: Failure or evolution?

Aidan Henry — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:31:00 -0000

Yeah, I agree. It's hard to point a finger at one party. If it was the crowd's fault, the model is broken. If it was the company's fault, then poor execution can be blamed.

I can't imagine it being easy to maintain the focus of a crowd with such a short attention span though...

-Aidan