DISQUS

With regards to #3... I think it goes far beyond having an avatar. Instead, I would extend it to having the user be able to clearly identify themselves, rather than go by a screen name or avatar. That was Web 1.0, where everyone was on bulletin board, IM, etc with handles that didn't represent who we are. Facebook, LinkedIn, and to some extent MySpace instead focus on showing who you really are, rather than it being an anonymous account.

But great post otherwise!

What is truly remarkable about twitter is that, as much downtime as they have, they still remain unbelievably popular. Yes, the usage statistics are down, but you know you will still keep twhirl running and post as much as you can.

The question is... what happens if someone comes along, offering the exact same service, but with a reliable architecture? Will twitter disappear? Or will it win because it still has so many people?

Dan -
Facebook Connect is a completely separate concept. Facebook Connect is an extension of the platform that allows third party websites to access your information when you are not in Facebook. It doesn't replace the current platform - when you are navigating around Facebook, Connect has no involvement.

That's for a fan page. The viral loop is very different for Fan Pages, and are already associated with a known brand name. People become a fan because they see the friend likes a brand, and they already know/like the brand themselves.

Applications are a whole different ball of wax.

Unfortunately, we've seen that with new applications, it's nearly impossible to gain serious traction, even with a large app-maker like slide.


From a development perspective, developers are VERY frustrated right now with Facebook. The platform is scheduled to undergo major changes in the next two months, and many major technical questions remain unanswered. As a Facebook developer, I have unfortunately been put in the situation of telling some clients to hold off on their projects until we know more about the changes. That itself is unacceptable.

You'd have to think why they would shut it down. Obviously they see Scrabulous being a very popular game on Facebook, and a great marketing tool, breaking the idea that Scrabble is just something we play with our grandparents :-).

Could it be they've built their own Scrabble Facebook application, and want to get rid of Scrabulous to clear the way for it? Or is this their tactic to buy Scrabulous at a lower price than they would otherwise?

I hope its one of those two, and not just shutting it down without providing any alternative, going the way of the RIAA.

I wholeheartedly agree that DC is slowly building itself up as an east coast hub for startups (after NYC + Boston). It's people like you and many others (including myself, when I have the time :-) ) going out and interacting with each other, and making things happen.

In reading articles and listening to interviews, I've paid particular attention to what makes Silicon Valley the place to be. Tom Perkins recently said (http://www.venturevoice.com/2007/12/vv_show_47_...) it's a difference of psychology. He said one of the biggest influences is the number of experienced entrepreneurs in the area, who not only provide advice and mentoring, but give others the hope and confidence that they too can accomplish their dreams. This is something that is still missing in this area, but hopefully we can seek out and involve those few local seasoned entrepreneurs, who will in turn help change this region into what we all know it can be.

Congratulations on the launch! Can't wait to see how this will build off your previous ventures!

With the low entry barrier for developing facebook applications, Facebook providing support to everyone for something they are essentially giving out for free wouldn't be feasible for them. What they need is, for larger companies that would be willing to pay for it, professional paid support.