I'm not saying Ecademy is out to replace FriendFeed, but they have a lot of similar elements. Their "Spotlight" feature is a lot like having a "Favorites" list. They have likes and comments. Status updates can be sent to and from Twitter. - Louis Gray

The "NetNews" element takes updates from around the Web from all you follow in one place. You can search by individual and display updates from individual services, including blogs that are posted from within Ecademy. - Louis Gray

So what do I get there that I don't get elsewhere? Just curious. - Jesse Stay

The goal of Ecademy is connecting business people, and providing small business owners tools (such as social media, networking and connections), but if you like FriendFeed and Facebook, Ecademy is very interesting. Their UI needs some work, but I am hoping to help them make it better. As most of you know, I spent a lot of time with them last week and its a good community. - Louis Gray

The site needs a designer badly. - Raphael, Raphael

So they're more of a competitor to LinkedIn? - Jesse Stay

Vezquex, see my note above for that. Thus far, they have been adding feature after feature. I hope to help them move forward and think more about UI. As for Jesse's comment, I see LinkedIn as connecting to people I used to work with or am currently working with. Ecademy is hoping to connect you to people you will work with in the future. - Louis Gray

I'm just trying to figure out what part of my social network flow I replace with them. - Jesse Stay

Jesse, I would say it's not to replace something outright, but a percentage of some other things. Let's pretend FriendFeed fades away (which I don't think it will). One solution is to use Facebook more or optimize the Twitter experience. The other is to transform a flexible service, like Ecademy, into something it doesn't yet do today. Ecademy doesn't have VC backing, and isn't based in the Valley, but they have created something I like more as I use it more. - Louis Gray

Interesting - Jesse Stay

For example, on my profile, you see my recent activity on other feeds, including my comments and likes. I can also see comments and likes by all people, or those in my spotlight, much like a log. I can like comments, something I can't do here. Is it perfect? No. But it's got some real value that I bet many people don't know about. - Louis Gray

Also, all my "Spotlights" are public. This means I can show you my "favorite" dozen or "favorite" hundred accounts. On FriendFeed, I can't show you my list of favorites, but I can there - which shows I endorse these folks and will act as their advocate or like their shares. - Louis Gray

Ecademy also has multiple levels of accounts that enable more powerful features. The higher up you go in the foodchain (which costs more, of course), the more power you have in the community. For example, a "like" a Power Networker makes counts as 2 likes, while a BlackStar's like counts as 3 - the highest level. You are rewarded for your investment and dedication to the community. Also, Ecademy is profitable today because a lot of people have found value and made it a big part of their online life. - Louis Gray

Thanks Louis, it was great to meet you last week.for those not sure how it fits together this was my take... http://bit.ly/8KGM1 - William Buist

This is a great conversation Louis. Ecademy is a different experience as it is built on the basis that you don't know who you need ot know yet. Random is excellent, although it takes trust. The community is strong and on the whole understands the value of working there way though being Known, though the Blog Tools and then liked, through the conversation tools, and then followed through the Spotlight NetNews. The depth of community is the USP for Ecademy it has a history and has an emotion inside. New people are very welcomed, especially when they share and support with knowledge and contacts. Great to read your initial experiences and learn from your feedback Louis. - Penny Power