Excellent post. As for some of the comments, I don't believe 'private betas' encompass the possible range of problems that can occur with a public launch, the subset of users is too limited to gain a true insight into proper loading. A 'beta' is a beta, it means users expect problems, so why not open publicly and do away with private, and gain a true experience with the software
- Mo Kargas
I know we've struggled with what's most semantically correct to call our current status at Flickchart - we've settled on "public beta", since we are letting the public (read: strangers to us) on to the site via invites, but not letting just anyone sign up hitting the site randomly just yet. Previous to that, we were in what we called "private beta", where basically only people we knew and trusted had accounts. Before that, we were in "alpha", where the only people with accounts - were the developers.
- Nathan Chase
"The Competitive Spectrum is the first pattern you should look at because it asks you to consider the degree of competitiveness in the community you are trying to build or foster. Are you aiming for a highly cooperative community, an arena for death-matches, or something in between?"
- Maki
It is not what you looking for, but what the community makes itself by consensus!
- Igor The Troll יִצְחָק
Yahoo's really come up with some great community offerings lately - this is a really nice breakdown of social organization methods
- Nathan Chase
"Why is Google making more money everyday while newspapers are making less? I’m going to pick on The Washington Post again only because it’s my local paper and this is a local example."
- Maki
Great example of how not to stick your foot in your own mouth! Dah!
- Igor The Troll יִצְחָק
That's a good start. News Papers have actually been taking steps back with registration-walls and pay-walls, interstitial ads, no linking and no commenting policies, and no sociable options or networking features.
- Muhammad Saleem
Mu, interesting points. I guess you would like Newspapers to become a Social Media platform? New Media meets Old Media at the Cross Roads!
- Igor The Troll יִצְחָק
I you're right Igor. I think we've gotten to the point that social is everywhere and needs to be everywhere. We don't just want to consume, we want to engage and interact as well.
- Muhammad Saleem
I like what this article suggests in that search and blog-esque features should be a major part of the paper sites.
- Ryne Nelson
very interesting article... but the newspaper win in the bathroom yet
- John Pachecus
John Pachecus - unless you have a laptop. :-)
- Sharon McPherson
How accessible are you when online? - http://I get about a 2-300+ IM's and 100+ emails a day. How much information do you give out and how accessible are you to others?
Well if your followers or your customers want to talk with you do you offer multiple options of communication to them?
- Igor The Troll יִצְחָק
I'm not getting the link, but I think it's rather difficult to balance accessibility with productivity.
- Ryne Nelson
If you not interested in conversation why are you in Social Media room? Or do you think being in a SM room is not partaking in Social Media?
- Igor The Troll יִצְחָק
im going to take a stab in the dark and say that rick was being sarcastic haha
- jaybol
I think Rick left! He did say he does not converse in Social Media. Maybe he is Anti-Social? Or maybe he has a completely different understanding of what Social Media is about.
- Igor The Troll יִצְחָק
Link=Fail, but I did have google chat on my site I could interact with people w/pc problems...Does that count?
- Anthony Farrior
Ethan i think blogging and making relevant, well thought-out comments on blogs are right up there
- Matt Hooper
Friending everyone doesn't work. Paying attention to friends does though. Be natural. Don't show up trying to get noticed and you (read everyone) will.
- Howard O'Berry
from twhirl
thanks, i was just thinking that a lot of the most popular ppl on the web (i.e. Chris Pirillo, Leo Laporte) were very popular because they had roles in the "old media"
- Ethan Klapper
"to get noticed" - why should anyone notice you? If you have something of value to offer, you will get noticed. It's not something you should have to force. http://bub.blicio.us/?p=952
- Andrea Hill
Acquire as much knowledge as possible and re-distribute it.
- Seamus Condron
Participating is the key. Whether you participate by providing information or engaging with it is only relevant in a matter of degrees.
- Muhammad Saleem
Participation is definitely the key. I started Twittering a little over a week ago and now have 50 followers. The majority of those chose to follow me on their own, and I believe it was because of my participation with relevant content and asking the right questions.
- Sharon McPherson
Write, comment, link, participate, contribute....via feedalizr
- Tris Hussey
wow, what an active conversation! keep it coming. and thanks to Jeremiah for posting that link, interesting article! i dugg it lol
- Ethan Klapper
all of those factors and not to mention whoreing your friendfeed url. Mine can be found ---->
- MikeonTV
Providing value in any way you can and always seeking knowledge in an intelligent manner....and whoring your contact info like Mike said ------>
- Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah
This is something that has been on my mind lately. It's hard trying to make a presence online but unless you put yourself out there, how will anyone find you??
- Natitude
I would say not to try and be something you aren't, be yourself, interact and get involved how you want. Then you will enjoy it rather than feel owned by it as then it could become tedious!
- Joe Dawson
It is about producing some value but in the meantime i don't think it is so cleaver to decide your way to it. This is one of the nice part of web. After you start interact, you get feedback which will give you ways to decide over. At the end, don't friend everbody.:)
- doruk tokçabalaban
from twhirl
being a genuine and valuable part of the community is vital. you have to be prepared to give much more than you hope to receive
- stuart brown
I think being genuine is a good tip. Most people can smell someone trying too hard from a mile away
- Natitude
Or you could write about 13yr olds and hookers!
- Joe Dawson
ding,ding and ding....Welcome to no life my friend...
- Anthony Farrior
It takes time and commitment -- much like blogging, much like any other success in life. Chat, vote, comment, share.
- DermDoc (Jeff)
@Ethan, np for the link :] @Stuart, you have a point, if you're not really interested in being an actual part of the community, you might as well give up.
- Jeremiah Hoyet
Pick a topic, write regular, well-written informative posts on said topic, leave insightful comments on other blogs, network through FriendFeed, Pownce, StumbleUpon, your social services of choice, rinse and repeat. If you produce quality content, be that on your blog or in your comments you will develop a following.
- Heidi Cool