Comments
Web 2.0 for normal people?
Written By elliothere on Oct. 4, 2006.
5 Comments
Report Note
+ Clip This
I recently wrote a post on how most Web 2.0 sites and applications are geared for geeks, and not many actually attempt to target your everyday people.
5 sites I listed as ones actually attempting the bigger crowd are MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, WordPress.com, and Newsvine.
Why do you think that we haven't seen more attempts for bringing some Web 2.0 to normal people? Or are there more sites out there and I just haven't seen them?
Scrivs
Written Oct. 4, 2006 / Report /
I wouldn't have put Newsvine in that list, because as much as I love the site it is still geared towards people who are willing to participate on a site. The only way it hits "normal people" is that they don't have to participate to get their daily dose of news.
If you look at the Web 2.0 sites that do seem to have a less geeky following you will find that the creators have a better connection with that crowd (sad, I know) while geeky geeks make things that will make them and their friends happy.
The web is for all people, but the masses will follow the masses so if you want your Web 2.0 app to hit it big it had to reach a mass and that doesn't usually involve the geeks.
elliothere
Written Oct. 4, 2006 / Report /
Well, I think Newsvine did a good job of giving benefits to people whether they decide to participate or not. Everybody gets to read the stories that others have written and/or voted for and everybody gets to read the comments that have been left.
It's a great site whether they actually sign up or not, and if you do decide to sign up and participate, it doesn't take a geek to figure it out.
avuee
Written Oct. 4, 2006 / Report /
I don't consider MySpace "normal".
elliothere
Written Oct. 4, 2006 / Report /
Hahaha, good point. How about, "Used by the non-geeky masses, regardless of their sanity."
Scrivs
Written Oct. 5, 2006 / Report /
Oh I agree with Newsvine being a great site in the sense that you can do whatever you want without participating, but the value lies within the community it creates. There are enough news sites out there and most of those have their audience, so for Newsvine to succeed it has to build a community and to participate it seems only geeks are willing to do that.
MySpace will be studied till the end of time as a phenomenon. Only certain people get it and those are the ones on the site. Everyone else will always scoff at it.