Comments on: FriendFeed Is The Signal

By: Shey

Shey — Thu, 29 May 2008 18:46:27 +0000

No problem Kenichi

By: Tyler

Tyler — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:53:19 +0000

says username and api key don’t match when i try FF wordpress plugin??!

By: The Case For Distributed Conversations | introspective snapshots

The Case For Distributed Conversations | introspective snapshots — Thu, 29 May 2008 05:48:48 +0000

[...] to mention the other implications of FriendFeed, and other services like it, that may [...]

By: kenmat

kenmat — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:36:13 +0000

It's interesting to see two different comments flow on this same post. One on friendfeed ( http://friendfeed.com/e/999e7064-b78d-115b-c87b... ) and another on DISQUS ( http://introspectivesnapshots.disqus.com/friend... ). I definitely enjoy both of them. Thanks, shey!

By: Shey

Shey — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:43:02 +0000

I agree, ironically that just happened with this blog entry on FF:
http://friendfeed.com/e/999e7064-b78d-115b-c87b...

By: J. Phil

J. Phil — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:27:13 +0000

Now that I think about it, this happens on FriendFeed too. But the key difference is, on FF there are always conversations literally popping up all the time. So if someone comments on a post and it goes un-noticed for a while, it's not the end of the world. When the author or someone else notices, that conversation re-appears.

In Twitter, it's a huge mash of different conversations, like a crowded room, which forces you to pay attention to certain threads. If one of those threads languishes, you notice.

The key difference is this: In Twitter, you search for conversations. In FriendFeed, properly tweaked, the conversations come to you.

By: Shey

Shey — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:35:55 +0000

Absolutely, that’s happened to me as well. Twitter is on and off, sometimes people want to converse, sometimes they don’t

By: J. Phil

J. Phil — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:25:37 +0000

I have an observation about this too. When I was using Twitter almost exclusively, I had gotten used to people (especially somewhat popular people) simply never replying to tweets that I directed toward them. At the time, it didn’t bother me.

After I had gotten used to the friendly atmosphere on FriendFeed, though, and switched back to Twitter for a day, it was definitely more noticeable when I would tweet a question or comment and get no response.

By: Julian Baldwin

Julian Baldwin — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:32:59 +0000

Nice post Shey and a lot of good points. The business models will definitely need to change and I think as the web evolves they will continue to change in a way that seems expected and almost routine. As more people become active around the web more ideas will be shared and there will always be a surplus of new possible services waiting for someone to push them forward. Our social dynamics will evolve and need to adapt to larger and larger audiences over time. It should be interesting to watch and I might continue this thought in an upcoming post.

By: Shey

Shey — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:05:08 +0000

I’ve noticed that as well on FriendFeed. Twitter, not so much — it’s a big popularity contest over there and the snobbery is all around.

By: Hutch Carpenter

Hutch Carpenter — Wed, 28 May 2008 02:02:48 +0000

Good point about how FriendFeed allows everyone to participate. I’ve had more interactions with well-known bloggers there than I’d probably ever have elsewhere. Right now, it feels very open and democratic. Hopefully that lasts.

By: Shey

Shey — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:41:36 +0000

Many are wanting a block feature in FF. But at least the owner of the thread can moderate any comment in the discussion

By: Elizabeth Albrycht

Elizabeth Albrycht — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:53:56 +0000

I laughed when I saw your comment form above for FF which asks for username, API Key, etc.

One thing that came to mind as I read this is “what happens when comment spam hits FriendFeed?” It will, inevitably. There are certainly things I like on FF, but it has a long way to go…

By: Shey

Shey — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:55:00 +0000

FriendFeed Comments plugin not working — waiting to hear back from Glenn on this

By: Shey

Shey — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:53:46 +0000

Thanks Lindsay, yes that’s what I meant, it’s vice versa.

I agree, FriendFeed allows your network to expand exponentially with each interaction. It’s no longer just a one-to-many relationship, it’s more like one-to-many-to-many.

By: BlueCockatoo

BlueCockatoo — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:44:44 +0000

Good post, Shey. I like this point: “FriendFeed has allowed me to be influenced by a wide variety of people, and vice versa, in a way that not even Twitter has allowed.” I would also have to say it’s allowed you to influence others in a way that isn’t very easy or effective in other services as well.

I think the Friend of a Friend thing has a lot to do with it because it lets you expand your network without having to do a lot of effort yourself. Twitter and most strict follower/followee models don’t really provide that. If you’re not being followed you’re not being heard. FriendFeed lets your direct followers and all their followers know what you think is important. It’s exponential exposure.