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imho, The value of a community is in its members, not in the software. Sure, UI can have an effect on the ability to build a community, but only upon the edge
by nroach 16y ago
imho, The value of a community is in its members, not in the software. Sure, UI can have an effect on the ability to build a community, but only upon the edge cases.
What made HN successful isn't the presentation, but the character of its members and its association with Ycombinator.
Whether wallstbeat succeeds is more a function of its ability to attract valuable commentary and users willing to share analysis in a public forum. Failing this, it's vulnerable to the same pump-n-dump trash you see on Yahoo! finance and other sites.
- seanl 16y agoI think you're right that the members of a community give it its value, but I think you underestimate the influence of the software. Consider it like the decor of a bar - once the regular clientele are established it becomes less important, but initially people are drawn there because they feel an affinity with the look and feel. IMHO of course.
- hereandthere 16y agoexactly - the last thing needed here is another intellectually poor info source that spews stock rec's and trading ideas. [sidebar: imho this is why i think twitter is -- in practice, not theory -- anathema too actual investing] question: are the real smart investors (individual and other) out there willing to be part of a public forum? people have mentioned the need-to-keep-my-trading-edge-with-secrecy point, but the ego-value of being recognized in a community might also be powerful for this constituency.