3 ms·

it's not hard to see the difference

by volida 19y ago

cellis 19y ago
This argument doesn't hold weight at all. "eBay is almost irreplaceble because it's a marketplace" Are you saying marketplaces can't be replaced any easier than social networks (particularly, social networks with suprisingly passionate users)? "Any marketplace is difficult to replace because if it already works well is because is reaching a massive audience, even if they are not actively particapating in it. At eBay there already people who have their rating etc so it's hard to beat that." Ok, first off, the formal definition of what you describe is Network Effects - i.e. Metcalfes law. Facebook benefits from that just as well as eBay, and perhaps, as Paul said, even more so, because there is more trust. Secondly, a lot of the "rating" is artificially generated, comes from scammy behavior etc, so it doesn't hold much weight. "Most people know eBay even if they never bought something off it" ... And most people know about facebook even if they've never used it. I think anyone that underestimates Facebook does so at their own peril.
- volida 19y ago
  I had already erased my comment before you've responded. anw, maybe I am wrong but I don't think you can easily replace a marketplace that works.
- Harj 19y ago
  Ok, first off, the formal definition of what you describe is Network Effects - i.e. Metcalfes law. Facebook benefits from that just as well as eBay no. building a connection on ebay (i.e. buying or selling something and leaving feedback) requires a lot more effort than building a connection on a social network (adding a friend). that's why users are more locked into ebay than any social network.
  - cellis 19y ago
    Most of the people on facebook are more than just "adding a friend". There is a lot more depth to it. These are genuine relationships that have been there before they hit facebook.
    - Harj 19y ago
      i didn't comment on the depth of the relationships. i commented on the investment needed to create them online.

it's not hard to see the difference

by volida 19y ago

it's not hard to see the difference

This argument doesn't hold weight at all. "eBay is almost irreplaceble because it's a marketplace" Are you saying marketplaces can't be replaced any easier than social networks (particularly, social networks with suprisingly passionate users)? "Any marketplace is difficult to replace because if it already works well is because is reaching a massive audience, even if they are not actively particapating in it. At eBay there already people who have their rating etc so it's hard to beat that." Ok, first off, the formal definition of what you describe is Network Effects - i.e. Metcalfes law. Facebook benefits from that just as well as eBay, and perhaps, as Paul said, even more so, because there is more trust. Secondly, a lot of the "rating" is artificially generated, comes from scammy behavior etc, so it doesn't hold much weight. "Most people know eBay even if they never bought something off it" ... And most people know about facebook even if they've never used it. I think anyone that underestimates Facebook does so at their own peril.

volida 19y ago
I had already erased my comment before you've responded. anw, maybe I am wrong but I don't think you can easily replace a marketplace that works.
Harj 19y ago
Ok, first off, the formal definition of what you describe is Network Effects - i.e. Metcalfes law. Facebook benefits from that just as well as eBay no. building a connection on ebay (i.e. buying or selling something and leaving feedback) requires a lot more effort than building a connection on a social network (adding a friend). that's why users are more locked into ebay than any social network.
- cellis 19y ago
  Most of the people on facebook are more than just "adding a friend". There is a lot more depth to it. These are genuine relationships that have been there before they hit facebook.
  - Harj 19y ago
    i didn't comment on the depth of the relationships. i commented on the investment needed to create them online.