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Poor google, facebook and craigslist. I wonder if those 3 will ever make it, what with the giant red flag all over their business model.

• stcredzero 14y ago
  It's extraordinary, but yes, I mean that. Google doesn't try to "protect" its data. Facebook and Craigslist do. Yes, there is a red flag on the latter two companies. They have to actively exert themselves to keep their network-effect advantage. Insofar as they do this by generating value for users, they will prosper. When they act against user interests, they act against the preservation of their network advantage. If they go too far or do too little, they will fall.
  • saurik 14y ago
    Google definitely tries to protect their data: if you try to scrape any of their APIs, whether it be for Maps, +, or Search, you will find yourself rapidly hitting quotas. They are very good about denying access to things that don't look like humans, and in cases where the data was extracted using horrendously indirect means (Bing) they resorted to public shaming.
    • stcredzero 14y ago
      Then what I say applies to them too. Ultimately, no one is entitled to keep succeeding. Whoever does the best by the users will succeed.