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100% agreed. I'm a very savvy Internet user (I thought?) and I still don't really understand what they do/offer. At one point I thought it was just an "open"

by nlh 13y ago

100% agreed. I'm a very savvy Internet user (I thought?) and I still don't really understand what they do/offer. At one point I thought it was just an "open" version of Twitter, but that seems to have changed now (or has it?) It feels very much like "insiders solving very specific problems for other insiders" ... maybe insider isn't the right word, but my sense is they were born from frustrations with changes in the way Twitter handled the ecosystem ... i.e. 3rd party clients. So they said ok, we're going to build our own system that isn't trying going to restrict 3rd party clients. So I (think) I get what they are on the periphery, but I still don't get the core product. I'm sure it's good though - or at least good in spirit. Would love to hear more. Can someone do an 'explain app.net to me like i'm 5 and have never used the internet'...?

xoail 13y ago
This is what I get. Could be totally wrong and if so, please correct me. App.net allows app developers to use app.net platform for a fee. App developers can integrate their user's app.net logins/profiles/network/photos etc. just like they do on facebook platform. App developers can also create users in the app.net platform. Users never see any ad. They also have good privacy settings. It's like win-win for both end-users and app developers. The only catch being app developers pay a nominal fee.
- rhc2104 13y ago
  Users also pay a fee (there are free accounts, but they're very restrictive).
yapcguy 13y ago
App.net con(vince) developers to give up cash to fund a proprietary closed platform. Even users had to pay to get an account. They then sell shares of the business to Andreessen Horowitz for $2.5 Million. Why don't developers and users get a share of the business? Didn't the developers take on the most risk a year ago? Seriously, it's about time backers of crowd-sourced projects start demanding something tangible instead of just forking over cash to every salesman to come knocking. Anyway, eventually the investors - and the rest of the bandwagon which is sure to follow - are going to want a return on their investment, so we know how this API-feel-good story ends. Any developer building on top of App.net expecting long-term stability is kidding themselves.
- wmf 13y ago
  In recent months App.net has started paying developers. I don't think developers ever had to pay to use the platform, although each developer probably has a paid personal account (in other news, iPhone developers buy iPhones). I am a little concerned that a centralized silo with a sustainable business model is still a centralized silo and I personally would prefer a personal cloud/indieweb approach instead, but App.net is hardly some kind of Ponzi scheme.

by nlh 13y ago

xoail 13y ago

This is what I get. Could be totally wrong and if so, please correct me. App.net allows app developers to use app.net platform for a fee. App developers can integrate their user's app.net logins/profiles/network/photos etc. just like they do on facebook platform. App developers can also create users in the app.net platform. Users never see any ad. They also have good privacy settings. It's like win-win for both end-users and app developers. The only catch being app developers pay a nominal fee.

rhc2104 13y ago
Users also pay a fee (there are free accounts, but they're very restrictive).

yapcguy 13y ago

App.net con(vince) developers to give up cash to fund a proprietary closed platform. Even users had to pay to get an account. They then sell shares of the business to Andreessen Horowitz for $2.5 Million. Why don't developers and users get a share of the business? Didn't the developers take on the most risk a year ago? Seriously, it's about time backers of crowd-sourced projects start demanding something tangible instead of just forking over cash to every salesman to come knocking. Anyway, eventually the investors - and the rest of the bandwagon which is sure to follow - are going to want a return on their investment, so we know how this API-feel-good story ends. Any developer building on top of App.net expecting long-term stability is kidding themselves.

wmf 13y ago
In recent months App.net has started paying developers. I don't think developers ever had to pay to use the platform, although each developer probably has a paid personal account (in other news, iPhone developers buy iPhones). I am a little concerned that a centralized silo with a sustainable business model is still a centralized silo and I personally would prefer a personal cloud/indieweb approach instead, but App.net is hardly some kind of Ponzi scheme.