- KickApps has a new, build your own hosted social network service available, that seems to be very similar to Ning (review). I played around with it a bit, and true to its promise, I was able to get a social network live with blogging, media upload, WYSIWYG feature configurator, message boards, etc in just a few minutes. I got a little bit derailed when I couldn't embed a Flash widget into my blog post.
- Widgetbox has raised $8M more in funding.
- Widgetslab has found an amusing Twitter widget.
- SproutBuilder is as fun and as cool as advertised. Check out my Obama widget. At first blush, Sproutbuilder seems a bit easier to use than MixerCast (review).
- Outside.In (review) is going after Topix with hyperlocal discussion boards. I think it's a good call. Features without community are just that - features. It's community that protects you against the new, super funded startup that is able to replicate your features. Yet another argument for Hub and Spoke, versus just Spoke. Says me:
"As much as I like the idea of a fully distributed, widget powered network that only exists at the edge, I believe that widgets backed by a sturdy home base community have a better chance for success than those that exist solely on a distributed basis."
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