Marc Dewalle
43p73 comments posted · 4 followers · following 14
129 weeks ago @ Fort Worth Startup Blog - Advice on Angel Funding · 1 reply · +2 points
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129 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Self-confidence is hig... · 0 replies · +1 points
133 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Startup Drinks · 0 replies · +1 points
133 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - More Startup Advice (O... · 0 replies · +1 points
134 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - 4 Weekends ( #st... · 0 replies · +1 points
135 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Banned! Inside919 kic... · 0 replies · +1 points
I think your main point is that Pat deserves credit for the efforts that he made. I reviewed Inside919 as a business opportunity and pointed out 3 flaws. If Inside919 is going to be a sustainable business (i.e. its profitable and cashflow positive) it will need critical mass and a simple but strong business model. Otherwise, all you have is a hobby.
135 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Banned! Inside919 kic... · 0 replies · +1 points
There were lots of comments; maybe you didn't read them all, because you're making some of the same points as above. Specifically, whether I rejoin or not is irrelevant -- Pat doesn't need me. My comments were about Inside919 as a viable business opportunity and I see 3 major flaws there.
And I also responded to someone else's link to that video. Patronizing your customers is never a good idea.
136 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Banned! Inside919 kic... · 0 replies · +1 points
Thanks for the comment, but like I pointed out to Jim Vogel, this is not about my profile picture. The issue is that online communities are more successful if they are more open (i.e. they avoid unnecessary "requirements"). LinkedIn does not require a profile picture and is arguably the leading professional network. And Greg Hyer's LinkingRaleighNC has no picture requirement, but has nearly 6,000 local members.
Having a "requirement" for a profile picture is like requiring people to shake hands at a live event. It just isn't the most effective way to create an appropriate atmosphere.
Oh and that video, its scary and patronizing. That will hurt your business a lot more than it helps.
136 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Banned! Inside919 kic... · 0 replies · +1 points
There is no with or against here (especially not if you're pulling your mother-in-law into this ;-).
Online social networks are still a developing business (and I assume Pat would like to see a financial result) and the business models are slowly becoming clear. We see that some things work and others don't (even if your network has an off-line aspect).
My comments about Inside919 are about assessing its potential to be a successful business. Its not about my picture; Pat doesn't need me to be successful, He does need a critical mass of local people to sign up and those people have lots of options. Its just business.
136 weeks ago @ North Carolina Startup... - Banned! Inside919 kic... · 0 replies · +1 points
Thanks for the thoughtful reply comments. I appreciate the discussion and welcome others to chime in as well. I think we each made our points and it seems we're on opposite ends on these issues, which is fine.
Let me clarify my point about your use of area codes as a marker of social interaction, since you make the point about my blog being based on geography (NC). Area codes are rapidly losing their geographic meaning now that we have full number portability and people are taking their phone numbers with them.
State boundaries, on the other hand, will probably stay where they are. If your community was called "InsideNC", I would not have made the point about "Basing your social community on a relic of the ... past."
Thanks for the comments and lets keep in touch.
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