As my inaugural blog post for Virb, I just want to formalize how very done I am with MySpace. My profile has been hacked recently and everyone on my friends list has been bombarded by crap about Macy's gift cards. I haven't clicked on the link to see where it leads, but I'm assuming it's nowhere good. Seeing as I never liked the site in the first place - crappy interface, crappy smorgasborg of half-functioning (or non-functioning) features, crappy design, crappy other people's profiles, crappy everything - I figured it really was time to call it quits.

The only problem is that MySpace did happen to have EVERYONE on it. I was reconnecting with people from elementary school. It's such a shame that the nexus for the world happens to be MySpace. Virb has a great layout and a feature set and is superior in every conceivable way EXCEPT critical mass. I've been trying to evangelize the site, but I think everyone is kind of tired of hearing about "this cool new social networking site" when they've heard the same story for makeoutclub.com, friendster.com, myspace.com, and facebook.com (in that order).

So I'm hopeful that Virb.com will takeoff, yet still highly skeptical. How can we go about catalyzing the change? I do like the site's focus on getting quality music bands on board. That's the second reason I use MySpace - for the musician-fan connection. But why would a fan go to Virb.com when the band they're interested in still has a MySpace page, as does every other band that they like?

And then there's the general populace of MySpace who have no interest in music and are looking for those old elementary school connections. They will only come once Virb.com has hit critical mass. But how to achieve that? Certainly, Virb is an easy sell for the web savvy, but I don't think that's enough. Maybe more visibility with "the cool kids" (a la The Tipping Point) where Virb sponsors concerts or art gallery openings or parties.

The only other social network that I can think of right now that's taking off is Yelp.com and they have a very real connection with the real world and their members - the most active of whom they certify as "Elite" (check out my profile). But then again, that site is a completely different, specialized niche from the general purpose "Walmart" style social networking of MySpace and Virb. Hmm... I guess to follow that metaphor, Virb is kind of like Target... So what does that mean?

Anyways, so that's my first post. I'm a web designer who has a great interest in subcultures. Expect more posts about the internet microcosm, as well as ponderings on bikes, bike culture, scooters, alternative transportation in general, and maybe the occasional mention of dancing.