MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is the social network losing its cool?

[George Spellwin]

MySpace purge draws sharp reactions
With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is the social network losing its cool? Plus: Lenovo probe stirs up PC makers.
By Owen Thomas, Business 2.0 Magazine online editor and Oliver Ryan, Fortune reporter
March 31, 2006: 12:34 PM EST


SAN FRANCISCO (Business 2.0) - When Friendster started deleting profiles it deemed risque or otherwise objectionable, users bolted for the exits, helping to boost rival social networks like MySpace. Could MySpace be making the same mistake? Author Nicholas Carr characterized a recent move to close 200,000 accounts as a "purge." Ross Levinsohn, head of MySpace parent News Corp.'s (Research) Internet division, said the move was motivated by concerns for teen safety. That's certainly credible given the spate or recent incidents in which adults have been arrested for soliciting sex from minors met on the site. But mainstream marketers' concerns about questionable content may just go just as far in explaining its recent reform campaign. And with 250,000 new accounts opened daily, the closures hardly seem large enough to slow MySpace's momentum.

 

[mrdeeznuts]

what fag has a myspace account anyways?

 

[eat big]

what fag has a myspace account anyways?

Better donate some K to AAP.


Like the new profiles George, easier to get to know people here.

 

[Lestat]

myspace is cool, free way to meet peopel

 

[chewyxrage]

nice propaganda spellnazi

 

[mm107]

shit i got a myspace lol

 

[needtogetaas]

MySpace purge draws sharp reactions
With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is the social network losing its cool? Plus: Lenovo probe stirs up PC makers.
By Owen Thomas, Business 2.0 Magazine online editor and Oliver Ryan, Fortune reporter
March 31, 2006: 12:34 PM EST


SAN FRANCISCO (Business 2.0) - When Friendster started deleting profiles it deemed risque or otherwise objectionable, users bolted for the exits, helping to boost rival social networks like MySpace. Could MySpace be making the same mistake? Author Nicholas Carr characterized a recent move to close 200,000 accounts as a "purge." Ross Levinsohn, head of MySpace parent News Corp.'s (Research) Internet division, said the move was motivated by concerns for teen safety. That's certainly credible given the spate or recent incidents in which adults have been arrested for soliciting sex from minors met on the site. But mainstream marketers' concerns about questionable content may just go just as far in explaining its recent reform campaign. And with 250,000 new accounts opened daily, the closures hardly seem large enough to slow MySpace's momentum.

cash in on the cow bigman.

 

[jafo]

I think GS is gearing up for his new profile release ... I think it might be fun

 

[Lestat]

I think GS is gearing up for his new profile release ... I think it might be fun

agreed

 

[TheAssholeFomerlyKnownAsDBBT]

what fag has a myspace account anyways?

alot of fags have a myspace

 

[Lestat]

alot of fags have a myspace

bad bro talk right there

 

[mrdeeznuts]

i dunno i smell george getting ready to sell the site or elitefitness becomes a myspace fitness dating site

 

[BrothaBill]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

Teen Safety! Youre not going to Purge Hotzie now are you

 

[Lestat]

Hello, my name is Detective Henderson, I work undercover busting sick pedophiles on the internet seeking child pornography. Child pornography is defined as any minor in any sexually explicit conduct.
(1) minor means any person under the age of eighteen years;
(2)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), sexually explicit conduct means actual or simulated
(i) sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex;
(ii) bestiality;
(iii) masturbation;
(iv) sadistic or masochistic abuse; or
(v) lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person;
conduct means
(i) graphic sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex, or lascivious simulated sexual intercourse where the genitals, breast, or pubic area of any person is exhibited;
(ii) graphic or lascivious simulated;
(I) bestiality;
(II) masturbation; or
(III) sadistic or masochistic abuse; or
(iii) graphic or simulated lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person;
(3) producing means producing, directing, manufacturing, issuing, publishing, or advertising;
(4) organization means a person other than an individual;
(5) visual depiction includes undeveloped film and videotape, and data stored on computer disk or by electronic means which is capable of conversion into a visual image;
(6) computer has the meaning given that term in section 1030 of this title;
(7) custody or control includes temporary supervision over or responsibility for a minor whether legally or illegally obtained;

 

[HumorMe]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

i dunno i smell george getting ready to sell the site or elitefitness becomes a myspace fitness dating site

Same feeling here.

 

[mrdeeznuts]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

Same feeling here.

so whats ur stats sexy lol

 

[Lestat]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

so whats ur stats sexy lol

alert!

 

[mrdeeznuts]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

alert!

stop being jealous, sorry i didn't call u last night

 

[slat1]

My buddy has a myspace account. He has been nailing a rediculously large number of hot girls from that site!
I would love to have an account there. I don't think my gf would be a big fan of that though...

 

[mrdeeznuts]

My buddy has a myspace account. He has been nailing a rediculously large number of hot girls from that site!
I would love to have an account there. I don't think my gf would be a big fan of that though...

and y would she have to know?

 

[HumorMe]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

so whats ur stats sexy lol

lol...I just noticed your avatar.

Does he juice?

 

[Dial_tone]

When you only have 5,000 users you need every warm keyboard you can get. When you've got 5 million you can get picky. It's expected.

 

[mrdeeznuts]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

lol...I just noticed your avatar.

Does he juice?

nah he's natty and has hairy balls

 

[George Spellwin]

What do they do right and what do we do right? I'm pretty sure we're better for forums and they are better for profiles. Also, there is no intent to sell EF.

 

[George Spellwin]

When you only have 5,000 users you need every warm keyboard you can get. When you've got 5 million you can get picky. It's expected.

That's what I'm getting at. We have 116,000 users - a lot less that 5 million. Still, it will be so interesting to see if these communities can walk the line between allowing men and women to act online like they do in the real world and in selling ads. Do you think our members can more or less be themselves here and don't you think that is important for the longevity of a community?

 

[the-short-one]

That's what I'm getting at. We have 116,000 users - a lot less that 5 million. Still, it will be so interesting to see if these communities can walk the line between allowing men and women to act online like they do in the real world and in selling ads. Do you think our members can more or less be themselves here and don't you think that is important for the longevity of a community?

yes and yes

 

[George Spellwin]

yes and yes

Cool - what about on MySpace? Can you be yourself there?

 

[the-short-one]

doubtful. you're the only one who has no standards.

 

[nycgirl]

That's what I'm getting at. We have 116,000 users - a lot less that 5 million. Still, it will be so interesting to see if these communities can walk the line between allowing men and women to act online like they do in the real world and in selling ads. Do you think our members can more or less be themselves here and don't you think that is important for the longevity of a community?

That's been happening all along. Those that are not themselves wouldn't meet other members whether they have a profile or not. Many of us have met before you extended the profile section. I don't think "profiles" will help or hinder that from happening. The ATL meet-up is great example. Sassy is having a show this summer. Many of the girls (including myself) have marked that date on the calendar. AND, yes, relationships, affairs, marriages have occurred due to members meeting on this site.

EF is different because many of us have a common interest & goals.

 

[eat big]

That's been happening all along. Those that are not themselves wouldn't meet other members whether they have a profile or not. Many of us have met before you extended the profile section. I don't think "profiles" will help or hinder that from happening. The ATL meet-up is great example. Sassy is having a show this summer. Many of the girls (including myself) have marked that date on the calendar. AND, yes, relationships, affairs, marriages happened thanks to members meeting on this site.

EF is different because many of us have a common interest & goals.

That about sums it up George. People coming here already have something in common, unlike MySpace.

 

[gotmilk]

What do they do right and what do we do right? I'm pretty sure we're better for forums and they are better for profiles. Also, there is no intent to sell EF.

Jorge, why not create a web site like MySpace? I have friends in Canada who are incredible software writers. In fact, they could write an awesome karma poker site.

Branch out. EliteFitness, ElitePoker, EliteETC.....

 

[George Spellwin]

Jorge, why not create a web site like MySpace? I have friends in Canada who are incredible software writers. In fact, they could write an awesome karma poker site.

Branch out. EliteFitness, ElitePoker, EliteETC.....

Great idea - we are currently working on EFBlogs, Poker (a partnership), and much better profiles. I think you'll be impressed.

 

[George Spellwin]

Does myspace have any membership revenue or are they all ad driven?

 

[the-short-one]

Great idea - we are currently working on EFBlogs, Poker (a partnership), and much better profiles. I think you'll be impressed.

EFblogs sound good.

 

[Dial_tone]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

That's what I'm getting at. We have 116,000 users - a lot less that 5 million. Still, it will be so interesting to see if these communities can walk the line between allowing men and women to act online like they do in the real world and in selling ads. Do you think our members can more or less be themselves here and don't you think that is important for the longevity of a community?

on myspace you've got tons of groups to interact within. Here everybody comes to C&C to try and prove themselves/get noticed/score/or just piss certain people off. You need free lifetime plat for hot women or something to even the ratio. no doubt some broke ass male college student would threaten to sue you for discriminating.
There's a huge variety of things that draws people to myspace - friends, music, sex/love, networking, socializing, fan clubs. The only thing bringing people to Elite is working out...which some don't even do anymore.

 

[BrothaBill]

Re: MySpace purge draws sharp reactions - With the deletion of 200,000 profiles, is t

Does myspace have any membership revenue or are they all ad driven?

I went there once and it was free to sign up. So are most blogs. At Livejournal.com there is a free signup but then you pay to upgrade for extra abilities.
Sort of like the concept of going plat here. I did not see that with myspace which is a newer more user-friendly clone of livejournal from what I can tell.

The Blog page would be cool if it was part of EF, it help people who want to update friends and tell their day to day habits and thoughts rather than making a bunch of threads like that can clutter the boards.

So Im aww eeen for the blog and it should be fairly easy to implement.
Live journal is set up to where people can comment on your postings or rants or raves just like a thread. Its sort of like their own forum that they have control of design and pictures and such and format

Then you add friends and such, you can make posts public so everyone who visits can see. YOu can make more personal posts just for friends on your list to view and there is a private section just for the user that only the person can read to reflect upon later.

Elitefitness blogs or journals would be a unique feature to add on and would attract more members I think. The user acts as their own moderator of sorts for their own board.
Being able to add features for a price like Livejournal to make an extra special blogsite is where some revenue can be made. People usually try out the free journal and create it then see how it goes. Lots of people make an initial, post for a week then stop. Some get into it and would pay to make it better. Business-wise the pay for extra features to make your page look good is where it would make it worthwhile in a vacuum or you can make it a part of platinum purchase to have more features in their blog. Just have to market it correctly.

 

[gotmilk]

Does myspace have any membership revenue or are they all ad driven?

ad driven in the sense they send spam to members based upon sign up information. They send members listings for shampoos and beauty crap.

The site actually started as a portal. The owners sold part of the company for $4 Million and will IPO it later this year.

Their members receive discounts on products while we get "Why Billy Got Breast"