Is Gri.pe a Better Business Bureau for the Twitter-age?

You got Yelp, Urbanspoon, and many other review sites that are offering a way to lodge a complaint or place a nice compliment about a service provider.

I've got to say I was impressed with Gripe as a new entry in the "review" niche of apps/sites.

Their blog highlights the effectiveness of the idea:

One complaint got turned around fast. This is ENCOURAGING companies to take control of the word of mouth found on Facebook and Twitter!

It is also a great way to measure your "influence." Look at Whole Foods on Gripe:

The other thing I like about this system is that while it is mostly complaints it also allows for compliments. I posted one and look at how many people, conceivably (apparently) would see it:

That's right- half a million people! Unlikely, but OK- it at least gives you the idea.

They are trying to distinguish themselves from the review sites by resolving complaints as a better business bureau would and considering the problems they are having lately, this is good news.

Google Hotpot Starts Competing with Local Reviews (bnpositive.com)
Yelp Goes Groupon: Who Will Be the Top Dog in Local Deals? (dailyfinance.com)
Asking for reviews (iowabiz.com)

Zemanta helped me add links & pictures to this email. It can do it for you too.

Slow Death or Rebirth for Myspace?

Are we really watching the slow inevitable death of Myspace? With the integration with Facebook complete and the push towards what appears to be a mobile only function , isn't it time to call this one? One report says that Myspace is making $200 million less this year. They are functionally giving up on Myspace Music , which was always their bread and butter. Without the music tie in, why would people BOTHER with Myspace? I'm talking about it because my wife's band has used every medium known to mankind to promote themselves online and Myspace has been nothing but dead weight from the very beginning. Only bands and their most ardent fans go there. The rest are on Facebook. There is talk of selling Myspace, but who in their right mind would consider it? This will have some interesting implications for bands down the road. Many use Myspace as their de facto website, just pushing their domain name onto the customizable site. Now apparently, Reverbnation , a North Carolin

Check out my appearance on the The Toddcast Podcast

Click and watch the podcast recording of my appearance on the Toddcast Podcast Such a fun time!

New Life

It's weird, sad and slightly freeing. I've been headed towards a completely different life for a lot longer than I even knew. It took me a while to catch up to realize it was happening. Thankfully, I was cognizant enough to see it finally and mostly ready for it. It's amazing when you have the rug completely pulled out from underneath you. The adjustments are jarring. I made mistakes, but like most I learned from them, adapted, and tried my best to do better. The reason you see that truck next to a storage place? That's the sum of my life right now. Never take for granted that you will work hard for something or someone, and it will end up meaning very little. You are guaranteed nothing, owed nothing, promised nothing. Anything and everything can be taken away in a heartbeat. I wrote this to my kids a while back: I tried to be the best father I could be based on what I knew when I knew it and how I could. One of the lessons for your life needs to be: you need to b

Todd Lyden

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