Major online communities usually start with a small group of smart, motivated, everybody-knows-everbody contributors. After crossing critical mass, such communities start to attract more users which is a good thing. The bad thing is that trolls also jump in. What’s more, noise and irrelevant information start to emerge from clueless or, worse, malicious posters.

Two types of community are somewhat immune to such annoyance:

1. Social networks, led by Facebook , with which you determine your social graph of those you care about
2. Services which you determine the content you want, led by Twitter. Others may include Tumblr, twine, squidoo. Addendum: Twitter got better with lists.

I’m sorry, Digg.

What’s the solution? Channel, possibly?

When time is right, a dividend would strongly boost GOOG’s stock price, strengthening their confident announcement that crisis was over.

Or a share repurchase might be useful a strategy, especially when they need more innovation.

2. Social Media is not a fad, but an evolution.

But, sub-trends exist. Where’s the opportunity?

“Social media begins to look less social” will be a good sign for ecosystem to grow. Twitter apps, Facebook apps & games for example.

“Corporations look to scale” and they will need tools. Beyond communication, think market research, CRM.

The reason is that I was fine with Facebook’s newsfeed prior March 2009. When they redesigned to move to content in March 2009, I backed out from the site. Then I love it again after the October 2009.

2. A note on usability: “Edit Options” of Live Feed should be put on top of the newsfeed, where “News Feed” and “Live Feed” are, not at the bottom

3. Things Facebook can improve:

• Categorize feed items. Some want to filter types of items. e.g. hide “my friend adds abc as friend” items
• “Show More” should also provide options for feed item type, besides friends

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Addendum

This is my explanation to my friends who are not familiar with the history and the story behind:

Before March 2009, the newsfeed had contained personal updates from your friends. e.g. photos, relationship, updates of profile, who makes friend with whom. I name this “Relationship”. Additionally, they had been experimenting a primitive Live Feed

In March 2009, FB redesigned the newsfeed and it was swarmed with games, quizzes and other application updates. I name this “Content”. A pseudo-live feed was provided, but you have to click “n updates” to see these updates - a pain.

In October 2009 which is the current, the newsfeed blends between Relationship and Content. The Live Feed is also smooth and automatically scrolling…. Read More

I personally love the October 2009 one.

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The story behind Relationship and Content relate to competitive & strategic moves between Facebook, Twitter, Friendfeed, Digg and other services.

People with professional intention stayed with WordPress & Blogger.

But one thing I had predicted and feared has come true. Those who write personal slowly & silently migrate to the uninspiring, plain and boring Notes application on Facebook.

What’s the moral?

• Convenience of distribution
• Social graph matter
• Behaviors and preferences are dynamic and can be changed by a superior product
• It is when one thing becomes a daily trivial consuming good that it grows powerful. Think Facebook. Think Microsoft. Think FMCG.

_{What many users had been complaining for the past years but they turned out users of Notes}

Content is an excuse to initiate opportunity.

Conversation is an excuse to realize opportunity.

A product/platform is a venue for opportunities.

A good product should push relevant opportunities to its consumers, namely users.

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Think of contents on social media as information derivatives.