September 12, 2007

A neat analogy: Facebook is like a midi hifi from Dixons but Web 2.0 is all about the hifi separates. I like this but I’m wondering, who are these people who are using Facebook exclusively? It’s like saying I only go to one pub or one cafe. Sure, I have a preference and know where I’m more likely to meet my friends, but I go elsewhere too. Doesn’t everyone?

via Cennydd who adds: “Of course, the interesting question is how those of us nearer the front of the curve can convince our less geeky friends that separates are better, without sounding like horrible snobs. Believe me, I’ve tried, and believe me, I sounded like a horrible snob.” I think the solution is to let them get tired of their midis and be there when they want what you have.

2 Comments on “Facebook is like a midi hifi”

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  1. 1 Hg
    Sep 12th, 2007 at 7:42 am

    I was having a similar conversation towards the end of last week, though without the neat analogy.

    Continuing the hi-fi metaphor, I guess the point is that separates are indeed “better” but most people don’t want or need that level of excellence. They just want something that works, without the need to build more skills bases.

    I have several friends who love music in the sense that they like a wide repertoire of artists, but they “only” have midis and iPods. Equally, I have friends who can write wonderfully articulate, beautifully expressed emails but who don’t see the point of blogs.

    For these friends, Facebook’s walls, notes & photo galleries are more than they’ll ever need. They’re never going to install WP or MT, or even use hosted services. Flickr is overkill. I used to assume that everyone would eventually “upgrade”, but in reality it’s unlikely to happen.

  2. 2 Jo
    Sep 12th, 2007 at 8:55 am

    Ha! I see Hg has already commented with the point I was going to make :)

    I am one of those people who can’t really hear the difference between a midi-hifi and a proper system. It just doesn’t register enough for me to be aware of it. So I’m never going to upgrade to separates.

    Which actually makes it an even better analogy than it appears at first glance :)

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