My "better" sucks.
"Anything you can do I can do better" video site "Strutta" has just launched with a crappy experience and a poor user interface, but even better, it's pre-loaded with video chum. Online video competitions have been going on in the YouTube "comments" section for a while, and the feel there is a hell of a lot more organic.
Look - video smackdown works for me conceptually, but "Strutta" feels like a crappy idea pitch to an advertiser or VC ('kids LOVE voting and online videos - we'll make a site and [fill in the blank big brand marketers] will knock down our door to get at our coveted advertising segment!"), not a compelling proposition for normal folks. This has "startup and cashout" written all over it. Meh.
Mashable popped this, and mentions "I Beat You" as another entrant in the field. The problem is, frankly, I don't see folks giving a flying hoot. Neither site motivates me to spend my time and effort to populate a content-empty wasteland for these jokers to sell ads against. Waa Waaaah. And btw, I remember when Mashable busted chops and took names - what's with the objective reporting of the latest crappy 2.0 me-too?
Kinski, it is great news to me that you have been following us so closely, but rather disconcerting that you were underwhelmed.
In time I'm confident that we'll prove we're about more than just bravado and hype (both of which, I admit, we have in spades).
Posted by: Jordan | 2008.04.18 at 01:21
Agreed, I went to Strutta and considering all the bravado and hype, I was underwhelmed. Poor layout but plenty of whitespace to fill up with flashing banners when the VC capital runs dry. Its a wonder they havent had "Lowell" come on and praise their site in your comments. He seems to be conveniently everywhere else.
Posted by: Kinski | 2008.04.17 at 14:38
I am sorry that you felt that way about our initial release.
We're the first to admit it is anything but perfect presently, and we're working to make improvements. Anything we can do to help folks give "a flying hoot," as you say.
In any case, I extend my sincere thanks for you taking the time to have a look.
Posted by: Jordan | 2008.04.15 at 15:07