“It’s the thought that Twitter may not be Twitter anymore.”
Month: August 2012
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‘Craigslist Now Asks for Exclusive License When Posting’
The headline says it all, and this is likely a response to Craigslist recent spree of trying to lock out others from using Craigslist data (think [PadMapper](https://www.padmapper.com)). I can’t be the only one that thinks Craigslist is ripe for a disruption, because there is so much wrong with it that goes beyond the hideous and user hostile design of the site.
Many have pointed out that Craigslist is secure because they have a huge network of users, both sellers and buyers. That’s true, Craigslist is the second best way to rent apartments in my experience, with a sign in the yard being the best way. That’s how far and fast Craigslist has come for many.
But, I would remind you that no matter the size of your network, if you service becomes too douchey the users will flee for greener pastures. Primes examples: MySpace and Digg — both relics of a different time (though Digg is trying a comeback).
MySpace and Digg both got big fast, but died (or almost died) because they started doing things that users didn’t like, that didn’t help users, and another service popped up that seemingly didn’t do those things.
I for one would love to see someone try to disrupt Craigslist, here’s my suggestions of what to do:
1. Clean, user friendly design.
2. Allow searching of all locales at once.
3. Integrate a payment gateway like Stripe so a secure payment could be made when the item is in hand.
4. Allow the data to be used and viewed through APIs.
5. Charge per listing, like $2 to post an ad. This does two things: removes ads; and helps cut down on SPAM listings.Those are just a few quick suggestions at the top of my head, but it seems to me the time to strike is now.
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“Best Wi-Fi Router”
Wes Fenlon at *The Wirecutter* mistakenly thinks the best WiFi router is some ASUS concoction and in writing up his thoughts he clearly doesn’t get “it”.
[This is the “it” I am talking about](https://brooksreview.net/2012/06/wifi-routers/).
Actually, Fenlon exposes the true problem with *The Wirecutter* and sites like it, they are always trying to find the “new best” thing in category X — because writing that “W” is still the best isn’t a very good way to get page views. The ASUS router seems to just be the fastest and most hackable router out there, which is great, but those things alone don’t make them the “best”.
This is akin to *The Wirecutter* proclaiming that the Bugatti Veyron is the “best” car because it is the fastest. ((When everyone knows that Aston Martin’s are the best sports car and BMWs are the best all around cars — come on.))
I can’t stand this kind of “reviewing”. *Unsubscribed.*
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The MagSafe 2 Hoopla
There’s been a lot of talk about Apple’s new MagSafe 2 connector, mostly with complaints. Complaints about the width are to be expected, so is the move back to the “T” style connection.
The one complaint I didn’t expect to see if that it doesn’t stay put very well. Lukas Mathis is just the most recent of the lot to complain of this, he even broken his screen because of it (odd).
Personally I have found the MagSafe 2 to be just as strong, if not stronger than, the original MagSafe. This could be chocked up to a Rev A product from Apple — which usually have some issues of some sort — but my real question is this: is this a problem with the Mac side connection, or the MagSafe 2 power adapter itself?
Has anybody gone around and tested the port with various power adapters?
Very curious.
**Update**: I now have two chargers for my retina MacBook Pro, and on both I am able to drag the retina MacBook Pro across the desk by pulling the charger cable. I am going to go ahead and say that those seeing trouble with it should take their machines in to Apple.