Can you do a feature post weighing the benefits / decision making process behind choosing to do an independent niche site vs. an application on Facebook, etc.

Jake.

I think you are dead on in this post. There needs to be more than the ability to connect, because people already do that on the twin towers (Facebook an Myspace). So there needs to be greater value, or some distinguishing applications which drive users to the site.

If I were going to start a social network I would try to integrate features like delicious and stumbleupon links/bookmarking to draw users in that way. And open up as much content to the public as possible. I don’t like having to sign up and register for an account before I can see what’s going on.

I agree. People are starting them, just to start them.

My biggest gripe so far, is people starting them and not being prepared for traffic. Twitter’s overcapacity issues and issues with other social sites deters me from using them AND signing up for new ones assuming that they will have the same issues.

Keep up the great posts!