Do I Really Have to Plurk?

I started using the phrase "web 2.0verload" last year, because I was getting fatigued by all the new applications coming out and struggling to keep up with them. Self-expression is great and all but between blogging, Yelp, Facebook etc I felt more self-expressed than the most rabid, life-list-making Oprah-disciple. That was about the time Twitter was getting big in the Valley and I dragged my feet a little getting on the bandwagon, even as everyone around me was talking about nothing but Twitter all the time. (As you know, from reading this blog, I love Twitter now and think it's one of the most socially impact-ful Web 2.0 ideas.)

But a year later, it seems the "nooooo-not-another-one!" feeling has spread to even the most rabid early adopters. Just check out the buzz (is that even the right word?) around Plurk. I haven't signed up yet, although I've looked at the site, and read about it. I've been busy traveling and closing on a house so I've been away from my computer more than usual.

But what's striking isn't that I've dragged my feet-- given my initial mis-call with Twitter-- but that all the usual early adopters are too.

Example Tweet from Robert Scoble: I'm on Plurk. I hate the UI. It is no Twitter, that's for sure. I will probably not spend much time on Plurk. And one from Jason Calcanis: ok, i give up and will get a plurk account. Judging by the Twitters, it seems Orli is the only one in my network who's excited about Plurk.

On one hand, it's impressive that this many people are talking about Plurk and dragging themselves to use it, despite a sense of exhaustion with adding a new service. But it just goes to show you really need to give even the most rabid early adopters a good reason to use your site today. The best reason I've heard is that it's a Twitter alternative and Twitter has been down so much lately. Now that Plurk has had it's own woes with uptime, that's not such a strong incentive! Not as easy as it looks, huh?

I think this was the secret behind FriendFeed's far more heady adoption and effusive buzz early on. It's not a particularly innovative site, and I'm not a huge fan of the UI. I tend to agree that without Twitter, it's not much of a site content-wise either. But it solves a problem, and beautifully exploits the exhaustion with so many platforms for self-expression-- rather than having to fight it.

Comments

[Eric]

Just use Plurk for a day or two... you'll see why.

[Alicia]

If you love twitter you should try the plugin from RoamAbout. You don't need to leave the site you are on for updates. Plus you can just choose Twitter only and nothing else like me :)

[Ruth]

social media is getting exhausting! Trying to adopt to the latest trend, following the Michael Arrington's.

[Orli Yakuel]

Excited, yes. Using, no.
http://www.plurk.com/p/2xm7

I think it's a great service for people who actually don't use Twitter - because if you do, it is just too damn confusing.