SlideShare a Scribd company logo
What Ails the
Sarai Reader
List?
Learning from
LiveJournal’s success
Kiran Jonnalagadda <jace@seacrow.com>
August 24, 2005, at Sarai-CSDS, Delhi
Formerly:

Studying How Form
Affects Online Community
(With insights from coffee shop culture)
Contrast in
Participation
My participation in the Reader List and
LiveJournal,* Dec 2004 to August 2005:
Total posters on Reader List:

520

Total posts to Reader List: 1546
Commentators on LiveJournal:

333

Comments received on Reader List: 0
Comments received on LJ: 3076 (0-77)
* LiveJournal’s nature makes it hard to do a one-on-one comparison;
this is an approximation

3
Typical
Complaints
Too many posts; hard to keep up
Too many posters; hard to get familiar
Hard to follow individual threads
Flood of posts every 25th
So how does LiveJournal sustain so
much traffic so effortlessly? 1546
overall versus 3076 comments
addressed to a single person!

4
The

Sarai Reader List is

crumbling. The list needs to figure
out how to effectively channelise
traffic so readers are not burdened.

Imagine reading a newspaper that prints all the
news in the world in a single narrow, long sheet.
Problem 1:

Linearity and Unread Flags are
for Memos, not Communities
Threaded
Discussions
Standard feature of
mailing lists
But LiveJournal makes
participating easier
LiveJournal’s user
experience frequently
emphasises restricted
views of a greater
community.

7
The Friends Network:

Seamless Subgroups
Problem 2:

Identity and
Self-Representation
Identity on
LiveJournal
Globally unique id
User profile with contact
and participation details
Reference via <lj user=“”>
User pictures linked to
keywords (emotions)
Choice of picture when
participating anywhere

10
Problem 3:

Intimacy and
Possession
The mailing list is not personal space
LiveJournal provides personal journals
Are you addressing one while a
thousand peer at you?
Or are you addressing one while a
thousand go about their own lives?
LiveJournal achieves the latter

11
Problem 4:

Archival
Hard to find an old post;
No search
Threading unreliable and
broken across months
LiveJournal: the archive
is the primary interface
LiveJournal also lacking
when searching for posts

12
Rescuing the
Reader List
Initial plan: make LiveJournal
installation for the Reader List.
Abandoned for technical difficulties

Blue sky plan: make new system
But who’ll create and maintain it?

Current plan: make better interaction
system on top of existing MailMan list

13

More Related Content

Similar to What ails the Sarai Reader List? (August 2005)

Online Community Management training
Online Community Management training Online Community Management training
Online Community Management training
Marja Godvliet
 
Online Communities and Co-Creation
Online Communities and Co-CreationOnline Communities and Co-Creation
Online Communities and Co-Creation
Anubha Rastogi
 
Blogging vs. journalism
Blogging vs. journalismBlogging vs. journalism
Blogging vs. journalism
Honza Pav
 
Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)
Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)
Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)
ikemp
 
Social Media for Busy Professionals
Social Media for Busy ProfessionalsSocial Media for Busy Professionals
Social Media for Busy Professionals
Kate Bladow
 
#LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool
 #LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool #LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool
#LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool
ALISS
 
Social Media Analytics with a pinch of semantics
Social Media Analytics with a pinch of semanticsSocial Media Analytics with a pinch of semantics
Social Media Analytics with a pinch of semantics
The Open University
 
Abeginnersguidetoblogging
AbeginnersguidetobloggingAbeginnersguidetoblogging
Abeginnersguidetoblogging
Helen Webster
 
Community initiatives and how to get involved
Community initiatives and how to get involvedCommunity initiatives and how to get involved
Community initiatives and how to get involved
Crossref
 
Social Media for Scientists
Social Media for ScientistsSocial Media for Scientists
Social Media for Scientists
Mary Canady
 
Using Social Media to Enhance Your Research Activities
Using Social Media to Enhance Your Research ActivitiesUsing Social Media to Enhance Your Research Activities
Using Social Media to Enhance Your Research Activities
lisbk
 
Pln 101
Pln 101Pln 101
Pln 101
jonesian1
 
The LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning? OU Conference presentation
The LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning?  OU Conference presentationThe LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning?  OU Conference presentation
The LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning? OU Conference presentation
Louise Worsley
 
Online conversation as networks
Online conversation as networksOnline conversation as networks
Online conversation as networks
Alberto Cottica
 
Online Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women Group
Online Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women GroupOnline Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women Group
Online Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women Group
araeshbhe710
 
NLS blogging presentation
NLS blogging presentationNLS blogging presentation
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador
Becoming A Successful Online AmbassadorBecoming A Successful Online Ambassador
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador
waterwordsthatwork
 
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online Communities
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online CommunitiesBecoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online Communities
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online Communities
waterwordsthatwork
 
Bdd - how to solve communication problems
Bdd - how to solve communication problemsBdd - how to solve communication problems
Bdd - how to solve communication problems
Reload! A/S
 
4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"
4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"
4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"
rhetoricked
 

Similar to What ails the Sarai Reader List? (August 2005) (20)

Online Community Management training
Online Community Management training Online Community Management training
Online Community Management training
 
Online Communities and Co-Creation
Online Communities and Co-CreationOnline Communities and Co-Creation
Online Communities and Co-Creation
 
Blogging vs. journalism
Blogging vs. journalismBlogging vs. journalism
Blogging vs. journalism
 
Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)
Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)
Science Story-telling at Restoration 2012 (slideshare version)
 
Social Media for Busy Professionals
Social Media for Busy ProfessionalsSocial Media for Busy Professionals
Social Media for Busy Professionals
 
#LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool
 #LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool #LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool
#LadyGaGa'sBreakfast : Social Media as a Curator's Tool
 
Social Media Analytics with a pinch of semantics
Social Media Analytics with a pinch of semanticsSocial Media Analytics with a pinch of semantics
Social Media Analytics with a pinch of semantics
 
Abeginnersguidetoblogging
AbeginnersguidetobloggingAbeginnersguidetoblogging
Abeginnersguidetoblogging
 
Community initiatives and how to get involved
Community initiatives and how to get involvedCommunity initiatives and how to get involved
Community initiatives and how to get involved
 
Social Media for Scientists
Social Media for ScientistsSocial Media for Scientists
Social Media for Scientists
 
Using Social Media to Enhance Your Research Activities
Using Social Media to Enhance Your Research ActivitiesUsing Social Media to Enhance Your Research Activities
Using Social Media to Enhance Your Research Activities
 
Pln 101
Pln 101Pln 101
Pln 101
 
The LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning? OU Conference presentation
The LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning?  OU Conference presentationThe LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning?  OU Conference presentation
The LinkedIn Effect: A new way of learning? OU Conference presentation
 
Online conversation as networks
Online conversation as networksOnline conversation as networks
Online conversation as networks
 
Online Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women Group
Online Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women GroupOnline Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women Group
Online Community Evaluation of Care2 Care Equal Rights for Women Group
 
NLS blogging presentation
NLS blogging presentationNLS blogging presentation
NLS blogging presentation
 
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador
Becoming A Successful Online AmbassadorBecoming A Successful Online Ambassador
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador
 
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online Communities
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online CommunitiesBecoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online Communities
Becoming A Successful Online Ambassador to Online Communities
 
Bdd - how to solve communication problems
Bdd - how to solve communication problemsBdd - how to solve communication problems
Bdd - how to solve communication problems
 
4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"
4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"
4C13 J.15 Larson "Twitter based discourse community"
 

More from Kiran Jonnalagadda

AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)
AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)
AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
The medium without the message (April 2008)
The medium without the message (April 2008)The medium without the message (April 2008)
The medium without the message (April 2008)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)
Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)
Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
Human database relations (March 2004)
Human database relations (March 2004)Human database relations (March 2004)
Human database relations (March 2004)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)
The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)
The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
Introduction to Plone (November 2003)
Introduction to Plone (November 2003)Introduction to Plone (November 2003)
Introduction to Plone (November 2003)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)
ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)
ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)
XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)
XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)
Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)
Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
User Management with LastUser
User Management with LastUserUser Management with LastUser
User Management with LastUser
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
Sustainability and bit-rot
Sustainability and bit-rotSustainability and bit-rot
Sustainability and bit-rot
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
e-Governance in Karnataka: An introduction
e-Governance in Karnataka: An introductione-Governance in Karnataka: An introduction
e-Governance in Karnataka: An introduction
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 
Cyberpunk Sci-Fi
Cyberpunk Sci-FiCyberpunk Sci-Fi
Cyberpunk Sci-Fi
Kiran Jonnalagadda
 

More from Kiran Jonnalagadda (13)

AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)
AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)
AirJaldi photo rout (April 2008)
 
The medium without the message (April 2008)
The medium without the message (April 2008)The medium without the message (April 2008)
The medium without the message (April 2008)
 
Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)
Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)
Python and Zope: An introduction (May 2004)
 
Human database relations (March 2004)
Human database relations (March 2004)Human database relations (March 2004)
Human database relations (March 2004)
 
The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)
The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)
The technology of the Human Protein Reference Database (draft, 2003)
 
Introduction to Plone (November 2003)
Introduction to Plone (November 2003)Introduction to Plone (November 2003)
Introduction to Plone (November 2003)
 
ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)
ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)
ZODB, the Zope Object Database (May 2003)
 
XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)
XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)
XML-RPC and SOAP (April 2003)
 
Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)
Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)
Some dope on Zope (Jan 2002, Bangalore LUG)
 
User Management with LastUser
User Management with LastUserUser Management with LastUser
User Management with LastUser
 
Sustainability and bit-rot
Sustainability and bit-rotSustainability and bit-rot
Sustainability and bit-rot
 
e-Governance in Karnataka: An introduction
e-Governance in Karnataka: An introductione-Governance in Karnataka: An introduction
e-Governance in Karnataka: An introduction
 
Cyberpunk Sci-Fi
Cyberpunk Sci-FiCyberpunk Sci-Fi
Cyberpunk Sci-Fi
 

Recently uploaded

“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...
“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...
“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...
Edge AI and Vision Alliance
 
Energy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing Instances
Energy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing InstancesEnergy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing Instances
Energy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing Instances
Alpen-Adria-Universität
 
Mutation Testing for Task-Oriented Chatbots
Mutation Testing for Task-Oriented ChatbotsMutation Testing for Task-Oriented Chatbots
Mutation Testing for Task-Oriented Chatbots
Pablo Gómez Abajo
 
Taking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdf
Taking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdfTaking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdf
Taking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdf
ssuserfac0301
 
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte Webinar
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte WebinarFueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte Webinar
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte Webinar
Zilliz
 
Apps Break Data
Apps Break DataApps Break Data
Apps Break Data
Ivo Velitchkov
 
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectors
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectorsConnector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectors
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectors
DianaGray10
 
Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024
Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024
Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024
Northern Engraving
 
Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |
Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |
Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |
AstuteBusiness
 
Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...
Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...
Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...
saastr
 
Essentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation Parameters
Essentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation ParametersEssentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation Parameters
Essentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation Parameters
Safe Software
 
Dandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity server
Dandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity serverDandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity server
Dandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity server
Antonios Katsarakis
 
zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...
zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...
zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...
Alex Pruden
 
GraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge Graph
GraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge GraphGraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge Graph
GraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge Graph
Neo4j
 
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptx
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptxThe Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptx
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptx
operationspcvita
 
June Patch Tuesday
June Patch TuesdayJune Patch Tuesday
June Patch Tuesday
Ivanti
 
What is an RPA CoE? Session 1 – CoE Vision
What is an RPA CoE?  Session 1 – CoE VisionWhat is an RPA CoE?  Session 1 – CoE Vision
What is an RPA CoE? Session 1 – CoE Vision
DianaGray10
 
AppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSF
AppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSFAppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSF
AppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSF
Ajin Abraham
 
Biomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and Bioinformaticians
Biomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and BioinformaticiansBiomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and Bioinformaticians
Biomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and Bioinformaticians
Neo4j
 
Driving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success Story
Driving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success StoryDriving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success Story
Driving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success Story
Safe Software
 

Recently uploaded (20)

“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...
“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...
“How Axelera AI Uses Digital Compute-in-memory to Deliver Fast and Energy-eff...
 
Energy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing Instances
Energy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing InstancesEnergy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing Instances
Energy Efficient Video Encoding for Cloud and Edge Computing Instances
 
Mutation Testing for Task-Oriented Chatbots
Mutation Testing for Task-Oriented ChatbotsMutation Testing for Task-Oriented Chatbots
Mutation Testing for Task-Oriented Chatbots
 
Taking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdf
Taking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdfTaking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdf
Taking AI to the Next Level in Manufacturing.pdf
 
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte Webinar
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte WebinarFueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte Webinar
Fueling AI with Great Data with Airbyte Webinar
 
Apps Break Data
Apps Break DataApps Break Data
Apps Break Data
 
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectors
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectorsConnector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectors
Connector Corner: Seamlessly power UiPath Apps, GenAI with prebuilt connectors
 
Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024
Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024
Northern Engraving | Nameplate Manufacturing Process - 2024
 
Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |
Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |
Astute Business Solutions | Oracle Cloud Partner |
 
Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...
Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...
Overcoming the PLG Trap: Lessons from Canva's Head of Sales & Head of EMEA Da...
 
Essentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation Parameters
Essentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation ParametersEssentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation Parameters
Essentials of Automations: Exploring Attributes & Automation Parameters
 
Dandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity server
Dandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity serverDandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity server
Dandelion Hashtable: beyond billion requests per second on a commodity server
 
zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...
zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...
zkStudyClub - LatticeFold: A Lattice-based Folding Scheme and its Application...
 
GraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge Graph
GraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge GraphGraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge Graph
GraphRAG for LifeSciences Hands-On with the Clinical Knowledge Graph
 
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptx
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptxThe Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptx
The Microsoft 365 Migration Tutorial For Beginner.pptx
 
June Patch Tuesday
June Patch TuesdayJune Patch Tuesday
June Patch Tuesday
 
What is an RPA CoE? Session 1 – CoE Vision
What is an RPA CoE?  Session 1 – CoE VisionWhat is an RPA CoE?  Session 1 – CoE Vision
What is an RPA CoE? Session 1 – CoE Vision
 
AppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSF
AppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSFAppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSF
AppSec PNW: Android and iOS Application Security with MobSF
 
Biomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and Bioinformaticians
Biomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and BioinformaticiansBiomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and Bioinformaticians
Biomedical Knowledge Graphs for Data Scientists and Bioinformaticians
 
Driving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success Story
Driving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success StoryDriving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success Story
Driving Business Innovation: Latest Generative AI Advancements & Success Story
 

What ails the Sarai Reader List? (August 2005)

  • 1. What Ails the Sarai Reader List? Learning from LiveJournal’s success Kiran Jonnalagadda <jace@seacrow.com> August 24, 2005, at Sarai-CSDS, Delhi
  • 2. Formerly: Studying How Form Affects Online Community (With insights from coffee shop culture)
  • 3. Contrast in Participation My participation in the Reader List and LiveJournal,* Dec 2004 to August 2005: Total posters on Reader List: 520 Total posts to Reader List: 1546 Commentators on LiveJournal: 333 Comments received on Reader List: 0 Comments received on LJ: 3076 (0-77) * LiveJournal’s nature makes it hard to do a one-on-one comparison; this is an approximation 3
  • 4. Typical Complaints Too many posts; hard to keep up Too many posters; hard to get familiar Hard to follow individual threads Flood of posts every 25th So how does LiveJournal sustain so much traffic so effortlessly? 1546 overall versus 3076 comments addressed to a single person! 4
  • 5. The Sarai Reader List is crumbling. The list needs to figure out how to effectively channelise traffic so readers are not burdened. Imagine reading a newspaper that prints all the news in the world in a single narrow, long sheet.
  • 6. Problem 1: Linearity and Unread Flags are for Memos, not Communities
  • 7. Threaded Discussions Standard feature of mailing lists But LiveJournal makes participating easier LiveJournal’s user experience frequently emphasises restricted views of a greater community. 7
  • 10. Identity on LiveJournal Globally unique id User profile with contact and participation details Reference via <lj user=“”> User pictures linked to keywords (emotions) Choice of picture when participating anywhere 10
  • 11. Problem 3: Intimacy and Possession The mailing list is not personal space LiveJournal provides personal journals Are you addressing one while a thousand peer at you? Or are you addressing one while a thousand go about their own lives? LiveJournal achieves the latter 11
  • 12. Problem 4: Archival Hard to find an old post; No search Threading unreliable and broken across months LiveJournal: the archive is the primary interface LiveJournal also lacking when searching for posts 12
  • 13. Rescuing the Reader List Initial plan: make LiveJournal installation for the Reader List. Abandoned for technical difficulties Blue sky plan: make new system But who’ll create and maintain it? Current plan: make better interaction system on top of existing MailMan list 13