Dell 2.0: Launches Digg Clone and Video Sharing Site
This morning Dell unveiled a couple of
community-focused sites, essentially jumping into the web 2.0 waters with a splash.
They've released a
digg-like community site called IdeaStorm
and a video sharing site called
StudioDell. It's all part of Dell’s "Digital Media plan" and the new products
are designed to increase the interaction between Dell and its customers.
Dell IdeaStorm lets users submit their ideas about improving Dell's products and services, and the community votes on the best ideas. It's described on the Dell blog as "a combination between a message board and Digg.com." There will be some reactionary digg bait from other blogs about how IdeaStorm copies digg (yawn!), but really who cares about that. As our series on international web apps has shown, every country in the world has at least one digg clone. The real interest is in whether Dell can successfully build a community here. I'd say they have a great chance, given how many people in the world use Dell products - and how controversial Dell is (the exploding Dell laptop stories, its checkered customer service history, and so on). So if anything, I'm expecting some heated comments in IdeaStorm!
Likewise StudioDell could turn out to be an effective way for Dell to deliver its marketing messages via online video. Already there are a bunch of informative videos about How to mount Flat Panel TVs, Holiday tech Toys, How to set-up WiFi networks, and more. They're also inviting users to upload their Dell "stories", but Dell needs to be careful this doesn't turn into an infomercial spot. Dell says in its upload video page that it doesn't edit content, however it does moderate "for technical relevance, informational or entertainment value and good taste." So it'll be interesting to see if they let in videos that are critical of Dell - I'd suggest they must do so, otherwise the user-generated videos will be seen as little more than informercials.
I think these new 'web 2.0' products by Dell are encouraging - it's good to see a traditional computing company try out these community-based Web apps and services. I really don't want to read any nonsense from other blogs about Dell "copying" successful web 2.0 services like Digg and YouTube, because let's face it - the likes of Digg and YouTube are best-of-breed services and really should be copied by other companies. The real question will be how much community input Dell gets - and how uncensored it will be. But it's a great start by Dell.
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Dell is trying to get Intellectual Property for Free:
As posted: Dell, through this web site, is trying to get good marketing and product ideas without paying a fair rate, or hiring good engineers and marketing execs: To Wit: The "LICENSE" portion of their TOS is as follows, in part:
"You grant to Dell and its designees a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive fully-paid up and royalty free license to use any ideas, expression of ideas or other materials you submit (collectively, ‚ÄúMaterials‚Ä?) to IdeaStorm without restrictions of any kind and without any payment or other consideration of any kind, or permission or notification, to you or any third party. The license shall include, without limitation, the irrevocable right to reproduce, prepare derivative works, combine with other works, alter, translate, distribute copies, display, perform, license the Materials, and all rights therein, in the name of Dell, or its designees throughout the universe in perpetuity in any and all media now or hereafter known."
Also, right below this summary box, one has to agree as follows, in part, :
"...understand that by submitting any ideas or comments, Dell and its designees can use my ideas and submissions in any way they see fit without notice, attribution or compensation to me, pursuant to the Terms of Service."
There are all kinds of quality "DIGG" type sites that don't attempt to exploit their visitors. Dell can kiss my *ss.
ps... I'm posting this article on other sites, so let's see how long Dell lets "Free Speech" reside.
JetManJR got that right...this new initiative by Dell is excellent...for Dell.
But; based on their ‚Äúwhat was once yours is now ours‚Äìfor free...and thank you very much‚Ä? terms of service; anyone with an idea/s which can be protected by a patent (or otherwise sold/licensed to them), it‚Äôs terrible.
...meaning that a nice add-on service idea I had for them...will need to go to someone else...
Another case of the headline givith...and the fine print taketh away...
The video sharing site looks quite classy and organised but somehow not fun enough...maybe I need to hang around some more.