Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia • Hacker News Board

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#11

Post by DanielBMarkham » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:29 AM UTC

drhodes wrote: post #8

jasonwilk wrote: post #2

We really need to stop putting Calacanis discussions on here.

Which got me thinking, `vote-up sites` have the same view for each user. It would be interesting to see how user preferences could be detected and mixed in (like a personal ranking system), though I'm weary of a self inflicted echo chamber.

My startup does this.

It uses total upvotes like HN, but mixes in your past preferences for similar material and a bit of Bayesian magic.

The idea is to provide a site that is able to scale better than the usual up/down vote sites.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#12

Post by apowell » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:29 AM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #9

Willie_Dynamite wrote: post #6

He seems to follow the wikipedia licence.

So does every other wikipedia clone site. But that's besides the point, he claims that mahalo is built with their users' content, clearly that is not the case.

Sure, but using Wikipedia content in manner permitted by its license is not 'stealing' it.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#13

Post by die_sekte » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:30 AM UTC

I am imagining Calacanis as a zombie rummaging through the web, looking for new content to replace the old content, while being hunted by Matt Cutts who wears those peril-sensitive sunglasses from The Hitchhiker's Guide.

In some ways this is hilarious.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#14

Post by jacquesm » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:34 AM UTC

apowell wrote: post #12

jacquesm wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So does every other wikipedia clone site. But that's besides the point, he claims that mahalo is built with their users' content, clearly that is not the case.

Sure, but using Wikipedia content in manner permitted by its license is not 'stealing' it.

Fair enough, that's a misleading title. 'Lift' instead of 'Steal' or maybe 'copy' would be better.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#15

Post by jacquesm » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:36 AM UTC

die_sekte wrote: post #13

I am imagining Calacanis as a zombie rummaging through the web, looking for new content to replace the old content, while being hunted by Matt Cutts who wears those peril-sensitive sunglasses from The Hitchhiker's Guide. In some ways this is hilarious.

I think it's pathetic.

And Matt Cutts doesn't seem to be doing much hunting, it wouldn't take more than one 'shot' to take mahalo out of circulation.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#16

Post by die_sekte » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:37 AM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #15

die_sekte wrote: post #13

I am imagining Calacanis as a zombie rummaging through the web, looking for new content to replace the old content, while being hunted by Matt Cutts who wears those peril-sensitive sunglasses from The Hitchhiker's Guide. In some ways this is hilarious.

I think it's pathetic. And Matt Cutts doesn't seem to be doing much hunting, it wouldn't take more than one 'shot' to take mahalo out of circulation.

Which is why I said that he is wearing those peril-sensitive sunglasses: if I remember correctly, they would prevent you from seeing anything that could disturb you.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#17

Post by jacquesm » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:39 AM UTC

die_sekte wrote: post #16

jacquesm wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think it's pathetic. And Matt Cutts doesn't seem to be doing much hunting, it wouldn't take more than one 'shot' to take mahalo out of circulation.

Which is why I said that he is wearing those peril-sensitive sunglasses: if I remember correctly, they would prevent you from seeing anything that could disturb you.

No, they're so that you can maintain your cool attitude in the face of extreme danger. (Because you can't see it).

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#18

Post by staunch » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:43 AM UTC

Calacanis' fantasy all along was to own Wikipedia but fill it full of ads. He used to rant endlessly about how much money they'd make if they monetized Wikipedia. Mahalo is his attempt to make a seedier low-brow version of Wikipedia that's ad-laden. This move should not be a surprise. That's just my opinion though.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#19

Post by Willie_Dynamite » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:46 AM UTC

jacquesm wrote: post #9

Willie_Dynamite wrote: post #6

He seems to follow the wikipedia licence.

So does every other wikipedia clone site. But that's besides the point, he claims that mahalo is built with their users' content, clearly that is not the case.

It said right there on the page I looked at that the information was from wikipedia.

Re: Jason Calacanis’ Backup Plan For Replacing Content: Steal It From Wikipedia

#20

Post by dtby » Fri, Mar 12, 2010, 1:47 AM UTC

JacobAldridge wrote: post #3

jasonwilk wrote: post #2

We really need to stop putting Calacanis discussions on here.

I'm kind of ambivalent on that point. Part of me suspects that bad things happen when good people just stand by and watch. I also think each of these is another data point in a Google discussion, more than about Jason.

I don't understand the "bad thing" which is happening here. Are we supposed to be so thoroughly invested in the quality of Google search results that it's a personal affront when someone games the system?