Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#1

Post by breck » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 6:32 PM UTC

Today I stumbled upon a great program that makes reading craigslist easier. It's called Craigslist Reader and is available here:

http://www.motiont.com/

(My review is here: http://breckyunits.com/?p=52)

A lot of Web 2.0 apps piggyback on the big sites to achieve success (Auctomattic, Facebook apps, etc.). I think this is a terrific strategy because these sites have millions of daily users who have many unmet wants. I was wondering if anyone here has been working on (or know of any) apps that would benefit craigslist users.

I'm not planning on developing any, actually I'm just curious because I use craigslist a fair amount.

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#2

Post by gscott » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 6:59 PM UTC

Craigslist doesn't have an open system. Craigslist blocks ip's of those accessing there system through a web application and they send out lots of cease and desist notices. It just is not worth the time to develop something that might even benefit Craigslist.

Piggybacking on bigger sites is a good idea, just find one that is interested. Paypal did for eBay and it worked out for them, There is a lot of room to develop things using ebay. For example, maybe a craigslist format but for ebay auctions.

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#3

Post by STHayden » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:11 PM UTC

I'm in a startup working on a competitor to craigslist. We have a long way to go but so far I think we have good bones. We are hoping to work toward being more open for people to build on top of us.

http://www.flugpo.com

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#4

Post by dcurtis » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:23 PM UTC

STHayden wrote: post #3

I'm in a startup working on a competitor to craigslist. We have a long way to go but so far I think we have good bones. We are hoping to work toward being more open for people to build on top of us. http://www.flugpo.com

Can you explain why you're creating a craigslist competitor? I'm having a hard time understanding why so many people are doing this.

What problem are you solving?

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#5

Post by optimal » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:23 PM UTC

gscott wrote: post #2

Craigslist doesn't have an open system. Craigslist blocks ip's of those accessing there system through a web application and they send out lots of cease and desist notices. It just is not worth the time to develop something that might even benefit Craigslist. Piggybacking on bigger sites is a good idea, just find one that is interested. Paypal did for eBay and it worked out for them, There is a lot of room to develop…

"Craigslist doesn't have an open system. Craigslist blocks ip's of those accessing there system through a web application and they send out lots of cease and desist notices"

Screw it. Right now, a group here should build a newer, better Craigslist. Enough of you guys are in touch with the SV/Bay scene to bring the eyeballs required to kick it off, because as I see it, it's not a technical problem but rather a marketing one: what you need is a brief but intense "attention burst" to launch something like this.

The bleeding-edge users are all here, or only one or two degrees removed, and could make it work. [Don't look at me, I'm stuck on the East Coast.]

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#6

Post by mlinsey » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:30 PM UTC

gscott wrote: post #2

Craigslist doesn't have an open system. Craigslist blocks ip's of those accessing there system through a web application and they send out lots of cease and desist notices. It just is not worth the time to develop something that might even benefit Craigslist. Piggybacking on bigger sites is a good idea, just find one that is interested. Paypal did for eBay and it worked out for them, There is a lot of room to develop…

"Paypal did for eBay and it worked out for them", which is true but it should also be noted that it worked only after eBay launched a competing product that PayPal was able to beat despite the enormous distribution advantages that an eBay-run competitor had.

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#7

Post by aaronsw » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:32 PM UTC

gscott wrote: post #2

Craigslist doesn't have an open system. Craigslist blocks ip's of those accessing there system through a web application and they send out lots of cease and desist notices. It just is not worth the time to develop something that might even benefit Craigslist. Piggybacking on bigger sites is a good idea, just find one that is interested. Paypal did for eBay and it worked out for them, There is a lot of room to develop…

That's a pretty serious claim; any pointers? If you've got some I'll be sure to nag Craig about it next time I see him.

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#8

Post by mlinsey » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:32 PM UTC

dcurtis wrote: post #4

STHayden wrote: post #3

I'm in a startup working on a competitor to craigslist. We have a long way to go but so far I think we have good bones. We are hoping to work toward being more open for people to build on top of us. http://www.flugpo.com

Can you explain why you're creating a craigslist competitor? I'm having a hard time understanding why so many people are doing this. What problem are you solving?

Right - openness can be a strong advantage but only after there are some compelling applications built on top of that openness.

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#9

Post by redorb » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 7:45 PM UTC

(not a product but a personal idea) ...

I wanted to build a google custom search engine, that indexes all the car sites (for each city etc..) - then make them all search-able from one box... This works for all items that someone would drive cross state for...

- I was afraid this might be used for malicious purpose so I haven't done it yet

Re: Ask YC: Anyone working on applications for Craigslist?

#10

Post by STHayden » Sun, Apr 20, 2008, 8:09 PM UTC

dcurtis wrote: post #4

STHayden wrote: post #3

I'm in a startup working on a competitor to craigslist. We have a long way to go but so far I think we have good bones. We are hoping to work toward being more open for people to build on top of us. http://www.flugpo.com

Can you explain why you're creating a craigslist competitor? I'm having a hard time understanding why so many people are doing this. What problem are you solving?

craigslist has an problem with anonymous posters. People often get ripped off because there is no good way to check on a persons reputation. Flugpo.com is trying to create a space where you can find out more about who the people are that you are trying to deal with.

Not a solution for all people but some people are more concerned with online safety then others.