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Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

sellff.com

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Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#81

Post by 4sellff »

entangledqubit wrote: post #62
4sellff wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We believe the platform is attractive to professionals who want an easy, privacy-focused way to promote the services they offer, with the ability to differentiate themselves from people offering the same/similar services. The platform is zero-cost, ad-free and includes direct messages. I hope the UI is more easy to navigate and understand, compared to LinkedIn. The TRU Score, while somewhat controversial, is more pow…

If privacy is a core focus of your pitch, there should be a document with specifics about your promises around privacy, etc. There's nothing stating who you are and why I should trust you with my data. If you really want to sell me on your privacy stance, you'll convince me (with something structurally binding) that once successful you're not going to sell out and have my data subject to new rules I didn't sign up fo…

Thank you for your comment. I understand, agree and feel the same. This is absolutely something we need to address very soon. Nobody knows us, other than what we have published on our SELLFF profiles. We wanted to launch, knowing that there remain some very important obstacles that we still need to overcome. Credibility and communicating trust to the public is certainly one of them.

Until we can get to the next step, we provide this: [1] https://sellff.com/terms [2] https://sellff.com/privacy

Also, my assurance that our intentions are good and that we will try very hard not to screw things up. Additionally, would welcome any suggestions you have for how we could meet this higher standard of trust you are looking for. Thx.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#82

Post by grenoire »

MattGaiser wrote: post #25

There are a lot of objections on here to being "valued" and "commodified." I don't understand why. You are valued every time you go to an interview or ask for a raise. You can leverage your network in the same way as you can leverage "investment." To me this is already a more transparent version of what already happens.

But... it's not transparent? I have no idea what a 1-1000 rating means, or how it's calculated. The function by which this number is generated might not suit my proxy for trust.

And if I see someone with an outstanding score the first impression that it sparks won't be trust, but that this person must've successfully gamed it somehow.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#83

Post by 4sellff »

m348e912 wrote: post #47
paulcole wrote: post #41

> zero-cost | privacy-focused | ad-free Where does the money come from?

Asking the real questions. How are expenses paid?

Currently, all expenses are paid from my personal savings and the day job. We are working on the next release which will offer two options [consult and promote] to monetize the service.

As mentioned earlier, the focus is making it easier for buyers and sellers to interact, while maintaining privacy. I remain convinced that there are effective ways to monetize the service without going the traditional advertising route that is so common today.

For sure, billion dollar businesses have been build on the current model. My hope is that we can advance to a new model, where we do not sacrifice personal privacy for the sake of accessing a useful service. To be determined if we can be part of that new solution.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#84

Post by grenoire »

4sellff wrote: post #78
carabiner wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dont know bout you but everyone is trading at $1. I'm just getting in on the ground floor.

The starting share price is 1.00 for all members at the time of registration. - When anyone BUYS shares in your profile, the price will increase by 0.01 - When anyone SELLS shares in your profile, the price will decrease by 0.01 Each trade is fixed at 100 shares There are a few limits we placed for the launch: [1] A maximum of 1,000 shares in another member per day - So, if you wanted to BUY 5,000 shares, it would ne…

So it's not actually a market-making system, but rather a superficial point system disguised as 'dollars.'

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#86

Post by 4sellff »

grenoire wrote: post #82
MattGaiser wrote: post #25

There are a lot of objections on here to being "valued" and "commodified." I don't understand why. You are valued every time you go to an interview or ask for a raise. You can leverage your network in the same way as you can leverage "investment." To me this is already a more transparent version of what already happens.

But... it's not transparent? I have no idea what a 1-1000 rating means, or how it's calculated. The function by which this number is generated might not suit my proxy for trust. And if I see someone with an outstanding score the first impression that it sparks won't be trust, but that this person must've successfully gamed it somehow.

We have tried to be very clear on how the TRU Score is determined [hover over the number and you will see a tooltip/modal that provides details]. Obviously, sharing the actual algorithm would most certainly allow people to game the system.

A couple of other items to consider: [1] The TRU Score is updated 1x day [2] The TRU Score is a very slow moving value [3] As designed, it would likely take years for a member to make it above 900 [4] The TRU Score is primarily based on your activity on the platform and the community reaction to that activity [5] Outside of the algorithm used, we do not have any direct influence on the TRU Score

Additionally, we are not suggesting that the TRU Score is the absolute measurement of trust or reputation of a person. Instead, it is an additional data point that you can take into consideration when deciding if you want to work with someone. Or, if they want to work with you [both parties have their own TRU Score].

At time of registration, all members start with a TRU Score of 400. Therefore, even the most trustworthy/reputable person on earth will almost certainly have a lower score than you, if you have been on the platform for some time.

I welcome all suggestions on how you think we could be more transparent in determining the TRU Score. We all benefit if it were easier to make better decisions about who we choose to work with.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#87

Post by the__alchemist »

fundamental wrote: post #5

Turning personal trust in others into what looks like a stock market game strikes me as quite odd. I wouldn't find people trading internet points back and forth to determine my 'value' on a platform as something I would like. I like the trading of points even less considering the target of the website about people representing themselves in the scope of their professions.

In the Charles Stross book Accelerondo, something much like you describe becomes official. Tongue in cheek, and on the edge between satire and plausible. Some people's reputations are gambled on or invested in, and are subject to bubbles, manipulation, swings from news etc.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#88

Post by 4sellff »

INTPenis wrote: post #85

A Linkedin alternative is really something that should be self hosted and federated.

Agree and we are looking at options on doing just that. Do you think any existing platforms could work, or does something need to be purpose built? How would you architect a self-hosted, federated solution? I welcome your thoughts and suggestions on how that can be accomplished.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#90

Post by FlorinSays »

I believe you're on the right path. Exploring and displaying trust between people is one of the big missing pieces on the web.

People are currently replacing the harder questions like "can I trust this person to do what he says he can" with simple or shallow ones based on status and image.

Good luck with this!

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