Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#1

Post by alwaysunday » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 2:49 PM UTC

Everyblock re-launches in Chicago
everyblock.com

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#2

Post by flavor8 » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 3:34 PM UTC

If you're looking for a site like this, I'd recommend nextdoor.com. Bonus: not owned by Comcast.

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#3

Post by johnhok » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 3:46 PM UTC

That intro video was pretty good although seemed a bit long. Cool idea but I'd imagine these type of sites have a big chicken and egg problem.

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#4

Post by simonw » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 3:53 PM UTC

Anyone know the background story on how they came back after being shut down by their parent company?

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#5

Post by abraininavat » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 4:02 PM UTC

simonw wrote: post #4

Anyone know the background story on how they came back after being shut down by their parent company?

Comcast acquired NBC recently, and with that came NBC's assets, one of which was EveryBlock (which NBC had only recently acquired and then shuttered).

Comcast brought it back -- not under NBC anymore, but under Comcast proper. The big question is why? What is their monetization strategy? As a Chicago resident and past EveryBlock user, I'm very curious about this. My first guess is that Comcast appreciates being able to correlate an email address with a neighborhood, for marketing opportunities.

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#6

Post by alwaysunday » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 4:06 PM UTC

simonw wrote: post #4

Anyone know the background story on how they came back after being shut down by their parent company?

Here's an article from the Chicago Tribune that gives a little more backstory on its resurrection: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-everyblo...

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#7

Post by yogo » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 4:06 PM UTC

johnhok wrote: post #3

That intro video was pretty good although seemed a bit long. Cool idea but I'd imagine these type of sites have a big chicken and egg problem.

Yes, but EveryBlock was up to speed and pretty widely used (as far as I can tell) before it was shut down. Whether the people that were on there return remains to be seen.

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#8

Post by officemonkey » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 4:10 PM UTC

The hard part about a site like this is getting me to keep logging in.

Turns out my block club in Chicago has a very active Facebook group, so very local news gets integrated into my feed already.

My other source of "extremely local news" is a blog called Uptown Update [1]. If these sites had a way to attract and fund local bloggers, they would have more staying power.

[1] http://www.uptownupdate.com/

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#9

Post by normloman » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 4:22 PM UTC

Pet peeve: Intro videos with cutesy music, animations, and screenshots on a macbook.

Re: Everyblock re-launches in Chicago

#10

Post by izzydata » Thu, Jan 23, 2014, 4:28 PM UTC

"Sorry, we don't cover your zip"

Well... ok. I was even going to advertise it a little, but I guess I'm not cool enough.