Berners-Lee attaces Facebook and iTunes

[Deckerd]

The idea of having enclosed parts of the internet is anathema to Tim Berners-Lee. He chooses Facebook and iTunes to demonstrate how an idea with a huge subscription actually limits the internet.

Not sure I agree with him, since Facebook has just got into bed with MySpace; and iTunes is a commercial site selling media but what do you think?

Link-o-rama


Can some kind mod fix the title please?

 

[Amaris]

The web has become a mainstay, one that now has closed institutions within it's environment. The Wild West was only wild for so long before it was tamed. There are plenty of new frontiers to open up.

 

[Deckerd]

Yeah I just wish it were you and me that finds the next Facebook, J.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

There have always been enclosed parts of the Internet. He's just ragging on Facebook because it's so big. There is nothing special about Facebook other than its enormous size. But there's no shortage of walled gardens elsewhere online.

 

[Australis]

I'd like to start the next social network. I'd advertise it as the "anti-Facebook" - no games, no nonsense, just straight up "hi, how are you" stuff. I think I'd call it 'SpaceFace'.

You guys really need to check out my thread in Media about the Andrew Olle Media Lectures. Especially the latest one by the editor of the Guardian, in which he talks about the importance of Facebook and, surprisingly especially, Twitter. He seems to know what he's talking about, his newspaper's website has won a few awards. Check it out.

there's no shortage of walled gardens elsewhere online.

<... TNZ...>

 

[Mr. B]

Closed systems are limiting, but since people don't have to participate in Facebook or iTunes I don't think it's very consequential in the terms posited by the article.

I think iTunes offers a crappy product and does a disservice to music in general, but that's not the only avenue to access music online so who cares?

As for Facebook being a closed system... not having a problem with that. Not everybody wants their information broadcast all over the net.