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MyCube: Private Social Networking

June 10, 2011 — Mrs. Mecomber

I wondered when I’d start seeing something like this: a social network that is a closed loop, so to speak. In case you didn’t know, social networking (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, even blogging to a certain degree) is VERY social. I mean, everything you say is open to the public. Oh sure, sure, Twitter and Facebook and all the others say they have controls for security, etc, but let’s talk reality– it’s pretty easy to be spied on, to be monitored, to be watched. I am not active on Facebook for this reason.

There’s a new social networking company, called MyCube, that is attempting to change some of the foibles of social networking. Currently, the social network is in private beta, but I did a little digging about the company. Here’s the scoop:

MyCube focuses on giving users more privacy and control over their accounts and information while still maintaining the content exchange that makes social networking so special.
After registration, you can connect with other people in MyCube that share common interests as you (such as pro-blogging or raising kids or selling books online).
MyCube has a virtual currency where users can buy and sell. This is WAY better than using “real” money, as it protects your financial information and allows you to freely interact with people from other countries and currencies.
MyCue is based in Singapore. According to MyCube’s Facebook page, someone complained that Singapore is a human rights violator. MyCube’s response was that Singapore “will not allow the US or any other government to spy because they do not have automatic access like the CIA do to the Facebook database!”

I’m still looking into MyCube. I do agree wholeheartedly about the great lack of privacy and security with the Facebook and Twitter networks. I have been wondering when someone would rise up to challenge the social network behemoths.

If you’re curious, do check out MyCube. The site is in private beta, but you can register for an account using the activation code blog at MyCube private beta. MyCube also has a blog and, according to the Facebook page, has been hiring interns for the new service.

It will be very interesting to see how this site develops!

Posted in networking, Twitter, websites. Tags: Facebook, social networking, Twitter. 1 Comment »

Marketing Comes to Your Social Network

December 30, 2009 — Mrs. Mecomber

Imagine walking down a city street, and suddenly your iPhone buzzes. You look at it, and there’s a message from that restaurant– Mel’s Diner– further down the street, offering a 15% discount on lunch for people who visit within the next hour. Do you go? And how did they get that message to you?

Welcome to the new world of marketing via your social network. It’s one of the key projects of companies like Digital Development Partners, Inc (You can see their stock profile and performance at Market Watch). You see, there are now SO many products in the world, and SO many people…. the dilemma for the business has been how to get the word out? Mel at Mel’s Diner can’t possibly search Twitter and Facebook for every resident of his city, and befriend them and message them. Mel is a cook, not a twitterer! So he may hire a marketing company to sift through and manage the massive information.

This kind of marketing is very unique; it’s an in-your-face kind of marketing. What do you think? It’s great to get discounts, and you may even discover new products and services to benefit your own business or employment… but it’s an invasive form of marketing. Social networking is traditionally (if you can call 6 or 7 years of Facebook a “tradition”) reserved for friends and family communications. To have Mel intrude into your Twitter is a rude awakening for some.

It’s probably no surprise that the idea of Digital Development Partners was started by a college student at Western Carolina University, funded by a business, and won a contest for innovation and enterprise. The company’s brainchild is YuDeal.com (currently in beta), which turns social networking and global marketing on its head, as seen with the example of Mel and his Diner. What do you think of all this?

Remember, I’m a pro-blogger and I am sometimes compensated with stuff or money to review or mention products or services! This was one of them. You can read more about my blog policy on my About page.