Data Portability Evangelists Get Out of Line
Posted by Nick O'Neill on May 17th, 2008 1:00 PMOver the past 24 to 48 hours I have been watching the discussion manifest over the ongoing battle between Facebook, Google and MySpace over each of their new data portability initiatives. Much of the discussion climaxed on the Gilmor Gang podcast which included Mike Arrington, Robert Scoble, Marc Canter, Chris Saad and Dana Gardner. I would call the majority of the people on the show “data portability evangelists.”
Data portability evangelists have one goal: to control their own data. It makes a lot of sense when you get into the discussion but the logistics behind it are highly complex. So complex that not even the data portability evangelists were able to figure much out during their almost hour and a half long discussion (on the podcast).
Robert Scoble was left all in a tizzy and Mike Arrington proclaimed himself victorious when he was able to convince everybody that he was right without providing much substance for his argument. The podcast clearly illustrated each of the participants’ personalities but little more. After pondering the ongoing discussion for the past 48 hours, I’ve come up with the following thoughts:
True Data Portability Kills Social Network Sites
While I am a fan of data portability, the reality is that true data portability kills social network sites. If we take data portability to the extreme and I was able to export all of my data and contacts from Facebook, Facebook would be nothing more than a well designed communications platform. Perhaps in the end that’s all they will be but for now, their valuations have been based on their skyrocketing user base.
There is no way in hell that Facebook is going to shoot themselves in the foot and completely make our data exportable. It just won’t happen. At least not anytime soon. The data portability evangelists saw the largest players move one step closer to true data portability and now they are crying that Facebook should just take it all the way.
Data Portability Evangelists Can’t Speak Clearly
This is the biggest challenge facing the future of data portability. I listened to the Gillmore Gang podcast last night and read Steve Gillmore’s techcrunch post this morning and it would take at least an hour for me to decode both of them for you. The best way to get your point across is by making a clear argument that anybody can understand. None of the participants do this. Mike Arrington comes close when he says “I am right, you are wrong.”
That’s classic elementary debate tactics but unfortunately he doesn’t back up his argument aside from the fact that he is more than just passionate about owning his data.
We Are Moving Forward
While I want complete control of my data, most people don’t even know what that means. The moves being made by Facebook, MySpace and Google are a huge step forward and it’s perfectly fine to acknowledge that. At the same time the data portability evangelists should continue to ask for more because that’s what’s required of them.
While the debate over data portability is far from over, it’s a good thing that the large players are even listening and making changes. Am I a sucker for being partially satisfied? Mike Arrington would say yes but then again his argument is simply that he’s right, not much more substance there. Also, is it really that surprising that there are only 10 or 20 people that are participating in the discussion on data portability?
Add New Comment
Viewing 14 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
When e.g. Scoble wants to go wherever, I dont want him to take any of my e.g. facebook stuff with him: pics, wall posts, email, DOB etc. What does he own, what is 'mine'?
How is this gonna work in practice? Open APIs? I dont see it?
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Social sites are a reflection of something that I already own. As I encourage friends to join and build out a network, the online persona starts to look more like the reality. Making that data portable would make it easier for me to jump ship and move to a new service, but nothing would be irreparably lost if I had to start again somewhere new.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
The Gilmor gang are leading industry thinkers. Only Saad has has even come remotely close to participating in the DataPortability projects policy issues, and even then its been passive. Having said that though watching the discussion has been valuable to us working on the DataPortability project. We need more discussion, and an industry wide conversation, as this is something that affects us all. So I'm glad they are helping bring this conversation to the forefront because it shows how complicated the issues truly are.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
The truth of the matter is that they want this "ecosystem" to thrive outside of just Facebook, et al. They want social networking features everywhere because they think that it will make money. But it is truly only an echo chamber thusfar and the users just don't care.
The fact still remains that no one has yet made a dime on any of this except the founders of these companies and they aren't likely to any time soon. Protocols are all nice, but until there is a true financial incentive for companies to implement them they are only specifications.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
All these people raving have money and influence. If they're dissatisfied with what's out, they can start their own bloody social network.
Seriously, no one's holding a gun to anyone's head and making them use Facebook. Don't like, go somewhere else and stop your crying.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
i believe we should cherish this insight and not ridicule it....comments above and this post included :-)
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks