So I'm sure the question on all of your lips is, why the hell create another blog aggregator straight after the successful release of the super-slick and buzzworthy Amatomu? What could Justin and I (we are behind it, yes) hope to achieve by competing head to head with the Vincent? Who needs another Technorati? And don't Vincent and I get along? He he...
Well, let's see. First comment about Afrigator. Justin and I would've developed it even if there were 6 existing alternatives - we had so much fun in the process that I simply can't wait to work with him on the next damn project. I cannot speak highly enough of his skills.
Second thing, let's look at what Afrigator is. Then you make a decision about how close or not we are with Amatomu and whether we are presumptuous entering this space. In my mind, Afrigator is:
1. An attempt to gather together a fair representation or index of the majority of Africa's digital citizen's publications. Blogs, podcasts, videocasts and news sites - it's not just about blogs and it's not just about South Africa.
2. The best way we could think of to gather together accurate-ish data samples from which to report on the state of the 'Afrosphere'. This is interesting to all of us and we can't find it anywhere else.
3. A means to penetrate and interrogate the vast amounts of high-quality content being produced by Africans every second.
4. Free and AD-free. We have other ideas for making money. Yes, we want to make money. No, you won't be paying us anything. Ever.
5. A site about YOU, for YOU, that will get even better the more YOU use it. Justin and I aren't turned on by big secrets and clandestine releases (we'll leave that to Steve Jobs). We realise the importance of your buy-in and participation as the creators of this content, so please feel free to check out the development wiki for a clear view into our plans and strategy going forward. Bear in mind that I use the wiki really badly so I'm potentially embarrassing myself here.
6. Completely independent, non-affiliated and unfunded. We're making it because we love making col stuff and wanted this functionality ourselves.
And that's about all I have to say on Afrigator right now. Check it out, try it out and let me know what you think.
Tags: web 2.0, Afrigator, Amatomu, Mike Stopforth, Justin Hartman, aggregator, blog, blogger, blogging
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