I received a Newsvine invite a few weeks back and joined up. I haven’t used it a lot, partly because like tonight I log in and I just can’t tell what to do to make the wonderful happen. I mean, I see the list of stories and stuff and perhaps I’m just dense, but I have to date failed to see what makes this better than any of the umpteen news portals that already exist. I know there are zippy Digg-like features and such, but I don’t even see how you invoke them. As of this writing, I have failed to comprehend the wonderful part.
I’m also not sure of the legality of parts of it. I just read an article on Dick Cheney’s response to having shot one of his friends in the face. It came from the AP and at the bottom has this notice:
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
It wasn’t a link to someplace else, it was contained in Newsvine. Is this not the redistribution that is expressly prohibited? Does Newsvine have a distribution deal with the AP? (Update: I have been thoroughly notified that this is normal. There is no need to tell me any more.)
All that said, I have invites. If you want them, email me. First come first served, while supplies last, offer void where prohibited, ask your doctor if Newsvine is right for you, don’t stop till you get enough, amen.
As of today, I haven’t found its secret ingredient that makes go “Wow!”. I mean, it’s like Google News on steroid. I know it’s nice being able to comment on news, but there were blogs before which allowed it.
And they do have an agreement with the AP. 🙂
Thousands of organizations, tiny and large, have agreements with AP.
I’d really like an invite to newsvine if you’ve still got them. Thanks man!
Mike
NV went live today.
-k-
Take the ranting on Google Groups, mix in news feeds, slick graphics, sophomeric “nice” rating systems, junior high school clickes and whining, and a “featured” system that rewards the quantity of comments vs. quality–start an argument that gets everryone piling in and you’re a winner!–and you have the “Monkey Vine.”
Lots of hype, tho.
Ralph Z.