DISQUS

Tyler Reed · 2 years ago

It's spreading like wildfire in SA. The youth are loving it. MySpace is out, Facebook is in.

Dirk · 2 years ago

Totally agree, you'll enjoy my latest blog post :-)

Ernst Kuschke · 2 years ago

Interestingly enough MySpace still has more users than Facebook ;o)

The main difference lies in the user profile: MySpace users are generally less educated than Facebook users [1].

“The research suggests those using Facebook come from wealthier homes and are more likely to attend college. By contrast, MySpace users tend to get a job after finishing high school rather than continue their education.”

1 - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/6236628.stm

Chris M · 2 years ago

I've never seen something spread so quickly in my life!

Tristan Owen · 2 years ago

Hey Vinny, I would love to know how you quantify a $10bn price tag. The price actually doesn't matter, what I'm more interested in is the value that Facebook can offer a company like Microsoft or Google. Would they be buying their database, the potential/future ad revenue, market research, the use of their platform etc, and does that really equate to $10bn? How can that information be quantified?! Would love to hear your thoughts.

Vinny Lingham · 2 years ago

Hey Tristan - I have an easy formula:

1. Is it worth $1bn? Probably not.
2. Is it worth $3bn? Probably.
3. Will Zuckerberg sell for $3bn? Probably not.
4. Would Google offer $5bn? Probably
5. Would Microsoft double Google's offer? Probably...

$10bn is therefore the magic number :-)

Chris M · 2 years ago

Great reply Vinny, it's so very true though, finances work in such strange ways with things of this size!

Tristan Owen · 2 years ago

lol! so in other words there's absolutely nothing in it, no signs at all ;)

Vinny Lingham · 2 years ago

No no, there is a lot in it, but there is no fundamental analysis as to why Facebook is worth "X". This is War and war is not rational!

It's value is very much dependent on who is buying it!

EveDmochowska · 2 years ago

This week, there is a two page spread in the You magazine about Facebook. It, therefore, is spreading to the masses ...The 125K number will now continue to rise as the "less connected, but still active" web users are going to give it a shot.

Eishman · 2 years ago

I tried to resist, but couldn't. What I like about it is it's net interface and the fact that you can be as active or inactive as you like. And I have found so many people I would never have found, or bothered to find any other way.

Gino Cosme · 2 years ago

Hi Vinny. I agree that Microsoft is probably desperate to get hold of Facebook, especially in lieu that they need a larger, targeted audience and that this would be a very good fit for their recent acquisition of aQuantive.

Personally though, as I mentioned in my blog a while back, I have a feeling that Mark won’t sell out. Especially, as you say, Facebook is becoming the most talked about Web property at the moment, even greater than Google. But, having said that, if he were to sell out, Larry and co would be silly not to beat Microsoft, considering that Facebook would be a good fit with Google's other product offerings.

At the end of the day, whoever gets Facebook will (a) be smiling from ear to ear and (b) will go down in history as being part of the largest Internet acquisition ever…until the next “big thing” of course ;)

But will Mark sell?

P.s. good points on the personal relationships aspect of Facebook.

charl · 2 years ago

Zuckerberg wont sell to Microsoft or to anyone for that matter. I he wants to keep the site independant and go the IPO route

Well, atleast thats what I have read. Myspace seemed to tumble down when News Corp acquired them

SA has more than 125k Facebook users as a lot of the peeps dont join the SA network..

Overall facebook is on 30 mil active users (ppl that login once a month)

Richard Craib · 2 years ago

There is this facebook app called Top Friends (http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id...)

Quite a few of my friends are using it. I think it's sorta what you want. Is Henk a facebook friend of yours? He told me you invested in him. You can check Top Friends working on his profile page.

Mike Mothner · 2 years ago

It is truly amazing to think that a small website that began as a member only site restricted to students at Harvard has now become one of the top ten websites in 2007. With over 30 million members and an ever-increasing induction of new "face-bookers", I believe Vinny's prediction that Facebook could sell for over 10 billion is highly probable. The question that still remains unanswered is who will be the lucky buyer...

Steven Jack · 1 year ago

It is truly amazing to think that a small website that began as a member only site restricted to students at Harvard has now become one of the top ten websites in 2007.In 12 months Facebook saw a 89% increase in users.
http://www.goldenteahouse.com/