Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in My Week in the Ether

Re: My Week in the Ether

Peter — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:02:48 -0000

I am imparting/leaking an internal news beforehand; www.writer4me.com, world's no. 1 writer-hire service is launching similar service as Ether.com very soon. They will be advertising soon, calling all infoentrepreuners and counselors, who want to earn money by talking. Keep your eyes open.

Re: My Week in the Ether

joel — Thu, 25 May 2006 16:42:48 -0000

Amazing how Ether dares to charge 15% and make things so complex for buyers and sellers - in a time when alternatives like TALKTRUST are free!

I have my TalkTrust account and use it to sell products (on ebay and craigslist) as well as services.
I also use a separate free extension for my social networking groups.

Check out www.talktrust.com if you are keen on tools that let you talk anonymously - and provide a very extensible set of benefits for FREE.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Bill Dotson — Thu, 18 May 2006 21:45:28 -0000

Has the 8 digit extension been a hindrance to use? Seems odd that its so long. I'd rather have a 3-4 digit extension and see them use multiple 10 digit toll free numbers.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Andrew — Thu, 11 May 2006 10:11:54 -0000

Wow this is an excited service, I can see many uses for it already! I see this being huge for skilled professionals that can make a few extra bucks for thier talents.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention!

Re: My Week in the Ether

Pete Cashmore — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:58:12 -0000

Paul,

I'm on Skype all the time, although someone did comment the other day that I appeared offline even though I wasn't. Probably a glitch.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Paul Montgomery — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:56:44 -0000

Geez, no wonder you're never available on Skype any more...

Re: My Week in the Ether

Pete Cashmore — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:34:18 -0000

Scott,

Thanks - I'm checking out that post now.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Pete Cashmore — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:33:23 -0000

Brian,

I'd love to answer that question, but...ok, ok

Nah, it works wherever I am at the time - just enter your landline number and you're good to go. Skypein works too.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Scott Faber — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:32:32 -0000

Some great feedback and comments here. I discuss many of these subjects today on the Ether blog.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Brian Breslin — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:29:53 -0000

So pete, did you use a skypein number in the US to route these calls to you in the UK? I understand this only supports US and canada right?

This would be KILLER if it billed the caller's phone bill automatically (like a 900 number). This will work great with other services like homework assistance/tutoring, etc.

Re: My Week in the Ether

Pete Cashmore — Wed, 10 May 2006 19:18:20 -0000

Ether Invites

BTW: If you want to test Ether, you can create a seller account using this link. It's good for 50 spins.

Re: My Week in the Ether

David G — Wed, 10 May 2006 18:54:32 -0000

Thanks Pete - I actually blogged it up when skype was bought - but eBay's taking their sweet time in proving me right. The entire pro-services space is very very interesting; ether is the first step in a very disruptive and unexpected new edge-driven marketplace.

Original ebay / skype post is here:
http://poductivity.blogspot...

Re: My Week in the Ether

Pete Cashmore — Wed, 10 May 2006 18:35:54 -0000

Brian,

I'd love to answer that question, but I'd have to charge. ;)

Re: My Week in the Ether

Brian Breslin — Wed, 10 May 2006 18:25:56 -0000

so pete, if i just wanted to call and chit chat, would that cost me $120/hour? :-)

Re: My Week in the Ether

Pete Cashmore — Wed, 10 May 2006 16:09:30 -0000

David,

You're right - eBay plus on-demand services (via Skype) would be killer.

Re: My Week in the Ether

David G — Wed, 10 May 2006 16:06:13 -0000

Thanks Pete - this post saved us both an e-mail ;-)

15% does "feel" steep but its less than half of what skype (& partners VOXIO etc) charge for "canned" services - so definitely very competitive. When skype gets their act together for live services they're gonna have to come in cheaper than the 20% they currently extract.

15% is also inline with Rentacoder and you get the call infrastructure (however, that sounds like it's a minus).

So I think ether is probably priced right - but to justify their cut (an compete), MUST build out the marketplace and reputation piece etc. before skype lists services (on eBay?)

Re: My Week in the Ether

George — Wed, 10 May 2006 14:19:18 -0000

Great review, thanks!

I wonder why Ether doesn't create a directory of sellers on their website?