• About

LIVEdigitally

Rappin my Rep

Posted on May 9, 2006 by Jeremy Toeman

Rapleaf logoOk, that’s about the worst title for a post, but I’m jetlagged in Amsterdam and it made me chuckle.  Anyhow, Rapleaf is a new Web 2.0 startup (a topic I’m trying to avoid these days, but couldn’t help it here) from the SF Bay Area focused on, and this part I like very much, trying to make the world a better place.  Amen!

Think I’m just kidding around?  I’m not!  From their about page:

Rapleaf’s Goal: To make it much more profitable to be ethical

Whether they succeed or fail, I’ll give them props for trying.  Effectively, Rapleaf is offering a Web-based service that lets anyone rate anyone else by email address or phone number.  Think of an eBay rating, but now take it to encompass ALL online buying and selling.  Auren Hoffman, the company’s founder (and a swell guy) is using it already in conjunction with a posting he made on craigslist.

I like when people actually use the technology they build.  It always gives me a personal warm fuzzy when I use the Slingbox to watch my home DVR (like I did this morning starting at 4:12am, when Ambien failed me for the first time).  If you are at some company and never, ever use your own products, I’d suggest looking for something different to do with your time.  But, again, that’s just my opinion (but since you come to my blog, you must endure my opinion until such time as you continue on your merry Internet-surfing ways).

Now I do think most Web 2.0 stuff is a bunch of junk, Web toys and tools being built by bloggers, for bloggers, and will never, ever go anywhere (and yes, back in 1996 I thought an online bookstore was a goofy idea, I admit it, but I was right that it didn’t take 400 people to run an online pet supply store and people in Baltimore weren’t likely to order DVDs and ice cream at 11pm over the Internet for instant delivery).  I think the concept behind Rapleaf is sound, and I’m actually surprised the folks at MSN Passport (or Live) never incorporated something similar.  Honestly, I’d like to see the company take it a notch further: what if they could expand the concept to stick with an individual external to the notion of buying and selling?

A friend of mine works for a large retailer (both my friend and the company shall remain nameless, but you happen to be reading this, the password is “lotion”), and recently a new boss was inserted into my friend’s organization.  This individual has a great pedigree, and a perfect resume.  The only catch is, well, apparently the person is a complete tyrant and awful to work for.  What if Rapleaf would let all former employees rate the individual as a boss?  Wouldn’t it be great if hiring managers could have an easy tool to see how former employees rank someone?  After all, when you apply for a job, reference checks are always done upwards, not downwards.

I don’t do all that much buying and selling online, although my wife is a near-pro at Craigslist these days, so I don’t know how much I can personally leverage Rapleaf today.  I have a major concern about potential fraud with the system (there’s a huge difference between someone just not liking me as opposed to thinking I have done them wrong). 

As for the Rapleaf web site, while the signup process couldn’t be easier, they definitely need to spend some time cleaning up the interface.  I do like the fact I can add multiple phone numbers, emails, blog, etc to my profile, and I would like to see the system incorporate “former” contact information (although the address book did integrate with Plaxo – and I love me some Plaxo).

Finally, I don’t have any clue how they can make money off the product/technology/service/etc, although I doubt Auren and his crew would be involved in something if they don’t have a good plan up their sleeves.  If not, well, I’m sure they can sleep better at night than the people who registered www.toeman.com (which I forgot to reregister several years back) hoping for a quick buck on it. 

jtoeman's Rapleaf ScoreWe need more ‘good’ things in this world. Want to hear how skeptical I am these days?  When I first registered at Rapleaf, I didn’t use my preferred email address, simply out of habit of not using it for any signups any more.  Imagine if every time we ordered chinese food we gave an address near our homes, and when we say the driver looking around in confusion we came running out to pick up the food.  Trust has to start again somewhere.

In the meantime, I’ve added my Rapleaf score to my About JT page.  At the time of writing, I’m a perfect 100%.  Trust me on it.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Reddit

Related

Posted in General, Web/Internet | 1 Comment
« The ultimate traveler's accessory: a new iPod
Why HDMI is the Clear Choice for HDTV Connectivity »

One thought on “Rappin my Rep”

  1. Auren Hoffman says:
    May 9, 2006 at 10:00 am

    this is one of the most insightful Rapleaf posts. thanks for taking the time (or maybe we owe it to the jet lag). i am looking forward to discussing Rapleaf more with you.

    Reply

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About

Jeremy Toeman is a seasoned Product leader with over 20 years experience in the convergence of digital media, mobile entertainment, social entertainment, smart TV and consumer technology. Prior ventures and projects include CNET, Viggle/Dijit/Nextguide, Sling Media, VUDU, Clicker, DivX, Rovi, Mediabolic, Boxee, and many other consumer technology companies. This blog represents his personal opinion and outlook on things.

Recent Posts

  • Back on the wagon/horse?
  • 11 Tips for Startups Pitching Big Companies
  • CES 2016: A New Role
  • Everything I Learned (So Far) Working For a Huge Company
  • And I’m Back…

Archives

Pages

  • About

Archives

  • January 2019
  • April 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • June 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004

Categories

  • Convergence (81)
  • Gadgets (144)
  • Gaming (19)
  • General (999)
  • Guides (35)
  • LD Approved (72)
  • Marketing (23)
  • Mobile Technology (111)
  • Networking (22)
  • No/Low-tech (64)
  • Product Announcements (85)
  • Product Reviews (109)
  • That's Janky (93)
  • Travel (29)
  • Video/Music/Media (115)
  • Web/Internet (103)

WordPress

  • Log in
  • WordPress

CyberChimps WordPress Themes

© LIVEdigitally
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.