The Plan
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Welcome to the WaveCenter Project!
Wow! Some people have a major problem with the business model I’m proposing. Check out some of the comments coming in at the bottom of the page. And please take the new poll. I’m wondering what others think about the business model. (To see what all the controversy is about, check out “And It’s all Free, Right?“, “Exponential Growth“, and “Terraced Commissions“).
Please check out these videos and let me know what you think.
Dane Christensen
dane@wavecenter.com
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Rick
August 25th, 2010 at 12:29 am
I really like the short/long versions of the videos so that we can get the high level view or drill down for topics of interest.
Good job, Dane!
BTW, I think there is a typo (“URI”?) in the Leave A Reply section.
Garrett
August 25th, 2010 at 12:47 am
Well put together, watched 10 of 15! You have me interested!
dane
August 25th, 2010 at 4:55 am
Rick, Yes, that was definitely good advice you gave me on that. Actually, URI is technically correct, but it’s an anachronism that dates back to the beginning of the Web. Some people don’t know when to give it up. (It’s an open source app, of course).
Kevin Hopkins
August 25th, 2010 at 6:15 am
Go Dane! Just watched the first video and it looks very exciting. Can’t wait to watch more!
x00
August 26th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I have to congratulate you on such an ambitious project.
Not only is this an absolutely terrible business model, it isn’t all that great of a fraud either. I suppose you get points for trying to convince contributors they aren’t the investor dupes. But frankly you are kidding yourself if you think you have come up with something better than ye old ponzi / pyramid.
For one you have a catch-22 you need exposure, but that is also your downfall. You need contributors that are either intelligent, in which case they will see through this because no way are they going to pay for your inadequacies, or people who think they are intelligent, in which case there is very limited mileage. You are going to find yourself out of your depth pretty quick, and you won’t be able to create the mirage.
In it very unlikely that you will approach serious investors, though if you do you are more stupid than I first thought. If you showed them the video of this non project and explained you business plan you will be out on your faster than you can say your name. This is not a business investment. It is not even speculation on something it is speculation on nothing, and many layers at that.
You keep quoting all the thousands you are going to make each month at each stage, based on pure hot air. You obviously have never been in front of business dragons. By 2012 you will be making a billion a year. Give me a break.
Note: To non technical people these are just words they aren’t describing anything particularity meaningful in terms of technology.
You said it yourself you don’t have any real expertise. Standing outside major technology companies with a colourful shirt, doesn’t cut it.
This is going to end up an embarrassment to the legitimate and crocked business world.
dane
August 26th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
YES!! Thank you, x00! I was hoping for comments like yours.
It sounds like you’ve at least watched a lot of the videos–even if you didn’t fully absorb them–and I really appreciate that! I know that the business model I’m proposing is unconventional, and anything that breaks the mold of conventional wisdom will inevitably draw out the naysayers. For some folks, anything that doesn’t follow familiar patterns by the numbers is classified as evil or stupid, and they try to suppress it.
Your contention seems to be that I’m trying to disguise a scam as a legitimate business model and that I’m spewing out a lot of technical mumbo jumbo to hoodwink non-technical people. Oh, and you think I’m stupid. Well, as Jules said in Pulp Fiction… “Allow me to retort!”
Re: the business model, it is certainly true that I’ve incorporated aspects of network marketing. But I have clearly described the specific differences between the “Terraced Commission” model I’ve devised with a pyramid. It is not a minor distinction. What makes many network marketing programs disingenuous is the claim that people who come in at the tail end can make just as much money as those who start at the beginning. Terraced Commissions is a direct and honest approach to the concept of incentivizing referral-based marketing. What is wrong with setting up a system where those who invest their time and effort in the beginning, when it is indeed just a vision, are more richly rewarded than those who jump on only after it’s a going concern? Or do you have a problem with referral based marketing, such as affiliate programs, in general?
As for this being like a Ponzi scheme, that is complete hyperbole. there is no deceit or hidden financial games here. Everything is completely transparent. Financial investors will have a complete understanding of exactly how everything works. And in terms of memberships, it’s true that members who join in early stages and pay their $10 membership fee won’t get a whole lot for their money. And if the business doesn’t take off, they will have lost that money (gasp!) If the plan was to just kludge together some technical facade that will fall apart after I’ve pocketed all that money, then you’d be right. But the plan is to build a robust, useful tool that will be well worth the $10/month fee members will pay for it.
But that leads to your second point about technical flim flamery. Maybe you aren’t saying I’m a crook who is intentionally misleading people, but just an incompetent fool who thinks he can do something that really can’t be done. Well, I have been working in the industry for 15 years as a web developer, webmaster, web analytics specialist, online marketer, information architect, and more. I’ve got some serious technical chops. But I do know my limitations, too. For the record, I didn’t say I don’t have any real expertise. I said I wasn’t a platform expert. But I know enough to know what is and isn’t doable/feasible and to discuss technical matters intelligently with the real technical geniuses. I’ve been doing that for years.
And who are you, Mr. x00, to say what is and isn’t technically meaningful? You can see my profile on LinkedIn and assess my technical prowess. But again, who the hell are you?
Anyway, I do sincerely thank you for your post. I hope it fires up some debate!
Oh, I also meant to respond to the revenue estimates. I realize setting a goal of billion dollar earnings within a couple years sounds pretty outrageous. But let’s not forget that Facebook is now doing $1 billion plus after six years on nothing but an advertising model. And clearly business cycles are accelerating. So it isn’t like the idea itself is that outrageous–just whether it can be done with this project. We know where x00 stands. What do others think?
Phil
August 26th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
I think you’re an idiot. No matter how you slice it, you are advertising a pyramid scheme. These are Illegal. Even your modified version is Illegal. I’d get some serious legal advice before you proceed any further, and before you start collecting peoples money or else you’re likely go find yourself in a world of trouble.
dane
August 27th, 2010 at 4:21 am
Duly noted. Thanks for the advise, Phil.
x00
August 27th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Like I said if thought this was a legitimate business that would be even dumber. Why would I pay to give my expertise and time to you? In your dreams.
You are confused between a business projection and total bullshit. This wouldn’t stand in front of a business dragon without you getting torched.
You know too much about network marketing (scams) to convince me you really think this is legitimate. But either way it doesn’t matter, it is nonsense.
You also clearly don’t understand what federated OT system like Wave is about.
dane
August 28th, 2010 at 6:37 am
OK, x00, now your thoughtless assumptions and baseless accusations aren’t adding anything new. Since you don’t seem to have any meaningful, let alone constructive input, please go troll elsewhere.
I do, however, welcome constructive criticism and helpful suggestions from anyone who sees flaws in the technical or business concepts I’m proposing. I don’t claim to have it all figured out. I’m looking for people who do get it and can help me clarify and execute on a plan.
gary
September 1st, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Dane, The UI looks too sophisticated for a simple html/php/css based web application. Is this going to be more like a new and improved browser than a web app?