The 100th day

[news]

Today marks the 100th day since we announced SUP's purchase of LiveJournal from Six Apart, the formation of LiveJournal, Inc, and goals for the first 100 days. We've made some amazing progress since that announcement, and we're really proud of what we've accomplished in such a short period of time: the team in the U.S. is growing, we've gained a

Comments

Basic accounts

[jasonshellen]

Hi, I'm Jason Shellen, VP of Product Development for LiveJournal. I just wanted to clarify LiveJournal's stance before there is any further misunderstanding about what we are trying to do. An FAQ about the account levels was updated prior to our news post. It states:

"Basic Account is an option available to accounts which were created before March 12, 2008. No account created after this date can be turned into a Basic Account."

Existing users of Basic remain as is.

From a product perspective it was more about creating a new registration process that was easier for new users to understand. I'm sure it's been ages since many of you signed up for an account, but it was quite confusing and included a table of options that was not very inviting to new users.

For new users to the site, the options of either having an ad-supported journal or the option to pay $20 annually for more (2GB) photo storage, more userpics, and ad-controls seems like a much simpler and easy to understand work-flow. We are working hard to add even more features and are currently revisiting our ad-supported strategy to find ways to deliver more user value in a way that isn't crass.

I sincerely hope you will continue to give us a chance to respond to concerns and that we do hear what you have to say about LiveJournal.

Re: Basic accounts

[rahaeli]

All business decisions aside, why did you not mention this fact in this news post, rather than letting people find out via word of mouth?

Also, you know, LJ users can see through spin like it wasn't even there. Dressing it up and saying it was to make things easier for new users is not going to fly: just come out and say that it was to increase ad impressions.

Re: Basic accounts

[stewardess]

*quietly fangirls*

Re: Basic accounts

[six2]

+1

Re: Basic accounts

[yueni]

iawtc

Re: Basic accounts

[insomnia]

So, with this new business model, we're just supposed to leave the money on the nightstand afterwards, right?!

Re: Basic accounts

[neitherday]

Last I heard, Eliot Spitzer was not an LJ user.

Re: Basic accounts

[insomnia]

True, but his prostitute was a MySpace user, and... well... LJ's new policies are essentially the same, right?!

Re: Basic accounts

[propopdan]

I WISH Myspace offered a paid option! I would be all over that.

Re: Basic accounts

[insomnia]

You know your site has gone downhill when the corporate scum from your former leading competitor is not only calling the shots on your site, but telling you to either pay up or punch the monkey.

Re: Basic accounts

[someoneingrey]

I'd go, but i coughed up for a permanent account a while ago, so if i leave it won't matter.

Re: Basic accounts

[someoneingrey]

Oh, yes, if that happens, i and my 8 or so journals will come too.

Re: Basic accounts

[makomk]

It does matter. It may not make any difference to the amount of money they make directly, but every user leaving (even permanent users like you) gives everyone else a little less reason to stay.

Re: Basic accounts

[kalium]

So, who's leading the mass walkout?

I've got one better - AdBlock it all.