Quote:Microsoft Corp. said it is readying an online marketplace, code-named Fremont, which is apparently in response to a similar feature that rival Google Inc. introduced a few weeks ago.
Fremont is a free service in which people contribute listings, whether it's about a couch for sale or someone looking for a commuting partner.
Microsoft plans to index each item, thereby adding it to the results from using Microsoft's Internet search engine.
full article:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1894067,00.asp
preview parts of the new site:
http://fremont.live.com
Quote:Fremont is a free service
I like the free part best.
Two more articles on the upcoming Microsoft Classifieds service
Quote:"In January or February,
it became clear that people were becoming more and more comfortable with listing things online," Wiseman said. "We had a couple of unique services we could integrate to make a really good experience."
Those ingredients include mapping and messaging. MSN Virtual Earth is being rebranded to Live Local, and it will be integrated throughout the classifieds service...
Users will be able to limit access to their listings to their instant messaging buddies or to a single domain, such as Microsoft.com or Harvard.edu.
The team is pondering instituting some sort of reputation system, as is used by eBay...
full article:
http://news.earthweb.com/ec-news/article.php/3567806
Quote:Why Microsofts classifieds service will be better than Google Base
First, a quick description of Fremont. It looks and acts like a classic online classifieds site. A list of linked categories is on the front page and users can browse or search through the listings. A key difference though is that the listings are turbo-charged as the poster, you can control who can see them...
full article:
http://blogs.forrester.com/charleneli/20...ofts_.html
Microsoft has renamed their planned Classified Ad service. Fremont is now Windows Live Expo. The beta program for the service has been opened to U.S. residents.
Quote:What it is
An online marketplace and social networking site
What it gives you
Free ads that are easy to post
Browse through a wide range of categories ranging from merchandise,
events, personals and services
Keep your dealings within a trusted network like your MSN Messenger Buddies , friends or co-workers; or open them up to anyone
Find listings just in your area, nationwide or anywhere in between
Add your listings to your MSN Space with one easy click
Get detailed maps and directions for things like garage sales, homes for sale or concerts
Communicate with people via MSN Messenger right from Expos site
Quote:We think you're really going to like our new online marketplace with a social networking twist. You can buy, sell, and communicate with the people that you choose in your neighborhood or across the country.
screenshots and more info:
http://ideas.live.com/programpage.aspx?v...1e7645b089
signup:
http://www1.imagine-msn.com/minisites/expo/default.aspx?
Quote:"In January or February,
it became clear that people were becoming more and more comfortable with listing things online,"
January and February of what year, 2000? :
:
At this point I like
Fremont Windows Live Expo a lot more than I like the mess known as Google Base. I think Microsoft's product is more user friendly (i.e. buyer ) than Base.
Google Base has really not done as much as I thought.
I have my doubts about Microsofts service too. Seems Craiglists model continues to rule supreme.
[quote author=Bidera link=topic=1495.msg7544#msg7544 date=1137081428]
Google Base has really not done as much as I thought.
I have my doubts about Microsofts service too. Seems Craiglists model continues to rule supreme.
[/quote]
Based on the mediocre performance/success of Froogle compared to other comparison shopping engines, I wasn't expecting a lot from a Google classifieds site. At this point the site is not buyer or seller friendly.
Microsoft's service looks like it might be easier to learn than Base for the average person and more end-user friendly than Craigslist so it might be able to pick up some market share but then again maybe not--Yahoo Classifieds has fallen flat on its face despite being part of the most heavily trafficked web site so a big name and high traffic is no guarantee of success.
Whether Base or Live Expo take off or not, I'll probably still prefer Craigslist though over the Microsoft and Google sites.