… wow, its late — but better late than never.
The winner of the Spock.com beta invite was David Bisset of DavidBisset.com. Congratulations, man!
Spock.com, for those still paying attention, is a search engine focused on finding people. I still plan to write my own opinions about it, but suffice it to say, its kind of interesting to claim your own name.
Well, actually, I did run another small test, just for the hell of it.
You may have heard that Vator.TV launched the other day? Its a new media concern that allows companies to post video clips of their elevator pitches in hopes of securing VC funding. Webware.com, a CNet production that reviews web applications and web2.0 companies, did a small review on Vator.TV — but also featured a clip from Vator.TV as an example.
As I was watching the clip, I thought — “Man, this guy [who's doing the pitch] has a great voice. No wonder he’s the chief of communications. I wonder if he’s ever done any professional work before … ? ” So, of course I powered up Google to find out a little more about this dude, named Mil Arcega.
After all — how many “Mil Arcega’s” could there be?
Probably not as many as “Tony Hung” (almost 2 million entries), right?
Anyway, it turns out that Mr. Arcega was a former reporter and anchor for a local Washington news station, and affiliate of NBC. That, and apparently he likes Chinese food. That’s what I was able to figure out from a quick Google search. Also, by actually going to the Vator website, there are a few other tidbits, like the fact that he was the “Business Correspondent for the English Language Services at Voice of America.”
So, you might wonder … how did Spock.com fare?
Well, it showed up a Mil Arcega’s MySpace page. This one. That’s it. And to be honest, I hope that’s not *really* Mil Arcega, Chief of Communications, and award-winning reporter … because he doesn’t really look like someone you’d give VC funding to. Maybe a couple bucks for a coffee, but that’s it.
If you’re interested in a Spock invitation of your own, I might be able to hornswaggle a few extra invites in the future. Leave your name and comment below, and considered yourself pre-entered into a future Spock.com contest!
June 8th, 2007 at 1:41 am | Permalink
I think that is exactly what I don’t like about Spock.com - it really lacks what it takes to be called a people search engine. In some senses it does search for people, but not exactly for the purpose of “finding” them. With a site like PeopleSearch.com it makes sense, because you can actually find where a person is, but with Spock.com you are basically finding information “about” them. Not quite the same, pretty much just a combined social network search. Don’t get me wrong, it’s got its good points as well, but just not what I was hoping for. I’ve poked around it a few times, put in some of my information, but left, and haven’t been back for a while. Some of the information is also copied directly from Wikipedia, just look up George Bush on Spock.com!
June 9th, 2007 at 3:43 am | Permalink
I have heard so much about Spock.com. I’m a search angel and think this type of search engine would really help with my searches. So Please consider giving me an invite.
Thanks!
June 9th, 2007 at 1:40 pm | Permalink
You’d be better off using zabasearch.com for actually finding people. Spock just searches online profiles, not finds them (i.e. name and address.)
June 9th, 2007 at 2:56 pm | Permalink
Yes I know about zabasearch.com and many, many others… Searching online profiles would help with searches. Because it would tell their interests. What people are interested in, is a big clue in finding who you are looking for..
June 26th, 2007 at 12:42 pm | Permalink
[...] Need a Guy Kawasaki or a Jason Calacanis? June 26th, 2007 at 12:41 pm Spock.com, is a startup that I briefly touched on some time ago. Sure there was a bit of controversy around some verbal gaffe’s the founders made, but [...]
June 27th, 2007 at 5:14 pm | Permalink
I would love to receive a SPOCK invitation as soon as possible!!! I’ve heard so much about it. I really want to know what all the fuss is about. So pleeeaaasssseeeee send me one if you can!
Ashley Stovall :)
June 27th, 2007 at 5:29 pm | Permalink
Ashley Stovall — Done! :)