BizWeek article compares TBD, Eons

I agree, but have one caveat. I started with tbd when it was very small (still is vs. Eons). I went onto Eons when it was more established and had lots of trouble navigating and getting in to an discussion. I couldn't find my spot. As tbd grows and gets more and more users, it is possible it will fall into the same trap. Lots of bells and whistles can make a new person lost. Things that are intuitively obvious to some are not so to us non-techies. If tbd retains its user focus, them I completely agree it will leave Eons in the dust.

Lots to like about Eons, made a few buds there. But, TBD is still my first draw. I really enjoy finding topics, like this one, and being able to post and keep track of the threads as it grows. Eons does have a bit more functional catalog of interests and sub-groups. Of course this comes at the cost of those anoying side bars advertisments. (Sponsored links) Almost makes me think I'm on YaHoo! "Click here you've won a free* I-Pod!" I think the majority of people on TBD come here for the high brow content, to share their collective experiences and wisdom. Me? I just like the banter! Unusual, I like the new pic, but its making me have flashbacks....

I agree with you about the sponsored links, but I'm assuming it is only a matter of time before we see them on tbd. These folks have to make money somehow. It is either through charging for membership or allowing sponsors. Angel money only lasts for so long.

Talia, I'm not worried about TBD. the staff is responsive to members' input and that will probably shape the site. As the BW article noted, the founder of Eons can't even join his own site because of his age. So what the heck does he know about what we might want? When a site starts out with an emphasis on health and death (the obits feature, which a lot of members consider creepy), that indicates an outworn view of what being older is all about.

And Eons was clearly started with the advertising potential in mind. It's a trap that is all too common, from huge sites to bloggers out to make a buck. Start with an idea you care about. If it's a great idea, people will sign on. Eventually, the money will come. If you start with the idea of making money, but have no idea what people want, you're screwed from the getgo. The founder of Eons probably saw a potentially profitable demographic niche and thought that was all he needed.

Of course TBD will have to have enough advertising to support growth. But I doubt that the advertising will ever drive the content, or interfere with it.

Another note on demographics. Assuming that everyone in a certain age group is going to have the same interests is a mistake. Judging from what I've seen here, I'd say there's a fairly large segment of older people who aren't particularly interested in playing online games, setting up memorials, or chatting about their grandkids. There's room here for the grandkids, but as obi-wan says, we're a bit on the high-brow side. That's something I need and appreciate and haven't been able to find on the other sites.

Obi-wan, what picture are you talking about?

Hello unusualsuspect,

Thanks for tracking our press better than I do...and that's my job here at TeeBeeDee! If you're intersested to know what other media say about us, just click on the press room at the very bottom of this page and then media coverage.

Thanks again!

If you want to know why TBD is great... it's YOU GUYS! I have never had so much fun talking to a group of people... you guys amaze me every single day.