Web 2.0 Discussion

Discogs
http://www.discogs.com/

Discogs are a user built database of music information with plenty of labels and artists, all cross-referenced. The database has been built by submissions by people like you and me, who frequent the music sites and love to share information about our favourite artists and albums. The database is huge and covers all latest labels and famous artists.
Worth a visit.

Wow, they can go a little easy with all the Google ads around the site. Makes it very unpleasant to browse and makes you think whether they are service or profit oriented.

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Artashes Toumanov | Talkio Inc.

My browser's built in ad-blocker keeps all these things away from my sight, so i missed ads.

But sure, everyone has right to generate funds. May be they need funds to pay for hosting and all. With such a big database and user base, hosting wouldn't be cheap if they are to stay online for long and maintain speed.

It sure makes it unpleasant at times, but then i never noticed ads and *cough* you may use such browsers with built in ad-blockers or have ads blocked through some software.

Good trick. However, part of my job is to view ads to be aware of what's out there. Not to mention that overall I like [good] advertising, so I study it closely.
I would agree normally, however, this makes browsing the site unpleasant, and that's not very "2.0", in other words, not very user-friendly - thus they won't attract as many users to it - their main survival factor. In fact, I don't agree that their hosting is expensive. Their site is not graphically intense, databases can be coded in a very efficient way. Sorry, but if the founders cannot afford to pick up a $20-50/mo bill, then I would really doubt their ability to serve the users and improve their site when a major new feature is needed for example.

I, for one, won't be visiting until they understand what serves them more value: $1 off my click on their ad now or having me as a long-term user.

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Artashes Toumanov | Talkio Inc.

I guess, you have a point there. I think the site-owner or founders, do not have the idea about how you may be feeling or how they may be loosing on visitors, just because of those ads. But sooner they realize better it would be. In a way its an attempt to become a Web2.0 but seems they still have few more steps to take, before they can classify fully as 2.0.

I have very strong feeling for Discogs as I have been a long term user, nowadays they generate most of their revenue through selling vinyl from each individual page, it is making Ebay look like a mess.

They take much less commission than Ebay, free listing forever and frequently update their features.

I have been even inspired by this set up and starting my own in another industry. I sure will report in due course.