Some problems are so hard they need to be solved piece by piece

Re:Some problems are so hard they need to be solved piece by... by Detrus on Friday November 23, 2012 @04:17PM (#4823706)

But this multitude of narrow solutions creates a marketing and usability nightmare for users. What's the hip place to rent rooms now? And how do I use it, because it has no UI consistency with services for renting cars and objects.

So even if these services have success, it's hard to out-market a go to portal for trading/renting between individuals. Without a unifying interface they'll merely coexist with Craigslist.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some problems are so hard they need to be solved piece by... by netcan on Friday November 23, 2012 @04:26PM (#4823732)

There are pros and cons and also implementation. If the pros outweigh the cons and the implementation is good it'll work.

Personally, I use AirBnB. I've never rented holiday accommodation through a classifieds site.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some problems are so hard they need to be solved piece by... by lumberjack on Friday November 23, 2012 @05:01PM (#4823814)

That's true but the problem might be smaller than you think. I have no stats to show but how many people visit more than three or four sub sections of craigslist.org? I personally only use two.

Besides, what is lost in UX compatibility and uniformity might be gained in important features that greatly improve the service offered. For example, Odesk has immensely more usable features than the computer gigs subsection on craigslist.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Some problems are so hard they need to be solved piece by... by Detrus on Friday November 23, 2012 @05:53PM (#4823951)

Yes but who will find Odesk? How will you tell it apart from a bunch of competitors and ZenDesk?

You're limiting Odesk's fancy functionality to the small subset of experienced computer users. Even if you only use 3 subsections of craig that's 3 O/Zen/StandingDesks you didn't have to Google for, memorize stupid names of, compare to competitors and learn where they put buttons.

That's assuming some marketing or universal interface magic doesn't fix it.

[ Parent | on HN ]