Parannoyed Delusions

Web 2.0: Some people say it's just hype, others say its the new internet gold rush, whatever it is, it's arguably virtually non-existent in Malaysia. With most Malaysian websites still adopting that old, so-last-millenium, "web portal" look and concept (and not to mention those ugly government websites), I wonder when will we ever move on to the next generation of the web.

Here, I list down some ideas and guidelines that I feel every Malaysian web startup should adopt in order to stay relevant and ahead in the web.

First, some general qualities I wish all new Malaysian web startup should have (based on ideas from: TechCrunch: Top Ten Things You Can Do To Get Blogged). I have not yet seen a single Malaysian web company embracing any of these ideas. I'm not saying that companies without these qualities automatically suck, but it's a brand new world wide web out there, and there ought to be somebody smart enough to do this.

1. Leverage the blogosphere.
   • Start a company blog: If possible have your CEO/president/whoever's in charge write. Already seeing this done by the likes of 8TV's Ahmad Izham (couldn't find the link, I think it's down?)
   • Be friends with PPS: Send out regular press releases, free demos, beta testing invites to Malaysian bloggers. Let them be your first product reviewers.
2. Be as open as possible.
   • Provide RSS feeds: If your web company provides an information-centric service, don't force people to visit only your website to get info, leverage XML technology and provide RSS/whatever syndications.
   • Provide open APIs: Let users build applications on top of your service. This gives your service automatic, free value-added features.
   • Don't hide information: From the TechCrunch article: "Put your location, contact information, team bios, faqs, blog and other important information up on the site in an easy to find location. Don't make bloggers look up whois information or read your terms of service (for legal jurisdiction) just to guess your location."
3. Hire a good writer.
   • Tell a story: Don't do a business presentation.
   • Be different: Be creative, and if possible, funny. Don't take I.T. too seriously.

And here are some ideas of what kind of new web 2.0 service an upcoming Malaysian startup can build. As much as I want to be the first to do any of these, I believe in being open and my wanting to see something new and cool coming out of Malaysia far outweighs my 'competitive' urges (though I am already working on some of these...).

Most of these ideas are based on another TechCrunch article: Companies I'd like to Profile (but don't exist).

1. Facebook for Malaysian students
   Facebook is a social networking site for college and high school students in the US. Most Malaysians probably don't know it, but we love social networking, just see how many Malaysian profiles are there in Friendster and MySpace. And I'd say most of these people are probably secondary schoolers and college students.
2. Open source Yellow Pages
   One-stop catch-all listing of local businesses. Anybody can add their business free of charge. Syndicate the listing via RSS and mobile phone SMS. Use user tagging to enable quick search and categorization. Make money via localized banner ads and premium listings.
3. Open source something
   Jobstreet.com, but with RSS and web APIs. Lelong.com.my but more like eBay (e.g. again, RSS, API, but with an open reputation feedback system)
4. The Free Music Label via Podcasts
   Why buy an RM5 pirated CD when you can download it for free? Artist/bands release singles/albums for free as MP3 via podcasting. Make money through exclusive artist merchandise (t-shirts, mouse pads, underwear, pencils, whatever), music video/concert DVD/VCD, banner ads on artist website, ads inserted directly into the podcast via Fruitcast.
5. Independent Film Distribution via Videocasts and Streaming Videos
   For the Malaysian indie film scene, this would be a great way to get exposure. Give priority first to short films as bandwidth considerations are a concern. Make it easy for anybody to post their own productions. If bandwidth and disk space are still big concerns, just use ourmedia.org and aggregate/manage Malaysian content.
6. "Take advantage of the booming Malaysian blogosphere"
   Sites like PPS and the relatively new BlogsMalaysia make the Malaysian blogosphere a more fun place to be. Make more sites like these, but add more web 2.0 twists. Mash it up: Blog aggregation(PPS) + [social bookmarking + tagging (Del.icio.us)] + user review(BlogsMalaysia) + user voting(Digg.com). And remember, make it all available through RSS an web APIs!

Please comment if you have any further suggestions, ideas, quarrels, etc. Also, email me if you want collaboration in making any of these ideas happen :)