I never knew what Pacmee albeit the Nuffnang advertisement which was running on this weblog a couple of weeks back. It was until I saw it in action at Timothy Tiah’s blog yesterday then I realized the fact.
It is just like…Twitter.com!
Being a website designer, I live around the web and stumble more around the web without the use of StumbleUpon. In simple words, I surf the Internet at least 10-12 hours daily. I’ve several things to do online from writing in this blog to reading the multiple RSS feeds of different genres.
But this isn’t about me. It’s about a service which has replicated another existing service with I would dare say, the same look! Not design but look.
It would make more complete sense to tell you about this with a visual guide. Okay, so you have your ‘Made in Malaysia’ PacMee social networking website at PacMee.com. Its About Us never shared much about the company involved but you will know Maxis (Hotlink) is backing this project up at the moment. But from what I know is the company recently released this with an awareness campaign with the help of Nuffnang.
On the other corner, we have the initial guys that came up with this idea of keeping track with your friends using this widget. Twitter has been around for many months if not 1 year already. So you could say they were technically the ‘first’ to come up with this.
If you look at both the screenshots in a larger image (click to view them), you will notice another shocking fact. It was to me anyway. Both of these websites look somewhat similar or some would even comment they are the same. I know how design can be a challenging factor but I would have at least thought PacMee would do more than to replicate the layout here.
And you want to know what’s even more funny. The copy used for the signup is exactly the same. Is it because “Want an account? Join for FREE! It’s fast and easy.” works unusually well or is it because there are just no other ways of conveying a better message.
What drove me in writing this post was how myshoutout triggered my memory of twitter via the widget used on the blog or website. PacMee is on your left and Twitter is on your right. It’s more difficult to say the design is the same but it is too easy to not admit the look and feel is the same. But I have to hand it to PacMee, the inclusion of the photo and name is a plus from me.
As they may have said, competition is always healthy in business. And on the bright side, you pay a little less to use something like Twitter in Malaysia. While PacMee has a local telco provider charging at RM0.25 – RM0.50 per message transmitted to its server, Twitter would cost more because you’ll have to send the message overseas every time. That is roughly RM1.00 per message.
I’ve seen ideas replicated but concepts changed a little. I’ve seen Lim Kok Wing University website copied and not changed at all by the copycat. Nevertheless, I welcome PacMee to the foray of a Web 2.0 service but would still strongly suggest they do something to the layout or design of their website.
There are several ways to look Web 2.0 and you guys (PacMee) need to revamp the website before more people realize this, especially Twitter and its followers.
Question of the day:
Does PacMee resemble Twitter to you?
[tags]pacmee, pirated, replica, ripoff, twitter, website[/tags]
my company built something like this back in 2003, we pitched to telcos – especially a certain yellow one, but no one was interested. sigh.
Hey Paul, what to do…we still have conservative minds on the highest board of seniors. :P
Pacmee is the brainchild of Tan Swee Yeong, ex-ceo of Unrealmind Bhd.
Thanks Fox. I dug up some history from Google and found out he’s a very prominent figure in the mobile gaming line. Especially of the story on how he approached Maxis on their mobile game.
I wonder what is he up to now with PacMee.
I have a Twitter a/c but I never remember to update. I update my Facebook status instead. For me it has to be something I look at all the time, then I would be reminded to update it. I log in to Facebook first thing every day and stay logged in throughout the day, so I continually see my status and update it from my Facebook homepage.
Danny, he’s up to his usual trademarked exits.
Build company, list in mesdaq, get generous buyer to buy share, then exit with millions again.
I only have 2 applications open most of the time I’m online:
1. Messenger
2. Email
I don’t leave Facebook nor any social networking website open in my browser. My default page on my Mozilla browser though is set to Google Suggest. :P
I think Twitter or PacMee can be used to a business advantage. I’m trying it out at the moment but I’m not sure how well it’ll work since I’m not celebrity like Timothy. LOL!
ShadowFox:
Well, some have said that is one of the quickest ways to make a lot of money. I kinda know someone who did the same and is currently building his new company to yet again be sold.
My browser’s homepage is my blog :P So narcissistic hor? It used to be Google’s search page. Then I realised I keep typing in my blog URL coz I want to see the latest comments. So I might as well change it to my blog… lol
I always have email open when I’m online, but messenger is usually only open during office hours. When I’m at home, I often don’t log into MSN. Coz it’s very distracting to have people messaging lah.
Do tell us more about using Twitter or PacMee to a business advantage. I can’t see how…
Yeah, the default type in your search right now does get annoying after a while. But half the time I’m either clicking on my bookmarks or just stopping the load and typing in manually now so it’s alright. :)
I’ll get to using either of it in a business manner soon…but first, time to straighten out my work and other personal matters before realization on Monday kicks in. LOL!
Danny, thanks for the good overview of the two services! Indeed PacMee is a Twitter clone, but like many other successful initiatives, it’s always about localisation and execution. Where there’s potential for $ to be made, moving into the market with a proven idea is the fastest way to make that buck.
With regards to international SMS rates, I believe most of the telcos offer competitive rates for international SMS. Twitter uses a gateway based in the UK, and as I understand, international SMS rates start at about RM0.20 on postpaid and prepaid.
The SMS rate is not far off what Hotlink is offering; RM0.15 sen to non-Maxis users. But I personally feel SMS should be costing less by today as many people utilize it and some use it more than calls. Simply because they believe by messaging they save more without realizing their usage.
I don’t mind the monetization or competition, but I personally detest those who may say “we are the first” and use it as a gimmick. As you know, there are many business savvy people in Malaysia and some are just too business savvy you can say.
For me, honesty continues to remain the best policy. :)
Messaging is big business for telcos, hence most are staying away from adjusting tariffs. I too believe, it should at least be subsidised for certain initiatives / applications, e.g. myshoutout / twitter. Anyhow, that’s a telco story altogether.
Indeed, honesty rocks!
Keep up the great work and healthy discussions!
Thanks Praveen.
You wouldn’t so happen to be following my Apple iPhone review now, would you? :)
Ultimately, I hope to see large improvements and adaptations of web standards and Web 2.0 in Malaysia.
LOL! In fact I did catch this piece after reading your posts on the iPhone =) Great detective work, Sherlock!
Praveen:
Just a lucky guess. But I hope you’re enjoying the review so far. :)