How Mixx changed my perception of Social Media
December 26, 2007
The most recent social media website, Mixx.com, has experienced some significant development over the last few weeks. Traffic has increased, more users are registering and contributing on a daily basis, and the countless posts of fascinating content are growing. Above that, the site recently announced a partnership with the LA Times; an online/print media collaboration that took them only a few weeks after launching publicly to accomplish. Things are looking up for Mixx. I initially jumped into Mixx.com while I was an active submitter over at Digg. At the time, I was shooting into a whole range of different social media sites - just to get a feel for what else was out there. But then, out of the blue, I needed a new "playground" instead of Digg.
That is because I had been banned from Digg; permanently. Social Media is exceptionally (and frighteningly) easy to become addicted to. In the case of my participation over at Digg, I was active at that site on a daily basis. Getting banned forced me to go "cold turkey" of my aDiggtion... something that I was originally quite angry about.
As many of my friends from Digg were gathering to my support - usually in the form of submissions to Digg protesting my ban; posts that were inevitably buried (except this one); I began looking for a new social media playing field as it was becoming more apparent that the Digg crew were not receptive to any prospect of reinstating my account. That is when I came back to Mixx.
While I dove straight into Mixx and began posting heavily, as well as actively communicating and interacting with the other members of the Mixx army; in the beginning I had thought that if there was ever a chance, I'd go back to Digg.
Now, on the other hand, that is a different story. After stomping around the Mixx playground for a few months I can say that even if I was "unbanned" by Kevin Rose himself, there is no way in hell I would ever go back to Digg.
The explanation for this is very simple. Mixx has redefined my perception of Social Media:
Superior Content is more important than Competitiveness
While it is valid that some competition is healthy; over at Digg it's what drives the community. In a lot of ways, I did not fully realize how true that was until I was already making a mess over at Mixx. When I was an active poster at Digg, the focus was always on hitting the front page, getting diggs, and the whole "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" camaraderie. It was less about the content itself and more about hitting the main page.
On the other hand, over at Mixx, I seldom spend time on the front page. I am always plowing through upcoming submissions and new submissions (mostly in the My Mixx section; more on that in a bit) and searching for new and interesting content. The majority of other users there, while some do spend a lot of time browsing the front page stories, seem to have the same sentiment. With Mixx, there is a larger focus on good quality content and submissions.
In short, Digg had become (and still is) a popularity contest. While there is always going to be a certain degree of prominence, standing, or reputation, in all forms of social media, with Mixx it is somewhat reduced in way that serves the content, rather than impeding it.
Mixx Personalization Redefines the "Social" in Social Media
While Digg did give users some control with being able to personalize your profile; Mixx offers personalization of content instead. This makes the experience of social media a more meaningful one. Within the section of "Your Mixx" you can select tags and topics to add. Every time you log in to Mixx, if there are any new submissions for those tags and topics, they will show up in Your Mixx. This can prove to be a very impressive tool, especially with tags.
For example, with me being a crazy Star Wars geek, I have added the tag "starwars" to My Mixx. Every time somebody posts an article, an image, or a video related to Star Wars with that tag, I am on top of it straight away.
Following tags in My Mixx has enabled me to identify users with similar interests (or in the case of Star Wars: obsessions) - and provides a better chance to network and befriend users who are following the same interests/obsessions.
Simultaneously, you can add specific users and their submissions to Your Mixx; which provides you with a better opportunity to follow your friends, and their content.
The Groups Feature at Mixx is an additional function that will prove to help make social media more social and more significant in coming months as well. By forming and joining groups, you can focus on subjects and submissions that are related to the group itself. One example is a group I formed called Mixx Metal Heads. If I ever submit a topic related to Heavy Metal or Hard Rock, I can also post a copy of it to this private group. It makes your stories more accessible in a variety of levels of the site.
On Asshats and Assclowns
One thing is inexorable with the Internet. For some, an internet connection coupled with anonymity provides them with an occasion to troll others. Over at Digg, this is ever present in their comments section, where a variety of jackasses will troll others with flaming remarks - some ridiculous, others bigoted.
So far, thankfully, Mixx has been spared from such asshattery. Nevertheless, there will come a time when trolls may show themselves at Mixx. Even if and when this happens, the community that has been established at Mixx.com is positive and collaborative; and I am confident that any efforts made by any budding Johnny Knoxville-wannabes will be put in their place.
In other words, when you submit a story at Mixx, you are less likely to get comments like "Why the hell did this hit the home page?" or "OMFGWTFBBQ". You will most likely get some positive observations, reaction, and feedback - and if it is an accidental dupe, you'll get some beneficial criticism from someone with regards to this.
Digg has a photos section? Sorry, Kev: Mixx was first
For well over a year, Digg members had been screaming for a Picture Section. For the most part, the crew behind the scenes would proclaim they were working on it. It was coming. It is on its way; and so on...
In the meantime, Mixx opened with a Photo section already in place ready to rock and roll. It was, and still is, one of their main features. Even before Digg was even within walking distance of being ready with their pic section, Mixx was already ahead of the game... and that was a sign to me that the Mixx crew was ensuring that these features were swiftly made available to users.
Mixx Listens
When the HD-DVD Digg Revolt happened in May of 2007, Kevin Rose stated something along the lines of 'you have spoken and we've heard you'. The only reason Digg heard was because a lot of users were shouting really loud. As in the case of the revolt, unless you have the numbers and the amplification, Digg essentially needs a hearing aid when it comes to getting feedback from their members.
This is far from being the case at Mixx. Chris McGill and the crew behind the scenes are continually interested in hearing from Mixx users. They are wanting all kinds of opinions; good and bad. Bdog2g2 went out and opened a forum called The Mixxing Bowl; a message board for Mixx users by Mixx users; when users could post their thoughts, ideas, insights, and feedback about Mixx. Chris and the Mixx crew also pop into the board and soak in as much feedback as they can.
To cut a long story short, Mixx actually listens to their users.
There is no "Digg Perception" at Mixx
One of the remarkable and intriguing aspects of some users at Digg I found was that they would have very apparent ideas about how the site worked and what kind of material should be popping onto the front page. I call this, "The Digg Perception", and it is the delusion an individual has about their definition of Digg.
These users believe their definition, assessment, and use of Digg is the "right" and "correct" way - if anyone thinks or does differently then they are either "wrong" or "gaming the system".
With Mixx, the community tools are already set up in a "many things to many people" model. There is no "one size fits all" mentality as there continues to be over at Digg (and other Social Media sites for that matter). Members approach Mixx in different ways; react to stories in different ways, and present feedback to the Mixx crew about different issues.
This established setting provides a much more positive online atmosphere of interaction between people, in a manner that actually serves the content efficiently.
Do not get me wrong: Digg has its place
It is perhaps easy to look at this article and put it down as simply "Digg bashing". I would politely disagree. Many power users at Digg would most likely agree with much of the criticism I raise; all of which are valid. Despite this, Digg is still popular and still has a place in serving the wishes of social media addicts across the world.
Even though Mixx still has a long road and trek ahead, it is already off to an outstanding start. Membership numbers are climbing, and traffic figures are looking healthy. I'm seeing more and more familiar usernames from Digg showing up over to Mixx on a daily basis.
Mixx may not necessarily be a "Digg killer" as such; and if you take the time to play with it for a couple of days you will find, as I have, that this site is not a Digg clone by any means. & it is correct that Digg has very high numbers and is very popular.
But popularity isn't everything.
Ultimately, quality content rules over everything else in the realm of Social Media.
As many of my friends from Digg were gathering to my support - usually in the form of submissions to Digg protesting my ban; posts that were inevitably buried (
While it is valid that some competition is healthy; over at Digg it's what drives the community. In a lot of ways, I did not fully realize how true that was until I was already 
One thing is inexorable with the Internet. For some, an internet connection coupled with anonymity provides them with an occasion to troll others. Over at Digg, this is ever present in their comments section, where a variety of jackasses will troll others with flaming remarks - some ridiculous, others bigoted.
