2008 has been a remarkable and outstanding year for Mixx.com. The website has experienced some extraordinary growth through the year, and made some pretty astonishing accomplishments for a social media service that is just a little more than one-year-old.
Join me in a flashback on the year that was 2008 and how far Mixx has come in this time...
January
MixxingBowl - the Debut of Social Blend
100 Votes at time of writing
Posted by NowSourcing
Submitter's description: The MixxingBowl debut of Social Blend! Hour long show from Bdog2g2, SilentJay and Greg Davies. Looks to be chock full of great info.
Looking back:
While the year was great for Mixx, it was just as good (or better!) for the Mixxers. 2007 saw the launch of MixxingBowl.com - a site for Mixxers by Mixxers, by from that creation came the birth of another beast I am honored to be a part of called Social Blend. It is funny listening to this early first episode, as we have come a LOOOOONG way since then. The launch of Social Blend was a highlight for those of us involved in the podcast, and also was for Mixx. The crew behind the scenes have always been supportive of the show. Incidentally, our Best Of 2008 compilation is online also. Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
February
You Have Mixx Messaging!
119 Votes at time of writing
Posted by NowSourcing
Submitter's description: Mixx is really kicking off the training wheels this time, adding some nifty messaging and group message board features!
Looking back:
Even though the already converted Mixxers knew big things were coming from Mixx, as early as February 2008 the crew behind the scenes proved they were already ahead of the game in social media by launching Mixx Messaging. It was an innovative move, and something that users at other social media sites had been screaming out for. Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
OFFICIAL: Mixx.com has been ADDED to POPURLS.COM!
92 Votes at time of writing
Posted by cGt2099
Submitter's description: Scroll down - a Mixx feed has been added underneath Metacafe.com and next to Clipmarks.com. Way to go, Thomas @ PopURLs!
Looking back:
Early in 2008, the MixxingBowl crew decided to help promote Mixx by launching what we called Mixx Campaigns. Our first goal was to get Mixx a more prominent place on the fabulous website, PopURLs.com. The Mixxers rallied behind the call, and Thomas Marban stepped up and added Mixx.com to his site. It was the first of many victories to come for Mixxers - numerous campaigns would follow - and we will most likely have a few more during 2009 as well!
Direct Link to PopURLs.com Direct Link to Mixx Story
March
Breaking News? Mixx is Breaking News.
85 Votes at time of writing
Posted by Bdog2g2
Submitter's description: Mixx has launched a new 'Breaking News' feature - one that should be well received by social media enthusiasts of all sorts. Timeliness has always been a problem with breaking news in social media.
Looking back:
The biggest problem in the social news spectrum prior to March 2008 was being able to get important and breaking news events to the eyes of most users as quick as possible. Over at Digg, it was not unusual for a breaking news story to take up to 24 hours to hit the front page. Mixx stepped up to the plate with an innovative solution. They launched the Breaking News feature - allowing users to flag significant submissions as breaking news. Once the story was flagged as breaking news, the submission gets a prominent place on the Popular Page.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
April
Mixx Campaign 2.5: April Fool's Challenge - Caption CHRIS MCGILL
98 Votes at time of writing
Posted by Kerry
Submitter's description: You only have 24 hours - - get on it!
Looking back:
April 1, 2008. After much planning and conspiratorial discussions with some people at Mixx, we launched a less-than-formal campaign. Photoshop and caption Chris McGill, founder of Mixx.com. Via a thread at The Mixxing Bowl, all the Mixxers did their best to photoshop McGill. It was a hysterical time. After 24 hours, Chris McGill himself chose the winner - Julie Lujan aka Calinazaret - for her RickRoll themed entry. The photoshopped designs were later featured here at The-TrukstoP.com at LOLmixx I and LOLmixx II.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
May
CNN.com Adds Mixx To Its Mix Of Bookmarking Buttons
133 Votes at time of writing
Posted by Sarah
Submitter's description: Digg competitor Mixx landed another big distribution deal. CNN.com will be adding a Mixx It button after every article on the site.
Looking back:
Mixx had already made great connections with media sites, such as New York Times earlier in the year. But nobody expected this news. This was a massive EPIC WIN moment for Mixx. The new partnership with CNN.com saw a huge influx of new users coming in from CNN to comment on Mixx stories, with many of them sticking with Mixx and becoming some well-known Mixxers still contributing some fantastic content to the site.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
June
Mixx Gets Serious About Community Building
133 Votes at time of writing
Posted by CMcGill
Submitter's description: Digg competitor Mixx just launched an extension to its groups feature that founder Chris McGill describes as Ning for social media.
Looking back:
The launch of Mixx Communities was perhaps the biggest feature launch of the year for the site. While the crew behind the scenes had worked hard to make Mixx.com more of a personalized experience, as evidenced in their Mixx Groups and Your Mixx; it was Mixx Communities that brought it to the next level. There are many communities formed in these early days that are very popular and still growing strong.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
July
The War on Spammers
63 Votes at time of writing
Posted by cGt2099
Submitter's description: If you've listened to the most recent edition (episode 29) of Social Blend, you would have heard that I am pissed at the spamming motherfuckers and have declared war on their shenanigans. The time has come.
Looking back:
In late May and early June, power users of Mixx were beginning to become frustrated at some of the bot-spam that was beginning to pop up throughout the site. The feelings came to a head in an episode of Social Blend - an event where we came up with a plan where Mixxers could help Mixx.com fight the spam. The first phase was "The War on Spammers" - an explicit 'huntdown' of spam content, with downvotes and reporting. This was followed up with the much more positive and PROACTIVE second phase, which we called The Ultimate Challenge. Coupled with some very hard (and very much appreciated!) work by the Mixx staff, the two phases of the campaign were very successful.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
August
Comments Kudos And Community Oh My !
69 Votes at time of writing
Posted by MortalWind
Submitter's description: Mixx just rolled out one of their biggest updates to date, I am sure all will be pleased! Thanks Mixx!
Looking back:
Following their hard work during The War on Spammers and The Ultimate Challenge, Mixxers were rewarded with a MASSIVE feature update to the site. First and foremost, was the deployment of Nested Comments, which had been a very vocal request by users. The update also gave us the chance to award Kudos to comments made by other users. In addition there were updates to Mixx Communities, and the announcement that the crew behind the scenes were continuing their work on combating spam. Also, just as significant was the announcement that SuperMixxers could endorse certain sites.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
September
Mixx: banned diggers, come to us!
84 Votes at time of writing
Posted by Sharkyx
Submitter's description: If digg doesn't respect you, for the contributory and decent members of the community you formally were, then come to mixx. We know how to treat our members...
Looking back:
The biggest controversy in the world of social media sites this year was Digg's purging on over 100 members. Top Diggers, including Zaibatsu, were banned from the site with no warning and no reasons given. It later turned out that a majority of the users were banned for use of scripts (except Reg, who was banned for a much lamer reason). As frustrations mounted among ex-Diggers, the Mixxing Bowl stepped up to the plate and screamed out how much better Mixx was as a playground for social media. The result was a huge influx of new members, both at Mixx and at the Bowl.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
October
Mixx Turns One - Sees Rapid Growth
160 Votes at time of writing
Posted by MrBabyMan
Submitter's description: Mixx, the social news site that competes directly with Digg, just celebrated its first birthday by announcing that traffic to its site has grown rapidly
Looking back:
Mixx's first birthday was celebrated with the announcement that traffic to the site had been growing phenomenally. The visitor growth rate was well over 500%. The connections with CNN.com, as well as the Digg Bannings, were helpful factors in the growth of the site - but perhaps the biggest factor was the almost-fanatic support the site gets from its users. I've used a lot of social media sites, and the Mixxers are perhaps the most dedicated bunch online. The phrase "Mixx Army" has been used quite a bit, and it's an apt title to give such a dedicated crew.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
November
Mixx Breaks Another Alexa Barrier
106 Votes at time of writing
Posted by MacBookForMe
Submitter's description: Mixx is at 791 Alexa, below the 800 mark!
Looking back:
...And the traffic growth continued. Into November, the traffic and membership growth was stronger than ever, and forced Mixx.com past the Alexa 800 rank to the position of 791. To the non-web savvy, this doesn't sound like much - but it is an immense accomplishment. Meanwhile, on a side note... after Digg's purge of hundreds of users, questionable 'feature' additions, and leaked info that the company was losing millions of dollars a year; traffic for Digg was also falling - significantly. While Digg still gets more daily traffic, Mixx is on the rise... the traffic statistics correlate to the way each company treats their relative user base. In my mind, I believe this trend will continue. Expect 2009 to be a shit-awful year for Kevin Rose; but an outstanding one for Mixx.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
December
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot . . .
67 Votes at time of writing
Posted by KatharineC
Submitter's description: Now, in addition to a few other holiday goodies, Mixx is making it easy for you to reconnect. We've added a People Search feature so that you can find out which of your friends is also a Mixxer—and let your friends find you.
Looking back:
Even though the first part of the Mixx blog entry focused on connecting with other people, the bigger news was the launch of The Trophy Case. Mixxers and Supermixxers now had an archive of their medals and achievements made on the site. It was a fantastic enhancement of the reward system, and added a little more (healthy) competitiveness to Mixx.
Direct Link to Article Direct Link to Mixx Story
MixxingBowl - the Debut of Social Blend
You Have Mixx Messaging!
OFFICIAL: Mixx.com has been ADDED to POPURLS.COM!
Breaking News? Mixx is Breaking News.
Mixx Campaign 2.5: April Fool's Challenge - Caption CHRIS MCGILL
CNN.com Adds Mixx To Its Mix Of Bookmarking Buttons
Mixx Gets Serious About Community Building
The War on Spammers 
Comments Kudos And Community Oh My ! 
Mixx: banned diggers, come to us!
Mixx Turns One - Sees Rapid Growth
Mixx Breaks Another Alexa Barrier
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot . . .
