43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

By leelefever on December 14, 2004 - 5:35pm.

43things copy.jpgA while back I heard about a new idea for a social networking site from Josh Petersen, who happens to live in my neighborhood. He described a site called “43 Things” where a person can find other people based on common goals or “things”.

Soon after, he quit his job at Microsoft, assembled a great team called The Robot Co-op and today, 43 Things went live with an invitation-only beta.

I see 43 Things as a big step forward for social networking sites because it builds a productive foundation for networking. At the core it's about finding and working with people who share your specific goals. Plus, people who have accomplished goals become resources for those who haven't. I’ve described it previously as a marketplace for accomplishing goals.

When you see a goal listed on the site, you have 2 ways to join that goal: “I want to do this” or “I’ve done this”. This information then becomes part of your identity on the site- you are a collection of the things you’ve done and things you want to do (including your progress). Of course, you can create a new goal at any time.

I could probably list 43 things I think are cool about the site, but I’ll stick with these features for now:

  • User-assigned “tags” like Flickr
  • Zeitgeist view of goals, like Flickr's tags
  • Post to my blog from 43 things
  • Use of Trackback to associate a blog post with a 43things goal
  • Use of blog entries for providing updates for each goal, and cool threaded format for commenting
  • Ability for “teams” to form around goals
  • RSS feeds for everything
  • Useful email notifications, with real content
  • “People doing this are also doing these things:”

More than that, it's using elements of weblogs and message boards without being either. That's fascinating to me.

If you want to give it a try, leave a comment here with a valid email address and I’ll invite you… Right now 139 people are doing 411 things. I’ll be interested to see how it scales.

43 Things

I'm into what I've read about 43 things things site. I'd like to check it out.

i'd like to give it a try,

i'd like to give it a try, please.

43 Things

Hi Lisa,
The post you read was from a while back. You can now become a member of 43 Things without my help. :) www.43things.com.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Lee -- thanks for the kind post and list of fav features on the 43things beta site. We're getting valuable feedback that's helping us tweak the site for prime time. Anybody is welcome to email me with feedback or general questions.

Rock on, Lee!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd definitely like to give it a try if you still have invites available.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I've been exploring different kinds of communities with different goals and orientations. Personally, I have an 'acheiver' type personality and would be very interested in trying out 43things.

Please send me an invitation if you can.

Thanks!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Reading feeds in reverse alphabetical order, as is my wont, I stumbled on Nancy White's cryptic test first, and the 43things site gives away narry a clue. I am puzzled enough to want to try this. My e-mail address is you-know-where [;

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I sent my email for an available slot...but would like to try to get in sooner if possible. I love the idea and would put it too good use...

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Hi lee

I'll try it. Please invite me.

Best Regards
Hideo Yamazaki

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd be very keen to try out the site. I've been waiting for a site to do with blogs what flickr's done with photos. :)

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

The concept is very exciting. Please count me in.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Hi Lee,
This is very interesting and promising social software. I'd like to try it if possible. Thanks!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Interested in giving it a try, please! Thanks!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Hi:

Would love to try it too, if you've got an invite - I've done some wacky things over time (written/had a novel published, for example).

Thanks!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Hey Lee,

I'd be interested in trying this new social networking site.

By the way, I haven't heard back from your friend regarding doing some graphics work. That's ok though, I know he's real busy.

Thanks again,

Rich

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd be interested in checking it out if you have an invite to spare. thanks!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd love an invite - thx.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd love an invite - thx.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd love an invite; I need inspiration to help me move ahead on my goals. Thanks. :-)

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I would love participate in the beta.

thx.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

If any of you did not get an invitation before Lee went on vacation -- drop me a line with your email and I'll invite you to the beta. My email -- daniel at robotcoop.com

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I would like to see how this progresses. Please send an invite.

Thanks,

David

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd give it a whirl, if you're still inviting people.

Thanks,
Matt

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Sounds intriguing -- invite me if you are still up for it.

-- Christopher Allen

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I would love an invitation to this awesome new beta.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Lee,

Please send me an invite - like to give it a whirl. The structure sounds interesting.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Hi:

Please invite me.

You can find my real e-mail in the comment info!

Suhit

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

It'd be great to try out the Hugster aspect of the site, rather than just playing about with Twinkler.

If you've still got any (as well as the inclination) an invite to fil [at] b4k4 . co . uk would be great. Cheers!

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Yes, I'd like to kick the tires on this one too. The idea of using social networks ("teams") to set and attain goals has been written about by Barbara Sher in books such as "Wishcraft".

--Ryan.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Hey Lee,

I'm always up for trying out new sites. Anything at this domain's email will get to me...

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Lee: Without visiting the site, I can't say if I would have anything to contribute, but I'd love to check it out. Thanks.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd love to take a look and give it a try - please send me an invite.

Amy Jo Kim
ajkim@socialdesigner.net

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'll try it right away - Please invite me :-)

Best Regards
Hans Henrik

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

Really good work. I found a lot of profound information which can help me to go on. Thanks for all this input.

43 Things and Getting Your Stuff Done

I'd be keen to have a go if possible! I'm awful at DIY though...

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