May

2

Thoughts on www.ether.com

May 2, 2007 |

Businessman_07 Mr. Webster defines ether as any organic compound containing two hydrocarbon groups linked by an oxygen group. And this definition is very symbolic to the site www.ether.com. This site advertises a 1-888 number of members, anyone under the sun, talking about anything under the sun for a fee. So, in relation to the above definition, the site is the oxygen atom, connecting two people. The concept of the site is so fresh and yet so simple, very attractive indeed, especially considering you can earn money by simply talking on the phone or via email, so I read on to see how it works.
Here’s how: you create an account, fill out an account name, your email address and create a password. Remember your password, read through the terms and conditions and tick the “I agree to the terms and conditions box and move to step two. Step two is creating a listing. Your descriptions, an optional photo, your actual number, your rates and schedules after which, you save this information and you then get an Ether Phone Number. Anyone can create an account, literally, there is a list of international numbers, in the second step. Also in this step, you dictate your rates, per minute or hour or call.

Here’s what I think: first idea that went through my mind was the promotion of the freedom of speech and making a profit out of it, not always a good thing.

First off, the site offers privacy to the member because only the site knows the actual number of the member, and although I thought it was convenient that the member can enter a mobile phone or a home phone or office number, I couldn’t help but be concerned about the privacy of the customers? There is not enough information revealed in the profile that can clear the identity of the member. The paying callers aren’t protected from scammers or bad people who registered free on the site. Plus, there are no monthly fees, no setup fees, no connection fees, just a 15% commission, which makes it not only possible but easy for anyone to transform the site into a vehicle of bad intentions. In addition, minors are also not protected, I think the concept is a little too liberal. The site also is a vehicle for the selling of digital content and materials such as photos, videos, reports and what-not and this raises again the issue of selling illegally, the security and satisfaction of customers, especially since the customers can only view content or material after having paid the fee of the seller.

Although there are a lot of details which are well thought of and in favor of the members, but I still suggest a little tweaking in the system. I would suggest a provision of security measures and a guarantee of satisfaction to customers, insurance, for example. The frequently asked questions portion is very helpful, and of course the customer service link too.

If only for originality, I would give the site a nine out of a one-to-ten scale. The site is still a work in progress. And as another dictionary defines ether; as a volatile liquid with a pleasant smell, so is www.ether.com, a volatile site with a pleasant smell.


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