Originally published December 27 2005
Microsoft speaks on planned classified service
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Microsoft's “Fremont" blends classified advertising with social networking and identifies individuals by their level of familiarity with the seller. Users can decide only to sell, share or swap with someone they know.
After a handful of stories offering sketchy details of a project identified as its Google Base killer, Microsoft offered many more particulars late Wednesday on its seven-month-old project code-named "Fremont" (see Microsoft Attacks Google Base).
Fremont basically blends classified advertising with social networking.
"We decided that trust is very important when you are looking for things like babysitting services," said Garry Wiseman, Microsoft's product unit manager.
Shares of Microsoft were up $0.21 to $27.89 in recent trading, while shares of Google were up $5.79 to $410.70.
Fremont, which is being tested internally at Microsoft, identifies individuals according to their level of familiarity with the seller.
- ADVERTISEMENT "People tend to have a high level of trust when dealing with colleagues or fellow students or friends," said Mr. Wiseman.
"They know the people they are dealing with are not going to vanish tomorrow or try to rip them off because their reputations are at stake.
"You may have items that you would only sell, share, or swap with a friend or someone whom you know," he added.
"If my friend can't make it to a game, then I want to sell the spare ticket to another friend or co-worker."
In this way, the seller can go to the game with a friend rather than a complete stranger.
That can extend further and further out to the entire country and then extend globally if the seller so chooses.
The feedback we get is that it is fantastic for garage sales."
A visitor will be able to browse the site without registering.
Unlike Google Base, which seeks out anything from the public including manuscripts, songs, favorite recipes, as well as items for sale, Fremont focuses tightly on classified ads.
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