Magic of Three

After reading the book by 37 Signals called "Getting Real"  I realized the power of digit 3.

My explanation is that 3 is the border of simple things.

Making a choice from 1 option is the simplest, because you can't even do a mistake ;)

Making a choice from 2 options is simple.

Making a choice from 3 options is still quite simple.

Making a choice from 4 or more options gets difficult for the most of people. 

It can be easily applied to web-design, interfaces, core team roles and even businesses.

Each business is operations, marketing and finances.

Blog is a header, a content page and a right bar. 90% of people do not look at a footer, right?

Interface is the best when you make a choice from 3, because you still can do it fast. If it's just from 2, you need to have too many steps, therefore 3 is just perfect.

Many of famous business trainers also believe in magic of digit 3.

So I am going to do some tests of this theory at our new startup  ;)

Difference between classic and visual social networks

I categorize two common types of social networks.

Classic social networks (Facebook, Myspace, Linkedin, etc) and visual social networks (Second Life, Clubpenguin, etc) also called Virtual Worlds.

(Note: I do not pretend to categorize all social networks and perhaps technological aspect is not the main one to group them up, but still, it was something important for me as for a CEO of Vayersoft, the company that develops and manages virtual words.

One of our projects is the virtual browser-based world for kids called Chobots. While another project will be a try to attract people of all ages)

The first type of social networks (classic) does not have age or auditorium limitations.

There are successful Linkedin for business and gaiaonline for kids running.

The second (visual) type has age limitations and highly appreciated by kids playing Clubpenguin and another 100 virtual worlds for kids and youth.

Business related or corporate virtual worlds feel difficulties and a the most of them fail.

So why virtual worlds are limited?

One reason is technological limitations what results in lower distribution ratio. Even a requirement of supporting flash plug-in may cut off a part of auditorium. I am not talking about 3D Worlds usually working only for Windows, what is completely unacceptable for any corporate virtual world.

But the main issue is that they are slower. I am not talking about technological slowness of Flash or 3D in comparison to pure HTML, but more about conceptual slowness of virtual worlds.

If you need to find information that you need, you would not want to create a character, dressing him up and buying virtual home first. You just need to know it fast!

And the older you are, the faster you need it.

Do virtual worlds have any benefits in comparison with classic social networks?

Yes, they are more interactive and visual, therefore more dedicated to fun. However, there are now plenty of games on Facebook and more to come. Gaiaonline which is entertaining social network is still classic and also doing great.

They won't become World of Warcraft of course, but that's another story for hardcore gamers.

But the main difference between those types of networks is in how people act in these networks. Classic social networks are still dedicated to people you know in real life, not the new ones. They are great for sharing the information between them.

But what's about making new friends? Groups of interests do not resolve the issue completely.

Interactive and visual social networks are making new people closer much faster. People see the character, how person acts and chat in real-time.

So I do believe that there is a gap virtual worlds can close.