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Social networking and blogging sites are big business these days, although few seem to stand up to the might of Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook.
One new site hoping to take on Twitter at its own game is Menshn, a website started by Louise Mensch, a UK Conservative MP who has become frustrated with Twitter’s shortcomings. Although clearly an avid user of the popular micro-blogging site, with over 60,000 followers, Mensch says the site isn’t good enough.
The website is a joint venture with the Labour party’s ex digital advisor Luke Bozier, and at the moment it’s only available in the U.S as part of a trial process. The two are hoping to launch Menshn in the UK and elsewhere in time for the London Olympic Games.
Menshn works in a similar way to Twitter, where Tweets become ‘Menshns’ and Followers become Subscibers. The rival site also gives users more room to speak, offering a 180 character limit per ‘Menshn’ – 40 characters more than Twitter’s 140 character limit per tweet.
The idea of the site combines micro-blogging with chat forums, offering different topics for people to discuss amongst each other. Twitter congregates topics by the use of hashtags and trending topics, but Mensch says her site will allow users to ‘talk on topic’ – the website’s slogan.
When a new user signs up to the site they will instantly get 100 random Subscribers, although it’s currently unclear if users can unsubscribe automatically if they’re suddenly subscribed to random users.
The MP insists that the name ‘Menshn’ is a play on the word mention and not on her surname, Mensch. We have a feeling it’s a little bit of both, but it’s certainly a good name.
Will Menshn, or any other rival micro-blogging site, manage to topple Twitter? Let us know what you think.
Let us know your thoughts on our comments below or via our @Gadget_Helpline Twitter page or Official Facebook group.
Via: BBC
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