Hi, I'm @ned, CEO of Steemit. Ask me anything!
(I will begin answering at 4:30pm EST (in 30mins)!)
** EDIT ** IT IS AMAZING TO SEE SO MANY QUESTIONS! I'm working hard to get to yours! Thanks -- N
** EDIT #2 ** Thanks for your questions! They were awesome. I've got to take abreak now. I'll come back in a few hours to answer questions that have rolled in. Let's do more AMA's soon!
How do you keep your hair looking so goddamn beautiful?
One word:
Can I get paid for seeing this ad?
Sure, I just paid you for it. Great job!
I just paid you for this great comment!
I just paid you for paying his comment!
Wow! I love to pay you guys so I guess that I'll do that now. You all ready to get paid? Ready or not, here I come! Y'all just got paid!
well if you insist! :)
Omg, me and Ned share the same shampoo!
as long as you do it at different times.
Highly likely due to the different time-zones. :D
lol'd. Thank you for the laugh.
wooo ho.... so that is good, shampoo ! Can you send me one ? I can not find it in my country. :D
Haha, sure! :D
THIS!!!
Great advertisement where i will got it....
Man, I died.
An ETA on Community feature? (BTW, an AMA is an amazing idea)
I couldn't be more excited for a feature than I am for sub-communities. Just imagine -- moderating your own sub with the option to run it as a business -- signing up influencers from your niche and earning STEEM from all the great content that comes through your channel. I have a feeling this feature is going to be a key driver for growth - and we are aiming to get it out soon: by the end of q2
Awesome movie! You can't not like Paul Rudd!
To expand on this a bit... how would community leaders or moderators get selected?
everyone could start their own. (I imagine for a fee to prevent spam)
This is a great question, and one I've wanted to know for a while. Each sub will have owners, who would then appoint admins and mods. However, the question is - how does one get ownership over a sub? What if I want to own the "bungeejumping" sub?
I am not sure... that was my question. :) Perhaps Ned agreed with the answer we got?!
Agreed, sub-communities will be a big help for the site including adding direction for a lot of users and posts. End of Q2... It's already near May, get pumped.
Also, an ETA on Hardfork 19 :-) Are there any hiccups for the adoption of the flatten curve?
Our backend team is industry leading in terms of talent -- they're currently crushing the work that needs to be done for this HF -- I hope the community and witnesses adopt it!
Looking forward to it, it is one of the biggest steps to making this step work for the masses.
yes @ned, I think for us " old timers " of steem we know already this, but its always still great to hear this being restated ! HF 19 proposal seems to be winning consensus on the flatline curve, it will be a major step forward to signing new accounts im sure !
Why so hateful?
I cant wait for this feature, it will be interesting to see how it compares to gplus communities or facebook groups/pages
Hey Ned! Is Steemfest 2 still coming this year for those of us who missed the last one?
I am hoping it is! I speak to @roelandp often to be fair and I think he is going to organize # 2!
Good news
That's great news :) I'm hoping too!
Yes, sorry to missed out this realtime thread. Getting home from Portugal. There will be a 2nd edition as far as I am concerned :) In october most probably! Working on some drafts atm.
Suggestion for the 2nd edition
Lisbon, Portugal hehe
Hold it in Portugal and come to Nazare to see epic waves!!
I was just in Alentejo for 3 weeks. Had a great chill time. Nazere is lovely too ! This is unrelated to SteemFest 2 location btw :)
I'm glad to hear this. Any hints on location?
earth :)
Lol
That sounds awesoome!
Portugal would be great for that, and in October is still warm ;)
I cast my vote for Portugal :)
It would be great but it seems we aren't that lucky...(this time!) ;)
Blonde's Brunette's or Redheads?
Every women Steemian are currently on the edge of their seat.
both of them?
:)
I'm pretty sure we have more women here than in any other crypto space. :D
i suppose ure right
Heh I know you were joking had to just get that in there since I believe its true :D
Why did you came with name Steemit, what were other possible names that you guys had in mind ? I understand this is like steam-it but maybe there is something more to the story
It's funny you mention this -- I stumbled across the naming spreadsheet we were using in January of last year. All I can say for now is it started as "Webclout" -- I'll see if I can find the google doc after this ama!
Another point before I forget!
When I finally found "STEEM" --- we began racking our brains for an alternate name for the first website ---- some of the "Steemit" alternatives were "Steemable" "Steemer" etc. It was my mother who finally convinced me to Steem-it.
So glad you didn't go with webclout...
Some names are just terrible lol
And a clout coin has a pretentious name to it.
Lol!
Was Steem derived from esteem? I think you mentioned something about this at SteemFest.
Yes that is what I heard too last year.
STEEMER ?
OH GAWD NO!!!!
Cool 😎
Almost like my name. FunkIT.
I like that name, clever it is:
You have chosen the best one !
A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet!
Steemit Rocks!
Webclout sounds like the first online blockchain based STD
I suppose that answers why you went with SBD for Steem Dollars eh?
Are you hiring? My current boss sucks so much!
I would be an excellent enforcer, strategist... actually I am excellent at everything.
Pull request to change your SteemPower into SteemForce.
People would be unwise to underestimate the power of the SteemForce!
Sounds promising! Who are your references?
Living ones? Hmmm let me get back to you on that.
See? Excellent at everything just like I said.
Reference RECONFIRMED by Da Hunter :)
Here is the contact information for my last living employer:
Watto the Toydarian
1138 Dilapidated Junk Shop Lane
Mos Espa
Tatooine
How long do you work with an employer before he is deceased?
I have only really had 2 employers. I also had a mentor/teacher. I only killed two of the three. One after working for him for about 20 years. The other was my teacher for approximately 15 years. Then he disappeared for 20 years. Then I killed him the first time I saw him again. To be fair, my boss tried to kill my son and my teacher cut off my legs and left me in a volcano. It sucks that I always have to check "yes" on the "Have you ever killed any former employers?" box on applications... but at least they leave me plenty of room to explain. Thanks for asking.
@Ned / @Lordvader 2020!
We will need to discuss the order of the names... but it is an excellent start.
I am 100% in support of this. I have been a fan of your documentaries for years (since I was a child). Based on what I have learned from them I am confident you will get results.
Thank you for your vote of confidence. I am glad you have seen the transmissions of the documentaries detailing my sheer awesomeness. I hope you know that some of these "documentaries" are actually rebel scum propaganda. If you are not sure which are real and which are fake news, there is a simple test you can perform. If I am being awesome and winning... it is real. If I am not... its is not.
hire @lordvader !
Where do you see Steemit in 5 years?
I see Steemit being one of many, many webistes on Steem. Steemit itself will be thriving -- with all sorts of great tools for sharing and empowering people in their daily lives! Steem on.
I like this one.
Hi Ned! (This is a really nice idea btw)... I have a question regarding Steemit Meetups. It seems like IRL gatherings of Steemit community members can be a huge asset... in terms of public visibility / morale / also as a catalyst for collaborations. Does Steemit Inc. have plans to formalize more regular global meetups? Could this be something that the Community feature might play a part in both digitally and physically?
Meetups are great! The more community organized meetups become the better for organizing purposes -- and with Sub-Communities (an upcoming feature) moderators should find incentives to host their own meetups which would make it self-sustaining!
Thanks so much for the reply! Looking forward to the Sub-Communities feature!
Wow this is very informative as me and my fellow Filipino steemians are working out on organizing meetups in the Philippines ;-)) Thank you for the good news and opportunity @ned ;-))
It's wonderful ! With @steemquebec, we want to be a local chapter for the Steem blockchain (and the Steemit community of course !). We already organize Steem and blockchain information session (a course of 1 hour and half on the blockchain ecosystem with a focus on steem) and "pioneer's breakfast" (networking breakfast for newcomers in Steemit) at Montreal, Quebec.
Some other crypto projects that have been received well in the community include Iconomi and Gnosis.
Iconomi take the fees for using their service of providing an index of crypto (like the Dow) that autobalances, along with other sources of revenue. With those fees accrued they then buy back the token, ICN and burn them, reducing the supply and increasing the value of the remaining tokens.
Gnosis is planning a similar 'vesting' mechanism to Steemit. They are releasing a further token called WIZ based on the fees that their service (prediction markets) generate.
Does Steemit Inc have any plans to provide something similar whereby the token will appreciate due to revenue. Some kind of fee for third-party apps or advertising?
Where the increase in users will not only benefit market cap, but also revenue generation. Rather than be an increasing liability in the amount of investment required to sustain the reward pool?
Thanks :)
I believe I commented on this somewhere here:
Take all the operations of the Steem blockchain: account creation; transfers, etc. Suppose a fee were added to the operation -- that would create revenue. Creating revenue at the application layer (ie. advertisements) for the blockchain layer is a more challenging matter.
what if... add fee to each transfer of STEEM, but leave SBD transfers without fees?
What about a smart contract splitting revenue. Something similar to what busy wants to implement using steem connect?
Like an eBay for Steemit where the app developer takes a % and another amount is sent to the null account?
Entirely possible with the blockchain, no?
Are there some new upcoming futures soon? Do you have fun on the site?
Woah I made more money on this comment than almost all of my posts hahaha Thank you!
Yes I do. I read everything on here!
Coming up we have:
Sign up overhaul for higher conversion and easier access
SteemConnect(2.0) to make development of new apps easy and fun!
Sub-communities to empower entrepreneurs to grow content niches into massive, but focused little hives of steemers
Mobile to improve accesibility, UX and security across Steemit and other Steem apps
When are you going to join me for 20 questions? ;)
Wade,--- this is an AMA -- ASK ME ANY 20 Questions lol
Do you plan developing user issued assets?
Do you think that allowing UIA and providing competition for the SBD would help Steem and STEEM?
Would you ever consider abolishing SBD in the current form if you'd see a better token by the wisdom of the crowd?
UIAs are neat! -- The Steem blockchain has no limitations and iterates quickly thanks to DPoS. UIAs are one of those things that to me seems slightly out of focus today, but the community could find interest in the feature over time. For instance, it could allow someone to issue a TETHER asset and trade it against SBD. That would be interesting! SBD itself is an attempt to grasp one of the holy grails of crypto -- stability in parity with the U S D. It's always been an experiment I believe. So if there's something better out there, let me know!
hi @ned Hi ned !when you change the Steemit interface and make it more welcoming?
Let's keep focusing on getting the platform's conversion and engagements roadblocks cleared in the short run -- and in time we'll see some big shifts in UX and design! Steem on
One Comment: Go Steem and Ned
Two questions:
Is there a plan for some exciting steemit news in the near future to help jumpstart the steem price?
Any chance that gaming will meet steem/steemit? Either games on this site or having steem integrated into other games, I started a proposal:
https://steemit.com/growth-ideas/@whatageek/growth-idea-video-games-ya-that-needed-all-caps-p-a-two-path-suggestion
I'm onboard for some mainstream steem action.
From Steemit.chat #price:
Will Steemit inc continue to be more visible on Steemit and communicate with its user base as well as general public?
I feel as though there has been a bit of a disconnect, but within the last month vast improvements.
I very much enjoyed @vandeberg answering questions on a recent steemitblog post. Things like that are very much appreciated, as well as this AMA. Thanks!
Can you share any details on the ownership model for communities? Is it going to be mini-dictatorships like Reddit, and more importantly can the ownership rights to a community be transferred?
Moderators will be the owners of the @account namespace -- they'll have the ability to set rules for how people use the namespace as far as posting and sharing rewards -- the result should be many, many niche marketing experiments, and self-sustaining, high growth communities . As for ownership -- just as accounts may be transferred/sold today -- communities will operate by the same set of rules
So it's one community per user account, or a separate account system?
Thanks for answering!
Okay, I have to ask this one: Will you PLEASE be a guest on our podcast some weekend? @steemittalk
One day! pm me
PM sent on Steemit.chat!
You just made my week! :-)
That will be freaking epic!
This!
Are you open to the idea of selling Steemit Inc. to a larger company, i.e. an aquisition? If not, why not? And if so, can you make any promises to the Steemit community about continuity of the vision?
Right now we think keeping the company private is good for innovation like Coinbase or Blockchain.info. hopefully we can continue to crush the space as we've been doing!.... I don't think I could sell any piece of it without ensuring the vision is continuous. --
Space crushers, ahoy! Sounds smart, and it's good to have this on the record. Thanks for your reply, and for doing this AMA. 🙂 👍 💯
Great question. We would also be interested in the possibility of an Open Source Organization running as a non-profit.
Thanks. It's my understanding that this really is about profit though. I've seen your org around, will follow you guys to see what's up. 😋
Thanks!
Can I pick one!
3 . We have 17 full time contractors and employees -- and a bunch of other awesome people helping out!
We're focusing on roadblocks that we can move to improve conversion, developer experience and reengagements. Specifically - Sign up flow, Steem Connect 2.0, Sub-communities and Mobile
That was the angle I was taking, hoping you'd nab at least 1. Thanks for the response!
What do you mean when you say improve conversion?
Traffic to new user conversion
Do you believe STEEM will ever reach the $4 mark again?
I believe it has much more potential than $4 Steemit is not the only place where Steem will be used in the future.
No question Ned. Just wanted to say thanks for doing an AMA on steemit. I think this is something that more prominent steemit inc. members should do.
@ned, if you had a chance to describe what SteemIt is not using any of the following: Reddit, medium , Twitter , or F.B how would you describe it ? Thanks for doing this!
That's a tough one! What should I begin with? The internet is this thing that..... ;0)
I like the idea of 'real social media' .
Ask you anything? Alright.
Will you loan me $500?
Without interest.
And without me paying it back.
Ever.
(Won't know if you don't ask, amirite?)
:D
If it were me you were asking, the answer would be: Hmmm!?
haha, I'll ask anyone!
I don't necessarily expect to get a positive answer, but it never hurts to ask! :D
Steemconnect.com
:D
Edit; the joke about Bitconnect doesn't translate well when there already is a real SteemConnect. :D
It's one of those "I'm not actually being serious unless you'd actually give me money" situations.
Hey Ned!
What takes up most of your time as Steemit CEO?
It changes each day! but often emails! and the rest is invested in organizing the team -- strategizing -- recruiting -- finance -- product -- meetings -- travel. And sometimes.... AMA's :-)
Hi Ned!
There is your office?
Great initiative! When do we have Steemfest 2.0?
Let's ask @roelandp! I believe and hope he will organize this one!
Yes guys working on it! Aiming for October! I will share some of the SteemFest ongoings asap.
Yes! Thank you.
Anything?
Ok: are you fall in love? ^_^
It's a joke, this is my question: from the start to now, are you pleased with Steem and Steemit?
Well, hey, there
^_^
Regarding the second question -- It's the most fun thing I've ever done!
Great! Thanks so much for this answer!! ^_^
Hi Ned, do you know any new information about @freedom account, couple months ago you said you know nothing about it
I still don't know who owns it -- but I've done some analysis and it appears to be someone with meticulous key management habits.
You all are genius and phenomenal for creating this platform. I tried to let others know about this opportunity of earning rewards but they fail to understand and see the potential in this platform. This is a great and easy way of earning rewards and I thank you so much for this brilliant idea!
Please spread the word guys:
done from me
Thanks!
Good call. I retweet.
Thanks mate!
Shared on Reddit too.
Thanks!
#askmeanything #blockchain… twitter.com/i/web/status/8…
Disclaimer: I am just a bot trying to be helpful.
I'm sure there could be some synergistic possibilities between SteemIt Inc. and The Earth Intelligence Network, a 501-3c non-profit, located just 4 hours up the road. PhiBetaIota.net and it's over 80 contributors could bring an immediate 10% boost to the user base, and if your Code is "Solid" there may even be the possibility of doubling and tripling the user base very quickly. The basic functionality of Steem is also superior to WikiTribune which was recently released to fight Fake News. We would be happy to host a conversation @ned.
Thanks -- I've read your posts and watched the videos. The PBI is very interesting
Good Day Mr. Ned! Thank you for interacting with us here. My questions is somewhat self serving, though I believe that it will be a benefit to both myself as well as the Steemit community, should this wish come to fruition... I'm curious to know if you would consider being a guest on the @SteemitTalk podcast? (At your convenience)
I ask as one of the co-hosts, who has been actively marketing Steem/Steemit via a weekly 2+ hour podcast since July 2016, and in that time I've had many Steemit users tell me that they did not feel like they belonged in this community, until they heard our show, and then realized that there was a place for them here among the others on this platform.
We aim to highlight the Users & their content found in this community every week - while steering clear of discussing any gossip or drama found on the site (as much as possible).
I'm also going to ask any fans of STP reading this to please upvote this comment - in an attempt to show support if you think it would be a good idea for Ned to guest on the show!
Kind Regards & Thank you for your efforts in building this platform & community. Cheers!
I HIGHLY SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE!
We as a community need to be very supportive of the people who support SteemIt. We need to do more of it!
We definitely need to see @ned on Steemit Talk Podcast, not sure why this hasn't happened yet.
How much does a 100% vote from you reward comments? ;)
:D
Hello ned three questions:
1 - Yes -- keep up the great work! Are you a professional developer?
2 - I'm all-in on Steemit and I love it! Lo
3 - Great idea - I think this would work well with a Steem DAO for development, which there's a been a bit of talk about lately
Yes I'm a full time unicorn, which means i do everything from mobile, web, and back end. But i don't limit my self to just those I'm also a designer as well which you can find plenty of my work in my post.
Also that's great to hear about the DAO's hope to see much from the community this summer.
Oddly i never got a notification that i had a reply to this....
What is your expansion plan? Especially in countries dont speak English for example Turkey.
Don't ask what Steemit can do for you, ask what you can do for Steem community :)
For example, you can help translate steem.io to Turkish, since sources of this website were just released :)
Will you go on my sister's podcast @votu and do an interview?
Sad that beanz has cancelled Votu until further notice.
It will be back soon I hear.
Hi @ned - this is really fun! Thanks for doing it :)
From above:
Cool, thanks!
First of all I would like to take this rare opportunity to say thank you for providing all of us this fantastic platform that brought me many enjoyable hours (and also a little bit of money).
Concerning my question, of course I would be very curious to know the Steem price in 2 years, but even you are no clairvoyant ... :)I know that we users are essential as well, as we fill your community with "life" and content, but first of all there must be somebody who had the idea and who initiated everything ... and that was you! :)
Therefore lets keep it simple: Do you know how to play chess?
I wonder why so far you never ever have solved any of my chess challenges!? :-)
Does Steemit.inc plan on spending big money on advertising when the time is right?
Growth. Growth. Growth. Let's do the right things, and be as effective and efficient in our timing and with our marketing budgets as we can.
Good answer.
Hi @ned, I really want to thank you for the great work you've done to create this platform that has personally changed my life!... My question is: do you have a STEEMIT BLOG or STEEMIAN favorite?
Do you like any particular writer?
Parents never admit to having favourites!
I couldn't say - I have too many
Are there any plan to introduce a revenue model in steem ? How do you create steady demand for the steem token?
Hmmm. Take a look at all of the operations of STEEM -- for instance transactions, account creation, etc. Are there any that you'd like to add a fee to? That could be one of the easiest ways to introduce a "revenue" model.
Free transactions is one of the main selling point so no.
I was referring to promoted content similar to promoted tweet on twitter, see this post https://steemit.com/steem/@snowflake/a-twitter-like-revenue-model-could-be-applied-to-steemit-busy or user promoted content but more meaningful than a promoted tab that no one is looking at.
Users should be able to pay for their content to go viral.
Basically ways to offset the inflation by burning steem or simply ways to create demand for steem aside from speculation which ultimately won't cut it...
Communities should cost something to create. It's a feature that will have a lot of demand so people are also willing to pay for it. I've been thinking that maybe something like 20-50 dollars worth of steem could be a good price for a community.
@ned thank you for steemit :)
Well, we're all Original Steemit Gangstas (OSGs) here
First of all Congratulations Ned for giving us STEEMIT. A truly AWESOME Platform. My questions are very simple. What actually do you want to do with STEEMIT? ...and 2. How far are you willing to let it go? Thanks @ned. Stephen
Stephen, let's build a global online city --- where people share, support, transact, drum up businesses and live out their dreams. We will go all the way.
"We will go all the way." That is music to my ears. Will do our best in the U.K. getting the message out. Thanks Ned and all the very best with what I believe will become an Epic Global Platform..!! Stephen
... with @mindhunter bringing up the UK rear :)) I got your back Stephen!
Hi @ned, what are your expectations or wishes from the community? In other words: What can we do for you?
Embrace sub-communities, bring your network in, make your voice heard, give your feedback, and enjoy yourself!
Thanks for your reply. I'm enjoying myself here more than in any other online-community I've been before. I'm also doing my best to bring this platform forwards by creating original content, engaging in sub-communities and telling my network (outside of steemit) about it. Maybe I should use the #feedback tag more often, though. Communication is essential in a social-network, isn't it?
Yes :)
This is a Great question imo!
Hey @ned ,
Can you explain the reward pool, why it is low, and when you think it will return to the levels it used to be?
Thanks!
The last hardfork reset some of the reward pool calculations in the Steem blockchain unexpectedly. Luckily, the pool is recovering quickly and rewards are being distributed to the deserving authors again! Steem on
Thanks for the memo @ned
Would you PLEASE consider SteemFest 2017 in Sunny California?
You are a genius @ned, I admire so much your work. Um abraço!
@ned are there currently plans to see the escrow transfer function on steemit.com UI? Also, are there regulations making it difficult to have a fiat to STEEM gateway?
What's your favourite novel?
The Long Walk: A Trek to Freedom
by Slavomir Rawicz
https://www.amazon.com/Long-Walk-True-Story-Freedom-ebook/dp/B003U6HQGW
What's up with it. I'll take a look at it.
Thank you. I'll get the ebook and have a look.
Well, I read it this weekend. Please tell me you don't believe it's a true story. The bit where they walked through the Gobi Desert - in the day time, in the summer, when the temperature could well have been over 40C - for 13 days without water kind of gives it away.
Hi Ned. Who is your favorite classical composer? What is your favorite piece by them?
This may be cliche, but Mozart. I lived in Vienna for a period of time and Mozart was a big influence on my life there.
I particularly like this film about him, "Ammadeus":
:-)Here's a classic piece:
Glad to hear!
https://steemit.com/@mozart
The music genius re-awakens!
Will the REAL @jamesbrown show his face?
I prefer to remain shrouded in mystery...
Am I the real (one and only) James Brown, or not? Perhaps no one will ever know ;)
I'll give you one hint, though: I feel good!
Lol
That will do!
:p
Well all be damn...
@mozart is alive again?
I love that film, not so much based on its historical accuracy but more based on the amazing story and actors. It for sure is on my top five favorite films list if not number one
One of my favourite movies