I received this email from the iYomu founder today. Most people probably haven’t heard of iYomu, it is a social network founded in New Zealand, but targeting an international audience. They gained some coverage in New Zealand technology circles, by offering $1,000,000 to anyone who could complete a set of 10 quiz questions after signing up to the site.
The questions were pretty difficult and I only managed to get to the second or third tier of questioning, relying heavily on Google and Wikipedia to get that far.
In a way that makes this closure sad; even the offer of a million dollars can only keep your site operational for a year. Perhaps closures in the current economic environment are a sign of the difficult times we are facing.
Here is the letter:
Dear iYomu Member,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMJ4S6PMXFA
As the founder of iYomu and now the official closer I thought I would send you a movie clip that sums up many of the conversations that have taken place in this online community filled with Americans, Canadians, New Zealanders and Australians + 100 other countries.
For almost one year iYomu seemed to make the world a smaller place where 100 000 people came together and found a common space where grown-ups could meet, greet, debate and share interests. Yet it is not only people who rule the world, but money does too. We tried, we thrived and then we died.
As the lights will officially go out in the iYomu community on the 28th of June 2008 I remind you all to take all the material from your vaults and other places such as the email system as this material will soon be deleted.
I send you my best wishes and the wishes from all of those involved in the project.
Take care
David Wolf-Rooney
www.iyomu.com
