Busy.org vs. chainBB: New ways to surf the blockchain!

This is my first post using chainBB, and I have to say, I'm thoroughly impressed! @jesta has done a fantastic job in creating a useable platform. Though only in beta, and missing large channels of content from Steemit.com (though this may be a good thing for the time being) chainBB feels like a finished project.

I recently posted a blog from the @busy platform, and was also impressed with the functionality and feel of Busy.org. So how do these two stack up against each other, and against Steemit.com? In many ways, comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges. Busy is set up more like a social media platform, where chainBB is set up as a forum.

I think though, that there are 3 key factors that are important to the average Steemit user: Ease of Use, Content Discovery and Publicity, and User Interaction. In other words, is it easy to use? Is it easy to discover content that is interesting to me and for others to discover my content? And how do I interact with other users?

So, while the platforms are inherently different the mechanisms for accomplishing these 3 goals can be compared somewhat objectively.

Ease of Use

Ease of Use is the most difficult factor to quantify. What one user finds intuitive, may trip another up.

ChainBB has a bit of an advantage in that the forum model is one that will be familiar to most internet users, and @jesta has not departed too far from the traditional. Navigation is fairly straightforward. The only difficulty I noticed right off the bat is deciding where to post content that did not seem to be relevant to the existing available categories. I'd be interested to hear the rationale behind the selection/creation of certain categories over others. For example, if a user wanted to post about #life (which aside from #steemit is probably the largest category on Steemit.com) there is not an obvious place to do that. This may be intentional and may be a factor of scale too, but I anticipate that broader categories are coming soon. The only other feature I'm missing is a preview mode. I use markdown when I write, and currently I'm flying blind.

Busy.org may have the steepest learning curve of them all. The model (UI) is not as intuitive, mainly because it is unique. It also has a more sophisticated set of features. In some cases, I have noticed my posts, particularly my most recent one take a very long time to publish. I suspect this is a product of Busy also still being in Beta.

Regardless, I think many users will agree that, familiarity aside, both platforms are an improvement over Steemit.com.

Content Discovery

Content Discovery is what turns new users into regular users. Most new users will spend some time reading existing content before they ever make a post of their own. If they discover content that interests them on a regular basis, they will continue using the platform and (hopefully) contribute to it.

ChainBB's use of the forum model means that users will be able to interact with content for a longer period of time than they would with a social media model. Relevant content is more easily searchable, continued discussion is rewarded, and navigation is easy to understand. Having said that, there is the question of whether users that typically digest content via platforms like Medium and Facebook will use a forum model for content discovery in the first place. The use of the blockchain is a new trick for a forum platform, but one has to question if the forum itself is becoming an outdated concept. I would be interested to hear @jesta's thoughts on this. For new users seeking more publicity for their content, the platform definitely gives them a better chance of being seen, especially if their content is evergreen.

Busy.org packages content in a more trendy, modern vehicle, but due to the nature of the platform, content becomes outdated much quicker. It also takes quite a bit of clicking around to discover "new" content from those you are not following. Tags that see less use (i.e. not #steemit or #life) won't get as much traction and are harder to interact with. This could continue some of the problems we see with lack of diversity in content. The idea of separating into channels is good for users that are interested in specific topics, but for general content discovery, it creates silos that make it difficult to find exciting new ideas. This is a disadvantage for a new user, as their content will be drowned out by users that have a bigger following and will be harder to discover by accident. Some of the best writers like @stellabelle, @thecryptofiend, @kyriacos, and @donkeypong might never have been discovered under a system like this.

Steemit.com's current model actually works quite well for discovering new content, but like Busy.org, content becomes irrelevant very quickly.

User Interaction

Currently, Busy seems to be the only platform that allows users to send direct messages. This feature is one that had formerly been occupied by Steemit.chat (sidenote: where is everyone talking to each other now?), but Busy incorporates it into the platform quite nicely. This feature places Busy hands-down at the top of the deck when it comes to User Interaction.

ChainBB creates more of a discussion than Steemit.com, but still makes it difficult for one-on-one interaction. The forum model contributes to more of a dialogue-feel than Steemit, and I think creates a better sense of community.

Steemit.com is pretty atrocious when it comes to interacting with other users. Talking to an individual Steemit user means either making a transfer with a memo, or speaking publicly on a post or reply that may not even be related to what you want to talk about.

Conclusion

Again, I know that it is difficult to make a fair comparison between the two platforms, but I hope my points are helpful for @jesta and the @busy team and to users that are considering trying them out. Either way, it is fantastic to see the level of innovation that we are seeing on the Steemit blockchain and the multitude of options that are coming available. This is incredible out-of-the-box thinking and this kind of environment can only propel STEEM forward.