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"We don't build our products with the notion that people are always online," he says."The stuff that is urgent and comes via text, instant messages and e-mail is not the most precious." He says the most valued user-generated content-personal accounts and photos-can be accessed any time.
What's important is that they're safely stored and easy to get to when the time is right.
"There isn't deep meaning in instant communication.”Tariq Kim, chief executive of French personal portal site company NetVibes, also doesn't buy into the always-on lifestyle.
"Remember, all these social sites exist to help us potentially meet in real life," he says.
"Being offline and doing nothing is a good thing."Myth No.
3: The way to build a successful social network is to gain users by spreading virally-through friends, acquaintances and address books.
(See "What Makes a Winning Social Network?
")That's too slow for Rosenblatt, now chief executive of Demand Media, a company composed of many niche networks.
"When MySpace was built, the concept was 'pass it on,' and that it'd grow larger and larger.
We're thinking differently." Because Demand's social sites target such small audiences, he thinks it's better to buy than build.
"Nobody wants to start from scratch on a site for people passionate about hiking, so we bought Trails.com." Or wants to go to a party before everyone else shows up.
"We already have ...
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