Posted by anthonys@xidey.com at 3/4/08 9:21 a.m.

Interesting. What's the revenue model? Referral Fees? Sponsorships? Advertising?

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 9:25 a.m.

What a crazy idea! Nyucknyucknyuck

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 9:32 a.m.

The revenue model is interesting to ponder. The marketplace is potentially huge. Everything from advertising to research referrals could bring in dough.

A searchable database of the DSM alone is a valuable endeavor.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 9:34 a.m.

Eraker is one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs in Seattle.

Posted by savank at 3/4/08 10:21 a.m.

You can always leave it up to David for revolutionary thoughts! -- Savan

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 10:42 a.m.

Should be interesting to see what comes out of this. Based on Eraker's history disrupting the real-estate space, I expect fireworks among mental-health professionals soon!

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 10:57 a.m.

Vertical plays in health are the best way to create value for consumers. Mindsite is a solid concept.

Compare mindsite's approach to former health 2.0 darling (for reporters) was organizedwisdom which dropped the idea of being for all-health-topics, blaming rampant "spamming". Spam wasn't the OW problem; it's that they stood for nothing.

Revolution Health, rumors have it, is on the ropes for blowing tons of cash and showing little in the way of true community development or competitive differentiation with webmd. Why? They stand for nothing.

Consumers don't want to be lumped together like herded cattle: pregnancy questions don't belong in the same place as mental disorder discussions. Sites that stand for a targeted set of needs will flourish. If I was a local investor I'd be working Eraker to get into the deal.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 12:47 p.m.

Eraker is a genius. I have known him for a long time and the guy is a great talent. People forget that HE founded Redfin. He did so with an incredible passion to change the real estate industry. Redfin faced a lot of obstacles before its funding and Eraker's resolve pulled it through. It is great to see him back in action.

B

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 4:21 p.m.

Oh John, when will you stop cow-towing to the establishment in town and report the real news. How 'bout the truth behind Redfin, which is how Madrona tossed our the entire founding team and replaced them with their hand picked team of "experienced" executive.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 4:29 p.m.

#104703...whatever the real story is, you still can't argue with success. Kelman has done a nice job of moving the chains, wouldn't you say.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/4/08 7:15 p.m.

I like the name. Very interesting to read from their blog about the process they took in choosing the name. Wonder how much they paid to acquire the domain from its previous owner?

Posted by unregistered user at 3/5/08 2:20 p.m.

Kelman certainly has done a fine job, from what we can tell looking in from the outside. I'm sure any one of a number of people could have done a fine job or better than Mark Zuckerburg at Facebook. The point is that John Cook spends so much time kissing up to his sources in the community that he misses out of some very news worthy items, e.g., the ousting of the entire founding team at Redfin before they had a chance to prove themselves, the mess at Isilon and how Madrona contributed to it, etc. There is a funny line in journalism; when you become so reliant on a few sources that you are no longer objective, that means you cross the line. As someone with quite a bit of knowledge regarding what is happening around town, I find it somewhat amazing that John isn't able to or isn't willing to tell the entire story.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/5/08 8:50 p.m.

Guarantee Eraker could be doing a better job at Redfin today vs. Kellman. That's the way the Seattle VC system works though. Write a check and then bring in a 'so called' experienced executive. Redfin is going no where fast. Good luck to David. Word of advice....go after angel money this time. Stay way from Seattle VC money!!!

Posted by David Eraker at 3/6/08 10:58 a.m.

John – first off, thanks for introducing Mindsite. We are excited about the global nature of the project and feel strongly about helping people with our efforts.

Second, I can wholly assure the commenter on this blog that I would not be doing a better job than Glenn Kelman leading Redfin. I worked for Glenn for over a year after our venture financing and learned a great deal from him both personally and professionally. In reference to another anonymous comment, the founding team was not ousted by Madrona. Co-founders Michael Dougherty and David Selinger - exceptionally talented individuals who are both leading their own startups now - left Redfin when we ran out of funds after running on fumes for quite some time prior to venture financing. As an inexperienced and mediocre manager, I take full responsibility for our cash strapped past. Ultimately, we are happy with how things have turned out in the end and would recommend that any entrepreneurs consider working with the team at Madrona.

Posted by unregistered user at 3/7/08 8:44 a.m.

#105084 sounds like you have great insight and scoop that is "the story behind teh story" We would love to hear more. Are you posting this anywhere?

There are so many people that complain about John's postings and that there are so many more interesting things going on...write about it and we will read. Pretty simple.

Posted by dave-schappell at 3/11/08 10:08 a.m.

Hey David -- first, huge congratulations on MindSite -- I love the idea, and the implementation -- wish you the best.

Second -- love your reply -- I was wondering what your take was on the whole thing, and the rapid transparency (and logged-in comment/reply) was refreshing.

Onward!

Posted by davelosh at 3/11/08 9:00 p.m.

please, what are David Eraker's credentials to administer:

When it comes to mental health, people receive very different information and treatments depending on which professionals they see. It's been very confusing…until now.

With Mindsite, patients and professionals can share information about what works and what doesn't to make better decisions about mental health.

When you target the mentally challenged you are showing your true colors as a con man and swindler. What depths some men, usually white men, will sink for money.

I want a reply you twit.

Posted by unregistered user at 6/25/08 5:01 p.m.

Well, there's some useful input. You might want to check out mindsite's section on Intermittent Explosive Disorder. You can access the whole DSM-IV, take a diagnostic survey, and even seek the help of an entire community of users. Sure, it appears David wants to make some money. That's business. But empowering people with mental health problems with more information seems like a mostly honest venture. Doctors and pharmaceutical companies make a lot of money on the "mentally challenged," but are they con men and swindlers. Actually, maybe they are. Enter the usefulness of mindsite.