Dreamwidth

[lavendersparkle]

This is one of those times that I have to admit that I'm not really a geek. I enjoy the company of geeks and admire their ability to know and do stuff other people can't, but really, deep down, I don't know anything about computers, I stopped formal education in science at the age of 16, I just nod along and try to string together phrases I've heard you say so that I don't get found out.

So, Dreamwidth. I get that it's going to be better than LJ and I even understand some of the explanations of why. The thing that's confusing me is that lots of my friends list are begging for invite codes. I missed why invite codes are so exciting. I looked at their website and they say that they're going to sell accounts for $20 a year, which isn't that much. So, do the invite codes get you some extra shiny which I am not l33t enough to be aware of, or is it just an 'I want to be so l33t that I have a journal up and running a full week before everyone else' thing? Please explain.

Comments

[liv]

I think it's a combination of: some people really really don't like paying for anything on the internet (even if it's $3 for a month of paid time which leaves you with a perfectly good free account after it expires). And invite codes let you get set up now rather than waiting for the site to launch fully in a couple of weeks. That's partly wanting to be 133t, but it's also partly wanting to make sure you get "your" username before a squatter or random stranger nabs it.

[lavendersparkle.livejournal.com]

OK. I don't feel so much pressure. I'd be a bit miffed if my name on LJ got swiped, but I can't imagine it appealing to that many other people, except an American girl with celiac disease who spelt it wrong. I'm sure I could think of something else to register as if it got swiped, although I'd probably be less quick to switch over.

[lecabinet.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what you're talking about, but I really want an invite NOW.

[the-alchemist.livejournal.com]

I wanted an invite code to increase my chances of getting a name I really like - they'll go very quickly once the beta is public. I received one today, and my initials were still available so I registered those. I think it's unlikely they would have been by the time I was able to get to a computer on or after 30 April (as that's an important day at work for me).