Flickhoppr and Micro Social Networks

Is there a place for microsocial networks? Flickhoppr appears to think so. The idea behind this interesting company is that college students will want to share DVDs with others on their very own campus. Essentially, it's bit torrent without the bit bit. You list and rate the DVDs you own, and then browse the lists of others on your campus. You can even confine a search to your dorm so you don't have to go outside on a rainy Thursday night to catch a flick.

Here's an explanatory video for the concept (though it was under a different name at the time the video was made:



The current supported school list heavily Pennsylvania in representation:

California University of Pennsylvania
Penn State University
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
University of Maryland
Drexel University
Duquesne University
Juniata College
Virginia Tech
Washington and Jefferson College
Mount Aloysius College
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Point Park University
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Virginia University
University of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Mellon University
Indian institute of Technology

You can watch their techcrunch 60 second below:



Whaddaya think? To me, this appears to be one of a growing number of start ups not shooting for the moon or a billion dollar valuation but rather a way to make a decent buck meeting a well defined, discrete need. As such it may be a more realistic business model than the flocks in the valley shooting for a billion dollar valuation.

They've added some interesting additions -- a facebook app and an SMS service that alters you when any vid you have has been requested by someone.

A nifty little idea that I would've found very appealing had there actually been DVDs when I was in college. ;-)