We are starting with an easy-to-use hosted service that will launch in a few weeks. We are catering to the development community by offering a simple, standardized API that will be easy to use. Privacy is a first-class feature, and Tent is specifically designed to be usable by high-risk activists[1] and people in countries that block other social networks.

[1] http://liberationtech.tumblr.com/post/13377461578/how-the-ne...

I don't mean this in a cruel way (I'd really like this to succeed), but that's a list of features, not a plan for getting adoption.

Figuring out how to bootstrap network effects is critical.

You're right-- Our plan is to get the protocol and reference server functioning for general use. We're mindful of the notes made here: http://liberationtech.tumblr.com/post/13377461578/how-the-ne.... We have some thoughts on adoption tactics and strategy, but the master plan is still under development. All insights are welcome.

edit: wow, wrong link.

Twitter and LinkedIn are successful in distinct niches from Facebook. Companies and privacy-conscious people apart from activists (Germans?) may also be interested in a social network that lets them own their information.

I think you had the wrong URL in your clipboard :)

A hosted service, extremely simple APIs and libraries, and some really great end-user clients will go a long way. Make it easy, in other words, and don't make it technical (except for the people who want it to be).

Having a good product is necessary, but far from sufficient.