Plaxo was an online address book and social networking service designed to automatically update online contact information stored on its servers. Whenever a user edited their contact information, the updates automatically appeared in the address books of connections who also saved the information, ensuring that contact details were always current.
Functionality and Features
Automatic Updating
One of Plaxo’s standout features was its ability to synchronize and automatically update contact information across multiple platforms. This ensured that contacts stayed current without manual effort from the user.
Integration with Email Clients
Plaxo offered seamless integration with popular email clients such as Microsoft Outlook and Google Mail, allowing users to synchronize their address book with their email contacts effortlessly.
Social Networking
Although primarily an address book, Plaxo included social networking features. Users could connect with friends, colleagues, and other acquaintances, sharing updates on their contact information and professional experience.
Historical Context
Plaxo was founded by Sean Parker, the co-founder of Napster, in 2002. The company quickly gained traction by addressing a common problem: the difficulty of keeping an address book up-to-date as contacts changed jobs, email addresses, and phone numbers.
In its early years, Plaxo experienced controversies related to user privacy and email practices. Despite this, the service grew, attracting millions of users due to its unique value proposition. In 2008, Plaxo was acquired by Comcast, and it gradually transformed its services until it ceased operations.
Timeline
- 2002: Founded by Sean Parker.
- 2008: Acquired by Comcast.
- Post-2008: Service transformations and eventual cessation.
Applicability
Plaxo was particularly useful for professionals who needed to maintain an extensive list of contacts, such as business developers, networkers, and salespeople. Its automatic update feature ensured that users always had the most current contact information without needing to manually update each contact entry.
Comparisons with Other Services
Plaxo vs. LinkedIn
While both Plaxo and LinkedIn catered to professional networking:
- Plaxo was more focused on keeping contact information current.
- LinkedIn emphasized professional networking, job searching, and displaying professional credentials and achievements.
Plaxo vs. Google Contacts
- Plaxo offered automatic updates across users, which was its unique selling proposition.
- Google Contacts provides a basic contact management system without the automatic update feature.
Related Terms
- Social Networking: Platforms that allow users to create profiles and connect with others.
- Contact Management System (CMS): Software that manages and updates contact information.
- Synchronization: The process of ensuring that data across different sources remains consistent and up-to-date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Was Plaxo free to use?
Yes, Plaxo offered a free version with basic features and a premium version with additional functionalities.
Q2: What happened to Plaxo?
After being acquired by Comcast in 2008, the service underwent several changes and eventually ceased operations.
Q3: How did Plaxo address privacy concerns?
Plaxo implemented various privacy controls and settings, allowing users to manage how their information was shared and who could access it.
Summary
Plaxo was a pioneering service in the realm of online address books and social networking that automated the updating of contact information, thus solving a critical problem for many professionals and networkers. Despite its eventual discontinuation, Plaxo’s approach to synchronizing contact information remains influential in the development of modern-day contact management systems.
References
- Sean Parker’s Biography.
- Historical context by TechCrunch.
- Comparative analysis from PCMag.
By understanding Plaxo, its functionalities, and its historical context, one can appreciate the influence it had on the development of current online address books and social network services.
