On hyperlocal: I like your example of your high school’s website, because that builds around a community that already exists. I think the hyperlocal enthusiasts are overestimating how much people care about their local areas. Yes, we all need to do local “jobs” — find dentists, child care, good restaurants — but beyond that, who gives a #$$%? Most people move so frequently and have very shallow roots in their communities, and in the suburbs, of course, we mostly commute to other communities where we work.

That said, I live in a community that was served by BackFence + saw that it does have potential (for eg. finding out when Verizon Fios is coming, or whether there are zoning laws about solar panels), but of course not enough people used the site.

All eyes focused now on LoudounExtra…we’ll see if they can make it work.