I hadn't heard that LiveJournal was sold. Apparently a Russian company called SUP bought it and will set up an operation in SF. They got the property and its faithful baby bloggers for an undisclosed sum.
Six Apart CEO Chris Alden says it's about focus and Six Apart growing up. I know and like Chris, but that sounds kinda lame, although it also rings true. LiveJournal was MySpace before MySpace was MySpace, and apparently that's the point. The kids have run off to greener social networking pastures, or at least that's the thinking.
Canter and Semple feel creeped out about it.
The thing is that Russian bloggers have found a home on LiveJournal (ala Orkut with the Brazilians). That gives some context for the sale, as does the fact that SUP has been managing LiveJournal for over a year: "The Russian LiveJournal community is second only to the U.S. in number of accounts. There are about 14 million Live Journal users. SUP now represents 28% of the total LiveJournal monthly audience."
I mean guys, it's not like the Russians invaded Six Apart and ran off with the family jewels. And it's not like SixApart sold LJ to AOL or something. SUP was already involved. Users who didn't like it had a year to move. I've seen worse treatment. (COUGHweblogs.comCOUGH).
The thing is, sooner or later the pull of enterprise 2.0 will become irresistible for web companies that will have to grow up and find a sustainable business model (like beyond pay-per-click ads) and a revenue stream that supports salaries and office space and benefits for The Team.
Not all of the web can stay young and hot forever.
That means you'll likely see more of your very-good-best-friend webcos divest themselves of their non-core offerings as they hone in on providing Value to the New Old Boss.
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