In case you didn't notice, hiptop.com launched this weekend, and it is looking pretty snazzy. Check it out if you haven't already.

Along with news, forums and other goodies, they have a "hiplogs" section which allows you to run a weblog easily from your hiptop. Naturally, this has led some folks to ask what will happen to this site. Let me take this opportunity to lay things out for everyone.

As indicated in the disclaimer on this site, Hiptop Nation continues to not be affiliated with Danger, Inc. And as stated in the hiptop.com welcome message, I am lending a hand with some hiptop.com stuff. However, Hiptop Nation remains its own independent entity.

The key word being "remains" - Hiptop Nation is not going anywhere. There are quite a few differences between the two blogging systems, so there is no reason for Hiptop Nation to retire.

The biggest difference, as I see it, is the communal nature of Hiptop Nation. Yes, you can use it as a personal blogging system via the [°|°] link, but every post is woven into one giant tapestry of experiences from across the country (eventually, around the world). That is what you see when you come to the front page of Hiptop Nation, and I think this communal interaction is the most interesting aspect of Hiptop Nation.

There are other differences, too. The hiptop.com system requires you to use your tmail.com email account. Hiptop Nation doesn't. At hiptop.com you can go back and edit posts. You can't do that here yet.

Another difference some people seem concerned about has to do with the ownership of posts. In the hiptop.com usage agreement, you grant Danger nonexclusive rights to whatever you post. Here, you retain full ownership of whatever you post (if I want to use something posted here, I'll just ask your permission first). I'll add some official language to that effect to the "about" section when I get a chance. I do want to point out that at hiptop.com Danger claims nonexclusive rights - this doesn't mean that Danger "owns" your posts, but rather you also retain rights to your posts and both you and Danger can do whatever you want with that material (I am sure some lawyer in the audience will correct me if I am wrong). This is pretty standard legal boilerplate for most sites with user contributions. Still, it is not an agreement for everyone, so those people can rest easy knowing Hiptop Nation is still here for them and will not attempt to claim any rights on their prose or pictures.

Yet another reason Hiptop Nation is sticking around: I can't post to the hiptop.com hiplogs! Since I only have a beta test device, I don't have an @tmail.com account to use. So unless they change the system, I can't post there and all other beta testers and probably some Danger employees are stuck with Hiptop Nation :)

I'm sure plenty of other differences will emerge over time. Not being a corporate entity, I have a little more freedom to try new and offbeat things here. With an actual paid staff, hiptop.com hiplogs will no doubt come up with some cool features and ideas. Variety, diversity - these are the things that make life interesting.

Best of all, since they are both based on email submissions, it's easy to contribute to both if you just can't decide ;)

e you later,
mikepop