Inside the Mind of an Internet Marketer

I have been thinking about writing this post for a week or so now, since the launch of Pownce. What is Pownce?  Here is how their website describes their service:

"Pownce is a way to send stuff to your friends. What kind of stuff? You can send just about anything: music, photos, messages, links, events, and more. You can do it all on our web site, or install our lightweight desktop software that lets you get out of the browser."

Ok, so basically, it allows you to share files and info.  WOW!  What a revolution!  AND for only $20 a year, you can pay to have them remove the ads on the site!

Now, think about this for a minute.  I can send files, links, and more.  Does email not do this? Does IM not do this?  I have not actually tried the site but I have read a lot of reviews of the site trying to glean some info on why this site is really worth my time.  The best argument for Pownce that I read was from Mashable who does agree that they are only a souped up IM service, although I just don't see how Pownce can "blow you away". Apparently this site is so cool, people are buying the free memberships off of Ebay.  Come on people, have we really come to this?

Many people are excited with the ability to segment messages and the sending of files by categories and contact lists.  Anybody ever use email programs?  I mean come on - this is nothing new or spectacular, nor does it do anything that I can't already do by just being logged into my free Yahoo account with IM built into my browser.

I have looked at a lot of these new site launches with some apprehension but when I looked at this one, it sent me over the edge.  I think everyone needs to take a minute to really think about these sites that are basically just created by a team who uses the name of someone who has great creditilbility - in this case Kevin Rose - and then marketed as the answer to all of your problems.  To me, it only increases my problems because it gives me a new account that I have to manage, a new website I have to log into, and more time that is wasted on an activity that used to be handled via a quick email.

Am I crazy or does anyone think there are too many new websites that just seem a bit over-hyped due to the celebrity nature of one of its founders and yet another way to waste away our time?