Wetpaint First to Launch Person-to-Person and Multi-Person Private Messaging

WetPaint has announced this morning that Wetpaint Wiki users can now send single or multi-person private messages to connect and collaborate with others about their most passionate interests. I was able to grab two quotes from Ben Elowitz, WetPaint CEO:

“When people collaborate, good things happen, whether that collaboration is taking place for the world to see or between two people wishing to have a private dialogue. By empowering users to send private messages, Wetpaint furthers its commitment to providing the easiest and most convenient means for consumers to collaborate online.”

"Publishing on the Web at the speed of thought and collaborating with mass audiences is now in the hands of every consumer."

To send a message to another member, all users have to do is simply click on the member's username and then select “send message.” Additionally, moderators and site creators can send "broadcast-style" messages to every user on their site by simply typing “All Registered Users” in the “To:” line.

Check out my interview with Ben and Kevin Flaherty (head of marketing) from January where we discuss WetPaint and where the Wiki format is moving. My belief is that the Wikipedia look and usability is only just scratching the surface of where Wiki will be going in 2007.