Appleton teen launches answer to Facebook

2:00pm Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

Sean Gilchrist Sean Gilchrist

AN APPLETON teenager is bidding to become the next Mark Zuckerberg after launching his own social networking website.

Friend Pad has been created by Sean Gilchrist, aged 16, of High Warren Close, Appleton.

He designed and programmed the website after spotting ‘holes’ in Facebook.

“I thought I’d develop a new way to get in touch with my friends and family.

“Facebook could have features like profile videos, dislike buttons, a better use of Youtube.

“My mum says I’ve always been quite talented at IT and I thought creating a website is more relaxed than getting a Saturday job.

Sean began doing web design in September, creating an online shop for a friend.

Friend Pad was started in February, sketches and doodles turning into two weeks of programming and design.

Nine days after its launch Sean says he got a £9,000 offer to buy Friend Pad.

He says he has since received a £17,000 offer, but does not want to sell.

“I didn’t mean for it to be successful, it was just for my friends.

“Then I got this big offer which was really shocking.

“I thought if it’s worth £9,000 after nine days what might it be worth in a year.

“I don’t know where I’m going to take it, I just want it to be unique.”

Comments(8)

moleogod says...
2:28pm Fri 22 Mar 13

joining

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wire_girl007 says...
3:20pm Fri 22 Mar 13

I have just created an account, but i am unable to log in to it.

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HappyMisery says...
4:06pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Great work. I'm not on facebook because the user experience and safety comes second to advertising and games. I'm sure that a reliable alternative would be welcome and learning from the gaps in Facebook is a great way to start. Good luck!!!

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Melonfish says...
5:00pm Fri 22 Mar 13

well done for the enterprise but expect facebook's army of solicitors to pick over it with a fine tooth comb!

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warrington_biker says...
8:51pm Fri 22 Mar 13

Well done.. but I think its ironic you have a facebook page to promote/advertise FriendPad.

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MikeJT says...
7:05am Sat 23 Mar 13

warrington_biker wrote:
Well done.. but I think its ironic you have a facebook page to promote/advertise FriendPad.
Then again, there are loads of twitter pages on F/Book. Well done to the founder though. Once again it shows not all teenagers are hoodie-wearing-troub
le-makers

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Chip Hazard says...
11:55am Sat 23 Mar 13

1) You need to apply an SSL certificate. Even a less experienced hacker will be able to steal identities on a site without encryption.

2) I would also make sure your background photo's are royalty free.

3) Change the name and get a .com address. Internic currently gives out your family address with it being a co.uk.

4) Eventually (if it really takes off) you'll have to either host the site yourself or find somebody else to do this. Your current host won't like the potential bandwidth this site could be using in the months/years to come.

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MarkK1875 says...
10:55am Thu 28 Mar 13

This is news?

He's took Joomla! and installed a social plugin... "programmed" indeed.

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