It's interesting how these guys got so much traction in so little time, even when in private beta:

http://traffic.alexa.com/graph?&w=400&h=220&o=f&...;

While the future of flattr is still TDB - I wonder what the problem with tipjoy was that they didn't have similar spikes - not enough emphasis on traction/getting the idea out or not enough iteration on the idea when they didn't have traction?

Just goes to show, you need to know who your customers are and how to reach them effectively and efficiently - and in the end that's the harder thing compared to building a great service.