I wouldn't say it has been accused of being vaporware, but I think the reason some people aren't backing it is because they believe it may just be an API and nothing more (when in fact there's a working proof-of-concept alpha version).

Also, to those that've backed the project and want access to the alpha: email join@app.net and you'll be able to get in. :-)

There were certainly people calling app.net and our API spec vaporware on HN and other places.

The purpose of this post is to showcase the alpha-version of our web service and API to users and developers and to encourage them to check it out. We hope that our work so far will speak for itself and get people excited about join.app.net.

perhaps a few strawmen did?

Facebook most likely.