InfoAnda - France 'Gallic Moan' proves answer to hard times

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Philippines seizes more ammo in the south | | 6 December 2009
US aircraft carrier leads drills with South Korea | 25 July 2010
Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji named 'press freedom hero' | 10 August 2010

Czechs bury anti-communist fighter | | 4 August 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : France 'Gallic Moan' proves answer to hard times

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Search Search: France 'Gallic Moan' proves answer to hard times AFP - Thursday, March 26 PARIS (AFP) - - It's the online answer to a "Gallic Shrug": a tongue-in-cheek French website where people can let off steam about the small miseries of daily life has become a surprise hit export to the United States. ADVERTISEMENT "Vie De Merde" -- which means roughly "Life Sucks" -- was launched 15 months ago around a simple concept: tell the world a one-liner about your day that is guaranteed to give strangers a chuckle. The site's English version, "FMyLife.com" -- "FML" for short -- became an overnight sensation in the two months since its launch, with some 1.7 million people logging on each day, and huge fan groups on Facebook and Twitter. Got dumped by your girlfriend? Humiliated by your boss? Lost your wallet -- or your job -- for the umpteenth time? Here is a place to vent your despair, a collective blog where public grumbling is elevated to an art form. "Today, a kid I coach on a regular basis was talking to me about what I did outside of work," wrote one shame-faced user of the English site. "After we were done with the conversation, she told me with a straight face that I need to get a life and get a boyfriend. She's 10. And she's right. FML." Far from offering sympathy, 2,394 people gleefully clicked on a little button to tell the poor soul: "I Agree, Your Life is F***ed," and 364 to say "You Deserved that One." France has no word for "Schadenfreude" but the success of both sites rides on the bittersweet comfort to be found in other people's misfortunes -- and the therapeutic value of casting oneself as a loser. "Today, I got hired as a temp in the company that laid me off two months ago. VDM," sighed a miserable user of the French site, whose address is www.viedemerde.fr. Launched as a joke by Internet entrepreneurs Maxime Valette, 20, and Guillaume Passaglia, 27, the original French site draws some 200,000 visitors a day and the "VDM" acronym has become part of teen jargon. It has spawned a spin-off book and tie-ups with a French radio station that broadcasts daily nuggets gleaned on the site, and a gossip website that tracks celebrity wardrobe malfunctions and so on in a "VDM" section. -- US advertisers are still wary --But its founders were unprepared for their runaway success in the English-speaking world, where FMyLife.com ranks in the 100 most visited sites and has generated a huge Internet buzz in the United States. "The English version took off so fast we are having trouble keeping up," said Passaglia, a computer scientist from Reims, a provincial town in French Champagne country. While the tone is jovial, the concept of the "serial loser" battered by the travails of daily life is in sync with the changing mood in Europe and across the Atlantic, hit by waves of belt-tightening and soaring unemployment. "We don't get people talking about the economic crisis -- but it seems to have helped that it launched in this climate. The site definitely seems to answer a need for people to come together, perhaps because of the downturn. "And we've received tonnes of emails from people saying how much better the site makes them feel. It turns out people all over the world share the same small miseries, and huge moments of embarrassment." Three full time staff, Passaglia, Valette and their 49-year-old associate Didier Guedj, work up to 16 hours a day to select new posts. "We also get a lot of help from friends, especially for the US site," said Passaglia, whose team lets through about one percent of the 10,000 English submissions it receives daily. "Our editorial line is that a story has to be funny, to be published for the first time, and to have universal appeal." Despite their mass appeal, both sites are still at cottage-industry stage in financial terms. Both funded by advertising, the French site turns a profit of "a few thousand euros" after staff and operating costs, but the burgeoning US version is still a loss-leader. "We may have hundreds of thousands of visitors but that doesn't mean we have hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Passaglia. "US advertisers are still wary because the site is so transgressive. I'm sure we'll break even eventually -- but we want to be careful not to assault users with tonnes of adverts either." "The main thing is we want the site to last, to keep on being fun to develop and to read." With a US book deal in the tubes, and plans for new versions in Spanish, Russian and German, however, the site's young founders claim to receive daily calls offering to buy them out. "But we never take them up," Passaglia said. "VDM is our idea and we want to keep on growing it. It's a concept that travels well." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Internet Portals & Search Engines France 'Gallic Moan' proves answer to hard timesAFP - Thursday, March 26 Last edition of Christian Science MonitorAFP - Thursday, March 26 OnLive to stream videogames as online serviceAFP - Thursday, March 26 Last.fm to start charging some music usersAFP - Thursday, March 26 Related Articles: Technology Thirsty plants can Twitter for water with new deviceReuters - Thursday, March 26 France 'Gallic Moan' proves answer to hard timesAFP - Thursday, March 26 Last edition of Christian Science MonitorAFP - Thursday, March 26 Twitter to seek revenue from businessesReuters - Thursday, March 26 OnLive to stream videogames as online serviceAFP - Thursday, March 26 Enlarge Photo (From L) Didier Guedj, 49, Maxime Valette, 20, and Guillaume Passaglia, 27, the founders of the internet site "Vie De Merde" or "VDM" pose in Reims. It's the online answer to a "Gallic Shrug": a tongue-in-cheek French website where people can let off steam about the small miseries of daily life, which has become a surprise hit export to the United States. Related Photos Slideshow Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines Related Full Coverage Internet Portals & Search Engines Latest development in the online world All Full Coverage Most Popular – Technology Viewed Red meat raises death risk, white meat lowers it Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth British PM brushes off Chinese currency calls Papaua New Guinea forests reveal 56 new species Snacking during labour is OK, study finds View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 26 March 2009
U.S. urges Iran to give access to jailed journalist | International |
U.N. urged to reject bar on defamation of religion | International |
Nintendo Wii shipments top 50 million since launch | Technology |
Former 3-D hobbyist captains Monsters vs. Aliens | Entertainment |
Kelly Clarkson, U2 lead U.S. album charts | Entertainment |
New York museum opens exhibit on credit crisis | Entertainment |
Jeremy Piven Broadway exit heads to arbitration | Entertainment |
So true: Spandau Ballet reform, announce tour | Entertainment |
Child star turned driver recalls own Slumdog past | Entertainment |
Violinist Bell: Yankee Doodle for Obamas was dandy | Entertainment |
Netanyahu pledges to pursue peace with Palestinians
NATO needs better Afghan coordination, Obama says | International |
North Korea readies missile, U.S. warns | International |
Israeli archaeologists find ancient bathhouse
Suspected U.S. drone kills four in northwest Pakistan | International |
Netanyahu: Israel is Palestinians' peace partner
Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth
US: Attacks rise south of Baghdad, fall nationwide
Taliban attacks get help from Pakistan: report | International |
UN chief wants 'substantial' stimulus at G20
Israel marks 30 years of peace with Egypt
U.N. atomic agency votes for new chief in risky world | International |
Clinton arrives in Mexico with US mea culpa on drug wars
Suspected US strike kills seven in Pakistan: officials
14 die in Russian bus accident: ministry | International |
Papaua New Guinea forests reveal 56 new species
Sudan's Bashir visits Egypt despite ICC warrant
Hamas says resumes prisoner swap talks with Israel | International |
US to unveil stronger rules against fraud: Geithner
Fidel Castro says brother did not fire old rebels | International |
AP IMPACT: It's fear that keeps Baghdad's peace
British PM brushes off Chinese currency calls
Young Indians say no thanks to American dream | International |
Rights group slams Israel use of white phosphorous
Danish prince celebrates new Colo. wind plants
Twitter to seek revenue from businesses | Technology |
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,261
Last.fm to start charging some music users
Iran official on Iraq visit downplays US overture
Bill introduced to help ailing newspaper industry
Obama says NATO needs better Afghan coordination
Netflix links online DVD service to Facebook
Thirsty plants can Twitter for water with new device | Technology |
British pupils to get lessons on Twitter: report
Senate calls for Brazil to return boy to dad in NJ
Japan plans robo-nurses in five years: govt
Russian, Turkmen leaders vow work on energy deal
Nokia invests in mobile money firm Obopay
Clinton heads to Mexico armed with drug wars plan
EU parliament agrees to stop Le Pen
Baghdad envoy nominee optimistic on Iraqi security
UK must pry on data to block threats: ex-spy boss
Russian city mayor slain in office: official
Pro-Russia protest against US frigate in Sevastopol
Le Pen sparks Holocaust row at EU parliament
'Crucifix' killing in French pilgrimage town
Czech crisis has no impact on EU presidency: PM
Obama news conference slips in Nielsen ratings | Entertainment |
Rudd: Australia in Afghanistan for 'long haul'
U.S. says North Korea missile on launch pad
HBO serves up saccharine mush in Ladies Agency | Entertainment |
Dalai Lama envoy says China lying to Obama
NKorea places long-range missile on launch pad: US
NKorea believed to have placed missile on launch pad: Kyodo
Head of order started by Mother Teresa steps down
Jeremy Piven Broadway exit heads to arbitration
Malaysian PM's son-in-law to head party youth wing
China court accepts first milk scandal lawsuit: state media
Hanks set for new Hollywood toy story
S.Korea vice fin min says FX liquidity has improved
US official in rare talks with Myanmar regime
Seoul shares fall; N.Korea news, banks weigh
Japan, Ukraine PMs hail carbon deal
NZ current account deficit widens in Q4
Ariane chief decries China for satellite launch
IBM to shift 'large number' of US jobs to India
Singer Crespo accused of masturbating on plane
EU proposes extending duties on Chinese candles
Danger zone for `Grey's Anatomy' doctor
Nigeria 'politics behind scrapped Korea oil deal'
Penn lining up 'Three Stooges'
PetroChina profit falls 22 percent in 2008
Actress who played Winnie Cooper marries composer
British PM brushes off Chinese call to replace dollar
Hitler art to go on sale in Britain
China's ICBC says 2008 profit up 35.2 percent
U2 fills Barcelona stadium in just 54 minutes
List of cable TV's top 15 shows in Nielsen ratings
Former 3-D hobbyist captains "Monsters vs. Aliens"
Bali prepares for 'Nyepi' public holiday
New York museum opens exhibit on credit crisis
Child star turned driver recalls own "Slumdog" past
Iran to attend meeting on Afghanistan
Parents of imprisoned journalist plan Iran trip
UN says little progress made on key Gaza issues
Goods reappear in Zimbabwe shops
EU presidency blasts US recovery plans
Obama budget on the march through Congress
Climate speeds Japan's cherry blossom season
Envoy choice would shed his three stars in Kabul
Ice-jammed floodwaters, blizzard swamp N. Dakota
U.S. to blame for much of Mexican drug violence
Hope rising in US for national death penalty ban
Clinton: NKorea plan to fire missile 'provocative'
Thirsty plants can Twitter for water with new device
France 'Gallic Moan' proves answer to hard times
Last edition of Christian Science Monitor
Twitter to seek revenue from businesses
OnLive to stream videogames as online service
14 killed in Russian bus accident
Nintendo Wii shipments top 50 million since launch
Taiwan's Chen claims persecution as trial begins
China best-seller lashes "Mafia don" America
Australia defense dept probes illegal spying claim
Piven's Broadway exit heads to arbitration
China court upholds convictions in milk scandal
China upholds 2 tainted milk scandal convictions
Officials: Suicide attack kills 11 in NW Pakistan
Australia investigates spy agency over defence probe
China shares rebound on export rebate plan
Protesters in Thailand surround government seat
Taiwan dollar up in face of U.S. dollar weakness
Japan prepares crisis steps for NKorea missile
People of Athens fight for green space
Former AIG chief Greenberg criticizes bonuses
Adam Lambert hit all the right notes on `Idol'
Feuding villages' clash leaves 1 dead in China
Toyota to sell old Prius in hot hybrid battle
Former treasury secretary writing about meltdown
S.Korean won up 2.5 pct to hit 11-wk closing high
Obama news conference slips in Nielsen ratings
Unrest looms in Asia-Pacific amid financial crisis
Blacks 'hurting worse' in grim US economy: report
Chinese students head home to find jobs: report
US ballpark to sell 4,800-calorie burger
Asia to drive mobile broadband Internet access
EMI Music signs with Project Playlist
4 appeal sentences in China's tainted milk scandal
3 cops injured in shootout at Luciano's home
S.Korea to offer tax incentives to new car buyers
Mabius just not that into 'Ugly Betty' pairing
Piven's Broadway exit heads to arbitration
Bali shuts down for Day of Silence
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01