Do You Seppukoo?

Kill off your social network identity with Seppukoo... by joining another social network. The concept is brilliant- help users to publicly end their virtual lives on the most popular social network (temporarily) and enroll them in a new network! Seppukoo's popularity ranking also increases the level of social sharing and recruiting- everyone loves to be the best, even the best suicide recruiter.

The afterlife of social networks could take off as a platform, but some confusing design issues may prevent a Seppukoo coup. The language is confusing, which makes the experience harder for users to access. I found "Seppukoo" in all of these ways: "commit Seppukoo," "enjoy your Seppukoo," "go Seppukoo," and "get Seppukoo." Seppu-what? The memorial (profile) page is a clunky hybrid Twitter/Myspace page and leaves me longing for the comparatively simple Facebook profile.

If Seppukoo's aim is to generate buzz, they'll definitely succeed. But if they want to create a new social network for fed-up Facebookers, well, I wouldn't bet my life on it.