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Fred: "I'm just not sure how big it's going to be"

- had he seen couchsurfing at the time?

http://www.couchsurfing.org (launched as beta in 2003)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CouchSurfing

Are Airbnb copycats?

One huge difference is that couchsurfing is free... do some chores around the place maybe to be nice, but the whole point is sharing and using each other's space for free. I think Airbnb is aiming for a different market, actually - for example, my parents would feel "weird" about crashing on a stranger's couch but booking a quaint and unique little bed and breakfast over the internet makes them feel cool. Conversely, I would feel bad about charging somebody to stay in my disgusting apartment but I'll happily host somebody just passing through.

I was wondering how ABNB would compete here as well. I guess just better/more marketing.

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