| URL | canv.as |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | Yes |
| Type of site | Social networking service |
| Registration | Open |
| Available language(s) | English |
| Owner | Christopher "moot" Poole |
| Launched | 2010 |
Canvas Networks is a social website centered on sharing and remixing media, particularly images.[1] The website was founded by the owner of 4chan, Christopher Poole, and backed by Andreessen Horowitz, SV Angel, Lerer Ventures, Founder Collective, and Joshua Schachter.[2]
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Reports indicate that Canvas Networks received at least $625,000 USD in seed funding.[3] Poole has stated the site has four employees and is based in New York City.[4]
Like 4chan, Canvas is an imageboard that allows for anonymously sharing and commenting on media,[5] though there are plans to expand to video and audio.[1] Unlike 4chan or other sites such as Reddit, Canvas has image editing tools built into it, negating the need for desktop editing programs like Adobe Photoshop in order to share with the site's community.[6] Poole's goal with the website is to "reimagine forums in a world where everyone has a fast, modern browser." He asserts that the central idea of Canvas is "play", where "photo, video, and audio is all interactive, malleable, and participatory." [7]
Though the site is intentionally separate from 4chan, it also emphasizes anonymity,[5] and allows people to post anonymously or using pseudonyms.[8] Despite the ability to act anonymously, the site has received some criticism, especially from fans of 4chan, for offering Facebook Connect as the only signup mechanism.[9] Poole has also recently begun to virally market Canvas on sites such as Reddit.[10]