I believe that a profile page, and ability to connect, is a necessary ingredient for Branch to grow. The ultimate question is how do you do it in a way that is new, fresh and exciting?

A better way has to be possible.

On a side note, I approve of Devan's thoughts around privacy.

Great point Nation- we've been thinking alot about this while building Branch.

Is there anything specific you'd really want/need on profile pages?

Hmm, this was one of the things I was thinking about when I started the clickable mentions-branch. Personally I would ether be like it to be simple (name + twitter username + website + latest 5 branches by title) or extremely full with information (name + latest 5 tweets + latest blog post + latest 3 branches started with intro + latests 3 replies inside branches with intro etc.). I think the first would be the best.

Andrew - I would love to see a more interesting way of getting to know folks. Data visualization, a narrative bio that people could perhaps pose questions off of, the ability to subscribe, perhaps the ability to organize branches around interests/topics. I think it needs to happen and the abilities to connect needs to happen but I want to think more on it...

I for one think that the lack of Branch user profile pages is great. Twitter profiles speak to who that person is. Why spend time duplicating what has already been done?

I do see the potential need for profile pages as a medium for discovery but would argue that the discovery restrictions are a feature of retaining quality. Take Quora as an example.

Personally, I'm very interested in learning not just who a person is but who he or she is as a Branch user. I'd very much like to be able to see what they've done on this site, not (only) on Twitter. I'd also like to be able to explore Branch in more ways that are currently available, and doing so with another user's activity as a starting point seems like a model that's familiar, relatively easy to implement, and highly useful (to some).

Also, I may misunderstand your second point, but Quora includes profiles very much in line with some of the ideas in this branch, no? E.g.:

Sorry I wasn't really clear with my Quora example.

My point was some friction with regards to discovery is good. If you want to speak about something go look for it.

If conversations are easy to discover you have more activity on conversations but it could compromise quality of the discussions.

Although I might be completely off base since with Branch you have to ask to join, or invite others to talk. But when others ask to join I feel like a jerk not allowing them to join.

Hey guys, now that we have our v1 of profile cards out (try clicking on my name!), wondering what you all think of them: are they useful? interesting? whats good/bad? what should be next for them?

I like them much, not too much info and pretty stylish. (and it behaves correctly with my custom css: cl.ly)

I like them for a v. 1.0 although I selfishly still want the option to subscribe!

Like a "follow" ability?

Right.