App.net is now funded so you've got until midnight to get your username...

Last week I wrote about putting up $50 to fund App.net, “the real time social feed without the ads”. Over the weekend, the startup hit the $500,000 funding target — super news!

I’m really excited to see what the App.net team can deliver with their service. All the usual restrictions that we’ve come to know and love/hate with the likes of Twitter can conceivably disappear (or be modified to delight) with App.net.

Only last night I was watching part of the Olympic Closing Ceremony and jumped on Twitter to see what everyone was talking about. I couldn’t help but stare at some stupid promoted message from some advertiser that was trying to reach as many folk as possible. Hardly targeted. But, well, Twitter has to make money in any way it can. Fair enough. Innovation in this realm is sorely needed.

So bring it on, App.net. I’ve got my username active. You can follow me at alpha.app.net/ewan.

If you’d like to join the App.net party late — but still be classed as a ‘funder’ — then head over to http://join.app.net and stick up $50 (or more).