Confessions of a Social Tools Architect
27 Sep
They want to help us make real connections with real people. They’re combining a local event guide with social networking.
I had a chance to see a demo up close before the presentation and it is an impressive solution to a real problem. HeyLetsGo allows you to find not just interesting events but also to learn more about who’s going and what you might expect.
They have a BuzzLevel measure (patent pending) that is like Page Rank for events. The range of events is very broad and covers much more than tech events. One nice feature is that I can see what my friends are planning on doing - a pivot I find missing from something like Upcoming.
The site also can recommend people that have a lot in common with you and potentially help you find new places and people to hang out with.
Another nice feature is real-time integration that enables you to report back on an event WHILE it’s happening. That’s having your finger on the pulse of an event.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, heyletsgo
27 Sep
Cuts is a really interesting system that enables you to edit the video you have in a truly innovative way. In essence, Cuts allows you add in some metadata to your own media files that handles skipping, muting and commenting on the media as it plays throughout various points in the playback.
This is entirely legal since you are required to have the media on your own machine. They’ve built a community around this
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, cuts
27 Sep
“People want to create like pros”
iBloks allows you to remix your own media. The system has an interesting 3D interface that allows you to animate and paint onto a moving palette. iBloks has a unique integration with Windows Vista.
iBloks lets you publish to cell phone, video ipod, PSP, and the web. They make money by letting people buy digital content and mods from them. They sell from 99 cents to $9.99. “We’re moving from user-generated content to community-generated content”.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, ibloks
27 Sep
“People don’t think they’re creative.. give them a great place to start and then let them customize”.
PhotoShow allows you to automatically pull your pictures into the application. Once you’ve chosen a theme and possibly associated a music soundtrack (choose from 500 licensed songs).
Once the show is ready, you can send it to your MySpace show. A partnership with Time Warner Cable allows you to now directly broadcast your PhotoShow to TV. PhotoShow TV has sub-channels that allows you to choose the type of programming you’re looking for.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, photoshow, simplestar
27 Sep
“They wanted to go beyond sharing photos and video online.” I had a chance to see the product in action and demoed by the CEO and it’s really quite impressive what is possible inside this application.
Photos can be sourced from Flickr, Photobucket, or your desktop. In addition, you can also include videos from YouTube and other services. A collection of “stickers” enable you to customize things further. There are some very nice looking themes that will allow you to get a jump start. Unlike other themes, these are fully editable.
Soon podcast integration is planned - for now, you can put music into the background.
You can ultimately publish your ScrapBlog to the web and choose the level of security you want to have. From there, you can quickly embed the ScrapBlog into your blog or MySpace profile. In addition, Wordpress and Typepad integration is supported. If you’re a Flickr user, you can even export the ScrapBlog as a photo set.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, scrapblog
27 Sep
Americans spend Trillions on self-expression every year (think clothing, music, etc.). I’ve had a chance earlier today to see a demo of the product. There’s been tons of coverage in the blogosphere over the last couple of days so I won’t belabour it.
The interesting point that was made during the presentation is the meshing of our online and offline personas. What struck me the most about Wallop was the interface (co-designed by the Frog Design team). There really is no metaphor that nicely describes the site. Movement throughout the application is very organic. The most “forced feature” if there is any, is the method of creating conversations around things.
One of the most interesting features is the Radar. This is the visual map of your network. They are abandoning the friend of a friend model. The system uses an affinity model that brings people closer to you based on your level of interaction with the individual - either direct or indirect (through your network).
Some controversy seems to have dusted up over the Mods. These are small flash movies that can be created by the 2M+ flash developers in the world. Wallop is literally a marketplace for flash applets. They take a 30% commission for the sale and all pricing is dictated by the creator.
I give it a thumbs up.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, wallop
27 Sep
“NanoLearning is a marketplace for small chunks of learning created by people like you and me”.
NanoLearning provides a platform for everyone to create their own courseware that leverages the hidden expertise they possess. The tool allows you to attach audio and video to accompany any slide. They also provide a variety of methods for you to easily design in interactivity. There are even modules that seem more like games than tests.
The site is live now and welcoming users. A Developer’s Kit is in the works that will allow developers to extend and enhance the interactivity modules.
technorati tags:demofall2006, nanolearning
27 Sep
I’m happy to see Lankov on stage presenting Site Kreator to the audience. Chris Shipley has given a nice boost and recommendation.
Site Kreator really makes the process of designing your own web site simple as can be. Before our eyes, he is putting together a site for the California Center for Aesthetic Dentistry.
There are a number of interesting shortcuts and applets like a File Manager, Slide Show Manager, and Forums/Blog. In addition, there is the ability to design custom forms.
A newsletter tool helps small businesses recruit customers.
Pricing starts at just $15 a month.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, site+kreator
27 Sep
uControl provides an innovative home security system that inetgrates the modern methods of communication. The cited weakness of the existing systems is the telephone line. The system provides redundant connections so that, in the event of an alarm, the connection remains intact.
A clever online portal allows you to see what’s happening at your home, including things like knowing if you’re daughter’s gotten home from school.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, uControl
27 Sep
jajah is an activated telephone service. They connect you from the existing phone to anywhere they want for free or almost free. There is nothing to install. They simply need their phone and access to the web site.
Today they are announcing VOIP on the cell phone - jajah mobile. It works as a plugin for your cell phone. This makes it jajah-enabled. Once turned on, you can make local and long distance calls for free or next to free. Hello Japan.
technorati tags:demofall2006, demofall, jajah