TekTidbits

My New Social Network on the Ning Platform: Gadget Geeks

Being naturally curious about the Ning platform, this weekend I created a new social network totally focused on gadgets such as iPhones, iPods, digital cameras and the like.  Called Gadget Geeks, it is now live on Ning.  I am going to promote it and see how it goes.  If I get lots of interest, I will get source code and customize it further.

Now, it is the free site and does have the Ning logo on top. 

This was great fun, especially finding some cool videos to post - such as the You Tube "iPhone in a blender" video! 

I also have a few (very few, as this is all that is available now) Open Social gadgets such as a Sudoku puzzle and a Garfield cartoon on my profile page.   

The badge HAS to be more customizable, I plan to look into this during the week.

In the meantime, I invite ALL of you to visit my new site - and give any and all feedback.

Web 2.0 is very cool, very cool indeed!

Make Your Own Social Network with Ning

I have recently come across Ning.com - a site that allows its members to create their own social networking site for free!  This is a great concept, and allows families, hobbyists, and special interest groups to have and host their own community centered around a specific interest. The free site does include Adsense ads from Ning, and the Ning top logo - so if you want to monetize your new social network, you have to pay $19.95 per month.  This is still not a bad deal, and I am planning on starting a network called Gadget Geeks for all those after my own heart who love to talk about their latest and greatest gadget acquisitions. 

They have a great portfolio of pre-made templates which include cityscapes and one of of a dandelion blowing away.  There are also links to widgets such as calendars that can easily be added. 

If you want further customization, Ning does have a blog and developers forum and will give access to source code. 

Some of the networks currently on Ning are Broadway Space for theatre buffs, and Firefighter Nation for firefighters.   

This is really a great way of setting up your own little virtual space - and I am really looking forward to tinkering with Gadget Geeks this weekend.

Porn on Popular Kids Sites - A Company that is Attacking this Problem

Technology has interwoven its way into the heart and soul of our culture - and nowhere can its effects be seen more than in the behavior of our youth and teens. 

Social networking sites such as MySpace , Friendster and Facebook have become the new "hangouts" - with many new and unanticipated social consequences. 

The issues of children being "picked-up" by pedophiles is well documented - and organized groups such as www.wiredsafety.org are fighting the good fight by educating our children as to the risks and working to put the creeps behind bars where they belong.

But what about the content our children are subjected to when surfing these sites? At present, most social networking sites have only an "honor" based system of identifying and removing such content.

This problem is being noticed by parents, and is effecting the subscribership of such sites - here is a sampling of some of the negative buzz around the web:

·       "Thinking these sites were kid-safe websites, I clicked on a picture that leads to a blog. I never expected to see hardcore porn images. There was no censorship what-so-ever," – A concerned parent, from ChristiaNet.org

·      “MySpace, Bebo and other social networking sites monitor photographs only after they have been posted and rely on members to report rule-breaking. Jessica Ross, the editor of Computing Which?, said: "Children are spending hours every week on networking sites, building up their profiles and chatting with friends. However, what might seem like innocent fun has a darker, more sinister side.” – The Scotsman

A new UK-based start-up, Image Analyzer LTD has innovated a new product that is sure to be very popular amongst these sites.  The Image Analyzer engine can function in the back-end of such social networking sites, and quickly scans and detects (to an 80 % accuracy level) pornographic content.  This engine can easily be integrated into any system such that this type content can be flagged and eliminated BEFORE children are exposed to it.

This same system can be easily implemented as an add-on to your virus checker, or email filtering system.  Rumor has it that the company is very close to signing a large deal as an add-on to one of the popular virus scanners.................stay tuned for more.

technorati tags: image analyzer, social networking, myspace, friendster, facebook, pornography, inappropriate pornography, wiredsafety
del.ico.us tags: image analyzer, social networking, myspace, friendster, facebook, pornography, inappropriate pornography, wiredsafety

Google and YouTube - The Future of the Web

Today, the media has been ablaze with the news that Google has just purchased YouTube for 1.67B US dollars; a profitless 1 year old company spawned by Sequoia Capital. A media event like this has not happened since Ebay bought Skype.

In both cases, the question was WHY?  Speculation abounds now, just as it did then, as to just exactly what the acquiree will do with the acquired company.

The SF Chronicle said it best, "....San Bruno-based YouTube has helped transform the Web, spurring millions of people to tune in to watch popular television shows, music videos, teenage confessionals, grainy footage of stunts and pranks, and home videos of children and pets. On any given day, YouTube plays more than 100 million clips, drawing a greater viewership than many cable television channels. "

In retrospect, Ebay's purchase of Skype made perfect sense - Ebay now has a tool to connect buyer and seller in real time, plus another stream of revenue with Skype out and Skype voicemail.  The once loud voices of the naysayers have quieted.

Likewise, there is no end to the creative uses that Google can put YouTube technology to in the quest for market dominance. 

Recent acquisitions show that Google has a strong interest in blogging as the next new phenomenon on the web - doesn't it make sense that the next evolution of blogging will be video-based blogging?  Now that web cameras are as inexpensive as a car wash, videos are easy to create and upload. 

Google searches were on the forefront when image based search was announced.  The market needs always seem to leapfrog demand, and both blog and video searches will be the next big wave.  I am sure that the talented staff at Google will make good use of YouTube's technology to enhance video searches, as well as create video based Adwords and Adsense campaigns that will create even more revenue.

The major challenge that Google will face lies in the foreshadowing of legal action surrounding video copyright issues. 

No, I don't believe YouTube will become the next Napster, as it now has the full legal resources of Google behind its efforts.  In time, the naysayers will again find that they lack vision.

Google stock went up today, as well it should! 

technorati tags: Google, YouTube, Ebay, Skype, video based search, blog search
del.ico.us tags: Google, YouTube, Ebay, Skype, video based search, blog search

A Social Networking Site to Watch - Gather.com

Amid the flurry of new social networking sites - one stands out as being different.  Gather.com was founded by a team of very experienced startup veterans - a significant number of which came from a public radio background. 

As a result, Gather has a relaxed yet intellectual feel to it. Gather members relish a good story and pride themselves on adding to the knowledge pool represented by their site.

Members can form groups on Gather, and many crafting and hobby groups can be found.  I have yet to find the "she-dumped me boo hoo" type posts found on other social networking sites.

The company closed its $6M second round of funding in January - with investors that included the former CEO of Lotus Development Corp (remember Lotus?).  Investors are drawn to Gather due to its unique ability to segment members three ways - by demographics, keywords, and behaviors.  This improves potential advertising conversion rates - and gives a great incentive to advertise on Gather.

Personally, I believe Gather is a company to watch for three reasons: 1) It is not spending lots of marketing cash on glitzy press (remember Webvan?) but is quietly conducting a Word of Mouth campaign through Bzzagent.com to generate a viral effect 2) Visiting this site is like attending a readers club, or a country fair - it is inviting and real 3) Content has a MUCH higher quality level than other social networking sites who are too busy catering to the teens.

There is one more reason - Gather caters to the largest market segment, the BabyBoomers.  This segment is also the most stable and loyal, which is what counts in the long run.

technorati tags: social networking site, blog site, gather, gather.com, blog companies to watch, startups, blog, blogging, public radio
del.ico.us tags: social networking site, blog site, gather, gather.com, blog companies to watch, startups, blog, blogging, public radio