community

Webware trends: Social networking to build brand loyalty

The phenomenon of branded social networks was thrown into the spotlight back in January when Disney CEO Bob Iger unveiled the company's revamped Web site complete with MySpace-like features (or kid-safe, Disneyfied versions thereof). And there's been plenty of talk recently about how small is the new big (to use Seth Godin's words) when it comes to social networks: that sites centered around a specific niche or subculture will be the next major trend, as opposed to enormous, all-encompassing, and arguably cluttered sites like MySpace. From what we've been seeing, this push toward niche social … Read more

STATravel193 is probably a great resource, despite the awkward name

Rule #15 of creating an Internet start-up: Short names are good. Just look at all the companies that are eliminating letters from their names--i.e. Flickr. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the brains behind STATravel193 got that memo. STATravel193 is a new social networking site created by STA Travel, an agency which organizes study-abroad logistics for students. The thinking behind "193" is cute--there are 193 countries in the world--but the site's name comes across as sounding like an AOL screenname.

Nevertheless, I'm hoping that Web users will be able to get past the awkward name … Read more

How to build cool stuff: Instructables.com

From the Web 2.0 Conference:

Instructables is an awesome site of how-to guides. The content seems to be weighted towards clever and geeky projects rather than basic home improvement. While it's easy to find a lesson on how to paint your laptop lid, it's hard to find one on how to paint a room. Still, the design and layout of the lessons--most of which are photo illustrated--are beautiful.

New at Web 2.0: better collaboration features, so you can build lessons, wiki-style, with compatriots instead of building one yourself and relying on the comments to clear up … Read more

Hack your cell phone

If you think your cell phone's software is lame, stop complaining and do something about it. That, at least, seems to be the philosophy behind this Linux handset from FIC, as seen on Slashgear.

Other manufacturers--most notably Motorola--are taking steps toward adopting the communal software philosophy, and standards are in the works. But FIC seems to be forging ahead on its own, going measurably further to make its phone a true open-source device that will allow anyone to build custom applications and share them with other hackers through a wireless repository.

And if you're not interested in … Read more