Posts Tagged ‘social network’
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Lively? Hardly
The other day I decided to play around with Google’s new play thing Lively and to be brutally honest with you it was pathetic. This comes as something really hard for me to say, given that I have a history of spouting off at every given opportunity about how great google is but Lively is just unbearably bad. For those of you just tuning into what Lively is (or at least trying to be) it’s an avatar based 3D char room. Players are able to ‘create’ and ‘customize’ a series of avatars and chat it locations similar to the real world. This is hardly a new concept, but given that it’s being backed by one of the most powerful forces online the expectations are fairly high.
The first issue I have with this is the idea of it being browser based but requiring a download. A download for something is normal these days, especially for virtual worlds/mmo; Having browser based with no download are no problem either. However, the expected quality between the two is going to variry a great deal. If a user is required to download something it should be far superior to something thrown together in java or shockwave. This isn’t the case with Lively which is a big turn off right from the get-go.
Next lets tackle what is actually in this world and how it’s presented. Avatar selection is very slim. Users have a choice of 8 (I belive it was 8, might be 6 come to think of it) different avatars ranging from an anime styled character to a cat-like creature. For each of these avatars, you have a very limited appearal options which includes mostly different colored hats. There is no skin tone option or clothing layering option which most other servies offer making uniqueness very limited among users.
As we’ve now established that all the avatars will be clones, lets look at the functionality of this system. In an attempt to ‘create a room’ (which is common in many virtual world to allow to to customize a small space to call their own) I managed to put down a sofa, a table and a poster to float in the middle of my room. This would have been easier if the viewing screen is not cropped so small and the camera angles were not horrid.
The last things I can possibly think of at this time which irritate me about this poorly designed website is that the characters use chat bubbles (which is ok if the whole environment is viewable, but quite obviously is not due to poor camera controls) but does not support a chat log feature that I was aware of in my time using it. On top of the chat bubbles, character movement is completely done with the mouse by clicking and dragging a character to place which becomes very annoying, very fast when the cameras try to keep up with the mouse location.
Final summation: If Google wants to make it completely browser based they have to remove the inital download and install of the modules and make control a bit easier. They did a fantastic job with Google Docs and not having to require any downloads so there is no reason why they can’t do it with this. If they choose to go with the download route make it a true virtual world download and up the quality of the product (which honesly has to be done even if you stick with a browser based envirtonment) to allow more customizable feature and some sort of user interface would be a huge help. Until then, I’d stick with Second Life.
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Yoowalk
This is weird. It says it lets you “Walk around the internet”. It looks like they’re trying to mix websites with a virtual world using an avatar. From what I can tell, it’s just putting down chairs then putting the website on the wall.
The only catch here is that it it’s a real pain in the rear. I say this because there is no ‘plaster my site’ button. You have to reconstruct your whole site while hotlinking in Yoowalk. That’s not going to happen, sorry guys. Check it out anyway if you’re bored. Maybe I’m wrong and it isn’t a complete waste of time (but I doubt it).
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Second Life'd
I decided to download Second Life again so that we can hang out in there this year. LJ and I are dancing it up in…I have no idea where we are to be honest with you. But we’re here!
http://slurl.com/secondlife/AICR/226/212/22
Be sure to stop by, I’m dancing like an idiot. If you need help, my name is Ed Edman. Or message JL (Kirasha Urqhart). We’ll be here…until we’re not.
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ListBums
I got a request earlier this week to review ListBums and the second I looked at the front page said to myself “Wow, this looks like it has something to offer, I’ll leave it until I have time to give it a proper review.” I’m glad I did.
PROs
+ Easy to use: Click and type. Editing is simple, double click on the section (title or description) that you want to edit and correct it without the need to go to another ‘editing’ screen which is useful.
+ RSS feed enabled for user or EACH LIST!
+ You can attach an image/video, related link and description to each list item.
+ Others can add comments to lists as well as add items to the lists you create.
+ ‘Digg’-like system allowing users to add points to lists for rating/popularity purposes.
+ Easy embedding. Just go to the bottom of the list, choose your colors, paste the URL. Sure you could just make a list using HTML on your site, but why? This way they can link back to ListBums to use the comments/additonal features as well.
+ Fun layout/theme. Funky faces, tons of graphical elements and (for the most part) easy to navigate.CONs
- When creating list you have to add the item then add the description after you add it to the list. A field where you can put in both item title and description before adding would save time.
- I can’t for the life of me get the ‘reverse order’ button to work!
- Pain in the ass to figure out where the widget part was. It’s at the bottom of the list you’re viewing. Easy once you know where to look, I was looking for a ‘widget’ button for at least 5 minutes at the top of the screen.In comparison to Listography (which I reviewed awhile ago here) I think ListBums is in the lead as far as quality goes. Listography seems to have simple ‘ it’s there and it works ‘ look to it, where as ListBums has more of a ‘ look I listed stuff and it’s pretty! ‘. That brings me to think that though both social sites based on lists, the targeted markets would vary. I’d think that Listography would be more for people who want to just get something down and be done with it, where as ListBums is for those who want to have fun with the lists.
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ClutterMe
This site was pointed out to me by a comment when I reviewed Pagii by Mark who actually works for ClutterMe. You’re off to a good start when you come to me for a review
At first glance, ClutterMe looks like a a really simple site. It features webpage building tools as well as the ability to add friends, comments, etc. However, It gives me more of an impression of a site one of your friends might make in their spare time more than a big company site. This has both flaws and benefits. Flaws being that people may not take it as seriously, but the benefit that those who stick to it will likely stay because they feel like part of it.
Now as far as the interface goes, this is where I’m having problems. Unlike other sides that have seperate pages to input information, you put everything down directly on the site you’re editing. This is a good and bad because everything is click-drag-done with this site, but that’s as far as everything is going. I’m finding it hard to come up with anything more than a blocky site. Their widgets are few and I’m finding them to work into a layout. For example the ‘about’ widget allows you to hover over to focus on it, but it doesn’t seem to want to work unless I click once first. But clicking once also changes it to the ‘add info’ mode where you can input information (thus expanding it so you can add info) and it makes it hard to position correctly on the page.The site also has some nice features though that I have to mention. First off is instant text. Simply click anywhere on your site and start typing and it will appear. This is great because there is no need to add a text block or anything and position it, just type. This feature is good for adding titles or maybe quick links (yes, it seems HTML does work in this feature, yay!) Also since you’re constantly in Edit mode, you might not be seeing the site exactly as it will be seen, so you can click the Edit button in the top right and the site will switch from Edit to Non-Edit mode so you can see it as it is. This is nice because in addition to that the site saves as you’re working, so switching doesn’t require a lot of load time.
The best feature however BY FAR is being able to write on people’s sites. Yahoo’s Mash seems to be trying to do this, but ClutterMe does it better. Click anywhere on a ClutterMe site and start typing. When you’re finished your profile pick will show up with the comment written beside it. I love this idea, using the entire site as a wall, they did a good job on this and need to be commended.
What I’d like to see improved:
- Change the info widgets. If 1 click is used to access the panel (to move) then require a double click to edit the content. Chances are I’m going to be moving it more than editing it, so I don’t need it to display every time.
- Add a widget for a text area. Yes, I can just click and type but if I want to add in some code longer than a link (say adsense for example) it’s easier to be able to see exactly what I’m putting in and be able to click through my text in there after.
- Layering would be nice. When I add a new widget/image it goes to the top left corner. If I have anything else already there, I have to move it so that I can get to the newly added widget, This makes it a real pain if I want to give the site some depth.
Those are really the only problems I have with it, because I see a lot of potential in this site. And yes, I’m a sucker for the little guys and can see myself sticking to the site if it makes improvements (which from what they’re saying, they’re working on it). ClutterMe is one of a few sites that seem to be developing that are using both the ‘social networking’ platform and the classic ability to modify a site (without using a predefined template) together. I’m going to watch this site over the next few months to see how it plays out and will most likely do a follow-up review, so keep an eye out for that.
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Pagii: Php Powerhouse!
I have to say I almost creamed in my pants at this, I was expecting something that completely sucked. Pagii is classifying itself as a new ‘social site’, but I wouldn’t quite call it that just yet. Instead, I’m going to call it a “website designing site on crack hit with a stupid stick”. And I mean this is the best possible way.
First, the interface rocks. It’s all click and drag (or double click) functions from a sliding sidebar. Text, speech bubbles, shapes (with text inside), video and ‘insert html code’ are all included with click and drag functionality.
No need to remember HTML or screw around with finding the image. You upload, you apply and it’s there. Once the item is there you can drag it around the screen, stretch it by clicking the corners and even rotate it (I love this, takes the blockyness out of sites, yay!). Users can also ‘layer’ content to give it a 3D feel. Content such as images can also be clicked and using PHP shown their full size so users can see the whole image. It’s very easy to set up and I’m sure a child could master it in under 20 minutes.You’re able to create more pages by simply clicking the ‘Add Page’ button. Users are given a ton of templates depending on what they plan on putting on the page (photo, diary, profile, video, etc) or they can start fresh and just have at it however they like. All pages are linked using a menu that pops down from the top of the page when hovered over, which saves a lot of time for people that are used to creating navigation pages (and most people suck at it, such as myself). This keeps it simple and consistent throughout all Pagii sites.
As far as the ‘social site’ part goes. I don’t think it’s prepared for that. All I can tell is that they have a comment widget and a messaging system. Aside from that, the only flaw I find with it is that non-members of the site are unable to view the member’s sites. I hope that fix that soon. Though I love this site for it’s uniqueness in allowing people to create useful sites like this so easily.
Be sure to check out my Pagii page, it’s purdy ^.^ -
Yahoo! Mash
I’ve been hearing Y! Mash for awhile now, but didn’t really take any interest in it. After seeing that Mashable had invites up, I decided to check it out. Needless to say, I’m not that impressed.
My first thoughts was that it’s very ‘boxy’. By that I mean that…well it’s very boxy. Every module/section is separated into it’s own box. Though this gives it a very simplistic feel, it doesn’t make it very appealing to the eyes. The customization is limited to selecting a background image, font colors and module colors. However, the image section (at the top of the page) is designed like a classic Polaroid, I like that. The catch though is that when adding an image you’re forced to crop it if it’s too large, it doesn’t give you the option of simply resizing it to fit.
The network allows friends to modify each other’s profiles (if the option is selected) which is interesting, but not that great. Given the fact that many people add everybody who requests it to friend lists, many users will end up having their pages ‘violated’. I think right now Y! Mash is giving me more of a ‘Geocities page builder’ vibe than a social network. There just isn’t enough there to actually consider this to be anything more than an extended profile, not a social networking site.
The modules that they give you access to aren’t anything ground breaking (such as including an amazon wish list or Flickr RSS feed) so it’s hard to say if there is going to be something to make it stand out. Right now I’m thinking no. Let’s hope for some improvement by the time they get out of Beta. Also profile ID’s are a pain to remember unless you link it to your Yahoo account, which is a bummer. Oh well.
If you’re looking for invites, feel free to drop a comment and I’ll make sure to ‘hook you up’. While you’re at it, check out my Y! Mash profile
More Yahoo! Mash talk:
The Assumptions That Yahoo Mash And Other Social Networks Make About You @ Publishing 2.0
Yahoo Invites Us Into Mash, Its New Social Network @ TechCrunch
What Is Yahoo Mash? @ The NY Times -
AirTalkr: AIR based Instant messenger
I recently came across AirTalkr, a multi-protocol instant messenger that supports MSN, AIM, Yahoo, GTalk, and ICQ. You may be thinking “So? There are a ton of programs that do this.” The catch is that this is created using Adobe AIR. I’m a big fan of Adobe AIR products, they run very smoothly and tend to be very simple (a good example can also be seen in the Pownce application).The instant messaging portion uses a clean interface allowing you to tab between conversations, keep a history of conversations and view the users AirCard. Aside from instant messaging, AirTalkr also includes embedded Flickr images and Youtube videos access by easily clicking on the icons located at the bottom of the window. One of the most impressive features of this application however is it’s use of ‘AirCards’ These cards allow you to add information on all of your ‘buddies’ including Myspace, Friendster, Flickr, Linkedin and their blog. It’s a great way to get info on friends without having to dig through their profiles (which are rarely updated anyway).
It is still in beta though, so there are a few bugs. I’d like to see it be able to be minimized to the system tray, but I’m sure that will come in due time. Right now the program is available for both windows and mac, and can be downloaded directly HERE. Make sure you also have the Adobe Air Runtime installed before attempting to install this. There is also a web version for those of you who want to try it out without downloading.
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Pownce
I’m a little late on the draw here (like always) but I’m just checking out Pownce and I have to say it’s pretty damn cool. It’s like an instant bulletin board where you can put up messages, files, events and links to groups or single friends. I know you’re thinking “Can’t I do this with an IM?” and the answer is yes, but then you have to send the file to each of them. This uploads it to the Pownce server and allows them to just click and open it, much better.
The way I see it, it can be used as a whiteboard and simply throw just out for people to remember/do/see. Works better than posting a million and one “hey look at this url!” entries when you really only feel like targeting it at certain people. It’s currently still in Beta so requires an invite, hit me up in the comments if you want one.
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Kaneva
To be blunt, Kaneva sucks. There is no easy way to put, it’s just pure and utter crap.
Let’s start with the graphics: they’re pathetic. There is virtually no detail at all, be it realistic or cartoonish. It’s gross mixture between the two with no details. If you were to have a 3rd grader make a person out of play-doh you could get the same results. Were this made 6 or 7 years ago, it might fly for ‘neato’ graphrics but even that is pushing it.
As far as the user interface goes, it reminds me of an old adventure game that you would pick up for sale at K-mart. It makes you say “what the hell is this crap?” when you can’t find anything you’re looking for. On top of that, most of the features make you leave the client and go to their webpage. That might be ok if you’re purchasing something with a credit card, but that’s about it. The in-game purchasing system uses either credits or rewards, which makes sense. Though there is no confirmation of buying anything besides your money going away in the bottom corner of the screen. I had 9 parts of black pants before I realized this. I wasn’t too impressed.
I ran around a mall for 15 of the 20 minutes I was on, only seeing 2 people. It seems that nobody else thought this was very good either, huh? As far as the system running without a lot of lag, it did do that right. But when you have less than a dozen people online that should be too bad. And don’t even get me started on having to do a 213mb update after downloading.
So as I said, it sucks. You should try something else or even dip your head in hot melted cheese instead of playing this.
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