News

Twittamentary is to be created in the open spirit of the Web and hopes to reveal how it has affected the lives of its many users. Twitter users will be invited to contribute story ideas, rich media and videos to the film via the movie website. When the film is completed, it will be shared online with the Twitter community and the world at large under a Creative Commons license.
The first phase of submissions will culminate in a 24-hour, across the globe event online in which all Twitter users are invited to share a story that answers the question: what is the most fascinating thing that happened to you because of Twitter? They can also rate, comment and tweet about the story ideas and videos that others have contributed.
The filmmaker loves the idea of distilling insights by telling and sharing stories. It is an act that everyone regardless of race, language, religion and age can partake in. According to Siok, when interviewed by Webpronews.com, “We are looking for great stories about how Twitter has affected the lives of real people, stories that have visual potential. This is going to be the first ‘do-it-ourselves’ movie about Twitter! We really need help to get the word of the project out to as many Twitter users as possible. So if anyone who runs a blog, news outlet or technology platform, wants to be our media partner, please send me a tweet @sioksiok.”

In2infinity.com was started as a photography hobby site offering news, product reviews, tips, tricks and how-to’s for photographers of all skill levels. We are proud to announce an expansion of the site to now include social networking and user contribution capabilities that will allow the site to expand into a unique place on the web for creative people to network, communicate and share ideas and experiences.

Unlike most sites which offer static product reviews, in2infinity.com offers real world user reviews which other users can comment on. This gives visitors a chance to get the details as well as the real world experiences of other users with the products showcased on the site.

The social networking components are designed for a broad range of creative people and include tools for instant communication through internal services. There is also integration with other major social networking sites which provide additional networking and communication options for our users. Users can upload photos and video, create and join groups, post to walls, and network with others that have similar or complimentary skill.

The site is free and development is ongoing. We always welcome suggestions on features which will make the site a valuable tool to all people working in a creative field.

Please visit us at http://www.in2infinity.com for more details.

Tweeton.net makes it debut and joins the circle of popular social networks that are all the craze today. Offering entertainment industry professionals tons of free resources and tools on their one-stop shop website, that’s more of a supermarket, tweeton.net ups the ante on social networking. Hundreds of networks are being created everyday, and allows entrepreneurs to pursue their goals and build a new client and fan base by bringing them directly to their doorstep. And millions are signing up to these social networks that allow them to tweet, chirp, network, market, sell, promote or just interact with people around the world.

In comes Tweeton.net – the new social network in the neighborhood that is shifting the balance of power and levels the playing field for industry professionals wanting to advance their careers without the upfront cost. Putting a new twist on social networking, they offer free customizable websites to artist, industry, venues, fans, and members. As well as the valuable resources and tools needed to jump-start their careers. Flyers, business cards, posters, tee shirts, top expert advice, contracts, radio airplay, and banner rotation are just a few of the free resources to be found after logging into the free account.

Ty Cohen, Kavit Haria and other marketing and music industry gurus all concur that these social networks are great venues to promote, distribute and sell music and products. And they all market and sell e-books, videos and strategies to emerging artists and industry professionals on how to utilize these sites as a tool to advance their musical careers. Are these musical marketing gurus’ right? Do these marketing strategies work? Can one find success on these powerful social networks? “Implicitly yes, I’ve witnessed an increase in web traffic and sales, whenever we do just a little marketing on these networks. But to make a real impact, there is an upfront cost for knowledge and advertisement. At Tweeton.net there is no up front cost for information and resources”, states Linda Felder, Managing Partner of Tweeton.net.

Tweeton.net is a one-stop shop where artists, industry professionals and other entrepreneurs can find the tools they need to advance with no up front or out of pocket cost. The free resources are provided as part of the basic membership. Members, who sign up, find treasures like free contracts, marketing tools, banner advertisement, and get expert advice by professionals. As well as the opportunity to get their business, music, videos, and products reviewed and featured on the front page of the site or on the website’s radio and TV Station. And members can upload and sell their music, videos, photos, poetry, books or other merchandise and receive payment instantly.

Is this just another social networking clone? “Certainly not, States Ofnie, one of Tweeton.net newest members. I get to have a professional online presence and market and sell my products. I was very pleased with all the free resources I got after signing up. Tweeton.net is the industry’s next powerful resource for the aspiring. Now I can start my venture the right way”.

Not to stop there, Tweeton.net will continue to provide other invaluable resources, such as music distribution to radio networks, music distribution to stores, cd duplication, seminars, contests and other opportunities. And you don’t have to leave tweeton.net to access other social networks. Members can authorize their tweets to read on the site’s tweet board, which further increases their network of new clients and fans.

“We receive phone calls and e-mails from artists around the world every day, wanting to know everything from business startups, contracts, promotions to marketing, distribution and business management. And we always try to steer them toward free resources that will help them in achieving their goals. But the resources are scattered and requires time to sort through. So we wanted to create a one-stop shop that is free, resourceful and educational for artists and industry professionals. And we did, and though it is still in its infancy stage, it’s growing and evolving and can only get better”, states Linda Felder. Ms. Felder is also President of Many Moods Production Company, which offers free resources to emerging artists.

“If you’re going to spend time and effort creating profiles on social networks, it may as well be one that’s a one-stop shop, that provides the tools you need to advance on the web as well as on the streets. Tweeton.net is truly a rare gem with tons of free resources and information. And I get to tweet my stuff and make money”, states Shaquene, who is just one of the many emerging artists that are now finding those valued resources they need to succeed at Tweeton.net. So the question is – Will the creation of more social networks on the web ever stop? Not likely and not anytime soon. And the next question is – Will they get better? Absolutely.

To learn more about tweeton.net or to join for free, visit them today.

International Award-winning Poet, Larry Jaffe, began his foray into Twitter’s poetry world last Monday, promising to twoem each of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Is Human Rights a known fact in America? Not according to Poet Larry Jaffe who started a 30 week campaign last Monday to educate Americans on their human rights through poetry. But Jaffe’s new poetry medium is not the usual form that he has been poetizing throughout his 40-year career. Jaffe recently started creating his poems on Twitter, using 140 characters or less, and has vowed to help others understand their human rights one “twoem” at a time.
By last Monday afternoon, whether coincidence or not, Human Rights became one of the top-trending topics on Twitter to the surprise of Twitterans everywhere:
• @cheritatweets: Human Rights is trending on right now…
• @trisha_chokshi: It’s so great to see Human Rights as a trending topic on Twitter!
• @weareart: I’m very glad that Human Rights is a trending topic. It’s a topic that never seriously discussed enough.
• @arfasiddiqi: I was darn surprised && happy to know Human Rights was a trending topic.
• @cheritatweets: Not that I’m knocking it, but what in the world is going on that Human Rights is a trending topic? Anyone? I’m curious…
• @TheLastOptimist: I love that human rights is a trending topic! Follow @hrw for HR updates. The more you know, the more you can help.
• @joeychopra: @joellewoodruff yes indeed, so happy to see that! RT @joellewoodruff Finally! Love to see that “Human Rights” is a Trending Topic!!!
Jaffe said he was thrilled about the Twitter awareness. He also said violations of Human Rights are not just the ones that glare you in the face…many can be very covert. “If people become more aware of what inherent rights they have, statistics show they’ll be less likely to be tricked and more likely to stand up for others,” says Jaffe. “Tell the world about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and make everyone you know aware of them. Get these rights taught to our children so they know their birthright.”
Even though Twitter is Larry’s new artistic outlet, Larry still loves to read in a variety of bookstores, coffeehouses and bars to keep his roots intact. He says his Twitter tweets will be no different than his usual poetry and will always integrate a strong sense of humor along with a tough stand on human rights and freedom. Follow Larry via his poetic tweets on Twitter @larryjaffe.

About Poet Larry Jaffe:
From the sensually romantic to humor and social commentary, Larry Jaffe impacts audiences with a rich emotional range, masterfully crafted. His poetry appears in numerous anthologies, magazines, and on the Internet where he has pioneered poetry web sites. Passionate about his purpose to bring Human Rights to the forefront of our youth’s minds, Jaffe said, “Every day I read about various human rights violations and in my heart I know we can make a better world. It is my great hope that we as poets lead the way to a new and better civilization.” His poem OWNED has been adopted as the official poem on human slave trafficking. In addition to his Poet Laureate status for the Youth for Human Rights International, Jaffe is also the co-founder of Poets for Human Rights, an international coalition of poets and human rights advocates. Visit Larry at www.larryjaffe.com and @larryjaffe on Twitter.

Gleedo™, the first ever comprehensive livesharing application, today announced the launch of its new web site at www.gleedo.com.

Gleedo is free software that layers live social networking capabilities over users’ favorite Internet sites, online videos and personal media. For example, Gleedo may be used in conjunction with popular Internet sites, such as YouTube and Hulu, to deliver a real-time Internet experience. Gleedo is currently available as part of an “Open Alpha” program, announced last month, and may be downloaded here: http://gleedo.com/download.

“Team Gleedo looks for every opportunity to make the Liveshare™ experience richer and more enjoyable. The journey begins at our website and continues through the use of our product. The next series of powerful Gleedo features and services are planned to accelerate adoption rate and transform the way users interact and socialize over the Internet,” said Mehrdad Nadooshan, CEO of Emerj Inc. (maker of Gleedo).

The new web site is designed to offer visitors an engaging, interactive experience, as well as provide a host of new resources for Gleedo users, including video tutorials and access to online communities.

“Gleedo offers a new way to dynamically connect with people in your life about the things that matter to you. The new web offers a simple and fun introduction to Gleedo and the liveshare experience,” said Tara Flynn Condon, Vice President of Marketing for Emerj, Inc.

About Emerj, Inc.
Emerj, Inc. is the maker of Gleedo™, the first ever livesharing application. Gleedo layers live social networking over online and personal media, allowing users to watch – together, live – with friends and family over the Internet. Private equity-funded Emerj, Inc. is headquartered in New Jersey. For more information, visit www.gleedo.com or call +1 800.541.2027.

New social networking site ‘Rafi.ki’ was developed exclusively for teachers and students – and it is opening up new opportunities for children to meet their peers around the world.

No longer do teachers have to rely on French exchanges and pen pals to make international contacts.

Rafi.ki allows students from across the globe to work together on projects. They can chat, display their work, and leave comments on other people’s work.

Unlike Facebook, the site is fully moderated – so teachers feel confident letting their students use it without supervision.

To view the full story of how teacher Sam Eyre used rafi.ki with his art and photography students at his remote Devon primary school you can read it in the Summer issue of Teaching, Thinking and Creativity magazine published by Imaginative Minds Ltd. or visit library.teachingtimes.com/articles/whole-world-in-their-hands.htm

About Imaginative Minds

Imaginative Minds specialises in products that raise standards of teaching and learning using critical and creative thinking. For further information contact us by telephone on +44(0)121 224 7595 or email our production editor at [email protected]

ABD3 LLC, the social networking developer, today announced the latest feature on its popular YellowPin® application.

The newest YellowPin feature allows a simple text message to YellowPin to update not only your Facebook status but also your Twitter feed. You can now post to your two most powerful social networks right through your mobile phone in real-time and from wherever you are.

The Twitter integration follows closely on the heels of the recently launched Buzz feature. While the Buzz feature lets you instantly and automatically receive updates from your favorite people and places right on your mobile phone, this latest integration lets your Twitter followers as well as your Facebook friends and fans know what you’re up to whenever you want them to. At a cool new bar? YellowPin it. Relaxing with your friends at the beach? YellowPin it. One simple text to YellowPin will let anyone you want know what you’re up to.
Since YellowPin does not use GPS, you are never followed and you choose who can and cannot receive your updates. Unlike other services, it is so much more than just about people – it is about people and places. For instance, in addition to updating your activity, location or comments, you can also get the Buzz from your favorite venue or be informed automatically if two or more of your friends are hanging out in the same place.

“We continue to look for ways to add value to YellowPin,” commented Sayles Braga, CEO of ABD3. “The Twitter integration is only one of several new features we are developing that increase YellowPin’s power. More than ever, people depend on their mobile phone to access their social networks, but it is a hassle to update all your networks separately. So YellowPin now lets one simple text message update your Twitter, Facebook and – of course – YellowPin accounts.”

More About YellowPin

YellowPin enables subscribers to draw on their existing social networks in order to engage in real world social activities–with users in complete control of what information they choose to share. With universal accessibility in the United States, YellowPin easily integrates with users’ established social networks and their desired real time behaviors and interactions. For more information or to subscribe, please visit http://www.yellowpin.com

If social networking is the big man on campus when it comes to popular sites on the internet, then micro blogging is his stunningly beautiful girlfriend. Micro blogging, the dissemination of short messages to a targeted group of recipients is most famously represented online by Twitter.com. While Twitter makes a great tool to share and receive information with and from friends online, Yonkly.com has just announced the release of their own enterprise micro blogging solution that can be purchased for a flat fee and used internally as a way to improve communications. It is Twitter-in-a-box.

“Micro blogging is something that has proven to be an incredibly effective communication and collaboration tool, our goal was to take the widely praised Yonkly platform and offer it as a one-time purchase to individuals and businesses that want to improve their internal communications. In other words, we offer a Twitter like solution for your own servers,” explains Yonkly Founder Emad Ibrahim.
With this innovative collaboration tool titled Yonkly Standalone Edition users can post messages to other members in real time, conversations are threaded for easy follow up discussions, pictures are effortlessly integrated into the sharing tools, and users are given their own unique accounts. For those that want to streamline communication within an organization the Yonkly Standalone Edition is the perfect tool. Further users can customize the look of the software with a variety of skins, and even monetize the software with subscription tools that are built in to the program.

“When I created Yonkly I wanted to give people more than just an online tool that was useful to them, I wanted people to be able to purchase the software one time, pay no further fees, allow them to customize it to their specific needs, and host it on their own server. Imagine if more businesses were able to communicate like one does on Twitter? So much more would get done each day. We took Twitter, added more advanced features and controls and packaged it into a single application that will run on your servers. Your data and communication is as private as you want to make it,” says Emad Ibrahim.

In addition to the enterprise standalone solution Yonkly has a robust affiliate program and is used by over 3,500 existing networks. Recently Microsoft purchased the software for use with one of their internal groups.

“If you want to improve communication internally, create a niche network that is as high tech as it is easy to use, the Yonkly Standalone Edition is your absolute best bet,” says Emad Ibrahim in regards to his powerful standalone micro blogging platform that is now available for purchase.

For more information on the company and its Standalone Edition visit http://yonkly.com.

Brighter Planet, a clean-energy startup that helps people adopt planet-friendly practices and reap rewards while doing so, turned on their new website today. A free, fun, and easy-to-use web utility, the new brighterplanet.com brings some order and control to what can be a difficult process — tweaking one’s lifestyle to minimize the amount of carbon pollution produced.

Brighterplanet.com — a year’s work in the making and built from ground up with the assistance of web design firm Happy Cog — is also the only player in the environment niche that is both a data-driven utility and a social web application tailored to fit seamlessly into today’s web landscape. The new site will have special appeal for young professionals, working parents, and small business owners —people with very full schedules, a tendency to be active participants in online social networks, and a desire to be part of the solution to environmental challenges.

“Americans ranked lowest in National Geographic’s recent Greendex survey on consumer progress toward environmentally sustainable consumption and citizen behavior, but they also exhibited a stronger-than-average belief that their personal actions can make a difference,” said Patti Prairie, Brighter Planet’s CEO. “We see opportunity in the gap between those findings. Most people want to be greener. We show them how personal choices add up, how to get started, and where to pick off low-hanging fruit.”

The backbone of the new site is a smart, agile carbon calculator that doesn’t require that users answer hundreds of questions to make a meaningful start on reducing/offsetting their footprint. As users begin to make real headway, they can return to the calculator, add more information about behavior and choices, and reflect accomplishments. In return they get an ever-more-precise sense of their personal carbon footprint, tailored recommendations of conservation projects, and visualizations of their progress.

The application encourages users to send in their own conservation ideas, rate tips, and share text, photos, or video demonstrating their accomplishments. It also allows users to easily find, follow, and commend actions of friends. And it rewards progress with a compelling “activity feed” that showcases one’s process of learning to live carbon-free — adding a new dimension to one’s presence on Twitter or Facebook.

About Brighter Planet

Brighter Planet (www.brighterplanet.com) helps people manage their environmental footprint. The clean-energy start-up is pioneering a new environmentalism — one that is accessible to everyone, fits one’s lifestyle, and is fun to share. Its engaging campaigns tap the power of social media to help people learn about emissions, conserve what they can, and offset the rest. Its carbon offset products, the Brighter Planet Visa credit and debit cards and Offsets by Brighter Planet, invest in only the most reputable climate solutions. To date, more than 100,000 people have used the company’s climate change solutions.

With a growth rate of more than 100% in the last 6 months, today the mobile community qeep reaches the 2,000,000 user mark. Having only been released internationally in March 2008, qeep reached its first 1 million users in less than a year and by April 2009 had already 1,500,000 users.

Qeep’s user figures are convincing, especially when looking at the growth rates experienced by the well-known internet communities like Facebook and MySpace. Nielsen recently published a study entitled „Global Faces and Network Places” in which they estimated that internet communities experience a yearly growth rate average of 5.7%. Being so, the big online players are now starting to face intense mobile competition.

At first glance, this development might be surprising. However when taking a closer look, the key advantages that mobile communities have over online communities are clear to see. The mobile phone as a communication media is just more portable than home computers; it’s always there and a great deal smaller in size, too. In comparison to the mobile adaptations of online communities, applications like qeep which were originally developed for the mobile phone, are consequently already in line with the specific needs and restrictions of mobile devices. The design, navigation menu and application structure are not adapted from an online platform, but in fact have been developed specifically for mobile phones and are therefore much easier to use and offer more user comfort.

The success of mobile communities can be seen in qeep’s impressing growth figures. 2,000,000 users, 1,000,000 of which signed up since February 2009, over 100 million private messages sent (QMS) and over 200 million page impressions every month prove the growing popularity and activity happening in mobile communities.

About qeep
Qeep is produced and distributed by BLUE LION mobile GmbH, a privately held company founded in 2006 by former executives of T-Mobile International and Nintendo. Based in Cologne, Germany, BLUE LION mobile GmbH is a pioneer in the field of interactive mobile applications. For more information about qeep and BLUE LION mobile, visit www.qeep.net and www.bluelionmobile.com. To download qeep on your mobile please visit wap.qeep.net.

Vintage and Modern, Inc. , a dynamic online marketplace for antiques, modern furnishings, art and jewelry is revolutionizing the way people shop for vintage pieces with the launch of VandM 2.0. In addition to social networking elements that will encourage dialogue between dealers, buyers and collectors, the newly redesigned site offers the company’s services in over 40 different languages. It will now be possible for an interior designer in New Mexico to easily source ornate wooden statues in Lithuania. With the new technological improvements in place, the design community around the globe will have a greatly expanded resource at their fingertips.

Connecting buyers while empowering dealers is what VandM is all about. As VandM Director of Sales, Chris Sansbury, states, “With this new international and social focus, we are building on the site’s already open and positive approach. VandM is regularly visited by a growing community of designers, collectors, dealers and savvy consumers and these enhancements will allow them to get even more from the market experience. With 2.0 we are creating an interactive environment of like-minded design-lovers that stretches across the globe.”

Expanding Global Reach
The goal of the Internet—particularly with the onset of user-generated content and open source networks—is to share information across all borders. Yet companies continue to be stumped by the language barrier. VandM took a cue from Facebook, whose European growth was in the triple digits after offering different versions of the site in each country’s native language. It realized there was a real opportunity to sell across the globe—but only if the interface took cultural sensitivity into account. Enter: VandM 2.0.

The redesign of the site includes an international component that offers VandM services in over 40 different languages—from Arabic and Bulgarian to Spanish and Vietnamese. Using a mixture of computer-generated technology supplied through google and human interpretation, data is entered in a country’s native tongue and then translated into a user’s language based on the settings they choose. A built-in conversion rate mechanism also offers pricing according to a visitor’s native currency.

This effort to reach out to the international community is the first step in a multi-year initiative to add dealers from across the globe and offer collectors an expanded resource. “Current technology is allowing us to create a global marketplace where design-savvy people can meet and talk with one another, regardless of location or language. It is really like no other market on the internet,” notes Vintage and Modern, Inc. co-founder and media guru Bill Indursky.

Social Networking?
Until recently, social networking and e-commerce have been fairly mutually exclusive. While the latter lacks personality and the human touch, social network sites are still at a loss on how to generate revenue. Looking towards the next logical step in the evolution of the web, VandM is creating a marketplace where people matter.

Similar in look and feel to popular social networking sites, users can upload their photo and enter basic information such as location, schooling and work to create a more social atmosphere. Customers can then request “connections” from other customers or dealers, helping them associate with like-minded people. A messaging function allows users to receive alerts from their favorite designers while shops can interact directly with their customer base.

Although the new site focuses on interaction and openness, VandM still keeps an eye on built-in security and makes every effort to safeguard people’s privacy, be it sellers or buyers. Like other social network sites, users must approve the connection—controlling the amount of access to a user. There is no open forum or “wall” to leave comments, but users can send private messages. Indursky adds. “It is a new form of niche marketing not yet tapped. We believe that in the future, markets with a social component will be the new paradigm. Customers can set comfortable boundaries based on their interests.”

Dealer Support
Another important new aspect of 2.0 is the addition of enhanced statistical analysis for dealers. Dealers will now be able to monitor their ranking in relation to other dealers on the site based on a novel algorithm created by VandM that tracks sales in relation to price, quantity and inquiries. Dealers will not be able to view other dealers’ rankings, but it provides an excellent measuring tool for performance. In addition, they will be able to better understand the customer inquiries generated by the site and gage selling patterns both online and in stores to better track design trends. Sansbury continues, “VandM is truly a partner to the dealers on our site. We are committed to their success. To this end, we are working closely with the dealer community to help them make smart business decisions that will allow them to grow even in these challenging times.”

Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti announced today the launch of his website (www.timsbranti.net) and his network on NuAlerts (www.nualerts.com), a social media marketing tool for getting the word out to his residents via Facebook, Twitter, SMS, and email. Mayor Sbranti will use these new online tools to accomplish his mission of transforming City of Dublin into a Smarter City with better informed and connected residents. Residents can “Be the First to Know” about breaking news, important events and emergency notifications by signing up for Mayor Sbranti’s nuAlerts in under a minute.

“I am committed to improving communication within the City of Dublin and believe that nuAlerts gives our residents unprecedented choice and access to breaking news and information,” said Mayor Sbranti. “My constituents can be the first to know about important updates on the City of Dublin by getting Mayor Tim Sbranti’s nuAlerts via email, SMS, Twitter, iGoogle and more.”

Mayor’s nuAlert dashboard lets any local website display real-time news directly from the Mayor with automated updates. This dashboard is free and takes a few clicks to add to any site or blog.

“Our mission at nuAlerts is to help local communities connect real-time while enabling local businesses to thrive during these tough times. We’re delighted to be the social media marketing and information service chosen by Mayor Tim Sbranti.” said Reena Jadhav, an East Bay serial entrepreneur and Founder/CEO of nuAlerts.com.

With nuAlerts and Mayor Tim Sbranti’s Website, residents can receive time-sensitive alerts and key information on emergencies, the city budget, council agendas and updates, local events, news, and the Mayor’s Report, all via their preferred channel. Read the Top 10 Reasons to Receive nuAlerts.

Here are a few recent nuAlerts from the Mayor:

News nuAlert from Mayor Tim Sbranti: It’s Official! The Alameda County Fire Department is moving its operational headquarters from San Leandro to Dublin – on Sierra Court.

Daily nuAlert from Mayor Tim Sbranti: The City of Dublin approved the Adopted 2009-2010 Budget with no cuts to programs or services. Visit http://www.timsbranti.net for more info.