Roger Kemp's Net » Facebook

Google+ first impressions

Roger — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 09:53:57 +0000

Was invited for Google+ this morning and decided to check it out right away. First impression? Seems like Google finally got their act together in the UI and graphic design department. Wow, does everything look clean.

Second impression? Wishing Google+ was working with Google Apps already. In my opinion it would be the killer social enterprise app when combined with Calendar, Documents and various other apps. Through circles you can keep track of and share info with different departments, clients and suppliers (and friends and family of course). For now only through streams (which is essentially Twitter on steroids, because it’s private and public microblogging allowing real interaction/conversations) but when Google Apps is integrated, also by using your Calendar and Document apps, sharing tasks, appointments and docs with your circles. Plus all the other apps in the app marketplace. + indeed!

Same goes of course for video and photos sharing, which is already implemented and in a very nice way. For photos you can use Picasa and videos can be youtube links, uploads from your laptop/desktop or your phone. Too bad there isn’t an iPhone app yet, only Android at the moment.

So I don’t see Google+ as a direct Facebook competitor (i.e. Facebook killer), but more of a Social Enterprise solution. We do need Google Apps integration for that though, but Google’s working on that. Once that’s implemented, watch out Microsoft Sharepoint, Podio, SocialText, Cubetree, et al…

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Social Integration

Roger — Tue, 31 May 2011 20:58:36 +0000

Today we, my company Web24Business run together with Marcel van Brugge, launched our latest online communication project. It’s a new website for a local art and cultural organization, called Temporary Art Centre. It’s located in an old Philips building near the city center of Eindhoven. It’s run mostly by volunteers and provides a platform and stage for artists and creatives. Apart from providing stages and spaces for concerts, performances and exhibitions, they also rent out studios for aspiring creatives.

TAC came to us requesting a refresh of their website. Instead of just re-designing a run of the mill site we handled this project like any we accept. We analyzed their organization and held a workshop with the volunteers that run the show, as well as some of the renters that rent the studios. From that workshop we got a better understanding what the people involved though about TAC, what they’d like TAC to be and how we could incorporate that into a new site. We decided to create an online communication platform based on the social hub called Facebook (you might have heard about it). On Facebook we (TAC and us) created several groups for the renters and volunteers where they could share, ask, answer and organize. Aside from that, there was already a popular Facebook page for TAC, where new events were posted as well as media (photos and video’s) from past events. Twitter was used as a promotion tool so we incorporated that into the new online communication platform for TAC as well.

Since every organization wants to have it’s own face and branding, the social streams from the above mentioned groups were brought together on their own website, under a nice design by OddOne. The backend CMS was built using Drupal with Facebook Connect for user registration. This way TAC still has its own unique face, feel and branding, while using the best social media and online communication tools available. It’s a true two way communication platform, not just mentioning twitter and Facebook feeds, but letting volunteers, renters, organization and visitors interact with each other and find the information they’re looking for.

Visit TAC.nu for a look-see…

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Thoughts on Ping

Roger — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:00:25 +0000

Why Ping, Apple? Why do you want your own social network on top of your proprietary media distribution platform? Do you really think you can do it all? Why not focus on what you do well and partner with, let’s say, Facebook? Integrate Facebook with iTunes and use the “like” and “follow” functionality, post reviews on Facebook with a link to iTunes and vise versa. Don’t be like Google in this case, trying to do everything yourself, but use the most popular social network out there to grow your own base of iTunes users. Or am I missing something, it isn’t the first time that’s happened.

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Social Consolidation

Roger — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 15:53:00 +0000

I have been thinking about Social Consolidation these past few days, following a conversation on Facebook. There are several projects in development which strive to gather all the information and communication streams of several social networking sites and tools into one place. I first began to think about this when I was irritated about having to update my profile picture at all the different sites and apps every time I thought I had a better image of my mug. Now, with Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Foursquare, Yelp, etc. it’s becoming more and more of a chore to keep track of information and people.

I also see these sites and apps taking on more and more ideas of one another. Latest is Yelp adding a “Check in” function to their iPhone app, basically competing with Foursquare. Then I think about the fact that Yelp canceled their deal with Google. What are they planning? Or could another party have a better offer and be more suited? Could Facebook be interested?

Could there be a social consolidation wave coming? Where Facebook will go on a buying spree and thereby add more social functionality and consolidate the information stream? Or will they buy one of the social consolidation apps and provide a concentrated place for all your streams?

Social Consolidation Projects
Threadsy
Raindrop

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Facebook Design Refresh Coming

Roger — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:18:21 +0000

Here we go, get ready for another round of grumbling masses having a hard time adapting to change. Facebook is revamping its design. You can check out some screenshots on the French site below.

I do like the new elements, the clearer navigation in the left column, the icons in the main nav bar. The only thing I don’t agree with is the location of the search field. IMHO it should be in the right upper corner and have the main nav items reside where the search field resides now. That way all the nav is located in the same general area, making it more obvious and more efficient (less eye/mouse movements to navigate).

Facebook : des captures d’un renouvellement de l’interface ? – PC INpact.

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