ajb{log}: learn something new each day

BuddyPress is a set of WordPress MU plugins that adds distinct features and basic modifications to the WordPress MU interface.

The standard features of BuddyPress are as follows:

    * Extended Profiles
    * Personal Blog
    * Private Messaging
    * Friends
    * Groups
    * The Wire
    * Status Updates
    * Albums

Each one of the above is a separate plugin to that site admins can pick and choose which components they want.

Some more screenshots here:

Download and try it over here.

–aj

8Apps, a uber-cool collaboration tool that slightly resembles Basecamp is closing its doors come January.

While we have thought that the service was very useful, it might have dawned on users that they can do it all in Basecamp and/or other online tools such as goplan and Activecollab.

I would also say that it might have also been a lack of marketing promotion. It might have also be that the service was invite-only - that can have some impact on the growth too (invite-only service is cool if you need to manage the growth and scalability, but sometimes with too much competitors invite-only can prove fatal… *cough*pownce!*cough*).

Quoting factoryjoe:

“we’re using the invite system to start out slowly on purpose. We want to not only be able to scale up organically, but we also want to cultivate relationships with our brave early adopters so that we can build the best experience possible over time. And to that end — we want to make sure that when we do launch publicly, we’ve hammered out all the glaring issues — as well as minor one…”

Seriously, I really like to know the real reason why such a complete web application I consider very good shut down.

–aj

The Google OpenSocial is now live and yes, open.

Facebook not included.

–aj

Social.fm has been getting a lot of press lately and I’ve decided to try it out. It’s not bad. Actually it’s ok. But it doesn’t yet have the following of Last.fm.

One notable thing is the player, its not working on the Mac and Linux platform yet (ungh!). Only works for Microsoft Windows as of now (why?). Tried it on Ubuntu and it asked me to download a plugin - it didn’t work.

Music list and discovery is ok, not that great but getting there. User Interface is ok, the cover-flow look-alike bothers me , it is flaky. It keeps on popping items while you are at it.

The music also stops in the middle of the song and jumps on the next available one. Don’t know why that happen.

Failed to impress me but I guess it’s worth the visit. Check it out.

–aj

I’ve just been granted access to the preview version and newly re-designed delicious - a social bookmarking website.

What can I say? Well, for one the design is simple yet uber cool. Awesome, for a lack of a better word. Take a peek below. One notable thing is that they didn’t use the domain del.icio.us on this one and opted for an easy-to-remember domain name, delicious.com.

The preview can be found at http://preview.delicious.com and I think it’s only open for select power users.

So, what’s new?

1) Navigation
o New organization
o Fast contextual search
o Contextual sub menus

2) Tag Bar
o Tag navigation
o Autocomplete
o Sorting

3) Bookmarks
o New layout
o Blue boxes
o Details page

4) Sidebar
o Top 10 tags
o New bundles
o Private nicknames

5) Action Box
o Contextual actions
o Tag descriptions
o Bulk edit

That’s everything you need to have in a social bookmarking application. I couldn’t think of anything else that they can add at this time (maybe stats on the specific site? Ok, I’m asking too much).

Anyways, kudos to the delicious team. Love it!

–aj

Zune 2 Launches

Fact: 25 iPods for every 1 Zune sold. Still a long way to go huh? But at least iPod has a competition. It’s always hard without one.

Zune 2.0 Social Network, anyone?

More scoop here

Google Reaches $2000 and TechCrunch Sells for $100M

TechCrunch scorns Blodget’s claims. Says Henry Blodget is crossing a line.

Sony BMG Says Burn Just One Song Your a Thief

Under oath, Gabriel asked if it was wrong for consumers to even make just one copy of music which they have purchased. Jennifer Pariser’s reply, “When an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song.” Making “a copy” of a purchased song is just “a nice way of saying ’steals just one copy’,” she said.

Whole story at Geek.com.

Lifecasting at Justin.tv just became popular

You can now create a channel for yourself and broadcast. Unfortunately the site’s traffic is continually surging and all I can see is…

Sorry Justin.tv isn’t working for you! Please email info@justin.tv for help.

Yahoo! Updates search adding search assist, keyword suggestions, related concepts, embedded videos and pictures on search results and more.

Head over to ysearchblog for more.

Microsoft Office Live Workspace Beta opens up to pre-registrations.

Microsoft Office Live Workspace Beta is an online place to store, access, and share documents and files just like Google Docs which is already available and Zoho and docstoc etc.

Speaking of Zoho, Zoho Brings Database & Reporting Online

Zoho DB lets users easily create, share, and collaborate on database applications and reports online (yes, web based!).

More here

Internet can be dangerous, that’s why Myanmar regime shut it down

But don’t worry. We still have IRRAWADDY to see what’s going on over there.

Over here, it’s going to be a long-weekend again. Happy Thanksgiving!

–aj

Social bookmarking is a very useful tool in promoting your website and blog. However, going through all of them is very time-consuming. SocialMarker solves that. And best of all, it’s a free service to reduce effort needed to socially bookmark and promote websites and blogs.

Spread your site or blog to 31 of the best social bookmarking sites in less than 15 minutes.

Try it out!

–aj

Orkut re-design has recently been rapidly pushed to users. My account is already sporting the new look. My take? Not bad, not bad at all. Very clean and simple, fresh looking.

The old look and feel has a screenshot here.

Now, check out the new one. Happy weekend!

–aj

Ubuntero, the social network for Ubuntu friends is now feeling the digg effect. They are still down as of this writing.

I haven’t seen even the front page yet.

–aj

We have moved our forum to GetSatisfaction. Visit us there if you have any suggestions, comments, bug reports or just plainly asking for help/support.

We’ll see you there and have a great weekend.

–aj