In their own words
“FlyCast is a FREE service that gives you what you really want – portable music and talk radio that’s better than Satellite radio, easy to use, and works on the device already in your pocket – like the BlackBerry (Bold, Storm, Curve), iPhone (Original, 3G, and iPod Touch) and Android phones like T-Mobile G1.”
Why it might be a killer
Those who are looking into an alternative for streaming music might find it quite compelling, if only because it enables them to listen to selections when offline.
What it does
As you know, there’s more ways than one to stream music from your mobile device. The one we are discussing right now adds a little spice: you can preload music while online, and then listen to it even when there is not an Internet connection available.
The channel themselves work on low bandwidth connections, and as well as listening to music ranging far and wide you can access news and sports information on the fly.
For its part, supported devices include iPhones (of course) and Android phones like the T-Mobile G1. A recent update enables you to listen to FlyCast channels on your computer, using a player quite similar to the one featured in the phone version. Both Macs and PCs are supported so far.
If you think this solution is what you have been looking for in your pursuit of a better aural experience, you can always download the pertinent version from the iTunes Store and get started in no time at all. The service is constantly updated, too, so also make a point of checking the site to see how things evolve.
Some questions
Is the desktop version provided free of charge?
Link: http://www.flycast.fm
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Mobile/flycast-fm-streaming-music-from-your-mobile
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In their own words
“PICOL stands for Pictorial Communication Language and is a project to find a standard and reduced sign system for electronic communication. PICOL is free to use and open to alter.”
Why it might be a killer
It is an interesting development in the field of communications.
What it does
A project which is still being put together, PICOL still merits a mention if only because the basic premise is interesting to say the least, and you can have an idea of what it is all about through the site.
In essence, the team behind this project aims to create a different sign system for electronic communication. This system will be not only free to use, but also open to modifications.
PICOL came to our attention recently when a video named “History of the Internet” was released, and it prominently featured some of the signs that have already been completed. You can see these at the website, too, and so far about 20 icons have been created.
As I mentioned before, such an approach is quite interesting from a theoretical point of view, and the video already shows that it can be put to good use. I will certainly check the site again to see new signs, as well as hoping to read some conceptual information (something which currently is lacking, but which is said to be addressed very soon online).
Some questions
When is the next major update coming about?
Link: http://www.picol.org
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/picol-org-a-new-communication-language
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In their own words
“TwitchBoard listens to your twitter account, and forwards messages on to other internet services based on what it hears. Our first service will automatically save any links you tweet to the del.icio.us bookmarking service. We’re working on connections to many other services — stay tuned!”
Why it might be a killer
Resources such as this one give the social web added flexibility.
What it does
A plethora of links come across when Twittering, and it was about time that someone came with a way of arranging and presenting these in a different context. That is exactly what this new service does: place the links that come up on the Twitterverse in another plane.
Basically, TwitchBoard listens to your Twitter account and based on what it hears it forwards messages to other services which are not Twitter related. That is, these services do have a connection inasmuch they are social services. For instance, the one service that is supported right now is Delicious.
The fate that will befall this new application remains moot, and it all depends on which services are going to be added next. Should you have any thoughts on that subject yourself, you can always contact the team at the address which is provided to these ends, and let them know where the system should be headed in your opinion.
Some questions
What social services are going to be supported next?
Link: http://www.twitchboard.net
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/twitchboard-net-from-twitter-to-delicious-beyond
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In their own words
“KiwiTorrent is a site where you can search in the biggest torrents’ trackers.”
Why it might be a killer
It does return a wide range of results that are certain to provide you with what you need, even if you have to sift through them a little.
What it does
KiwiTorrent can be described as a new search engine that makes for looking up torrent files in all major trackers available today on the WWW. This is a list that comprises more than 30 names that those in the scene will be instantly familiar with, including Torrentz, MyBitTorrent and BitTorrent.am to mention but three.
From a structural point of view, the site will let you choose your desired tracker and then display the results in a window (or “frame”) for you to weigh up. By clicking on a different tracker, you can get a new set of results. Note that you are seeing the actual files on the tracker’s page – none of these files are stored at KiwiTorrent.
As you can see, the system is quite simple to put into practice. Some advanced tags for carrying out more concise searches could come in quite handy, and there’s hope that this issue is eventually addressed. In the meantime, if you don’t mind having to sift through results manually you can set your browser to the KiwiTorrent website and take it to task.
Some questions
When will the search process become more configurable?
Link: http://www.kiwitorrent.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Search/kiwitorrent-com-for-all-your-torrent-download-needs
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In their own words
“The idea to create KeepGear.com was born at time, when our good friend lost almost all of his music stuff - beautiful guitars, two amps and some effects - in the result of home robbery. Unfortunately he didn’t registered his gear nowhere, didn’t have photos of it nor the serial numbers except some jam-session pics. Inspired by this sad story we wanted to make such website, where everyone can ‘image’ his gear, similar to making an image of PC hard drive which helps to restore on crashes - by registering it here, adding some pics and basic info, You lessen the risk of instrument loose, additionally making it available for public view.”
Why it might be a killer
Musicians everywhere are certain to be thankful for such a well-conceived service.
What it does
A new resource that has been conceived for musicians, KeepGear will empower them to keep a sort of online registry of their guitars and gear, in order to lessen the risk of losing their instruments. This is accomplished by letting them “image” the actual instrument (IE, photographing it) and uploading the picture to the site. Of course, this system also doubles as a viable way for bragging about your six-string, bass, drum kit… but that is a different matter altogether.
On the other hand, those who wish to buy or sell something can easily find a host of information at the site, including serial numbers and the legal state of any given instrument or amp.
The site also makes for interaction among members of the online community by way of the provided forums and message board (entitled “Speakboard”).
The KeepGear website has just launched to the public, and all the basic features (and more) are already functional. If you deem yourself as a connoisseur to whom the fate of his gear is not indifferent, then a visit to this site is certainly a good bet.
Some questions
Are there related sites that provide similar services as regards other items?
Link: http://www.keepgear.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/keepgear-com-international-gear-community
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What it does
People Ripple is a social network that lets people connect online with the aim of coordinating efforts in the real world, and undertake missions for the betterment of life. The ultimate aim is to make a personal, social and global difference through the activities that they enjoy.
Once you register at the site (a free process), you can see a list of current groups and their goals and objectives. When you come across one you think you can make a good contribution to, all you have to do is join it. From that point onwards, you will be able to see what the current challenges are by clicking on the button that goes by the same name.
These challenges change from week to week, and some of the featured ones when I last checked included helping homeless people, cleaning up beaches and related activities.
At the end of the day, a resource like this one can help everybody expand his awareness as regards crucial issues, and show that the Internet can act as the greatest healer around when people put it to such a laudable use. Visit the site right now and see how you can contribute to your community.
In their own words
“PeopleRipple.com is a social portal that connects people with shared real-life interests and provides them with tools and opportunities to make a Personal, Social, and Global difference through the activities they enjoy.”
Why it might be a killer
It allows anybody to help others and enrich his or her own life in the process.
Some questions
How many groups are already featured?
Link: http://www.peopleripple.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Social-Networking/peopleripple-com-helping-others-through-the-web
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What it does
Twitter is constantly being developed, and by now it is clear that it is not only here to stay, but that it will leave an indelible mark on the way that we communicate with each other.
The solution we are discussing right now can be defined in a couple of choice words: A mute button for Twitter. That is, Twalala not only does let you monitor what you see in your Twitter stream, but also what you don’t see. This is achieved by letting you silence those Twitterers who get in your nerves, and also by enabling you to filter out tweets out of your stream by setting down keywords and phrases.
Using this client is not only quite straightforward, but it is also free. All you have to do in order to get going is furnish your Twitter credentials.
Note that this new project is still in beta, so don’t expect everything to work flawlessly. Also, if you come across something that should not be there, do make a point of contacting the team at twalala.info@gmail.com and let them know about your experience, as well as showing your support.
In their own words
“Get ready to take control of your twitterstream. twalala is a client for Twitter that allows you to control what you see, and more importantly, what you don’t see in your twitterstream. Using twalala, you can filter tweets out of your stream by keywords and phrases or mute individuals who get a bit too chatty. Finally, Twitter with a mute button.”
Why it might be a killer
Tweetaholics everywhere will appreciate the added flexibility.
Some questions
How configurable is it? How many keywords and phrases can you set down? Is there a limit?
Link: http://www.twalala.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web-App-Tools/twalala-com-twitter-with-a-mute-button
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What it does
Traditionally speaking, writers are something of a peculiar breed. No, that is too risky a generalization – a line must be drawn between those who write prose and those who write poetry. I can’t recall right now whether it was the Nobel laureate W.B. Yeats or his father who claimed that prose is the language of sociable spirits, while poetry is the voice of solitary souls – whoever it was from that incredibly talented family, he couldn’t have hit the nail more squarely on the head.
I was reminded of all this when looking at this site. You see, this new online resource enables authors to collaborate with others and come up with a text which has input from users everywhere. Such an approach can only apply to prose writing – I share Yeats’ vantage point. Poets are people who need a truly private space (“A room of their own”, to quote Ms. Woolf), and such a tool would never work out for them. Poetry, by definition, is the result of an inner conflict that is solely resolved within one’s own self. Prose has a way out when the dilemma becomes collective.
As such, this online resource adheres to its tagline of “Many people – one voice” by letting users collaborate in fields like citizen journalism, news articles and blog posts. Moreover, it is possible to ask for the advice of fellow internauts as regards texts for petitions and related documents. This service is provided at no cost whatsoever, too, so it can be said that MixedInk can help out more than a handful of people all over the world.
In their own words
“MixedInk takes a fresh approach to collaborative writing. It’s a fun, democratic and elegant way for people to weave their best ideas together. (Plus, it’s free!)”
Why it might be a killer
It makes collaborative writing processes a tangible reality.
Some questions
How can this system be further developed?
Link: http://wwww.mixedink.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/mixedink-com-free-collaborative-writing-tool
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What it does
Self-touted as “The fastest way to find a job online”, Resume Bomber stands as a resume posting service that enables people to post multiple CVs at the very same time. As a matter of fact, it allows anybody to deploy resumes at more than 80 job sites at once.
In addition to the evident time-saving advantage such a service entails, you are also treated to instant job search alerts from all the job banks where you resume is posted. Moreover, once you post a resume, the provided internal search engine keeps on working for you in order to find a suitable match.
This service is provided for a one-time fee which is detailed on the site. If you have been having a hard time trying to get a job as of late (a story which is unfortunately becoming quite common for a large number of people), this site might just bring some rays of light into the picture. Just station your web browser at www.resumebomber.com in order to get started.
In their own words
“Post your resume to 80+ job sites in one easy stop. Doing the legwork yourself means you’re likely to get only a tiny fraction of the job opportunities out there while spending exponentially more time.”
Why it might be a killer
Taking into account the recession we are immersed in, it is always good to have resources such as this one at hand in case the worst happens.
Some questions
How much does this service cost?
Link: http://www.resumebomber.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Web20/resumebomber-com-posting-resumes-made-smooth
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Why it might be a killer
Those who wish to have some fun with their pictures might find such a service compelling.
Some questions
Is this solution available only as a web-based application, or is a desktop version also available?
In their own words
“Tilt-shift miniature style photos are pictures of real-life scenes that are manipulated to look like model photographs. Now you can easily transform your existing digital camera photos into tilt-shift miniatures using tiltshiftmaker.com.”
What it does
To put it in simple words, TiltShift Maker is a web-based solution that will let you toy around with photographs and have some fun with them. Specifically, what the site lets you do is turn your real life scenes and make them look like model photographs, IE miniatures.
As you can imagine, not every kind of picture is suitable to this kind of process – the appropriate ones are those that capture an overall scene, rather that the ones which depict a single object.
At any rate, a set of sample photos is provided in the event you don’t have any pictures to try out, or if you want to see how things work out without undergoing the upload process. These include city scenes, coastlines, Roman ruins and related landscapes.
The conversion process, incidentally, is a quite straightforward one – you can either upload a photo of your own from your desktop, or choose one straight from any website that you like. In the latter case, make sure to keep copyright regulations in mind.
Link: http://www.tiltshiftmaker.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Video-Music-Photo/tiltshiftmaker-com-have-fun-with-your-photos
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