What it does
So what exactly is the state of music these days? DRM or no DRM? Download or buy? Who gets what? These are some of the more pressing questions facing, artists, musicians, and record labels of late. Where music execs have made all the money, artists often get shafted, and forced to generate revenue through heavy touring. Physical sales are almost non-existent and there hasn’t been a viable model to replace this decline in sales. Which is where Merlin comes in. Merlin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping independent music companies steer through the flotsam and jetsam of today’s musical quagmire. They handle rights, they negotiate distributions, and focus on a global scale. The idea is that one centralized voice for independent labels beats a thousand small voices trying to be heard. It’s a competitive world and Merlin wants to help overcome fragmentation. If you’re a musician or record label, visit the site and register. To date, Merlin has agreements with over 12,000 labels.
In their own words
“Merlin is a non-profit organisation charged with representing independent music companies in enhancing the commercial exploitation of their copyrights on a global basis.
With members in over 25 countries, Merlin is the first rights body focusing purely on the interests of the global independent music sector, which collectively represents 30% of all music sales.”
Why it might be a killer
Merlin is a great resource for independent music labels and artists. Instead of vying for a voice among many, Merlin acts as one centralized voice with the aim of helping. They are not for profit, so you can be sure of getting fair and equal representation and help. What’s more it won’t cost you your soul.
Some questions
Will Merlin become the next thing in music? Does Merlin have what it takes to make a dent in the web/music/rights scene? Will labels and artists be happy with the services provided by Merlin? How does Merlin operate as a nonprofit organization?
Updates
What it does
Do you know Pidgin (also known as its former incarnation, Gaim)? Pidgin isn’t a funny speech impediment. Nor is it a language forged through two separate languages out of happenstance. But, it does get its name from the latter. Pidgin, in this instance, is a web creation borne from the needs of chat users who have too many friends on too many chat platforms to keep track of. Simply put, Pidgin is a multi-platform, multiple language, cross platform, instant messaging client that is compatible with AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, Zephyr, IRC and Gadu-Gadu. It features tabbed conversations and buddy lists. Now there’s FunPidgin. Borne as a response to Pidgin’s automatic resizing feature, FunPidgin does all that Pidgin can do, but with manual resizing. You can also turn off persistent window placement. Its releases will correspond with Pidgin’s so you won’t miss out on a thing. FunPidgin and its sister Pidgin work with Windows, Linux, and BSD.
In their own words
“Funpidgin is a modified version of the Pidgin instant messenger application. It was made in response to the controversial auto-resizing textbox that was implemented in Pidgin. Current features of Funpidgin include manual resizing and the ability to turn off persistent window placement. Funpidgin’s releases are meant to coincide with Pidgin’s releases.”
Why it might be a killer
FunPidgin provides a good solution for those who enjoyed the convenience of Pidgin but didn’t like the auto resizing feature. It has all the best qualities of Pidgin and will be updated in line with Pidgin.
Some questions
Will Pidgin users make use of FunPidgin? Will they like the changes? Or will they stick to the original Pidgin?
Updates
read full story of "funpidgin.sourceforge.net - A Pidgin Fork"
What it does
There’s no end to the various charities, organizations, and groups all doing something in the name of goodwill. You can literally subscribe to a million different causes from saving polar bears to freeing Mumia to getting rid of the Federal Reserve. There will always be a cause to champion. And lately, being charitable is in vogue. We all know the most popular causes are often the ones that come celebrity endorsed and neatly packaged by slick PR gurus. Feel like going green? Thanks Al. Save Africa? Go Bono (and Brangelina)! Think change is good? Vote for Barack. Now, the actress Jessica Biel has a cause close to her heart. This one comes packaged in Web 2.0 Startup form and is aptly named, Make the Difference Network. Its aim, as you may have guessed, is to make a difference. It does this by providing a platform for nonprofits and organizations to reach out to you, the kind web user, so that you can help, volunteer or donate. Think of it as a cause-oriented social network. You can search for causes by community, celebrity, business or nonprofits. Simply sign up to get started.
In their own words
“Make The Difference Network (MTDN) is a cause-oriented social network that connects nonprofit organizations with potential donors and increases awareness for small-to-medium nonprofit organizations.
Our Misson is to democratize giving by increasing the visibility of thousands of nonprofit organizations and empowering potential donors to search, select and fund these organizations’ specific “Wishes” and then to see the results of their giving.”
Why it might be a killer
Make the Difference has star power. It’s a win-win situation. The nonprofits pay a modest fee for services. Users can find and help causes they are passionate about. And the world is a better place for it.
Some questions
Does Make the Difference Network have enough security in place to prevent scams and fraud. Will the star power behind it make a difference? Will users actually donate?
Updates
read full story of "MTDN.com - Jessica Biel’s New (Charitable) Site"
What it does
How do you like your news? Served straight? On a bed of text and images? Video-style? Perhaps with a dash of snarky sarcasm and ironic lines drawn over the faces of unwitting celebs? If you’re more of a fan of the visual, head over to the Photo Stream and check out what this site has to offer. The Photo Stream is shows what’s popular on the internet. It’s news, buzz, gossip, and popular blogs and articles displayed in photos. Its visual interface takes the boring out of other news/buzz-sharing sites like digg or reddit. The Photo Stream is Flickr but with actual articles and stories behind the pictures. Once on the site, you can move your cursor along anything that tickles your fancy, and learn more from a little caption that pops up. If you want the full story, click on the picture and it’ll take you that particular website. If you’ve got content you want share, you can do that too. Just submit and enjoy the news.
In their own words
“The Photo Stream delivers buzz and newsworthy content to the masses through a rich, eye-opening photo interface.”
Why it might be a killer
The Photo Stream provides an innovative, refreshing way to find out what’s hot on the internets and around the world. It has a compelling, but easy to use interface. Moreover, users will soon be able to create their own photo streams with their own stories and content.
Some questions
Will The Photo Stream be a hit with the masses? Will they like the format? The site is a bit on the sparse side and the content isn’t that engaging. Will more users submit and enrich the site?
Updates
read full story of "ThePhotoStream.com - News, Served in Photos"
What it does
Here’s another web app tool to add to your arsenal: Zip-Online, a quick and easy file compressor. You’ve probably had the experience of trying to send large files—say a Powerpoint presentation, or pictures or music– to a friend, coworker, or family member, only to have it take forever to send, or not send at all because of size. This is where Zip-Online comes in handy. It’s a simple tool that requires no downloading. It works from any browser. So, if you’re in Shanghai or Jakarta, you can stop by any internet café and share your adventures. Just upload the file (up to 5 files can be uploaded at once) then, zip it and send it. You can send files up to 650kb in size.
In their own words
“Upload and ZIP files online”
Why it might be a killer
Zip-Online is handy if you’re traveling or away from your own PC. It’s browser based so you don’t need to download a thing. The option to email the zipped file is a nice touch.
Some questions
Is this necessary? There are dozens of similar sites out there. How does Online-Zip differ from the competition?
Updates
What it does
Here’s another web app tool to add to your arsenal: Zip-Online, a quick and easy file compressor. You’ve probably had the experience of trying to send large files—say a Powerpoint presentation, or pictures or music– to a friend, coworker, or family member, only to have it take forever to send, or not send at all because of size. This is where Zip-Online comes in handy. It’s a simple tool that requires no downloading. It works from any browser. So, if you’re in Shanghai or Jakarta, you can stop by any internet café and share your adventures. Just upload the file (up to 5 files can be uploaded at once) then, zip it and send it. You can send files up to 650kb in size.
In their own words
“Upload and ZIP files online”
Why it might be a killer
Zip-Online is handy if you’re traveling or away from your own PC. It’s browser based so you don’t need to download a thing. The option to email the zipped file is a nice touch.
Some questions
Is this necessary? There are dozens of similar sites out there. How does Online-Zip differ from the competition?
Updates
What it does
Here’s another web app tool to add to your arsenal: Zip-Online, a quick and easy file compressor. You’ve probably had the experience of trying to send large files—say a Powerpoint presentation, or pictures or music– to a friend, coworker, or family member, only to have it take forever to send, or not send at all because of size. This is where Zip-Online comes in handy. It’s a simple tool that requires no downloading. It works from any browser. So, if you’re in Shanghai or Jakarta, you can stop by any internet café and share your adventures. Just upload the file (up to 5 files can be uploaded at once) then, zip it and send it. You can send files up to 650kb in size.
In their own words
“Upload and ZIP files online”
Why it might be a killer
Zip-Online is handy if you’re traveling or away from your own PC. It’s browser based so you don’t need to download a thing. The option to email the zipped file is a nice touch.
Some questions
Is this necessary? There are dozens of similar sites out there. How does Online-Zip differ from the competition?
Updates
What it does
As we all well know, YouTube is the be all and end all of online video. You’ll find everything from how-to videos, to slap fights, to laughing babies and music videos. The latter makes it a great source to get new music, but converting YouTube’s FLV format to iPod-ready MP3 is often a heady process requiring multiple downloads and far more time than’ it’s worth. Luckily, there are several fixes that make this process a whole lot easier. One of those is called FLVto. FLVto is a simple web application that requires no downloading or installation It converts YouTube videos and other flash-based videos to MP3 in a matter of seconds. Just enter the URL of the file you want to convert (or upload if necessary), then click ok. FLVto will work it’s magic and you’ve got our free MP3. It’s free.
In their own words
“We convert your files up to 100 Mb !
FLV to MP3 Converter is 100% free and you don’t need to install additional software.
This converter is great to convert videos to songs in a high quality”
Why it might be a killer
FLVto is a good, free and easy tool for converting YouTube videos to MP3. It’s great for users looking for free music.
Some questions
Is the quality of the MP3 good? Will users like what they get? Will the server be quick enough for users?
Updates
What it does
Like the thrill of beating your friends, colleagues, and family at online games? Or do you just like games in general? If so, check out Friv. Friv may not sound like much, but you’ll be surprised. Enter the site, and you’ll be greeted with a load of tiny screen shots from a screen full of games. You can drag your curser over each screen shot to learn the name of the game and decide if you want to play. Click on the game that tickles your fancy and start playing. Friv is that easy. Just visit and play. There’s not much else to write home about. Friv will keep you occupied for hours on end. Just make sure your boss isn’t watching.
In their own words
“Only the very best online games”
Why it might be a killer
Friv will keep you entertained. Whether it’s a slow workday or a slow party day, Friv has all the games to keep you occupied?
Some questions
Will Friv catch on? Will users like the games Friv has? Or will they tire of them easily? Is it simply a gimmick site?
Updates
What it does
Vibstars isn’t your average social networking/digg clone. Imagine it as an amalgamation of both. They want you to change the way you get your news, entertainment, gossip, politics, videos, and music (kitchen sink included, of course). VibStars touts itself as the next level in buzz2buzz. You submit a link, site, article or video, then share with friends, acquaintances, coworkers, and they in turn, send it on. The buzz gets bigger and your link goes viral. Check out the hottest videos and buzz on the main page. Get involved. It’s easy. Simply join, create a profile and share your latest discoveries. It’s free.
In their own words
“Vibstars is a social network of socialbuzzing that lets you easily spread your ideas and discoveries on the Web
Vibstars is not a digg-like or a platform of miniblogging but paves the way for buzz2buzz.
You propose an idea, a link to an article, a video of youtube or the images found on the Web at all your contacts and your friends can with one click send your news to their own networks and so forth.
The best buzz appear on the homepage.”
Why it might be a killer
Vibestars looks pretty. It has video, articles and pictures. It’s not plain text like digg. Users can post what they find interesting and share with friends, family, and the entire web.
Some questions
Will users want another so-called social networking site with a twist? Can it gain critical mass? What’s the goal here?
Updates