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
no comment
In their own words
“Zumbox is a paperless postal service, offering a practical alternative to traditional postal systems. We have created more than 150 million mailboxes – one for every street address in the United States – including yours. Using Zumbox, any person or business can send an electronic message to any street address in the country. Mail recipients go to Zumbox.com and type-in their street address to view their mail safely and securely.”
Why it might be a killer
Using Zumbox, it is very easy to reach anybody over the Internet, and without even needing that person’s e-mail address. In that sense, it stands as a viable alternative to other forms of communication, and it brings the best from many services together.
What it does
This new solution is described by the team behind it as “The alternative postal service.” This is a quite accurate way of putting the concept across once you learn about the basic premise: what used to be sent as paper mail can be sent without the paper. That is, the company has come up with a paperless postal service that takes into account every street address in the United States.
This is achieved by having a private and secure web page for each and every postal service address. In order to access it, all you have to do is type the street address on the home page, and your mails will be displayed as envelopes for you to click about.
On the other hand, mailing somebody through Zumbox is also a supple task. All you have to do is upload a Word document or a PDF and specify the street address of the recipient. The mail will then be sent electronically.
From the previous paragraph, you can see where the main difference with e-mail lies. To send someone an e-mail, you must know his e-mail address. When it comes to Zumbox, a street address will suffice. If we bear in mind that businesses always have the street addresses of their customers, but not necessarily their e-mail addresses, the uses of this new solution become evident.
Some questions
What information must you furnish in order to sign up?
Link: http://beta.zumbox.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/beta-zumbox-com-the-alternative-postal-service
What it does
If for any reason you ever need to mail a file in an urgent manner and you can’t seem to access your regular service provider, then a solution such as this one is more than likely to come in handy.
In principle, this web-based solution enables any person to upload a file (amounting to no more than 100 MB) and send it to the recipients he wishes. That is it. There is no need to log in or create an account, and you don’t have to pay any fees at all. You don’t even need to disclose information of any kind in order to use uSend. You simply furnish the above-mentioned information and you are ready to set the ball rolling.
Although services such as this one are never going to cause an online sensation, it is always useful to have at least a couple of them bookmarked for future reference. You can try this one for yourself at the provided URL and see where it stands for you.
In their own words
“Sending files the easy way.”
Why it might be a killer
It is a versatile solution that is provided at no cost whatsoever.
Some questions
Are there related services that make for sending bigger files, and which are also available free of charge?
Link: http://www.usend.io
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/usend-io-sending-files-over-the-web-with-ease
In their own words
“Free, receive only, temporary, throwaway, e-mail accounts.”
Why it might be a killer
It is an effective way of keeping everything in check, and to avoid having to deal with unwarranted messages in your inbox.
Some questions
How does it compare to other related services on the web today? How does it better them?
What it does
We all are understandably reluctant to give away our e-mail addresses when surfing the web, and we all have our reasons for that. It is something we learn the hard way, but trouble is that such sensitive information sometimes has to be shared for any reason or the other. A solution like the one we are discussing right now provides a very convenient answer to that dilemma.
Generally speaking, through the site it is possible to create a disposable account that you can use for receiving temporary e-mails and avoid the hassle and frustration of having them intermingled with the information that truly matters to you.
Tempinbox is provided free of charge, and this solution also has the added bonus of being very easy to implement - there is no need to create an account or even register in order to get started. All you have to do is use an “[anything]@tempinbox.com” address which can be readily checked through the site.
As you can see, the emphasis is on providing a free and simple solution that puts an effective stop to common worries, and it can be said that Tempinbox delivers the goods in time and manner. Give it a spin for yourself at the provided address and see if you agree or not.
Link: http://www.tempinbox.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/tempinbox-com-a-throwaway-e-mail-account
Some questions
How much does the premium plan cost?
In their own words
“Zapproved has one mission: Deliver collaborative tools that can be instantly adopted by businesses. Our intuitive apps streamline process to make people more productive and accountable at work.”
Why it might be a killer
Companies of every denomination are bound to find the added flexibility compelling.
What it does
A solution that has just become available to the general public as a whole, Zapproved can be best described as a set of collaborative tools that make for increasing productivity while reducing procedural complications and lowering costs.
The basis of this system is using e-mail communications that document the way things are shaping up, and which are sent to every person that participates in the decision itself. These e-mails have a clear subject line, and a call-to-action is included along with a deadline. Team members are then able to volunteer their services for specific tasks, and multiple approvers are also accounted for by the system. The process being completely transparent, every participant knows where he stands within the project, and where the team stands as a whole.
This tool has the distinct advantage of being a cloud-based application, which in practice means that internal and external participants can be readily included, as recipients do not need to register.
This solution can be tried for free, and if you find that it is exactly what your company needs in order to bolster its productivity you can always sign up for the premium version. This paid plan includes larger storage limits along with extended archiving.
Link: http://www.zapproved.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/zapproved-com-decision-making-simplified
What it does
Are you looking into ways of having a more realized social networking experience? If the answer to that question is an affirmative one, the solution that we are discussing right now is probably going to be of interest to you.
In essence, Voike is a web application that will enable you to add your own voice to a provided blog or profile. The most noteworthy aspect of this application is that the process is carried over the telephone. That is, the provided technology makes for the distribution and forwarding of voice files. These voice files include not only personal messages but also telephone conferences, so that it can be said that the system takes into account that important share of the market too.
In order to start using this system, Voikers register both themselves and their phone numbers on the Voike site. From that point onwards, they can start posting messages to a phone number that is specifically designated to these purposes. These files can then be sent as a phone call to be heard by the intended recipient.
When all is said and done, this service stands as an interesting development in the field of communications, and it is bound to arouse quite a bit of interest. You can become a Voiker right now by following the link displayed below, and draw your own conclusions.
In their own words
“We are Voike, and we are a new concept in social internet platforms specializing in allowing our users to voice their emotions by phone. We are the first social platform to post their voice at any time from anywhere, through a phone call.”
Why it might be a killer
Any solution that furthers communication and maximizes the uses the web has is certain to do well.
Some questions
Are there fees to be paid for using Voike?
Link: http://www.voike.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/voike-com-communicating-voice-messages-easily
What it does
If for any reason you have to send an e-mail communication in an anonymous manner, this application is going to suit you just fine. To make things more interesting, you can not only send anonymous messages through the site, but also send e-mails and make them appear as if they came from another person.
This process is implemented in a very easy way too, and that is a definitive bonus. You don’t need to sign up or login in order to use it, and there are no fees of any kind to be paid.
As it is fit, the e-mails that can be sent using Deadfake come complete with some text effects that can be applied. All the better for concocting together your master wind-up.
At the end of the day, it is always nice to have services such as this one at hand. They tend to come in handy when you least expect it, and that is a proven fact.
In their own words
“Welcome to deadfake - a site that lets you send free fake emails to anyone you like. Not only is it anonymous, you can make it appear to come from anyone you choose! Fancy winding up your mates? Your boss? Or anyone at all? Then head on over to the sending page and get sending!”
Why it might be a killer
It is a free service that can be easily put into practice.
Some questions
How is the actual process implemented? What information must you supply?
Link: http://www.deadfake.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/deadfake-com-sending-anonymous-e-mails
In their own words
“Got an email account you're about to lose or close? Need a backup of your email? Liberate your email and transfer it to Gmail in 3 easy steps with YippieMove. We will copy your archive of emails into your Gmail account while preserving your emails' subject, text and attachments. And thanks to our fast servers, it doesn't need to take long at all.”
Why it might be a killer
This service stands as a suitable way of preserving information in a hassle-free fashion.
What it does
The tagline of this application is “e-mail transfers made easy”, and it adheres to this philosophy by enabling users to back up e-mail accounts that they are about to lose or close in a simple three-step process.
Basically, this process involves specifying the account that you want to move your e-mails from, provide a Gmail account to which the mails will be transferred, and paying the fee that is charged. The transfer itself should be taken care of within a forty eight-hour period, and you can always check out the way things are shaping up by visiting the “Status” page.
The process preserves not only the actual archive of e-mails but also the attachments that accompany them, so it can be said that this solution is a comprehensive one.
The site also includes a thorough list of the sources which are currently supported by the company, and this list is broken down into categories such as “Business & Personal”, “Colleges/Universities” and “International Providers”.
All in all, this is a good bet for those who are looking into ways of preserving vital information and can’t afford to copy messages one by one. Check it out at the provided URL and see if it will accommodate your needs or not in person.
Some questions
How much does the company charge for this service?
Link: http://www.yippiemove.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/yippiemove-com-backing-up-your-e-mail-accounts
In their own words
“Fuzzmail records the act of writing and lets you send it as an email. Dynamic changes, typoes, pauses and writeovers are captured and communicated. We created fuzzmail because we wanted a more emotionally expressive alternative to email, so that an emailed love letter does not have to look the same as a business letter.”
Why it might be a killer
It is a more emotionally-charged alternative to other messaging solutions, and it is provided at no cost.
What it does
Fuzzmail is an online messaging solution that serves a specific function, namely recording the act of writing and making it the integral part of this application. That is, whenever you send a message through the site, the other person will be able to see how you typed it and which corrections and deletions were made.
In a certain sense, it can be said that Fuzzmail is a more expressive and emotional alternative to traditional e-mail communications. The site clearly spells out that an e-mailed love letter does not have to look the same way as a business or commercial letter.
This solution is provided at no cost at all, and it is entirely web-based – no need to download or install anything, nor engage into update process later on. All you need is a computer with an Internet connection, and any of the major web browsers that are currently doing the rounds.
At the end of the day, if you are on the lookout for a more personalized method of getting a message across, then this site stands as a suitable resource. Try it out for yourself and see if it resonates with you the way it is meant to or not.
Some questions
How can this solution realize its full potential?
Link: http://www.fuzzmail.org
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/fuzzmail-org-an-e-mail-solution-with-a-difference
In their own words
“Blackbird was developed on the simple proposition that we, as the African American community, can make the Internet experience better for ourselves and, in doing so, make it better for everyone. Primarily we believe that the Blackbird application can make it easier to find African American related content on the Internet and to interact with other members of the African American community online by sharing stories, news, comments and videos via Blackbird.”
Why it might be a killer
It is a very valuable resource for members of the African American community, as it gives them instant access to pertinent contents on the web today.
Some questions
What is the current version of Blackbird? What features are planned for future updates?
What it does
Found at BlackbirdHome.com, Blackbird is a web browser that sits atop Firefox and which is geared towards the African American community. The basic aim is to create an application that will let said individuals come across relevant content on the web as well as connecting with other African Americans easily. This way, stories and comments can be readily shared over the WWW along with recommendations.
This solution is presented by 40A, Inc., a company that has been started by Messrs. Arnold Bown II, Frank Washington and H. Edward Young, Jr., three African American entrepreneurs.
The latest version of Blackbird can be procured at the site and downloaded at no cost whatsoever. Installation and configuration are also handled in an uncomplicated manner.
To sum it up, this new solution stands as a practical way of providing more visibility and access to African American contents and services on the Internet. For further information, station your web browser at the address which is provided and start reading right now.
Link: http://www.blackbirdhome.com
Our Review: http://www.killerstartups.com/Comm/blackbirdhome-com-an-african-american-web-browser