Twitter Like A Super Ninja!

MediaTrust Adds ELC Technologies’ OpenSocial Container Plug-in Support to bookQube

ELC Technologies Instrumental in Building Relevance Engine That Powers MediaTrust’s Social Networking Applications

ELC Technologies, the California-based consulting firm with the industry’s largest global team of dedicated Ruby on Rails developers, today announced that MediaTrust, Inc., is the first company to adopt its recently announced OpenSocial Container plug-in. Over the past several months, ELC used Ruby on Rails and its agile software practices to develop the relevancy engine that forms the basis for MediaTrust’s bookQube and other social media platforms. The addition of the new OpenSocial Container plug-in enables third-party developers to create their own plug-in applications for bookQube using the Google OpenSocial standard.

MediaTrust’s bookQube connects its users to relevant book reviews, blogs, discussions and recommendations and introduces users to other book lovers who share common interests. It operates on proprietary technology developed by ELC for the company. The technology makes it possible for web site owners to easily incorporate social networking into their sites and to make recommendations for relevant content, users and ads. When released in early November bookQube included support for the new Google OpenSocial standard. The innovative new OpenSocial Container plug-in from ELC allows MediaTrust to leverage the emerging OpenSocial standard.

According to Joseph Matheny, chief technology officer for MediaTrust, ELC Technologies has been instrumental in bringing bookQube online ahead of schedule and with expanded capabilities by using Ruby on Rails and agile software development techniques.

“When we began formulating our original social networking concept two years ago, Ruby on Rails wasn’t a consideration,” explained Matheny. “The original project was created using .NET, but it was too rigid and did not have the modularity we needed to achieve the vision we had in mind. With Ruby on Rails and ELC’s agile software practices we were able to broaden the spec for the original project to create a more robust platform that can scale to handle millions of users without losing any development time. Without ELC and their Ruby on Rails expertise, we would still be struggling to launch bookQube and create the kind of relevance engine that is the foundation of the MediaTrust’s vision. ELC’s OpenSocial Container takes this vision another step forward – allowing third-party developers to quickly and easily create new applications based on MediaTrust’s patent-pending relevance engine.”

“Our work with MediaTrust demonstrates the versatility and scalability of Rails for commercial applications,” said Ryan Garver, chief technology officer for ELC Technologies. “Working with Joe and the MediaTrust team has allowed us to stretch our creative capabilities and deliver something unique and powerful for social media in the MediaTrust relevance engine. Adding our new OpenSocial Container to bookQube is just the first step in enlisting other developers to take advantage of the platform we helped MediaTrust create.”

Social Media Digest

Web Strategy Summary: To know
Google announced it’s intent to build a profile system, which will allow social networks to be built anywhere, and used by anyone. Coupled with OpenSocial, this could break down any silos that many are concerned about. The ’socialization’ of the web (all the web) continues to be a theme.

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Identity Systems: Google to launch profile feature
The root of any social network contains two major features 1) an individuals profile 2) The connections they have to other profiles. Google is launching part one with their individual profiles that allow users to upload their identity and preferences. Expect them to make their entire web experience (from search to docs, to picassa) more of a social experience where people share with others, comment, and collect.

Insight: People not brands lead social networks
Doc gives an very interesting perspective in response to my debate on join vs build, be sure to read his post and ask yourself how this applies to your own life.

Platform: Wordpress could be a Social Networking Platform
Chris Messina suggest that Wordpress could be a Social Networking platform, while currently a publishing CMS tool. The first thing to do is look at the technographics of a community, and identify does everyone want to be a creator? Not likely.

Platforms: Social Network Platform Wars
Great graphic from Dave McClure showing a visual representation of what the platforms are starting to look like. With many platforms emerging and APIs don’t give up on opensocial (but recognize the challenges)

Watch: Cisco’s Entertainment Operating System (EOS)
Cisco recently acquired Tribe and Five Across and are now starting to consolidate these one off acquisitions into real products. EOS is supposadly supposed to provide media to social networks, as well as a potential platform. The challenge? Does Cisco know media? even social media? The upside for Cisco? More bandwidth for their infrastructure products.

Usage: Social Network adoption continues to rise
eMarketer has some useful stats that indicate that the growth of social networks will continue in terms of adoption and monetization. Interesting to see the saturation of the teen market already.

Acquisition: Penthouse buys lifestyle social networks
Penthouse expands it’s online reach by acquiring Various, which owns adultfriendfinder, Italianfriendfinder.com, gradfinder.com and bigchurch.com. Smart move for a media company. Projected price? $340 million.

Mobile: Sprint and MySpace serve web experience
Not uncommon to see, as iPhone serves up a very nice Facebook experienece, Sprint and MySpace are working to serve up a mobile experience. I can’t wait for the day when mobile devices all render the same experience from a single browser.

Friending: “Whales” are insecure
A whale is a person with more than 1000 contacts on a social network, this article suggests that some of them insecure. While this may be true for some, for me it’s a business networking tool, i’s my rolodex, a listening tool, and a way to reach thousands. Nearly limitless business opportunities. For those who are trying use this as a social tool (college, dating, etc) I can see why this may make sense.

widgetQube video on YouTube

This is a great video on a great looking, great functioning RSS reader widget from widgetQube! widgetQube is a member of the oneQube family.

MediaTrust Debuts bookQube:Social Network for Book Enthusiasts Features e-books from ebrary

NEW YORK and PALO ALTO, Calif. -– November 5, 2007 –

MediaTrust, Inc. in partnership with ebrary®, debuts the private beta version of bookQube: a vibrant online social network that allows book enthusiasts to view, read, purchase, network, review and discuss books.

bookQube was built by MediaTrust on top of proprietary technology that allows Web sites to incorporate social networking, and make recommendations for relevant content, users and ads. bookQube connects its users with relevant book reviews, blogs, discussions and recommendations and supports the OpenSocial standard. Users can also be introduced to other book enthusiasts with common interests and behaviors, and may be invited to relevant book discussions, clubs and groups.

bookQube’s Virtual Bookshelf feature will allow users to browse ebrary’s specially developed e-book collection, and subscribe to titles of interest. Each bookQube user is provided the tools to share thoughts and opinions on favorite titles, authors, publishers and subject categories. They may also create or join private book clubs, or participate in public book groups.

“We are pleased to partner with ebrary, a leading e-book and technology provider, to bring high-quality content to bookQube members,” said Joseph Matheny, chief technology officer, MediaTrust. “We are combining ebrary’s world class content with MediaTrust’s smart recommendation and social networking technology to deliver a fun and productive online network for book lovers around the world.”

“At ebrary, we are constantly looking for new opportunities to deliver value to both end users and electronic content,” said Christopher Warnock, CEO and co-founder of ebrary. “Collaborating with MediaTrust on bookQube, offers both our users and our publishers the ability to explore the potential of a powerful social network with authoritative content in a manner that is mutually beneficial to the user, the publisher and the author of the works permitted to participate in this network.”

About MediaTrust
MediaTrust (www.mediatrust.com) is an ecosystem of online media properties. MediaTrust combines innovative interactive media and advertising technology with human service and expertise. Companies that choose MediaTrust benefit from relevant and intelligent online campaigns that deliver higher ROI and greater success in acquiring customers, creating brand awareness, generating sales and driving traffic.

MediaTrust is comprised of Advaliant, a performance-based affiliate marketing network, Advario, a proprietary ad serving platform, leading-edge media technologies and the MediaTrust Integrated Solutions Group (ISG). The ISG is comprised of specialists that analyze customer needs and build custom performance-based campaigns that optimize returns for each advertiser and publisher.

About ebrary (www.ebrary.com)
ebrary® is a leading provider of eContent services and technology. The company helps libraries, publishers, and other organizations disseminate valuable information to end users, while improving end-user research and document interaction.

The company has developed a flexible eContent platform, which customers may use in a number of different, integrated capacities: ebrary customers may purchase or subscribe to eBooks and other content under a variety of pricing and access models, and they may license the ebrary platform to distribute, sell, and market their own content online. All options are delivered using a customizable interface and include the ebrary Reader™ with InfoTools™ software, which enable integration with other resources to provide an economical and efficient way to utilize information.

ebrary currently offers a growing selection of more than 150,000 eBooks and other titles from more than 260 leading publishers and aggregators.

For four consecutive years, ebrary has been named to the EContent 100 list of “companies that matter most” in the digital content industry.

Founded in 1999, ebrary is privately held and is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, USA.

bookQube : PRIVATE BETA INVITE

Congratulations, you have been chosen to participate in a beta preview of new social networking system that focuses on literature, reading and books. Welcome to bookQube, the first social networking system built upon the new social media platform, oneQube .

You were chosen from a list of participants that submitted their addresses to receive beta invitations and updates about oneQube products and services.

If you have already signed up, this is a reminder to come back and check out the new features, such as: multiple bookshelves, video profile messages, private messaging, Amazon catalog books and much more!

To participate in the bookQube beta, go to: http://www.bookqube.com , sign in with the username: staging and the password: st@g1ng

Then, sign up or a new account and follow the directions.

Once you've activated your account, be sure to fill out your profile and soon you 'll be on your way to making new friends, participating in groups and collecting ebooks!

For any questions, bugs or inquiries, send email to errors@bookqube.com

Enjoy!

Welcome to bookQube – a home for booklovers!

bookQube offers all the resources you need to immerse yourself in the literary world. Based on the information you provide, bookQube will match you with books, users, and groups that cater to your interests. You can also search for titles to add to your virtual bookshelf and build your social network so you can share and discover great reads!

·Discover great reads in any genre, from the classics to contemporary works, and add your favorites to your bookshelf.

·Explore and contribute reviews and rants, ideas and opinions relating to your favorite books and authors.

·Engage in open discussions in book groups, private analysis in book clubs, and one-on-one dialogues with friends.

Join Now!

Explore bookQube!

Our Features:

· A friends – Connect with users you know or make new friends. The commonalities feature will inform you of how many friends, books, or groups you have in common with a user. Build a social network to expand your influence and resources in the realm of books. On your dashboard, bookQube will recommend people that share interests with you whom you may consider adding to your social network.

· A books – Add titles to your virtual bookshelf that you can read, review, or purchase online. Based on these titles, bookQube will recommend additional titles of interest. You can search for books by author, title, publisher, or tags, or you can browse through the bookshelves of other users. On your dashboard, the highlights feature will keep you up to date on new releases, top rated titles, and book reviews by other users.

· B log – Create your own blog to voice your thoughts and opinions on the books, authors, publishers, and book categories you love, and share your valuable ideas with other interested readers. Want to know what other people are thinking? Read the blogs of other users. On your dashboard, bookQube will recommend blogs of interest.

· Join groups – Join or start a group that you identify with and meet people with similar interests. Post to a group and contribute to an ongoing discussion. Groups are open to everyone. On your dashboard, bookQube will recommend groups of interest.

· Join clubs – Start a book club and have your own discussions with select members. Clubs are private and can be joined by invitation only.

Join Now!

Explore bookQube!

widgetQube is proud to announce the release of widgetQube Windows: Ticker

widgetQube Windows: Ticker is the pre-Vista widgetQube application … the way the ‘always on’ generation stays informed. widgetQube is an interactive virtual desktop accessory that makes it easy to view news from favorite websites and blogs by leveraging rapidly growing widget based standards and technologies. widgetQube makes it easy to see what’s going on in the world, with up to the date news conveniently delivered right to your desktop. No searching or surfing required! widgetQube is a constant and ‘always on’ desktop companion. Its persistence will insure that you stay informed and up to the minute with news and information in our busy modern age. Best of all, widgetQube is free.


widgetQube Windows: Ticker is available now from this URL: http://www.widgetqube.com/?tab=products&widget=windows

Check out our other widgets at http://www.widgetqube.com/, including our Mac widget, which was picked for the Apple.com Staff Pick List for the week of May 07, 2007 and made the top 50 most downloaded widgets list for the same week on the Apple.com Widget Gallery.
Other widgets being released in the coming weeks: Yahoo Widget, Vista Gadget, Google Gadget, Flash Widget for Webmasters and iPhone Widget.

widgetQube is part of the oneQube relevance network and is a product of MediaTrust