GoldMail allows users to create audio-visual promotions that can be sent via email. Essentially, the tool enables users to combine images -- JPG, PDF, PPT, along with music, and the spoken word to make a case for a choice cause. Overall, GoldMail maintains that the key to successful communication is the human voice.
For personal use, GoldMail is available for download at no cost.
The Google+ Project is Google’s latest social media initiative.
Google+ aims to mitigate the differences that currently exist between online versus real-world communication. In order to create more fluidity between online and offline communication, Google+ allows users to participate in online "Hangouts" and "Huddles" with friends, and organize their contacts into "Circles".
Essentially, Google+ strives to make online social networking as similar to real-life socialization as possible.
http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/
http://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-google-plus-2011-6?op=1
Doodle is a scheduling tool that allows users to plan and book meetings and appointments.
It's a great way to figure out a date/time that works for a bunch of people when planning a meeting. Everyone can mark their availability and then the group can decide what works for the most people.
Doodle is a free service that requires no registration.
Herdict is a project of Harvard University's Berkman Center for Internet and Society.
Herdict allows users to report instances of Internet inaccessibility around the world. In real time, Herdict aggregates reports of all such instances. By comparing data via crowdsourcing, a user will be able to determine whether inaccessibility is a shared problem. Ultimately, Herdict aims to help users determine why a site may be unreachable.
Women North Network (WNN) is a virtual development and research community that strives to foster and strengthen relationships between the women and women's organizations of northern British Columbia.
WNN affords opportunities for individuals and groups to share information and resources. Further, by encouraging the development of policy initiatives, WNN aims to bring positive change to British Columbia's northern, rural, and remote communities.
WNN was an initiative of Northern FIRE: The Centre for Women's Health Research at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC).
Kickstarter is the world's largest fundraising platform for creative ventures.
The Kickstarter website allows creators to share their ongoing projects, or ideas for independent creations, online to garner public interest. In turn, those interested are able to pledge financial support to the creative projects of their choice. Essentially, the Kickstarter platform facilitates the funding process by collecting pledges.
Kickstarter features numerous independent projects from a range of creative fields: music, film, food, publishing, technology, design, art, etc.
Trillian is a free chat client that is available for use on desktops, mobile phones, tablets, and the web.
To date, Trillian supports communication on every major instant messaging and social network.
FixMyStreet Georgia is a website that allows Tbilisi residents to report instances of road disrepair directly to City Hall. The project's aim is to encourage open communication between Tbilisi residents and the city's administration on local issues.
The FixMyStreet Georgia platform provides residents with a city map on which they can highlight particular areas of concern. Furthermore, the website allows users to document any additional details on the problem. Upon the online filing of a report, FixMyStreet Georgia will forward the work order on to Tbilisi City Hall.
While similar initiatives already exist in Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, this project remains the first of its kind in the former Soviet Union.
Calais is a tool that analyzes user-submitted text to instantly create rich semantic metadata. Essentially, upon the examination of a user-submitted document, Calais generates entity identification tags. Users may utilize such tags in content management systems, blogs, applications, etc.
Unlike classic entity identification services, Calais also provides users with additional entity tags that may be concealed within submitted text. In doing so, Calais helps to make online content more accessible.
Calais is a free service for commercial and non-commercial use.
