Adopting the Web

This morning I transferred my regularly scheduled jaunt through the content-sphere from Google Reader to FriendFeed.  My FriendFeed community remains significantly smaller than two years of amassed feeds, but the experiment provided a few interesting benefits not readily available through Google Reader.  Thanks to Robert Scoble for the inspiration.

1. Discovery.  Google Reader features a “Discover” function, but only prompts titles of blogs with content similar to my aggregate feeds.  On FriendFeed, the entire experience is rooted in discovery…quickly located a book on the transportation infrastructure of the U.S., simply by sifting through discussions in my community (further reading showed this user also loves Jambalaya).
2. Comments.  Many FriendFeed discussions on the Web have mentioned the ability to comment on various media outlets (Tweets, shared items, videos, etc) from a centralized location.  Hopefully, a little more praise will not delude the conversation.  Following conversations via an comments RSS is frustrating, especially when participating on a Mashable! or TechCrunch sized blog.
3. Locating Interest. The ability to connect with other FriendFeeders with specialized interests is simple.  After about 15 minutes consuming on FriendFeed, I noticed several users who repeatedly selected “Like” on specific topics.  Easily identify people with specialized knowledge is an invaluable benefit and will hopefully grow with the network.

I am still not ready to completely disband Google Reader for FriendFeed.   This new method, however, streamlines my daily reading experience without the need for unreliable plug-ins.  If Google remedies nagging problems such as locating Shared Items outside of my email network and following discussions on specific posts without sifting through thousands of entries on comment feed - I am willing to listen.  Until then, more time on FriendFeed!

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The nineteen original ideas are now narrowed to three after several breakout sessions.  Design, PR, Biz Dev, Back End, Legal, etc examined the feasibility of each project.  Remaining ideas include Wife 2.0, Events/Fandango, and Green House/Competitive Recycling.

The collective knowledge of the event is rapidly providing existing companies in a number of spaces.  Is differentiating worthwhile or possible?  Is an improved interface alone reason to switch services?  Is an immediate revenue model necessary?   What are we selling?

Could be a wash requiring revisiting other ideas…

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After dinner and casual brainstorming…

1. What Is Popular Where. Post band names and location prompting various social networking tools. Generating buzz for events, ideas, people, etc. User Generated Content.

2. Wife 2.0. Professional women need to source “domestic” tasks to reliable services. Sparks local small business by connecting families with service provider.

3. Napster for Textbooks. Spread txtbooks for Kindles and other Personal readers instead of popular novels.

4. Homeless/Unemployed Job Link. Private employment agency 2.0. Sources positions to local employers and provide tax information, work history, etc.

5. Updated Forum System. Well designed, OpenID structure for personal communication outside of SMS, blogging, chat, etc.

6. Community Calendar. Compile events from different sources with different formats. A fourth party system for event management providing a standardized format for any occasion.

7. Community Need Coordination Tool.

8. Social Networking for Dead People. Deceased are no longer capable of participating in social networking..lol. Connecting dead people via work, interests, family members, accomplishments, photos, etc. Helps tell the story of people who came before us…examples: Locate other community members from the town your grandparents grew up in.

9. Recycling Electronics. Extracting components of used electronics is difficult and dangerous. Certifying recycling centers for the special requirements.

10. SMS Advertising Platforms. Distributing coupons, events, specials through a subscription based mobile platform.

11. 20 Seconds of Fame. Video Twitters. Algorithms recognizing voice to add keywords without additional user contributions.

12. Electric Car Taxi Service.

13. Free Wii. Games confronting social issues.

14. Competitive Sustainability. Connect business waste with the materials needs of others.

15. Facebook Application. Sell books from a facebook profile using a combination of Amazon affiliate program connected with Visual Bookshelf.

16. Visual Representation of College curriculum. Plan academic careers based on your goals prior to enrolling.

17. One number for all cabs.

18. Forum consolidation for Video Game Guilds. Video games currently use early 90s backbones with messy interface.

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Introduction to Startup Weekend discuss the following focus areas:

Community - Building relationships produces the best results.

History - Started seven months ago in July, inspired by BarCamp.  Bloomington follows locations as diverse as Boulder, London, Atlanta, Seattle, etc.  The national average for female participation is 11% (Bloomington is much higher).

Shares - Gain one share on Friday, 2 for completing Saturday, and 2 at the finalization of the weekend.  2 extra are provided for completion.  50% is reserved for Founder’s stock.

Tips for the weekend.

1. Build Community

2. Fix It - Identify problems and fix them.  Don’t make life difficult.

3. Have Fun.

4. Get Involved - Actual work on the project provides the most fulfillment.

5. 10 minute maximum - The weekend essentially produces one year of a startup.  Limiting problem discussions to 10 minutes removes figurative months of wasted time.

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Just arrived at an installment of Startup Weekend in Bloomington, IN. The concept: build a company from conception to launch in 54 hours with a group of 100 diverse individuals. As expected from a gathering of 100 technologists, a number of outlets are established for following the progress of our soon to be launched company.

Twitter: andyangelos
Bloomington Startup Weekend NING Community
Bloomington Startup Blog
Probably some additional sources like a Ustream feed or periodic podcast. Will notify later.

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