When you’re involved in discussions of web 2.0 and emerging technology and revenue streams, it’s easy to forget what makes the web a brilliant invention.
1. You can find purchases.
2. You can find information.
3. You can get positive interaction with other users.
4. You can be entertained.

Last nigth I managed to keep someone entertained for a couple of hours, just by introducing them to the search function of youtube, and showing them old Swedish soap operas and comedy shows. I even found some cheesy old TV shows I used to watch. I also ordered an item for my Xbox 360, looked at houses for sale, and chatted with friends as far away as Mexico……all without leaving my sofa…

In the process, I found a great new site which automatically blogs on what your Xbox 360 has been doing, which looks pretty entertaining, and I also found the intro for the cheesiest of 80′s TV…Manimal….

That’s what makes the web great for users….not tech for the sake of it, or ways to be exploited…. Tech should facilitate things, and advertising etc should be a way to fund companies to provide services….not the raison d’etre…..

Xbox 360 blog: http://www.360voice.com/

And Manimal:

Normally the cynical part of me snorts derisevly at news of new sites. I don’t think there’s a great need for another generic social networking site, and I don’t need to store my bookmarks or passwords online for someone to abuse…

But every so often someone does something of value….such as:
www.space-d-out.co.uk

Basically it’s a place to upload pics of the irritiating, lazy a**eholes who take up disabled spaces rather than walking 10 yards further to a supermarket etc. 9 times out of 10, they’re also the ones who almost pile into you as they race for the disabled space, and they race away to leave, cutting people up as they yabber on their mobile phone…

Personally I’d be tempted to tie in a site showing reg numbers with the DVLA/RAC registration finder….but then I’m evil…

Never forget to test and check everything you do. Particularly if it’s a mass email too all your readers.

Interesting post on the Faster Future blog today regarding internet phonecalls, and the current landgrab by Tescos and BT to regain the ground claimed by Skype…

http://fasterfuture.blogspot.com/2006/10/bt-prepares-users-for-future.html

Skypes biggest problem is that explaining it causes people to instantly switch off when they hear any of the technical details. Even mentioning the fact that it’s free calls that are available over the internet causes people to turn off.

Package it in the way Tescos and BT know, and it’s an easier sell. Bundle it in a handset that doesn’t require a PC and people will even pay for a service that they could get for free by using their PC…

Skype does have a future, but it’ll be aminly for the under 30′s until the net generation grows older, and we can judge whether or not they actually want to be more technical and take advanatage of such services. Until then, it’s BT and Tescos making a play for the general house holder…