Using a web browser or mobile device, head to your Glue address (you.gluenow.com) and login. The first thing you will notice is the minimal interface containing a drop down menu at the top and content right below. It is formatted in this manner so whether you are viewing Glue in a web browser or on a mobile phone, it will work just the same (note: I have tested with Windows Mobile 5.0). Once successfully logged in, you will find yourself in the overview section displaying your most recent news items and images.

Let’s get straight to adding content. Glue provides you with two options. You can use the Glue website or simply send a email to one of your Glue email addresses found in the settings. The website requires you to enter a headline and body for your news item and allows you to optionally insert an image, set the date, and choose an author. The email solution offers the same functionality where the "From:" header sets the author (connects email address to author), "Subject:" sets the news headline, and the "Body:" is the news content. You can also include images in your news item when emailing by simply placing a GIF, JPG, or PNG image where you want. However, Inserting an image in a news item through the website requires you to first go to the Image Library, upload the image, and then select the image when publishing the news item (Update: Jordan from Glue has pointed out that you can upload photos while writing a post. There is an upload option in the drop down menu where you select an image). Glue also provides you with some basic formatting and allows you to use HTML.

Once you have published some content to your Glue, it’s time to share it with the world. As described earlier, Glue does not provide you with a website address where you can view your content, though it would be nice if it did. Instead, it provides you with publishing options that let you grab your content from your Glue and use it on any website or community profile. To get started, head to the Publish section and click "Show Feeds." You will then see six publishing options including: RSS, Flash, JavaScript, PHP, ASP, and XML.

The three simplest options are RSS, Flash, and JavaScript because they are just tiny snippets that you can paste right into your site. Selecting "RSS" lets you add a link to your site so viewers can subscribe to your content; "Flash" will give you code to embed news in a scrollable area on your site; and "JavaScript", being more flexible, will load news on your site in HTML and provide CSS for customization. If you are handy with PHP or ASP, Glue lets you download full code for parsing and displaying your Glue content however you wish. This is great if you want more control with the appearance of your content or if you want to integrate your Glue content into an existing application.

Above is an example site that I have created using the JavaScript publishing option. You will notice that it will first load the sites content and then load the Glue content. Also, you will see that I was able to format the content to my liking. Because the JavaScript option dynamically writes the content to the page, I can use CSS to style the outputted HTML. It took around 10-15 minutes to get the site up and looking how I wanted. Not bad at all. You can also see that the post, "Testing Glue on WordPress.com," contains the Flash publishing option where a scrollable flash-based container displays my content.You can also see Glue in use on The Four Colour Process website (JavaScript option) and MySpace profile (Flash option). There are also some examples over at the Squad Blog.

In all, Glue offers a nice solution for publishing and sharing content on the web, but it’s no super-glue. For one, publishing to a site using the JavaScript or Flash option does not provide permanent links to posts which is important to me because it allows others to refer to specific posts. Secondly, you cannot set the amount of posts visible per page. Commenting functionality would also be a nice addition. Maybe Squad can add this functionality and more for a paid plan called "Super Glue" ;-). With all that aside, Glue makes for a nice product and I can see it being big with bands and MySpace users.

The interface is an event planning type calendar, much like iCal for Mac users, which allows you to add events to a specific date or range of dates. There is heavy use of Ajax making navigating and using the calendar very fast along with simple drag and drop functionality so the user can easily drag and drop an event and change the length of time for an event. On the left on the interface will be a list of your calendars and calendars that you have been given access to or added from the public calendar selection. Along the top is a menu allowing you to select the viewing format of your calendar with Day, Week, Month, Next 4 Days, and my favorite, agenda.

Monthly View of Google Calendar

Agenda View of Google Calendar

Lets take a look at your calendars workspace. You simply click on any date on the calendar and fill in the “What” value and the event gets assigned. You can then click and drag the bottom of the event to lengthen the amount of time or click or drag the whole block to reposition it. If you would like to modify an events details, click on the event and select “edit event details.” Although, If you prefer, you can add an event even faster by clicking on the “Quick Add” link on the left hand side and filling in information like the example, “Dinner with Michael 7pm tomorrow.” Google Calendar will automatically fill in the correct details for you.

The edit event area allows you to modify your basic even information, but what stood out the most for me was the extra functionality for each event. First, to modify your event information, hover over each field and you will see that it highlights. Clicking on the field will then allow you to modify its value. Clicking the date field will split up the date into seperate fields which all will return a dynamic list of times or miniture calendar when clicking on them. Fairly basic, but what I found different were the areas around your event information. You can add guests to your event allowing them to not only view the event details, but to give them access for commenting on the event and responding to an invitation to an event.

The settings area of Google Calendar allows you to create and manage multiple calendars, set access privileges, and more. You can set notifications for events under the notifications tab allowing you to receive an email or even have Google send you a text message to your phone before an event. You will also find an import section in the settings that allows you to import Yahoo, Microsoft Outlook, and iCal calendar files to easily append dates to your Google Calendar. You may also share your calendar by inviting your friends individually, setting the entire calendar public, or by subscribing to the supplied XML and iCal files for each calendar (make sure calendar access is set public before subscribing).

Lastly, it is said that Google Calendar has Gmail integration, although I have not seen it function yet. According to the help center, Gmail will allow you to easily create an event in Google Calendar when an event has been detected (Google says it is pretty good at detecting, although there may be times it has trouble) by selecting “Create Event” in the More Options drop-down. It is also said that you can respond to RSVP’s through Gmail when receiving one which on responding will direct you to the event page in Google Calendar.

As I have said before, I am very impressed with the functionality offered with Google Calendar. It has event planning, import and export options, quick adding of events, sharing, Gmail integration, and more. Looks like 30boxes has quite the competition.

View Google Calendar. – TechCrunch and CNet has more on the story.

Update: Official Google Blog Announcement.

What makes Eyespot so different in comparison to a video sharing service like YouTube is that not only can you upload and share videos, but you can create mixes with multiple videos on a timeline and add background music to it. Say you went on a trip and you have multiple videos or parts of a video that you want to share to your friends. You can easily upload each clip and mix them in the order that you want, save, and share. The above screenshot is of the “Mixer” section of Eyespot where you can sort through videos and drag them onto a timeline. You are given nine slots for video clips and one slot for audio. Simply find a video and drag it right onto the timeline in the slot you want it to play. Then click on the “Mix” button and view your new video in action. If you like it, name it and save. You can then share with friends, groups, or even on your own Eyespot blog.

Eyespot also allows every member to have their own blog where they can select a video and write a post to go along with it. They aren’t full fledged blogs, but they definitely get the job done and gives more life to the service. You simply select a video, write your post with a few formatting options, add a title, and publish. Your post can then be seen by others on your blog and they can save your video to their media library to use them for mixing. One feature that I was sad to not find was feed subscriptions. You can view user blogs, but to keep up with them, you have to remember to keep checking back. I also felt that the blogs don’t get enough attention. I think it would be great to have a section dedicated to users or blogs that allows you to view recently updated blogs or most active users to give a little more exposure to users and their videos. Other then that, the blogging works great and makes the service even more enjoyable to use.

Another feature that I like are Eyespot groups. These are just basic groups that you can join or create for posting videos on a specific topic. It’s functionality is much like the blogging, except with groups, multiple users can contribute. For example, I wanted to go to the SXSW conference this year and unfortunately could not go. But I saw a group on Eyespot for SXSW and can now keep track of user posting of SXSW related videos. That’s about all to it. The main page for groups is what I would like to see for blogs. Top 10 blogs, recently updated blogs, and blog of the day. I think this would help get users noticed better because right now, there isn’t much you can do to find Eyespot users.

Uploading files also works quite well, but I feel there is room for improvement. First, you are able to upload seven files at once up to a max file size of 15MB, which is great. You can then select is you want the videos to be public or private and what tags to assign to them. But the problem is that you can’t set seperate tags or permissions to each file you are uploading, just as a group. Although you can easily go back to each video later on and set tags and permissions to them. I was also surprised to see that you can track upload progress in real-time using Ajax, but it seems to bring up an JavaScript error in Internet Explorer. This error doesn’t cause any problems with the uploading though and everything seemed to work fine. Lastly, if you aren’t satisfied with uploading from your computer, you can also easily send your file to Eyespot from your mobile phone through MMS Messaging to your_username @ eyespot.com. I haven’t been able to test any of the mobile functionality though, so If you have, please let me know how it went.

Being able to mix and share videos is a lot of fun and overall, I’m excited about Eyespot. But, I do feel it still has some ways to go. It’s in beta and has recently released and so far I am pretty impressed with what Eyespot has to offer. There are a few features that I would like to see though. I would love to be able to upload not only videos and music, but images as well so I can add an image to a mix if at all possible. I’ve always loved still photo mix tapes and think it would make for more mixes. I think it would also be great to allow for more slots on the timeline, but understand if it isn’t possible because bandwidth usage must be crazy as is. Also, I am assuming they are working on it, but I would like to change my profile and the image associated with my profile. And lastly, I personally feel that a section dedicated to blogs, much like the groups section, would be great and will help give exposure to more videos and users of Eyespot. That about covers it. Eyespot is a lot of fun and hope it takes off. It has a beautiful design, great functionality, and just being able to mix and share videos is really neat.

View Eyespot – Shoot, Mix, and Share Your Video.

(Note: low quality graphic )

Lets first take a look at the web-based version of Mabber. The design is pretty nice and easy on the eyes. Sometimes it has a little funkiness when contacts have long away messages, and the IM windows don’t fit too well in Firefox, but other wise, everything looks great and works great. What shocked me the most was that Mabber actually has sound too! Sign on, sign off, receiving of messages, etc., all have different sounds, making it feel just like a normal computer application. Even more so, if you look at the screenshot above, you will notice that the contact list (top left) and the IM Window (bottom right) are separate windows, unlike how services like Meebo work with all being under one page. It’s fine either way, really, and this is of course favorable by opinion, but I personally like how they are separate windows because it makes it feel much like a normal computer application for Instant Messaging, like Trillian or Google Talk.

Mabber is packed with features. As I have said, you can have message with AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, and Google Talk. You can make groups for all of your contacts, set your away message, view away messages, hide/show offline contacts, save notes for a member, record chats to view history, create and view vCards, and a lot more. Packed. I had the pleasure to chat with a Managing Director of Mabber, Nico Lumma, as I tested some of the functionality. As I was chatting with him and another friend, I noticed that as you get messaged, the Instant Message windows even automatically focus to the window you got a message in and plays the sound for received message, which is a big plus, in my opinion. We also discussed other features like the recording of conversations (which is optional and disabled by default) and the adding of timestamps to your conversations. But Nico and the rest of the Mabber team seem to feel the Mobile functionality is the more important feature that Mabber offers.

In a recent post by Scott Hanson, Mabber’s Sysadmin, he explained why he feels the Mobile functionality is so important and why Mabber is a big deal. It is because the strength it provides with being able to communice anytime anywhere, PC or Mobile. Picture this. You go out for a bit, open Mabber on your mobile phone, and start talking to a friend. You then head back home and sign off of Mabber from the mobile client. You then go to your computer, sign on to the web-based messenger and continue your conversation with your friend as if it never ended. Always connected, always in communication. That’s why I, too, see it as a big deal. The only difference is that when using the mobile service, you will get charged for the air-time costs, which is usually much less expensive then SMS messaging.

I have not tested the mobile service myself, but I have been keeping an eye on Nico Lumma’s Flickr Photos and came across some screenshots that seem to describe the available functionality fairly well. Mabber offers to ways of getting the mobile Mabber working. You can either download the client itself and use Bluetooth to get it on your mobile device, or you can simply send your phone number to Mabber through the control panel and they will send the download right to your phone. Sounds simple! As for functionality, it looks like you’ve got your basic Instant Messaging features just like the web-based version, although don’t take my word on that because I haven’t tested it myself.

Overall, Mabber has been working great. I do feel the web-based version needs some touch-ups here and there, but for the most part works excellent. Mabber is packed with features, excellent use of technology, feels like an actual Instant Messaging computer application, and even has a mobile client for when your on the go! But if I had to make some suggestions, here are my thoughts. I would like to see a method to split up offline contacts from the online contacts because as of now, they do have different status icons, but mixed up with all the other contacts gets a little cluttered and hard to point out. Secondly, Mabber features chat history, which is excellent, but lacks in searching. You can select dates for different conversations, but I would love to be able to search through my history to help me find past conversations. Lastly, it may have just been me, but it seemed as though Mabber changed my buddy icon for AIM to the AIM stick man with two orbs. Odd and not sure if it is related at all to Mabber, but it would be great if it stays the same at default, but you can decide to add a different buddy icon later instead of just replacing it (if at all possible). Other then that, I loved everything.

I’ve kept Mabber open for more then a day straight and it worked without problem and surprisingly never lost connection (does happen once in a while). In my opinion, it could be used as an all time Instant Messenger. I haven’t experienced any errors while using it and I am quite pleased. Mabber is currently in an invite only beta. It will be very interesting to see how Mabber grows and I am curious as to how it will perform when more users jump aboard.

View Mabber Mobile and Ajax Instant Messaging.

For example, I decided to try searching for Daft Punk. Immediately I am presented with many results to choose from. Ringbits is a great way to find the ringtone you are looking for and can help give you a larger selection rather than just using your phone services selection.

View Ringbits: Search for Ringtones!

Since reading about RSI, I have learned a good amount about how you find out if you are getting it, and how you can prevent it. I have also found five applications available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and one for a Palm. But, first I will list tips from the article, 10 Simple RSI Prevention Tips.

• Type using a Neutral Wrist Position
• Adjust (or replace) the Keyboard
• Watch Out For That Mouse!
• Take Regular Breaks
• Sit Up Straight!
• Take It Easy After the Holiday
• Eat Your Veggies and Get Some Exercise!
• Now Take A Seat…
• If You Think You Have RSI Visit Your Doctor
• Do Something!

Now to begin with the application lists. I am going to list the 7 applications with a description and state what system it works with. At the end of the article, I will specify my favorite application. Also, just to note, NOT all of these are free. I will specify what ones are:

(Note: because of the length of this post, it is extended to the single post page)

Break Time – View Break Time – Available for Windows
“Break Time tells you when you should take a break and provides soothing music during the break time. The program keeps track of the time you spend on the computer and can help you minimize the negative influence to your health.” ($20 License fee)

AntiRSI – View AntiRSI – Available for Macintosh
“AntiRSI is a program for Mac OS X that helps prevent RSI (repetitive strain injury) and other computer related stress. It does so by forcing you to take regular breaks, yet without getting in the way. It also detects natural breaks so it won’t force too many breaks on you.” (Free)

WorkPace – View WorkPace – Available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux
“WorkPace is like an intelligent office friend who keeps you healthy and productive, by sitting in the background and watching your work habits. You can relax in the knowledge that WorkPace is looking after you – helping you to minimize the risks, and maximize your productivity at your computer.” ($49 Single License)

MacBreaks – View MacBreaks – Available for Macintosh
“MacBreakZ is a personal ergonomic assistant that monitors our keyboard and mouse use and helps us structure our computer use in a healthy and constructive manner, thus preventing computer-related injuries from developing.” This one includes excercise lessons to use on breaks!

RSI Clock 1.1 – View RSI Clock 1.1 – Available for Palm
“RSI Clock is a Palm application that warns when it’s time take a break from your computer work. This with the intention to prevent RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).” (Free)

WorkRave – View WorkRave – Available for Windows and Linux
“Workrave is a program that assists in the recovery and prevention of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). The program frequently alerts you to take micro-pauses, rest breaks and restricts you to your daily limit.” This one also includes exercise lessons that you can do on your breaks! (Free)

My, the post is getting quite lengthy. I am almost done! Now to let you know what one I personally like the most. I have not the ability to test them all as some cost, and my brother only will install so many applications on his Mac for me! But from what I have used, WorkRave is my favorite.

WorkRave is free, has many features, exercises, micro pauses, lunch breaks, you name it. It also warns you if you have worked too many hours in a day, which can be very harmful. It will recommend you take the rest of the day off from working or to find something small to do.

I hope this post was helpful and I highly recommend the use of atleast one of these applications during your computer hours. Good for when writing, blogging, working, and anything that takes up a good time on the computer. Comments, questions, advice, or even if you know of any more solutions, please feel free to comment.