Writing a tech blog has its advantages. Sometimes I get invites for beta websites about to bloom. Usually these sites are unorganized and usually some new community network that won’t last because a lot of people will never join and keep it going.

But I got an invite for Wix and O-M-G, I am obsessed. Once the beta is not closed anymore… it will be revolutionary. Wix is a Flash website platform builder–It has Flash web templates already uploaded so that a user can just upload their own data. The best part? Wix has a server for users to publish on!

How nerdy am I? Extremely. Just wait ’til it comes out and all will know.

Although today’s Digital Journal top story was about Miley Cyrus and some alleged incriminating photos, I don’t expect a site labeling itself with a motto of “The Power of Citizen Journalism” to have breaking news that the mainstream hadn’t already toyed with and cast aside.

The point is, they’re trying. Most of the “citizen journalists” are anonymous and have cool superhero nicknames. The site also has a TV segment.
Regardless of the fact that the news is only filtering in from NYC and LA, most of it’s pertinent to you and I.

EXCEPT for Miley Cyrus. I don’t even know who she is, but I’m sure she’s been on a tabloid for an eating disorder at some point, am I right?

…Blowtorch can help.

Blowtorch is an online production company that sponsors short/creative films and produces 6 full-lengths a year from these film combinations. Accepting only the “young and creative,” I’d say that means us. The site also has a Facebook application weirdly entitled, “Blown,” that showcases the short films chosen to be on the site.

So get it out there.

I apologize for doing it a day late, but posting about Earth Day should not be strict to one date right ?

I also apologize for putting an emoticon.

Moving on–treehugger is the ultimate “green” (sick of that word yet?) site, suggesting new ways to live and sustain life. The site divides itself into multiple categories that are ALL rational–including food, culture, and travel.

They also have multiple articles about why the potato can save the world. I am a firm potato-believer. They’ve got my vote on that.

What can Fix8 do?

“Fix8 is a unique interactive communication application that allows people to customize their on-screen virtual appearance in real-time using avatar technology and creative accessories. Fix8 integrates human expression analysis and rendering capabilities, avatar/facial sculpting and animation technology, voice manipulation, and one click 3D facemaker design capabilities in one package.”

In other words… it takes your face via webcam and morphs it into a pixelated avatar. You can design yourself and then move around and make yourself look stupid.
…And it’s fun.

And right now they have a special where you can turn yourself into the 2008 presidential candidate avatars. Woohoooo, U.S. pop culture.

Ever since my class J349T Writing for Online Publication was forced into getting Twitter accounts to attempt new journalistic feets, well, long story short– We all got addicted.

Yet there is something about constant updates that seems tiring–Oh ya, because once you end up on Twitter 24/7 you aren’t doing anything.

twittearth increases the chance that Twitter will leave you a lifeless zombie. Using Flash 9, the site captures all Twitter musings from Twitter users logged in through its server.

I could sit and watch international tweets all day.

If I ever have children, I imagine smiling at the drawings they give me, putting them on the refrigerator for a while, and later furtively tossing them in the trash. This is why I said, “if ever,” and not “when.”

Tikatok takes those refrigerator drawings and makes them not as crappy, so people like me think twice about being crappy parents some day.

Kids actually sign in and illustrate storybooks that are later printed by the Tikatok community for “sharing with friends and family.” Some of the stories are hilarious: i.e., one on the front page is titled, “My worst day ever.” Trust me kid… you got some stuff comin’.

It’s true: there are only a couple of weeks left of the semester, and everyone is itching for some action. Road trips and world-traveling are prime candidates for that quick breath of time before Fall ‘08 hops on our backs for another ride…

So as fun as it could be to hop into a car with the wind in your hair and drive across the country, organizing an itinerary will probably give you a better chance of LIVING. Tripit compiles your trip plans and builds a master itinerary for print and that is always available online under your free account. It also will text you about locations and plans, if desired.

Better to be safe than sorry!

First there was Pitchfork.tv. Now comes PluggedIn.com.

Pick what videos you want to watch as this database unfolds into a new music empire. The site takes on a community feel by registering users for free and then providing an on-demand plethora of music videos–allowing a profile in the mix and adding your name to a fanbase.

Internet killed the movie star.

Celeb gossip occupies 0% of my online time. This is why the site lazygirl.info is the tabloid you glance at while waiting in the line at the grocery store.

The site hosts millions of pictures of celebrities, and even displays birthdays on the mainpage.

Yay for uselessness.