Smelling the Web 2.0 Roses

Like many new media folk I suffer from "info imperatance" - the insatiable desire for information and the deep anxiety that I may have missed something important. Occasionally, I will get off of my high speed rocket to smell the roses and gaze upon the Web 2.0 scene.

We bring you once more a look at the latest sites and companies to grace the new media arena.

• Website Analytics - Google analytics not doing it for you? Why not try Woopra. One key difference... it provides live tracking of website statistics. No need to wait hours to see who is on your website. Also, set up your stats to notify you of traffic spikes and more...
  


• Activism - Need some action? No, not that type of action. The Point is a new website where you commit to do something in exchange for something else. It can also be used as a force for change. For example, if my company doesn't offer me a dental plan I could use The Point to have 5,000 people call the HR department. A local furniture company can agree to buy a table for a school if the PTA raises $1500. I think you get the idea. I'm not sure what to make of it... but it could prove fun for a disgruntled blogger out there.
  
  
• Searching Enhancements - Do you like Cover Flow? You know, the nifty iTunes function that lets you flip through your album covers? SearchMe.com allows you to do just that. Right now its in private beta but it could prove to be a winner... if it can overcome a very real infringement on some very proprietary Apple concept. Can you say lawsuit?
  


• Content - Lists and more lists. I've profiled Listphile before, but this new new comer has a great concept. A top 11 list!? I guess it stands out. But what does stand out is the cool interface for ranking these lists of everything. Check it out: Onzilist.com
  


• UI - How much time have you spent trying to grab some guy's cool JavaScript for a mouseover menu? Fret no more... head on over to IzzyMenu and create your own fine looking drop-downs. Believe me, I've spent countless hours scouring the net for the best menu creator and this is it!
  


• New Tech - I remember one of my great aha moments about the Internet came in 1997 when I downloaded an add-on to my email application that read my emails aloud (much to my wife's chagrin). This next service wants to do the same with EVERYTHING text. Are you anxious to get on the road but just can't wait to devour the latest Mark Steyn column? Try ReadtheWords.com... better yet... listen to this post below!
  
  


• Got an iPhone? Got Twitter? Good. Now get Hahlo!
  


• Efficiency - I recall a TV ad about a decade ago where a virtual doggie fetches tickets for his hip owner and then pays the bills with a wag of the tail. While this virtual pet is still on the horizon there's a small incarnation of this reality over at Swotti, a website dedicated to combining reviews on everything from dog leashes to digital cameras. Check it out.
  


• Images - Ever worry about some Joe (not Mansour) sending you a cease and desist order when you use his image on your website? Instead of blowing half of your paycheck at iStockPhoto (or all of your paycheck at Getty Images) hop on over to PicApp to embed free images and even editorials on your webiste. I used it for the image above.
  


• Email Marketing - Not satisfied with iContact or ConstantContact? Try Campaign Monitor, which allows you to skip all of the pithy and annoying templates and only pay for the service when you use it. At $5 and 1 cent per email it's not a bad play.
  
  

More to come soon! Stay tuned. Meahwhile... read this post aloud!