Web-enabled graphics editor

In a recent posting we mentioned a good web-enabled graphics editor (www.picnik.com). The tool is easy to use, can use graphics from your local computer, a website, or other online sources, and has an excellent set of tools to enhance your photo or other graphics file. Did we mention that it is free?

We located another similar graphics editing tool usable from your web browser (www.pikifx.com). This is still a beta product (at least that's what it says) but it works well, too. The description on the website says that you can

- Resize and recrop your photo
- Add creative effects
- Add borders
- Add creative text

The general functionality is similar but each has its own advantages. You will need to try both tools to see which works better for you. Likely you'll end up using both.

Social networking in the workplace

How do companies view the use of social networking sites (MySpace and Facebook) during work hours?

One survey found that companies have policies in place.

58.4 percent of companies in survey reported having a written policy restricting the use of social networks like MySpace or Facebook in the workplace.

14.0 percent said that they disciplined an employee for violating those policies in the last year.

4.9 percent said they fired an employee over the use of social networks.

Skype

One of our easy-to-use communication tools is Skype. Skype is an example of voice-over-Internet-protocal (VOIP). With it you can talk with anyone who also has Skype installed on their computer - at no charge for the call. You can call a regular phone for a very low rate.

In addition to voice-to-voice communication, you can also enjoy video conferencing, instant messaging, and even share applications.

To get started, visit Skype's website and download the application. Install it in minutes. Then begin using it.

Firefox grows in Europe

Firefox continues to grow in acceptance with nearly 28% average use rate in Europe in early July 2007.
Internet Explorer is still by far the most used browser in Europe, but it is losing ground faced with the dynamism of its challenger

Opera is in third place with a visit share of 3.5%.

Edit graphic images

We learned of an Internet browser-based application that edits graphic images. This is cool!

Picnik can handle graphic images from a local hard drive, from websites, and from photo sharing services like Facebook and Flickr.

Using Picnik, you can rotate, crop, zoom, remove red-eye, resize, and add special effects (heat maps, sepia tones, doodles, borders). One feature we like is the ability to take a typical rectagular image and add rounded borders. Picnik is free but the company plans to upsell members to a premium version for some of the fancier effects that are now free in the beta version of the site (like heat maps and doodling).

iPod 6?

Analysts at Piper Jaffray released comments that Apple will be releasing its next version of the iPod based on the iPhone touchscreen interface. They suggested that Apple will announce this new generation product during the winter months, possibly at the January MacWorld show.

Analysts have expressed that if the iPhone and the iPod share parts, this will improve margins.

What's new at Zillow?

At the http://www.zillow.com/ "press room", there are a couple of new things posted.

Neighborhood Pages: Here you can see what your neighbors are up to on one of Zillow's over 6,500 new neighborhood pages in more than 130 cities nation wide. Join the neighborhood discussion forums to meet your neighbors, discuss area news, or to ask a question that only a resident would know.

Zillow Discussions: Here you can ask questions and share answers about anything related to real estate or owning a home. Want advice on financing your first home purchase? Want to connect with other agents or mortgage professionals?

Video e-mail

First there was direct mail, then e-mail campaigns, and now there is video e-mail. Imagine sending something to your prospects and customers that is unique. These videos can be standard sales "pitches" or personalized message for special occasions. They can even be specific responses to specific queries.

In the real estate industry, REALTORS can send videos of home tours. One company, CoVideo Systems (http://www.covideo.com/) advertises that they can easily allow prospects to see and hear you using your webcam. Learn more about video e-mail by visiting CoVideo Systems on their website or similar service providers.

Put your laptop, webcam, and e-mail to good use.

Create your own social network

The popularity of MySpace validates the attractiveness of social networks. While MySpace focuses on adolescents, there are social networks for young adults, business networking, and other groups or causes. Why not networks for those suffering from a particular disease, or graduates of specific universities, or members of business associations.

We've encountered Ning (www.ning.com) who claims to be the only service that enables you to create your own Social Network. For free.

Ning networks are both open to all visitors or accessible by invitation only.

Could these be used by REALTORS? We noticed social networks in the name of the San Francisco Association of REALTORS and the Laguna Board of REALTORS. We believe there are several others among the more than 3,700 networks currently established.

Let us know your experiences with these social networks.

How many iPhones sold?

According to several reports, and primarily based on AT&T insider statements, there have been over one million iPhone activations.

Note on screen sizes

Over 65% of all monitors worldwide run at the 1024x768 resolution. The others? 13% are run at 800x600, 20% run at higher resolutions and 2% are unknown.

One designer commented that he/she designs for 1000x620 as this is the perfect amount of real estate for a 1024x768 user when they have the browser top bar and status bar and Windows taskbar.

Facebook apps

We're all familiar with the social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Facebook recently released a set of tools to facilitate the development of applications for Facebook. Building "Facebook apps" has become a top priority for many Web companies--particularly smaller ones looking to make it big by capitalizing on Facebook's large and loyal user base.

Read more about the set of tools by clicking on http://news.com.com/Facebook+welcomes+outside+services/2100-1038_3-6186471.html

iPhone sales

Goldman Sachs pegged weekend sales of the iPhone at least 700,000 units -- double its prediction of 350,000 -- and raised its 2007 projection for iPhone sales to 5.3 million from four million.