Ideas I've seen recently that i really like...

I haven't written for a while because I've fallen into the Twitter trap.

I've been sharing all my thoughts, ideas and links via 140 characters as opposed to taking the time to digest, plan and write.

What can I say, I'm lazy.

I've decided to note down, for future reference, some recent ideas which I've come across in my internet travels that have resonated with me so here goes...

The Blogpaper - 'a user generated newspaper'

This is a UK project dreamt up by some bright sparks in London town.
Essentially it's a content aggregation and sharing platform where bloggers, citizen journalists and photographers can upload their stories and photos for all to see.

The bonus side of this is that the best content can be voted on by the site visitors with the highest rated stories and photos making it into a printed edition of 'The Blogpaper'.

Therefore making the community the editor of the paper.

It's only just launched and had it's first pilot print edition out on 25th September. The plan is to print and circulate a weekly edition with the best of the best. It will be distributed via free handout across London similar to the The London Paper and Metro...

The blogpaper site will also redirect people back to the blogs or profiles of the writers/publishers to help them gain a new following and a new readership.

If you're interested in submitting your content to theblogpaper just register here. Once you have confirmed your account you are all set and ready to post whatever you feel is worth sharing and could be interesting to the community and potentially more!

Hipstery - 'Mystery T-shirt buying'

Just when we thought transparency was the be-all-and-end-all approach to the brand/consumer relationship, along comes an entirely opaque experience....in T-shirt purchasing!

Hipstery's philosophy centres on their belief that there is too much choice in this world and therefore too much responsibility and stress laid on the shoulders of consumers. They are offering to take the choice away from you entirely.

All you have to do is pick your T-shirt size, pay 17 Euros (including shipping) and take a quiz. The quiz asks you some basic questions about yourself and that's it.

The Hipstery 'style scientists' will then analyse your answers and run them through their 'innovative style algorithm' to help them decide what the best T-shirt design is for you.

The T-shirts are sourced mainly from out-of-print stock from small suppliers, and if you don't like your T-shirt choice first time around, they will accept returns and offer a refund if the second choice still doesn't match your expectations...

Go on, be brave and make an order...

Hotprint - 'free real-world photo books for Facebook & Bebo users'

Finally! I was wondering when someone would do this...

Hotprint is giving Facebook and Bebo members the opportunity to take their favourite social snaps and transform them into a real-world photo book for free therefore bringing the photos to life and giving them something tangible.

Hotprint have set up an application in both social networks, users simply choose which photos they want to include in their 16 page, soft cover Hotbook. They can also choose from 9 different themes currently available.

The books can be shipped anywhere in the world and have been made completely free due to support from advertising partners who sponsor 1 free book per customer, per month...(including shipping costs and handling)!

Users of the app just have to put up with ads to use the free service, but the ads are not featured on the same page as the photos and are removal full page inserts - easily done! In addition, for every 10 friends who install the app from your initiation, HotPrints will credit you with another free photobook...

If you'd rather skip the ads, you'll need to pay GBP $1.99 for an ad-free version.

With over 2 billion photos uploaded onto Facebook worldwide each month this seems like a no-brainer.

KIND Snacks - 'you've been KINDed'

KIND snacks was started by Peaceworks Inc., an innovative “not-ONLY-for-profit” business. They sell snack bars made from all natural ingredients describing them as healthy snacks that are “KIND to your body, your taste buds, & the world.”

Now they've taken being KIND to a whole new level...

Capitalising on the recent trend of generosity between brands and consumers and consumers themselves, NY-based KIND snacks have created a social movement via 'kind cards'.

Those interested can apply for their 'kind card' via the KIND website, once received they simply do a kind act for someone (helping an old lady cross the road, carrying someones shopping etc) and then pass their 'kind card' on to the recipient of the deed...

The card states 'you've been KINDed' and description reads 'To be KINDed: to unexpectedly receive an act of kindness from a total stranger'...

The idea is that the recipient then goes on to do another kind act and the 'kind card' gets passed from hand to hand, having a positive effect on everyone involved.

Each card has a unique code so that the initial owner of the 'kind card' is also able to track their 'kind trail' online to see how many people they have impacted.
Those with the longest 'kind trail' by January 29th 2010 will be invited to particpate in 'The Great Kind' by submitting an idea of 'Great Kindess' that they cannot do alone themselves. From there, the KINDED community will vote to determine which Great KINDING the KIND team will make happen.

Just a really clever, socially aware idea...

That's it for now.....