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Stuart Henshall
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Buddycasting - Next Big Thing in IM?

July 27, 2005 06:15 PM

Topics: Ideas & Views

We have Podcasting, Skypecasting and perhaps this community variant is buddycasting. While you can't have it today this mock-up from Uri Levanon displays the kind of thinking required to take the IM client to the next level. It also enables behavior similiar to what's seen on Live Journal, Xanga, MySpace etc.


Here is Uri's example. Everyone would have the opportunity to share the topic of their latest mini-cast.

Here's something I'd really like to have in Skype.

An option to share a single short voice message with my contacts list.

Gogelmogel

How would this work in Skype? Why is it such a neat idea?


    1. Voice Messaging. Uses the current voice messaging system in a slightly different way. The recording stays resident unless requested by one of your buddies. When requested it is simply uploaded and delivered as a voice message.

    2. Enhancements. We already need a topic name for voice mails. This illustrates how topics could add value to a voice message. Additionally, pinging a minicast server for "public" rather than "Buddy" only mini casts would enable this effectively to be a podcast distributed by Skype. It would be good for low volumes. With the topic enhancement you could tag for conversations.

    3. Reply enables buddies to jump into a multi-chat for that mini-cast. The behavior is then very similar the high number of comments we see on Xanga, or MySpaces. Quit the multi-chat and you just left a comment. Close it and it will pop back up with the next comment etc. A simple way to network with your buddies buddies. Add a number of of replies counter and it becomes even more interesting. You may even want to sort your buddylist on most active mini-casts.

    4. Format. This doesn't need to be audio. It could be video or even just a text message. It's a blog and not a blog. It's certainly social and enables people to find out more about others. Similarly the multi-chat reply means people can comment and leave the thread or stay and get the updates from others. Thus opt-in to multi-chats. Each mini-cast has it own-multichat. The records could be added to profiles etc.


I'd think this would add to the spread of Skype. It would also add some youthful appeal. Video would only makes it even more interesting.

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Posts linking to Buddycasting - Next Big Thing in IM?:

» BuddyCasting? from Net
As a former IM guy, I am alway trying to figure out new creative IM ideas. This one I really like, Skypeminicasting from Uri Levanon. Uri suggest that people leave a small minicast to their buddies on the buddy list, [Read More]

Tracked on July 28, 2005 7:21 AM

Comments

Posted by: Nicole Simon at July 28, 2005 8:20 AM

A text blast (like yahoo calls it) would be great, would not even need to be a sound thing.

Like "Bad mood, cheer me up".

This is not the same as SkypeMe - this is more of a sign "call me", whereas the rest is a notice to my friends.

People are actually already doing this in a little with their names - and modify them like "new number, see details" or the town where they are just at - some Skype employees come around a lot ... ;)

Posted by: Uri L. at July 28, 2005 1:40 PM

Hiya Nicole, thanks for the comment :)

Personally I'd really like to try such a feature, and see if and how it affects the way I'm shaping my online presence.

Posted by: Stuart Henshall at July 28, 2005 5:30 PM

Hi Nicole, I think your "callme" is a great way of putting part of this. It is all about being more accessible and making it easier for people to catch up.

I'm hypothesizing that as Skypers build familiarity they do more in text and often some relationships and buddies almost become stale. Being able to do a catch up or even interact with their buddies via a multi-cast extends the social and connective side.

I'm now tempted to change my profile to |Stuart - Skype Me| or |Talk to Me I'm Bored| as an experiment and see how long it takes a buddy to call. That would put me at the top of everyone's buddylist while I'm in that mode.

What this really provides is an enhanced method for self expression. It's more personal than a blog although it could be just as public. Getting in the "comment" like capability via a multi-chat adds to one's sense of buddy comraderie.

Posted by: Nicole Simon at July 29, 2005 6:46 AM

Yes, but it is to complicated to do and update. I want a feature like in Yahoo - and I would use it frequently.

I use skype 90% for typing, IM is about being aware who is online.

SkypeMe is something I don't use at all, because I want to keep my skype open but not attract more idiots.

Blast is about telling the people you allowed into your space.

Posted by: Mel Beckman at October 6, 2005 8:55 PM

You should pick another name than BuddyCast, since this name is already in use by the BuddyCast protocol (see http://www.jet.net/buddycast).

-mel beckman
BuddyCast inventor

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