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Filed under: Fun, Internet, Social Software, Beta

Download Squad's Invite-a-palooza: Day 2


If you missed out on yesterday's launch of Invite-a-palooza, don't worry. For the next several days, we'll be handing out private invitations to let you access some really exciting Websites and services that aren't available to the public yet. If you know of a site you'd like us to consider for the Invite-a-palooza, drop us a note.

Earlier this week we told you about the neat new social networking website 8apps. Not only does this site provide a way for people to meet and connect, it also offers users the tools they need to collaborate, brainstorm, and follow up on any ideas they come up with. We're thrilled to be able to offer private invitations to the first 88 people who leave us a note in the comment section (be sure to activate it if you get an email confirmation). Thanks, and good luck!

UPDATE: We've given away all 88 invitations for today's featured site but check back tomorrow to see who's up next!

Filed under: Internet, Productivity, Web services, Social Software, Beta

8apps takes social networking to the next level

Social networking sites have become an increasingly popular way for people to connect professionally but, once you've added someone to your contact list, what then? 8apps is one of the first sites we've seen that answers that question. It goes beyond just connecting people and actually gives them tools to develop whatever brainstorms happen to come up once they get to know each other.

Like other social networking sites, 8apps brings like-minded people together, but then it takes the concept a step further by offering tools to help shape the ideas that take root between members. Wikis offer the same collaborative tools as 8apps but start from the premise that all the users already know each other. 8apps puts the horse before the cart and helps you meet people, then develop a project together.

After completing the very simple sign-up process, find members by searching for groups or individuals in the Handshake section of the site. Map out your big idea in Blueprint, a virtual whiteboard that works a bit like a mind-mapping tool. Next, break down projects and assign tasks with Orchestrate. If your group decides that a face-to-face meeting is in order, use the Pinpoint map and scheduling tool to find your real-world middle ground.

While the four remaining applications are still under wraps, this new site is still useful even though it's technically under development.* It also has an outstanding, beautiful, and intuitive interface that makes navigation easy and painless.

While the world might not need Yet Another Social Networking Site, it does need a way to corral all those brainstorms between members so the ideas have a chance to grow up and become -- who knows? -- Yet Another Social Media Tool. 8apps is just the ticket.

*Note: As we were preparing this post for publication, we learned that the creators of 8apps have just put the site up for sale. Although further development has been temporarily put on hold, the site is still fully functional, and there are still private invites available. Want to know how you can score one? Stay tuned.

Featured Time Waster

Graveyard Shift - zombie-busting Time Waster

With Halloween fast approaching, it's a great time to get in some practice defending your territory against zombies. In Graveyard Shift, you take aim at zombies and other creepy-crawlies, blasting them into splatters of cartoony green guts. It's a casual first-person shooter, and it's very easy to get the hang of - use the mouse to aim, click to fire. Graveyard Shift has at least 15 levels, and it might even have some secret stages I haven't unlocked yet. They key to getting good at Graveyard Shift is learning to use ...

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