Google Unveils "Social Stream," Open Social Is It's Name-O?

For those of you who are new to the rumored concept, Social Stream was suppose to be a social network where everyone could access everything from one social network.

Here was a video produced by the "social stream" team which goes into more detail about this rumored phenomenon. (Hat Tip: Google Operating System)

It was rumored that Google would launch something like this within Orkut, although I personally had my doubts about it working, mainly because it would only benefit Google, and not everyone else (which would translate into corporate attempts at blocking social stream from being used).

Now it looks as if the long awaited Google API's will not only turn Orkut into "a social stream," but potentially every other social network on line as well.

(TechCrunch) The new project, called OpenSocial (URL will go live on Thursday), goes well beyond what we've previously reported. It is a set of common APIs that application developers can use to create applications that work on any social networks (called "hosts") that choose to participate. [...] OpenSocial is a set of three common APIs, defined by Google with input from partners, that allow developers to access core functions and information at social networks:

• Profile Information (user data)


• Friends Information (social graph)


• Activities (things that happen, News Feed type stuff)

Hosts agree to accept the API calls and return appropriate data. Google won’t try to provide universal API coverage for special use cases, instead focusing on the most common uses. Specialized functions/data can be accessed from the hosts directly via their own APIs.

Social networks participating in this are Orkut (of course), LinkedIn, Salesforce, Plaxo, Friendster, Ning (which allows people to create their own social networks), Hi5, Viadeo (which is like and expanded version of LinkedIn) and Oracle (the last one is a bit of a puzzle to me).

MySpace and Facebook will probably not join the party any time soon (for obvious reasons), although this move by Google will definitely help out developers, many who were whining about having to learn a new code for every social network under the sun.

This should also help bring about much needed diversity within each social network empire, although I can hardly wait to see how this affects Orkut overall.

Update (11/1): Just to clarify (and eliminate confusion), the GrandCentral invites are open to US users, mainly due to the fact that GrandCentral only has US numbers available.

Hopefully they will consider India, Japan, Brazil, ect., in the future, as many users there would probably find the features to be very useful.

Orkut Spam, And How To Block It (For Life!)

Warning: This post is fairly long. You may need a cup of coffee (or even a few donuts) to get through this. ;-)

(Image Credit: AppScout)

Unless you are apart of the tiny minority who enjoys annoying the human race, you probably agree with me that spam is very evil.

Whether it's in the form of phone calls, emails or Orkut scraps from strangers, spam is the worst time waster in my opinion, mainly because their is no joy in reading or hearing messages that you have very little interest in.

So for those of you desiring to live a "spam free" life on Orkut, here are a few tips that you can use to make surfing Orkut a lot more fun.

Defend Thy Scrapbook

One of the great things about Orkut scrapbooks is the ability to leave messages that all of your friends can read. Unfortunately spammers have often used scrapbooks as a form of free advertising to the world, which can be iritating to both you and your friends.

Google has done an excellent job in fighting this using word verification, although unfortunately those days may be quickly coming to an end.

In order to keep spammers at bay, you may need to change your privacy settings to allow only friends, or friend of friends to post on your scrapbook. More information about that can be found over here.

Replace or remove Orkut email

Although its great that Orkut has an email system, its filtering abilities are limited at best.

In order to keep yourself from wasting time sifting through annoying emails, I would recommend either replacing Orkut email with Gmail or disabling Orkut email completely.

In order to set this up simply visit www.orkut.com/NotificationsSettings.aspx, and uncheck every box underneath the "message" column...



...and either check the boxes underneath the email column to have your favorite email address handle the messages...



...or you can leave all of the boxes blank and spammers will have no way of emailing you through Orkut (although neither will your friends).

Note: Currently there is not a way for only your only friends (or friend of friends) to email you, like the scrapbook, although Google will hopefully add this to Orkut sometime after their API launch.

List Digital Numbers Only

Unless you don't mind receiving random phone calls from strangers, you should never list your home or mobile number on Orkut (or any social network for that matter).

However, if you need to list a number online (for like business reasons), then you should list a "digital number" (with spam protection) instead.

Digital numbers are like regular phone numbers, and you can easily purchase one from Skype for a small fee, or from Google's GrandCentral for free (note: currently open to US users, but if you need an invite simply email me).

To add (or change) your number on Orkut, simply visit the "edit contact" page over at www.orkut.com/EditContact.aspx and scroll down to the "phone section" and enter your numbers below.



Last, do not forget to adjust your privacy settings in order to limit who can view your numbers.



That's it! These three tips have helped me avoid receiving spam messages while using Orkut.

If anyone has any other tips to add, be sure to let us all know by commenting below.

Did Google Quietly Turn Off Orkut Media?

For those of you who don't know, Orkut has had a "media site" called Orkut Media.

It's purpose (at from what I could tell) was to help spice up Orkut to the outside world with views about politics, sex, God (more like "God bashing"), or random amusements by either Googlers or friends of Googlers.

Anyways, its seems as if the last post to the site was around April 18^th of this year, six months ago.

Google may have discontinued publishing articles there due to its content, as some of it was not exactly suitable for little kids (despite the fact than anyone could access it).

Although Orkut has an official blog, it mostly focuses on improvements to Orkut, while Orkut media commented about items in the general news.

Either way, Orkut Media was fairly interesting (especially the Gallery) and it would be nice if Google decided to bring portions of the site back (especially comments from Jen).

Will Indian Users Surpass Americans On Orkut?

While its a well known fact that Brazilian users dominated Orkut almost from the very beginning, it looks as if American users may find themselves in third place in a few months.

Since Orkut no longer provides demographic numbers (a feature I do miss) I'll simply highlight percentages from the past.

Here is a screen shot from August of 2006:



...and here is one from the demographics page today:



As you can see, Indian users are catching up, which probably explains why Google began allowing users to scrap in Hindi, enabling users to talk to each other without resorting to third party hacks.

Although I expect India to surpass the US, I have a feeling that Google does not want to lose the American market to Facebook, which is making even MySpace nervous.

Note: This may be the main reason why Google is releasing the Orkut API's next month, in order to gain some exposure among "us" Americans.

Hack: Orkut Formatting For Scrapbooks, Forums

Update (10/14): It looks as if this hack was originally developed by Sharath (explanation provided at the bottom). See his post for an updated version.

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Although there are plenty of hacks out there that make it easier to format text in ones scrapbook or forum (such as the Orkut Toolbar), this one by far seems to most useful.

Created by Siva Jawaji, the Orkut Formatting Toolbar provides easy to use formating buttons above not only the "general" scrapbook box...



...but in the reply boxes as well.



You can even use this hack while replying to various forums on Orkut.



Currently users have to either remember 30 different formating codes ranging from smilies to colors to the basic [b]bold[/b], [u]underline[/u] and [i]italic[/i] codes (either that or constantly refer back to the Orkut chart).

Siva's hack removes that hassle, making it easier for even non-geeks to concentrate more on what they say, than the appearance of the message on Orkut.

Hopefully Google includes a similar feature later on this month, when they open up Orkut with API's.

Note: This hack is for Firefox users (sorry IE fans). In order to use this hack, you will need to first install GreaseMonkey. After that, you can download Orkut Formatting Toolbar over here.

I will add this hack to the Orkut User Tools sidebar underneath the GreaseMonkey section.

Update (10/14): It seems as if their is a dispute on who is the original author of this hack.

Siva's hack (featured above) seems to be based upon a previous script by MarivaldO.

However Sharath is claiming that both scripts are based off his original hack, which he has improved upon by adding glitter effects (which looks really nice by the way).

I (hopefully) doubt anyone purposely took this hack for their own, as they could have simply forgotten to credit the original creator.

Since it looks as if Sharath may have been the original author of this hack (at least to me), I'll give him credit for the original hack.

New: Formating,Smiley Faces On Orkut Community Profiles

(Hat Tip: Jerry from Orkut Plus)

Community owners rejoice! Users who own forums on Orkut will not have the ability to format text and even add smiley faces to their forum profiles.

You can see a great example of this in action over at the Orkut Plus community, who seems to be the only one thus far spicing up his forum's image.

For those of you who actually own your own forums (as opposed to moderating which is totally different) you can spice up your community profile by visiting its home page and clicking on the edit profile link...



...then scrolling down to the description section...



...and formating the appearance of the text to whatever fits your mood.

In order to make editing a little bit easier, users may want to consider installing Orkut Toolbar (review over here).

Note: I wonder whether Google would consider allowing users to add video's from YouTube to our community profiles?

Update (10/8): Thanks Jerry for catching that typo!

Should Orkut Integrate This Google Talk Hack?

(Hat Tip: Ramesh Chowdary from Tech Orchard)

A long, long time ago Google decided to add Google Talk to Orkut in order to allow friends to easily chat with each in real time.

Unfortunately Google Talk was very limited, causing some people to either whine about it (okay, so I was the only one complaining) while others decided to do actually create a hack for the rest of us.

Now it seems that a new Google Talk hack has emerged, that not only improves upon the previous hack, but also is in the "perfect spot" on the Orkut page.

(Gauravv.com) Recently i felt need of an IM client just inside orkut so that i can be in touch with who are online ,although i knew ultimately orkut will add this feature someday ..but why wait for them to take initiative :) so i made this greasemonkey script which does same thing,it also has support for multiuser conference :).

The beauty of this hack is that users can "hide" the Gtalk (or Google Talk) feature by clicking on the Hide Gtalk link...



...if they feel like browsing through their list of friends.

If they feel like chatting with someone online all they have to do is click Show Gtalk link...



...and they can begin to chat, or even call them if they would like.

If any Googlers are reading this post, hopefully they will consider adding this feature, along with a host of others rumored to be coming out this November.

Note: This hack is currently for Firefox users only, although I will see if I can find one for Internet Explorer 7 (as I'm seeking some useful hacks come out for that browser).

You will need to install GreaseMonkey first, as well as Macromedia Flash Player.

After that, head over to UserScripts.org to install this hack. I will add this hack underneath Orkut User Tools in the GreaseMonkey section.