Must Have: Threaded Orkut Scraps

One of the reasons I love Gmail so much (note: yes, this is related to Orkut, so bear with me) is that Google groups together all of those messages sent back and forth between your friends (or businesses) into conversations, which saves you a lot of time when you are trying to figure out what you last said (or rather wrote) in Gmail.



While I do enjoy the overall layout of Orkut scrapbook, one thing I wish the Google team would consider is giving users the ability to group together related scraps, as it would make it much easier to communicate between friends (especially if you are receiving a ton of scraps).



Even though Google is probably busy with other projects (such as reinserting ads inside Orkut, not to mention receiving feedback regarding their Orkut Apps (which you can view if you are a citizen of Estonia), it would be great if they added this feature alongside of the million other things they are planning for the site.

Orkut Declares War On Scrapbook, Forum Spam

After enabling users to block unwanted messages in their Orkut scrapbooks, it looks as if Google is taking more aggressive measures to remove spam from community forums, as well as scrapbooks.

(Official Orkut Blog) While communities provide a great medium for people to come together and share ideas through forums, polls and events, lots of communities can be the target of spam. Until now, if you were not the community owner or moderator, you couldn't remove the spam if you saw it. Well that has changed. Now you will be able to click "report spam" to specific topics or items in communities that are spammy, even if you are not the community moderator or owner. This will help us take down spam faster and take the pressure off the community owners and moderators. You can also report spam on specific scraps that you see in your own scrapbook.

Google is probably doing this in response to the rise in scrapbook spam, which has been increasing due to the various "scrap all your friends" hacks available in certain programs or by various scripts.

Before this feature, users had to actually visit the offending person's profile and write up a complaint, which was 30 seconds too long in my honest opinion.

Now all a user has to do is check mark the offending scrap...



...and report it as spam.



Note: Since more often than not my scrapbook is spared from spam attacks, I decided to use a scrap from Fire Ball as an example...even though its not spam.

The one for forums is similar, although Google may want to enable users to report individual community posts instead of the whole thread as spam--unless Google feels like reading the entire conversation. ;-)

Software For Orkut: Scrapboy (Version 2.0)

It has been a long time since I last reviewed Scrapboy, which in my opinion was one of the best software programs to use for Orkut (at least as far as scraping goes).

Ever since its launch Scrapboy has had some competition, mainly from Agent Orkut (which seems to have gone missing in action as of late).

Anyways, Scrapboy has relaunched a whole new version of the scrap chat program, which is not only a lot easier to install (compared to version 1.0), but a lot more user friendly as well.

While Scrapboy does include the basic text editing functions (like inserting color, style, etc.) it does have a few noticeable features that may convince users to send scraps through the program rather than logging into Orkut.

Search Thy Friend



One cool feature that I enjoyed is the friend search bar at the top. If one has over several hundred friends on Orkut, it can be a pain to find them on the friend list, and then scrap them on Orkut.

Scrapboy eliminates this by putting a friend search bar, which means you can easily find (and scrap) your friend within a few seconds (depending on how long their name is of course).

Orkut Slide Show

Another cool feature is the ability to view your friends Orkut albums in a slide show format (similar to what Google offers Blogger users).

To activate this, users have to simply highlight their friend on Scrapboy, which will activate a "menu" to the right. After clicking on the photo album button...



...a new window will appear which will allow you to view your friends album in a slide show like format.



Online Status Indicator

While Google prefers to outsource the online status to Google Talk, with a few clicks you can find out if any of your friends are online.

In order to do this users must click the "Who" button...



...which will reveal a drop down menu. Simply click on the "Who is online?" button and users will be able to see which of their friends are actually logged into Orkut, and not merely Google Talk.

Note: Scrapboy also will inform you of new friend requests, upcoming birthdays, as well as your fans.

While version 2.0 of Scrapboy is very impressive, it did however leave out some of Orkut's other main features, like the news feed, as well as the video playlist.

Although I did encounter one minor bug, (which is probably on my end), the program ran relatively smooth. While Scrapboy is quite useful within the "orkutsphere," it looks as if they have already expanded their program into the "Myspace universe."



Users interested in Scrapboy can download the program over here, and if anyone has any other suggestions (or in need of support), they can visit the official Scrapboy forum over here.

Orkut Privacy: Hide Your Scrapbooks, Feeds From Strangers Too?

(Hat Tip: Jerry from Orkut Plus)

After previously allowing users to hide their albums, video's and testimonials from strangers, Google is now allowing users to hide their Orkut scrapbooks as well.

Users can access this by visiting the privacy tab or by clicking on the link below...

http://www.orkut.com/PrivacySettings.aspx

...which will bring you to this page.



You can then select to have your scrapbook and feeds to be viewed by either just your friends--or the entire orkutsphere.

This is definitely good news for users (especially girls) although this may signal the death of software scrap programs as Google seems to be taking more aggressive measures to remove any excuse for users to log into non-Google properties.

Note: With Google finally wrapping up the last major security concern (at least privacy wise) I wonder if they will consider legally opening up Orkut to kids under 18?

Google Unleashes Orkut Scrap Alerts, Kills Off Competition

Alas, it looks as if Google's latest feature may be the death knell that kills off some of my favorite Orkut hacks such as Orkut Alert.

Called Scraps Alert, this handy feature will inform users whenever a friend (or stranger) posts a message inside your scrapbook.

(Official Orkut Blog) With scrap alerts you can be on any orkut page and find out that you have received a scrap - that very minute. You could be browsing your friend's photos, and find out "hey! I just got a new scrap." Then you can click on the "Scrapbook" link to reply on the spot. This way you'll be free to explore all of orkut, comforted in the knowledge that when you have received a new scrap, you'll know about it that moment.

Google is quickly rolling this feature out to all of its users over the next few days, so if you do not see it now, chances are you will discover it by the beginning of next week.

My only complaint about the feature is that its colors clash with Orkut's blue background, making it an eyesore.

Hopefully someone from Google will rethink the Scrap Alert's color scheme, or better yet allow users to customize their own.

Note: When is Google going to do something similar for forums? (hint, hint)

Who Will Dominate Orkut? Picasa, Or Slide.com?

Several days ago Google announced that they were making it easier for users to post images from Picasa Albums onto their friends scrapbook.

(Official Orkut Blog) In order to make it simpler to add photos, you can now access all your Picasa Web Albums from the photo picker. Simply go to your friend's scrapbook, click on "add photo" and select the "Picasa Web Album" tab in the photo picker [...]

This way if you've got hundreds of photos on Picasa Web (like me!) you can easily have your pick of the best ones by grabbing it right from the album, rather than having to re-upload photos from your computer.

While I am excited that Google is finally exposing more users to Picasa (as many people have yet to discover Picasa) this may be in response to Slide.com dominating the scene ever since Google allowed users to send fancy scraps to one another.

Before diving into whether or not Slide.com can handle Picasa's entrance into the scrapbook, here are some instructions (with images) on how to add your Picasa Ablum to your friend's scrapbook.

After visiting your friend's scrapbook, locate and click on the add photo button ...



...which will force a new window to "pop up." Next, select the Picasa Web Albums tab...



...and choose which album you would like to insert.



Last but not least, select the image you would like to use...



...and it should appear in your friend's scrapbook for all to see.

As far as competition goes, this feature does give Picasa an advantage over its rivals, although I am not too sure if it will dethrone Slide in the long run.

While both Picasa and Slide allow users to embed slide shows, what separates Slide from Picasa is that it gives users the ability to insert music within, which makes viewing images a whole lot easier.

Note: Hopefully the Picasa team will consider something similar, although I would not be surprised if they decided to outsource the audio to sites like Odeo.

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.

_________________________________

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.

Google (Finally) Adds Orkut Privacy Settings To Scrapbook

(Hat Tip: MitAnshu Garg and Jerry from Orkut Plus)

Google has finally added a feature that will not only cut down on spam, but will also help some ladies out who are often harassed by losers looking for a date.

No official word from the Orkut Blog, but if you log into your home page you might see this message on your screen:



If you don't see it simply visit your privacy settings page which can be found at this link: http://www.orkut.com/PrivacySettings.aspx

Next, scroll down to the allow scraps to be written by section...



...and click on the drop down menu to select who can send you a scrap.



You have to option of opening up your scrapbook to everyone, friends of friends, or just your close friends.

After you have selected your preferences, hit the save changes button near the bottom and bask in the glory that spammers will have one less victim to harass with a useless product (not to mention girls will no longer find disgusting messages posted by desperate losers).

Note: Now the only way this could be better is if Google found a way to give everyone the ability to hide their scrapbook from strangers, sort of what Blogger has for its users, then this would be perfect.

Unrelated Note: It looks as if Google also has drastically improved the search feature on Orkut, which may put Facebook to shame. Don't you love a little competition? ;-)

Another "Orkut To RSS" Hack

It looks as if Rahul from Devil's Workshop has come up with a "one click" RSS feed hack that will enable users to view community forums and scrapbooks through their favorite feed reader.

This hacks seems to be much easier to use than Orkut Feed (see review) although you will need Firefox and GreaseMonkey in order to make the most out of this hack.

(UserScripts.org) Insert Relevant RSS feeds on pages with ready to subscribe button

This GreaseMonkey Script for Orkut adds a link to RSS feed of current users scrapbook or community posts in top header menu of Orkut!

Also for advance firefox users, the RSS Link will be integrated into orkut so that you can get RSS indicator in navigation/address bar.

whenever you will click on above links you will be redirected to relevant RSS fee, which you can add to a RSS Reader like Google Reader.

For those of you looking for screen shots, Rahul provides the goodies over here. Users can install the script over here by clicking on this link:

http://userscripts.org/scripts/source/11069.user.js

Note: I will add this underneath Orkut User Tools underneath the GreaseMonkey section.

Orkut To Add HTML, Video, Etc., To Scrapbook

(Hat Tip: Mitanshu)



It looks as if Google is finally going to make scrapping your friends a whole lot easier more fun! Orkut is going to give users the ability to insert images, video (via YouTube) and even Google Gadgets inside their friends scrapbooks.

(Orkut Help) You can personalize scraps you send to your friends by using basic HTML code to add color, graphics, images, YouTube videos, Google Gadgets, and more.

Customizing scraps with rich content is easy and only requires basic coding knowledge. Simply type or paste the HTML tags or URL in the text box and click "preview" or "post scrap." The "scrap tips" button contains some common tags to help you get started.

Google is rolling these out to a few profiles at a time, so don't get upset if your friends are able to send video scraps to you and you are left out of the fun.

In order to keep spam down, Google has enabled this feature for friends only, so you can't send anything fancy towards someone you are not connected to already.

My only criticism of this is that Google seems to refuse to insert buttons enabling anyone to insert the code inside, so you may need to download the Orkut Toolbar (by Renato Rodrigues) in order truly enjoy the benefits of this feature.

Note: The image above is a mock up, not the official thing (although if anyone has screen shots of the new features in action, be sure to let us all know).

Orkut Members Mourn For Minal

From Inside Orkut

After reports came in yesterday that Minal was among the missing, it was confirmed by media outlets, Facebook members and various individuals who emailed me reporting the sad news about Minal.

Minal's scrapbook has received well over 20,000 scraps in the past few days, and here are some of the best comments from well wishers expressing regret and sorrow to Minal, as well as to her family.

____________________

Patrick:

Goodbye MINAL PANCHAL
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on the treadmill
And they made you change your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in
And I would have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

GOD BLESS ALL

Sraven:

Like a bird
Singing in the rain,
Let grateful memories
Survive in time of sorrow.

My deepest condolences to ur family

Kaarthik:

You Be With God...

U and I may not be knowing each other...

But my heart pains when I heard of my Indian Sister lost her life in the US...

My heart pained a lot when I heard that a good talent was killed for no valid reason...

I assume, it might be that God needed a skilled Architect to build a new Heaven...

And you are the one chosen by him... All the best of luck for your new venture!!!

____________________

There were also a few text art images, ranging from roses to candles, all made in honor to Minal.

There have also been several forums established in her memory. In the Minal Panchal: God bless her forum Savio writes:

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
And may perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of the faithfully departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen

My prayers are with you gurl, May ur soul rest in peace!!!

Other forums have been created, such as Minal Panchal -a brave girl where users are also expressing their condolences for her family.

____________________

Last but not least, here are some of her last scraps on Orkut (Hat Tip: an anonymous user and Anjali for compiling these on the original Minal Panchal forum.

Shilpi Gupta's scrapbook:

Minal: madam photo change itne jaldi!!! achche lag rahe ho!!! kisne khichi yeh pic..... i wonder

Payal Aggarwal's scrapbook:

Minal: pahoch gaye ghar.... ?

(earlier scrap)

Minal: amazing pic payal, wat place is it???? mere bina akele kahan gaye the???? kiske saath???!!!!

AMBITION's scrapbook:

Minal: hi anjummmmmmmm!!! how r u????? kya kar rahe ho aaj kal? wher r u working?? i m fine, first years coming to an end.... cant believe it! its nice getting bak to studies and now cant wait to get bak to work :) !!!!! it was very nice to hear from u... do keep in touch!

Rajiv's scrapbook:

Minal: thanx rajiv for listening (or telling your guest), very unlikely of u...... :)
i really appreciate ! waise hamare ceiling par thode cracks ho rahe hai.....

Bharati Karmarkar's scrapbook:

Minal: stalking????

(earlier scrap)

Minal: hmmmmmmmmmmmm..... wat?

Akshay Shah's scrapbook:

Minal: how r u akshay? lifes good at my end!!! first sem abt to be finished!!! unbelievable!!! howz work at your end???

(the next ones were from last year, December)

Minal: gr8!!!! congratulations yaar!!! so, how do u feel???? wow, its gona be quite a while for me to be thru wid my masters!!! wil be in NJ to visit my sister during the break.

(earlier)

Minal: hi akshay, how r u?? my sem was good.... got really hectic in the end with all the submissions!!! right now just relaxing and enjoying the break! wat abt u? how was yr sem?

Vishu's scrapbook:

Minal: hi, how r u?? lifes good... bas the same job search, course work :((
congrats for your new car!! and howz work????

Richa Walia's scrapbook:

Minal: hi richa! bahot unrichable hogaye ho!!!!??? (btw shruti gets 50% credit for this pj)!
saaw your pics today!!! they r really good. loooking very pretty! aur batao kya chal raha hai?

____________________

Here is a request to the general Orkut community. If anyone can recall Minal sending them a scrapbook or her posting in a forum, would you mind posting the links to those in the original Minal Panchal forum for her family and friends to view?

And if anyone is a close friend of Minal's family, would you mind forwarding these last posts by Minal to her mother and family, as I am sure they would appreciate this very much.

On behalf of everyone who has heard about this tragedy, my prayers go to the family of Minal, as well as to the families of those who have lost loved ones. God bless. :-(

Enlarge Thy Image?

Rahul, over at the Welcome to the Devil's Workshop has created a GreaseMonkey hack (Firefox required) that allows users to enlarge the images on their scrapbook.

Here is a before and after screen shot comparing the two:



For those of you who are already Firefox (and GreaseMonkey) fans, you can install this hack by clicking here.

Although a cosmetic hack, this does improve the overall appearance of my scrapbook (at least in my opinion).

Note: I am going to list this hack underneath Orkut User Tools on the sidebar.

Double Note: Congrats Rahul for reaching 100,000 plus hits!

Software: Agent Orkut Anyone?

Update: Hat tip to Ashwani for letting me know about this. Also, Naveen is the creator of this program (thanks Ashwani for the correction!)

Despite the fact that there are many of scrap programs out there, users may find this software to be one of the easiest and most fun ones to use while scraping your friends.

Simply called Agent Orkut, this program was designed by Naveen and is designed to make sending messages to your friends (or foes) as care free as possible.

Although this program is very similar to Scrapboy (which I covered previously) what sets this program apart is the ability to not only scrap all of your friends at once, but also random strangers through Orkut's profile search.



Another cool feature is that upon clicking on a friend's profile, users will be able to choose which area of the "orkuter" to explore, making it easier to navigate throughout a friends profile (i.e. album, video's, etc.).



This scrap chat program also includes an online status indicator, and alerts you whenever your friends come online or send you a scrap.

Although very minor, one feature that I love is that Agent Orkut allows users to edit the names of their friends within the friends list...




...which can be quite useful if people enjoy spelling their name with random characters.

To download Agent Orkut, simply visit the homepage and you will receive further instructions from there.

You can visit the official Agent Orkut forum over here, although you can check out the Agent Orkut Blog for future updates.

And if you have time, don't forget to scrap Naveen regarding this software, as I'm sure he would really love feedback on how to improve Agent Orkut.

Note: Will add this to the sidebar underneath Orkut User Tools.

Another Confirmation Of Orkut SMS

For those wondering when Orkut SMS will hit their accounts, Bernardo has provided a visual as to what this looks like upon logging in.



Sigh. I guess I'll have to wait until this feature hits the states. It must be great being Brazilian! :-)

Note: For those wondering what this looks like on your scrapbook, Micael has provided a visual for us all.