Scrapboy To Help Orkut Users Access Facebook?

A new version of Scrapboy has been released, which may appeal to many Orkut users who may have fallen in love with program since its last update.

While the previous version of Scrapboy allowed users to access both Orkut and MySpace, it looks as if Assaf (the creator of Scrapboy) has now included Facebook to the mix.



This should make it easier for those who are frequent members of both networks to keep up with friends (especially if you live in different time zones around the world).

The interface is pretty much similar to what one would see on Orkut, except that it has a "facebook twist" to it.



Embracing some of the more popular social networks is probably a smart move by Scrapboy, as it seems all of the social networks (or at least Orkut, MySpace and to a lesser extent, Facebook) are discouraging users to use third party software to log into their sites (for security reasons, of course).

Note: As far as Orkut goes, I think it would be really cool if Scrapboy added a feature where users could search and post YouTube video's (not to mention slide shows from Slide, Flickr and Picasa Web Albums) as HTML scraps are becoming fairly popular on Orkut scrapbooks.

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.

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.

Orkut Cute Upgrades With Boss Mode

Orkut Cute (now at version 8.8.2) has recently added the "boss mode," which basically enables users to hide the software program from their screen (via key command).



Users may want to change the default setting from Shift + A, as you may find it rather irritating with Orkut Cute disappearing and reappearing from view.

I also noticed that the software uploads forums a lot faster than before, and also only displays the updated ones instead of all of the communities at once (which was slightly annoying).

Orkut Cute has come a long way since it first came on the scene, and with its integration with Google Talk seems to have made it a hit within the orkutsphere, especially among Brazilians.

Note: With Google recently adding SMS (in celebration of its third birthday), I wonder if Alexandre Peres (the creator) will consider an SMS service to Orkut Cute as well?

Easy Scraper Relaunches With Shiny New Look

After previously introducing themselves to the world, it looks like Akki has rebuilt Easy Scraper as well as come out with a whole new look.



The new version is a cross between Orkut Cute and Orkut Scrapper, as it runs as a "mini-Orkut browser" yet giving users the options to send colorful scraps to their friends.

Although you may find many of the features similar from last time, what makes this program great is the "boss mode" feature, which allows you to quickly hide the program just in case you are using it during work hours.

Note: Akki may want to consider removing from the toolbar view below, as merely having it displayed there may not only make the boss more suspicious, but also lead to ones quick exit from the company.

The program also adds an Orkut links shortcut bar at the top, allowing users to quickly access items such as profiles, albums, forums, etc.

Users can download the new version of Easy Scraper over here, and if you have any questions, suggestions or feedback for Akki, you can post them on the official forum.

New Orkut Software (Meus Amigos Mercem)

(Hat Tip: Elektra)



A new program called Meus Amigos Mercem (or My Friends Deserve) seems to be gaining some popularity for Brazilian speakers, although there currently does not seem to be an English translation of the program.

The basic function of this software is to scrap all of your friends at once, which may be good or bad depending on who the mass scrapper is (i.e. spammer). Here is a description from their site via Google translation:

The program was developed for proper use, but as soon as I discovered that it has people that it charges for such bobagem, [?] I decided [distribute] it gratuitously.

This program serves you to interact with orkut and to send scraps and depositions to all automatically its friends!

(note: briefly edited for clarity)

This software reminds me of a very lite version of Orkut Cute, although users may prefer this program if scraping is their main reason for being on Orkut.

I think this software would become a serious competitor to Orkut Cute if it included a way to post messages to all of your favorite forums at once (but then Google would probably then shut it down as spammers would love that feature).

Users can download the program over here, although there apparently is no official forum for this piece of software. Sigh.

Scrapboy Updates Their Chat Program

For those of you who contacting me previously about Scrapboy not working, (via scraps and email), I just wanted to let you know that the latest update has rolled through.

Simply launch Scrapboy and it should update by itself. If you are still having problems, I would recommend downloading a new version at their site.

Note: For those of you who use alternative software programs to check your scrapbook (as well as reply), which one do you prefer? Scrapboy? The new Google Talk? Orkut Cute? Easy Scrapper? Did I miss any?

Orkut Cute Adds Google Talk

It looks like a new version of Orkut Cute has rolled out (now at version 8.7.2) and has included with its numerous tools the ability to contact your friends via Google Talk.



Although not a major deal (as Google added this to Orkut previously) one thing that makes this unique is that users have the ability to contact all of their online friends at once.

The feature is located underneath the Cute Talk tab (if you don't see it, select the Manager tab first, then Cute Talk).

For those of you who are not familiar with Orkut Cute, here is a brief recap of what this software (developed by Alexandre Pires) can do for your Orkut life:

• Scrap all of your friends at once


• Change your Orkut background


• Forum notifier (updates you on the latest community posts)


• Scrapbook notifier


• Anti-Virus center (very much needed)


• Last, Google Talk (with built in online indicator)

Alexandre has also developed several other programs for Orkut, although I am not sure if those are free ware and you may have to contact him directly for more details (as they can be misused).

You can find more information about Orkut Cute, as well as support over in the official forum.

Orkut Alert Gets A Whole New Look

It looks like Abhishek has giving OrkutAlert a whole new look from the last time it was mentioned here on this site.

Not only does the program run a lot smoother than before, but it also is more pleasing to the eyes.



The purpose of OrkutAlert is to, well...alert you to new scraps on Orkut. Although other programs such as Scrapboy, Orkut Cute and Orkut Scrapper do these as well (not to mention a ton of other things) what will set OrkutAlert apart is its future addition of alert by SMS, making it easier to know when a friend has scraped your scrapbook.

Speaking of SMS, when is Google going to make Orkut mobile friendly?

Note: You can download OrkutAlert over here, although if you want a lighter version you can visit the Official OrkutAlert Blog for more details.

Update (11/22): OrkutAlert is one word (instead of two) as I previously mentioned. Article has been corrected, although the title will remain the same in order to prevent link breakage.

Easy Scraper (A New Orkut Program)

An Orkut member going by the user name Is it me? has created a program giving users some spice to their scrapbook.

Basically it allows you to type in text within its program and then Easy Scraper makes it fancier such as typing your message via Matrix, or making the words appear in rainbow formation.

Although many of these have been duplicated before on other various programs (I think Orkut Toolbar had most of these features) what made it stand out was the mood percentage, which I enjoyed.



You simply enter in the percentage of how you feel and it will create a smiley face representation of your "mood chart."



The only problem is, how would one interpret that? Hmm...

Note: This is a software program so you will need to download it from Easy Scraper online.

Will add this program to the sidebar underneath Orkut User Tools.

Update (11/10): You can visit the official support forum of Easy Scrapper over here.

Orkut For My Mobile Phone?

While I was out and about today, finding out what was happening in life via Google News Mobile, I wondered whether or not if I could surf Orkut via my mobile phone (since Facebook, currently popular in America allows you to do this).

To my surprise I discovered that mobile is not available for Orkut yet as Google states:

Currently, orkut.com isn't compatible with mobile devices. To access your orkut profile, please try logging in using your computer's web browser.

Being the natural geek that I am, I started googling for "alternative results" and discovered Opera Mini which allows you to view the web through their mini browser. You need to make sure the browser can work in your phone first, and if so, have fun.

Unfortunately I was out of luck with Opera, and tried experimenting with Widsets instead. Widsets seems to be a great program, although my phone was not very pleased with the java it spit at me.

So, basically I am mobiless on Orkut, but if anyone is able to get any of these programs to work for their phone (AND log onto Orkut) let us all know by posting here.

Another Orkut Toolbar (For Firefox And IE)

I guess this makes three Orkut toolbars available (the previous ones mentioned here and here).

What makes this one distinct from previous versions is that it has a built in chat client inside of the toolbar (which is fun for the first five minuets--until you realize you are the only one on).



It also comes with a radio player, which may help pass the time while you are on Orkut.

You can dowload this new Orkut Toolbar over here. Firefox users may have some difficulty installing this toolbar, but you should be able to get this program up and running (simply follow the instructions on the site).

Must Have Orkut Hacks (Round Two)

When I first started blogging about Orkut, I came across many programs and hacks that made it easier for me to use and enjoy Orkut, which made using the forums a lot more fun.

After testing dozens of these user made hacks/programs, I created a list called called Must Have Orkut Hacks in order to share my discoveries with other users who often visit the forums.

Many months later, new programs/hacks have emerged, while others were destroyed by the Google updates on the Orkut servers.

After reviewing too many programs/hacks (and several in different languages) I decided that these were the ones that stood out among the rest. I judged each Orkut program/hack by:

• Simplicity: How simple the program would be for new users to install and use.


• Usefulness: How many different ways it could help users (forums, scrapbooks, etc.


• Innovation: Solving a problem on Orkut by building a "Google feature" (basically an item Google needs on Orkut).

Without further delay, here are the results:

In 5^th place: Free Orkut Toolbar 1.1 (for Internet Explorer)



Developed by Winrogs Globalsoft, the Free Orkut Toolbar provides the basic formatting features. What makes Free Orkut Toolbar interesting is the fact that it includes an email notifier (Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.), a local weather forecast and a free radio player.

Suggestions: Create a Firefox version as well as incorporate XM Radio within (supported by ads or a non-ad version with a low monthly fee).

Crowing features:

• free radio player


• Local weather forecast


• email notifier (Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, POP3)

For a more in depth review click here.

In 4^th place: Sorkut



Sorkut was originally developed by Rohit Kumbhar for Firefox users. Despite suffering through the various Google server updates, this hack enables users to "google" forums for keywords within conversations. Why Google has not developed this within the Orkut forums themselves is anybodies guess.

Suggestions: This hack has a few bugs in it (thus the reason it has dropped two spots from last time) although if these were resolved this would probably be in second place, as this is desperately needed on Orkut.

Crowing feature:

• search for keywords within Orkut forums

For a more in depth review click here.

In 3^rd place: Scrapboy

Scrapboy has improved dramatically since I first encountered it, and has moved up a spot from last time to the number three position.

Created by Assaf Koren, Scrapboy allows users to scrap their friends without logging into Orkut (very handy when Firefox is down) as well as being notified of not only your scraps, but your friends as well.

Equipped with a built in online status indicator that lets you know which of your friends are online (the only program/hack with this thus far) as well as the ability to choose which friends to scrap while receiving multiple messages.

Suggestions: Give users the ability to choose different skins of for Scrapboy layout. Also give users with Google accounts the ability to send scraps within Orkut's cousin Joga.

Crowing features:

• online status indicator


• send and receive scraps from desktop


• real time scrapbook notifier

Support forum: Scrapboy

For a more in depth review click here, here and here.

In 2^nd place: Orkut Cute



Designed by Alexandre Pires of APC Software, this program requires very little "geek knowledge" making it a favorite on and off the Orkut world.

Orkut Cute might as well be called the unofficial Orkut browser, and allows users to do everything from change their background colors, to send mass scraps to all of your friends and favorite forums and comes with not only a scrap notifier, but also lets you know when a new topic has been posted on your forums.

Orkut Cute also goes the extra mile and provides anti-virus software resources for users, just in case they click on the wrong link and their computer is infected with an evil virus (a huge problem on Orkut previously).

Suggestions: Create something similar for Joga and perhaps create a Firefox version of Orkut Cute (to create a smoother version between features). Also an online status indicator would sweeten the deal.

Crowing features:

• mass scrap your friends


• post on several forums at once


• change your background colors


• virus protection software


• scrapbook notifier


• forum post notifier

Support forum: Orkut Cute


For a more in depth review click here.

In 1^st place: Orkut Scrapper 2.0

After suffering a brief outage due to changes on the Orkut server, Orkut Scrapper came back with not only all of its bugs fixed, but adding many necessary features that neither I (or Google) may have thought of before.

Created by Binny, this Firefox hack is already being declared a favorite by many inside Orkut (at least the messages that I can read in English) and provides a host of tools for users to use.

Orkut Scrapper allows users to not only send scraps instantly to those who have left messages on their scrapbook but also allows users to send secret scraps as well (which is a great feature as Orkut has yet to announce plans on creating privacy settings within Orkut).

Orkut cute also comes with a scrapbook notifier, an online friend notifier, translation post tools (a Google must!), the ability to view images and Google video's (a Google must!), a live preview of your scrap before you hit send, and the ability to change your Orkut background to a picture. Did I mention a shout box too?

Suggestions: Allow users to adjust the colors of their Orkut background, integrate (if possible) Gtalk within Orkut instead of a shout box (like in Gmail), insert more language translation tools within.

Crowing features:

• translation post tools


• secret scraps


• shout box


• online friend alert


• ability to view images and Google videos


• live scrap preview tool

Support forum: Orkut Scrapper 2.0.1

For a more in depth review click here.

_______________________________

Well, those are the Must Have Orkut Hacks for this round. I am really impressed with the developers of these programs themselves (as this type of thing takes time to develop), especially with the last three as they have improved themselves over the months to meet the needs of Orkut users everywhere.

Now if only we could get Google to see the potential of Orkut that these guys see, then maybe Google would grant access to Orkut for everyone to check out for themselves.

Those Orkut Fortune Cookies

Today's Fortune: "Generosity and perfection are your everlasting goals."

I would like to personally thank Binny for releasing his new improved version of Orkut Scrapper 2.0 which you can read a review about in the previous post.

I am also looking forward to testing a few more programs, although I may need someone to help translate them from Portuguese. ;-)

I am looking forward to documenting the best of the Orkut hacks online...so if you have one that I have overlooked let me know by commenting/scrapping/emailing me...as I am thinking about writing a review of some of these hacks on The Blog Herald (a Google News source).

Must Have Orkut Hacks (Coming Soon)

There are dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Orkut hacks, programs and everything in between that make "orkuting better," or at least that is what they say.

I originally did the first round of Must Have Orkut Hacks because I felt their were some programs that every user should download, and others...that could use some more improvement. ;-)

Months have passed and many of those programs have changed. Some of these hacks/programs have become better over time. Some of them have become worse. And a few actually have not changed at all.

I am going to do a new round of Must Have Orkut Hacks as there are some upcoming programs (that I have not highlighted yet) that claim they are not only better than all of the previous hacks/programs mentioned before, but are better looking too. (i.e. more user friendly)

I am going to display the top five programs/hacks that every Orkut users should have, (in my opinion) and if you think your program is great enough to take on Orkut Cute (the champion from last time) or Scrapboy (which has improved dramatically since I first encountered it) let me know by either scraping me or commenting below.

Scrapboy Update: Select And Respond

(Hat Tip: Range)

Scrapboy has added a new feature to their program allowing users to select which individuals they want to reply back to on their Orkut scrapbook, which can be especially helpful if you receive multiple scraps from friends.



There is even a little window frame (not shown above) that lets you know when your scrap went through, which is very helpful as Google's frequent updates have killed many scrap programs for Orkut.

Scrapboy previously rolled out an online status indicator inside its chat program, although I have noticed that they no longer display those cool little ads they had a month ago (perhaps they should consider Google ads instead?).

Note: I think I am going to have to do another Must Have Orkut Hacks as some programs have changed (for the better or worse) while others have simply died off via the Orkut server updates.

Orkut Alert Beta (New Orkut Software)

Abhishek has created a program that alerts you when someone sends you a new scrap.

Called Orkut Alert Beta, this piece of software not only lets you know the number of scraps that a user has received, but also comes with an online status indicator as well (something Google is considering adding to Orkut).



You can download the program from SourceForge.net and make sure you select the Orkut Alert 0.6 U1 Beta setup file (otherwise you may run into some problems).

Note: Adding this to the sidebar underneath Orkut User Tools.

All Those Changes...

Google seems to be changing its servers faster than I can post (which would not be surprising since I've been away for a while).

Several users have reported problems using Orkut with a variety of hacks or programs, while I have noticed some upcoming hacks (some of them to rival the ones previously mentioned) are no longer working as well.

Here is a partial list of the ones that are broken within Orkut:

• Sorkut: This firefox hack is still up and running, although recent attempts to update this extension to "make it smoother" were foiled when Orkut updated their servers again. Rohit (the creator) has been working to fix this problem (so don't worry) although I am quite surprised this hack has survived all of the major upgrades to the Orkut server.
• Scrapboy: The online status indicator is working quite fine,