Google Rolling Out Adsense Upon Orkut Forums Again?

(Hat Tip: Kaushik from Ortuk)

It looks like after testing Ads on Orkut profiles, Google is slowly experimenting with AdSense within a few Orkut communities.

Here are several screen shots from the APPLE : iPhone now with 3G :) forum...



...the India Pakistan Friendship Club forum...



...the United Nations forum...



...and a personal favorite of mine the Brain Teasers forum.



I came across numerous other forums with Google Adsense being proudly displayed, although a high number of them seemed "broken" which may be more on my end since I am using the latest beta of Firefox 3 (which has yet to support GreaseMonkey and Google Gears).

Google previously included Adsense within Orkut, before mysteriously removing them (which may have been due towards users blocking them with GreaseMonkey hacks).

Although there is no word on whether or not Google will share Adsense revenue with forum owners, they have allowed users creating Orkut Apps to display adds alongside their application pages.

Hopefully Google considers sticking with the ads (or even sharing revenue with users), as they could help not only reduce the cost of running Orkut, but help pay for new features for the site as well.

Orkut Forums (Recommended By Google)

(Hat Tip: Ortuk)

As if Orkut was not distracting enough for everyone, it looks as if Google has released a new feature that will suggest forums for users to join (which seems based upon the communities that you and your friends have already signed up for).



Orkut will display up to three recommended forums for users, and if one desires to see more they can click the "view all" link or simply visit orkut.com/Communities.aspx?tab=5 to view the entire list.

If the communities recommended to you are not relevant, boring, lewd or down right irritating, users can simply ignore future suggestions from that forum...



...as well as find out why Google recommended the forum to you in the first place (by clicking on the "Why was I recommended this?" link.



Users can also turn off this feature (if they want to preserve "screen real estate"), although most users may find it to be quite useful in discovering new communities.

Note: I wonder when Google is going to do something similar with friends, as well as Orkut Apps?

Google Taking A Bite Out Of Orkut Forum Spam

In the never ending war against Orkut spam (which seems to be increasing lately, at least in my Orkut inbox) Google has unveiled a new tool for community owners to help keep their forums clean and on topic.

Basically this feature allows forum owners to restrict access to communities based upon email (like @gmail.com, @yahoo.com or @ilovemyjob.com).



(Image Credit: Gaurav of Orkut Plus)

This feature may not only reduce spam from "strange email addresses," but enable businesses, charities and schools to establish public networks that are only accessible to those with the approved email address.

For details on how to set this up, please visit Orkut Plus!

Note: I am not seeing this yet in any forums that I own, but if you are seeing it within yours, let us all know how you feel about it (or even how it can be improved) in the comment section below.

Belated (Yet New): Co-Ownership In Orkut Forums?

(Hat Tip: Orkut Plus)

Google has enabled Orkut forum owners to add additional owners to the forums, giving users more control over their communities.

Aside from having all of the powers of a moderator, co-owners can un-delete a forum in case the previous owner no longer desires it, as well as assume ownership of the forum if a community has been hacked.

Forum owners can add co-owners to their forums by clicking on the "add co-owner" link which they can find on their community profile (above the "add moderator" link)...



...then typing in the name of a member of the forum that they want to add...



...then hit the "search members" button after selecting the person. After that, Orkut should bring you to a new page in which you can then grant that individual co-owner status by hitting the "grant co-owner privileges" button below.



You can add up to two co-owners to each forum, which a lot lower than the 10 moderator limit set by Google. However, I would recommend users only adding co-owners to their communities if they are hosting a forum that has a history of being stolen via hackers (or at least many threats/attempts in the past).

I would also suggest forum owners only grant people they highly trust (or have met offline) with this status, as co-owners do have the ability to remove the original owners threads.

Google To Orkut Forums: HTML Formatting Now Included

(Hat Tip: Orkut Plus)

A feature request long over due, it looks as if the Orkuteers have given their blessing on allowing users to finally display video's, images*** and hyper linked text within community forums.

In order for community owners to activate this feature, they have to first click on the "edit profile" link...



...then select the option to have your forums moderated instead of allowing anyone from Orkut to join your community.



Note: Users may also notice that by allowing their forums to be moderated, Google allows members to send "mass emails" to everyone in the forum, an option I WOULD NOT recommend admins selecting.



After that, scroll down to where it says Community Feature Settings (in bold) and check mark the box that says "allow HTML posts in forums."



After that, click the update button at the bottom of the screen, and your users should be able to display video's and post hypertext words without using Orkut's funky formatting tips.

***Note: For some strange reason, images seem to be able to show up in preview mode, but not actually post towards the forum (at least with me). Is anyone else seeing this minor Orkut bug, or is it just me?

Orkut Privacy Forums: Good For Users, Bad For Cops

It looks as if the boys and girls at Google have finally allowed users to create communities that are hidden from public view.

Previously users could only restrict access to who could join a forum, although the entire orkutsphere could read what was posted inside. Now it looks as if users will be able to setup their own secret forums, which may be both a blessing and a curse.

(Official Orkut Blog) Based on your feedback, we've decided to go even further to empower the owners of communities to choose whether to make their community content private or public. The additional privacy control we've added allows you to make your community an enclosed entity so that you can discuss whatever you want within its walls (of course, content must abide by orkut community standards and policies), resting assured that only members can view your discussions, forums, and events.

In order to turn on this feature, forum administrators need to click on the edit profile link...



...then look for the content privacy section and select the "bubble" (or rather circle) next to the hidden - only members can view the contents of the community text.



While the forums will be hidden from view, there is no word on whether or not these communities will be removed from the Universal Search index (note: hopefully Google will update their post regarding this).

Regardless of whether or not the forums are still indexed, these privacy settings should make it easier for orkut hacker forums to thrive as there will be no one around to report them.

On a side note however, cops will probably hate this new feature as it will allow child predators and (to a lesser extent) a few terrorist groups to thrive without being noticed (as you would have to be invited to even know that these groups existed).

Looking on the bright side of things however, schools, clubs and family members will be able to create their own private forums, which should make invites inside certain groups much more appealing.

Adsense For Orkut Forum Owners? Good Idea, Bad Idea?

So with the first month of 2008 just about over, and Google eagerly taking suggestions for Orkut, I was wondering whether or not it might be a good idea for Google to give community owners the option to insert Google Adsense (or any ads of their choice) on forums that they manage.

While this idea probably has been discussed before (back in the day when Orkut had ads before they removed them after users found them to be annoying) it might make sense as an option for Google, especially since the social networking wars are starting to heat up.

Since Google already shares ad revenue with YouTube users (not to mention users of Blogger, Google Pages, and the future Google Knol), why not do the same thing for forum owners?

I think the only reason Google may hesitate in doing this would be because of spammers (who have a habit of ruining everything), although they could set the bar very high by allowing forums with 10,000 plus members and heavy traffic to opt in (sort of like what YouTube did).

So what do you guys (and gals) think? Good idea, or bad idea?

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. ;-)

Google Launches News Feeds For Orkut

Funny, I can't believe I missed this post yesterday! Anyways, Google is rolling out news feeds for Orkut forums which allows admins to display relevent headlines next to their favorite communities.

(Official Orkut Blog) Well, now you can stay up to date on news from within your community, because community owners can now display a news feed on that subject within the community. So while you talk to your fellow members, you can see what's in the news on the same subject, without leaving orkut.

In order to enable this feature click on the "sign up" link above your community profile...



...which will take you to your "Edit Community" page. Next scroll down to the very bottom of the page and look for the phrase "customized news" (which is the very last option on the page, right below "polls" and "events").



Since Customized News is disabled by default, you will have to enable it by clicking the circle. After doing this, a text field should appear, in which you can type in any word that you want.



Simply select the word (or words) that you want, and then click on the update button below.

Soon you (as well as your users) will be able to check out related news to your site.



Google will show you the headlines of the news item, which you can expand by clicking on the plus tab.



Google is slowly rolling out this feature to Orkut forums, so if you do not see it yet, don't worry! You probably will shortly (hopefully within a week).

Note: For those desiring to see a live example of this, you can head over to the Inside Orkut forum to check it out.

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.

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!

Google Adds "Related Forums" Feature In Orkut

It looks as if Google has added a feature that will allow users to see which forums they have in common with friends (as well as strangers).

(Official Orkut Blog) Since orkut communities are all about the idea that everyone has something in common with everyone else, we've made it a little easier to see these shared interests. We just launched a feature I built that will show you which communities you have in common with other orkut members. To check it out, go to anyone's orkut profile, click on the "view all" button below their communities, and then go to the new tab on this page, "mutual communities."

This is a great feature that will definitely help me out whenever someone I don't know sends me a friend request.

For those of you who enjoy visuals (like me), here is how you can see this new feature in action.

Simply find a profile of a friend or a future friend (in this case I am going to use someone who has recently send me a friend request).



Simply visit (or click) on their profile, and scroll towards the right hand bottom of the screen where it says "his communities" (and if it is a lady, then it would be "her communities").



Next, click on the "view all" button near the bottom of the "his communities" section...



...which should take you to a new orkut page showing two tabs: his communities and your "mutual communities." Simply click on the "mutual communities" tab...



...and you will be enlightened by the common forums that you share with your new friend!

I currently do not have any suggestions on how Google could improve upon this, although if anyone has any good ideas, be sure to let me know!

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.

Orkutsphere Chatter (What Do You See?)

Note: Credit has to go to Danny Piccirillo for inspiring this idea on Inside Orkut. Be sure to check out his forum, Suicide, Self-harm, Depression which has been added to the Forums of Note section.

One item that I really enjoy about Orkut is the fact that you can find many interesting conversations, debates, artwork, video's, etc. to entertain you while catching up with friends and strangers from around the world.

Unfortunately, there is not enough time in the day to write up a post on all the fun things I find and (more often) items that friends email me. So instead of trying to highlight 50 random forum conversations (as that would take up way too much time), I decided to simply link to them above.

For those of you visiting this site, you may have noticed the Orkutsphere Chatter box above the post section. Here you can find interesting conversations that either friends email me about or I stumble upon while surfing Orkut.

So if any of you find something interesting in Orkut (or want to show off a cool community) let me know by either sending me a scrap or emailing me.

In case you missed the previous five highlights, here's a recap:

• President Bush: Defender of Muslims? Heh.


• All silent on the (orkut) Jewish front?


• Kiran's Album: It's all in the eyes


• How To: Painting oil paintings on wood


• Suggestion: Add Video/Audio profiles to Orkut

Note: And don't forget to check out the latest post from the Official Orkut blog!

Stolen Orkut Forums, And Ways To Get Them Back

Note: Thanks to Ajay Choudhary for reminding me to post this.



So lets say you started a forum on Orkut, and to your surprise, many people are not only joining your community, but inviting their friends as well. Your forum blossoms into the thousands, which you continue to monitor and promote.

Then one day to your horror, you discover that somehow someone else has taken over your forum. What do you do?

There are two methods that of securing your Orkut forum (actually there are three but the third involves hacking which I WILL NOT discuss here, so don't ask). I have witnessed others using both of these, and I suggest users give them a try to see whether or not they are effective.

<-----------------Method One----------------->

Since everyone loves stories (at least I do which is why I like movies) I'll retell this event that I saw online. Note: Names have been changed in order to protect the innocent guilty those involved.

<---Story Time!--->

A girl names Shekut started a community called The Fun Forum (not its real name, but you get the idea). Shekut ran the forum for awhile, but the community grew too large for her to manage.

She then passed on Admin powers to Hekut, who took over The Fun Forum, while Shekut retreated back to the real world as Orkut was taking up way too much time.

Later on when Shekut returned to her community, she discovered it in the hands of Hackut. Now Hackut had through "brute force" acquired the forum from Hekut, claiming he was saving it from deletion by Hekut.

Hekut disagreed and claimed that Hackut was a liar (as well as a loser) and decided with the help of several friends to use their hacking powers to reclaim the forum by force. Unfortunately Google was in another round of purging hackers from Orkut, and Hekut and his gang were booted from the system.

Shekut and other members of the forum were upset about this, and tried to appeal to Google for help. Unfortunately since Shekut originally gave the forum away to Hekut (who was now banned), Hackut's authority of the forum ran unchallenged.

Darkut (that would be me) was contacted regarding this situation, but since Darkut did not work for Google, there was nothing Darkut could do legally.

Shekut then began to contact members of The Fun Forum to petition Hackut to return the forum back to Shekut. Members contacted Hackut through his scrapbook, his email and within the forum and (to my surprise) Hackut decided to give back the forum to Shekut, resulting in much celebration within The Fun Forum.

<-----------------End of Method One----------------->

As you saw in the above example, you can sometimes reason with the person who took over the forum to return the community back. In this case, that was the only alternative Shekut had, although others have used it to retrieve stolen forums, and it the person has a kind heart this method doesn't take too long.

But lets say the person who stole the forum is Jerkut, instead of Hackut, and he doesn't care for whatever particular reason. Here is a second (and faster) way of getting your forum back.

<-----------------Method Two----------------->

If your community has been hacked, and the person who dethroned you is unwilling to give it back, here are some necessary steps that should help speed up the process of reclaiming your forum.

1. Contact Google: You need to alert Google about this situation, by contacting them over here.
   
   Make sure you include as much information as possible, such as the date you started (or began administrating) the forum, the date you think it was stolen from you, and what the forum description was about.



2. Contact Forum Members: Send them an email asking them to report the illegal take over as well (with the same amount of detail mentioned above).
   
   DO NOT scrap all of your friends regarding this (as that would alert the thief) and do not ask your Orkut friends to report this on your behalf, unless they are members of the forum (as Google is more likely to believe a member than an outsider).



3. Be patient: Google employees (to my knowledge) do not spend all of their time reading trouble tickets. Most engineers (if not all) spend a large portion of their time making their pet projects better, of which the same holds true for Orkut.
   
   The good news is that if you are able to contact a Google employee fairly quickly, they will have the ability to help you out with your problem and understand your dilemma. The bad news is that due to the number of trouble tickets that they receive, you will probably not get a response back unless they need more info.


4. Secure Thy Internet: After getting back your forum (although I would recommend doing this while waiting) you should change your password on your Google account, not to mention delete any cookies, temporary internet files and cache.
   
   Also I would recommend finding a secure browser such as Opera, Firefox or Internet Explorer with security extentions.

According to Orkut Guide, (a Googler on the Orkut Help google group) Google is in the process of setting up a special forum for stolen communities.

Until then, I would recommend the methods above, as they will help "speed up" the process towards you reclaiming your forums.

Note: If anyone else has any other suggestions, feel free to post them below.

Hack: RSS For Your Orkut Communities

(Hat Tip: Orkut Plus)

This has probably got to be one of the best hacks that I've seen on Orkut in a long time! (and one that I have been requesting Google to create ever since logging onto Orkut).

Called Orkut Feed, this site allows any user to discover updates to discover updates to their favorite forums via site feed and add them to their favorite reader.

I am guessing the author is Brazilian as here is a brief explanation via Google Translator.

orkutFeed is a service that disponibiliza Feeds RSS for the communities of orkut. It is not necessary to make I register in cadastre! You only need to inform link of community, and to catch link of the Feed.

In order to add your favorite community, simply find the link of the forum in Orkut...