Here’s a heads up on what may happen this year on the web. Using the amazing online network called twitter (we’ll chat more about this social network soon.) I gathered opinions from some smart online natives. The main opinions and predictions we received were very similar, which means that they’re likely to happen in my opinion.

09 (or ‘Oh Mine’ as many are calling it) will be a very exciting year in SA for online developments:

1. Bigger, better, faster

Once the ‘big web cable’ (yes, that’s a technical term) is finished by the middle of this year more of us will have access to faster, cheaper bandwidth. This means more web usage on average and perhaps more ‘out there’ online design and campaigns that use more bandwidth chewing technologies like Flash.

2. It’s all about me

Last year we had the Facebook explosion…. now many of us are realizing that if we haven’t spoken to certain people in 20 years then perhaps there’s a reason for that. A big social network like Facebook has brought with it a lot of ‘noise’ and many of us are looking for people who share similar, niche or specific interests.

Henre Rossouw lists the creation of niche social networks as one of the top trends for 2009. Andy Hadfield, the social media guy at FNB said “People retreat to niche communities or groups centred around more focussed topics. This is where you find real value for advertisers.”

From my personal point of view my money is most definitely on niche social networks. ‘Oh Mine’ is all about me…. if my passion is Yellow Ford Cortinas or 2D scrapbooking then I want to talk to people who share my interests.

3. All a Twitter

Twitter is a micro-blogging social network where you share a thought, link, picture, video etc. within a 140 character limit. It is my main online source of info at the moment (because I have built up a trusted network) and I for one most definitely think that Twitter and Twitter related services will explode this year.

Nick Jackson says “twitter means that you’re able to get recommendations and request services from people you’ve actually built (micro) relationships with. Twitter tomorrow could become as useful as Google is today.” Henre predicts that we’ll experience more tangible twitter marketing interaction where brands use twitter to speak directly to consumers.

Tech and the web is supposed to make life easier, if you, as a twitter user, could get quick short updates from a local airline for example, on latest special offers, plane delays, airport problems etc. it would be very valuable.


4. Mo’ Money

All the experts we chatted to feel that there will be a bigger investment in online activities, good news if you’re thinking of perhaps opening an internet based business or service.

The online gurus from AlterSage predict that there will be more interaction between offline and online so expect to see more websites and blog addresses appearing on magazine and tv ads.


Next week we’ll chat about another 4 major trends for 2009 – mobile, GPS, crowdsourcing and cloud computing


Thanks to:

Altersage
Andy Hadfield
Emerging Media
Henre Rossouw
Nick Jackson

So the holidays are over *sob* and like many of us, you’ve probably accumulated loads of photos. But what do you do with all those crazy, impulsive, memorable moments? You can file them somewhere deep inside your computer (read: never to be found again) or you can get organised and make them work for you.

This week we’re taking a look at some online image sharing, editing and printing solutions to help you find an answer to your image needs.

IMAGE SHARING

Flickr

Probably the most popular online image storage and sharing website. Upload your images, create albums, tag your content, view as slideshows and set specific privacy levels to control how much you want to share.

Your Flickr images are all linked to a specific RSS feed, which allows easy ‘push’ delivery of images as they are added. This means you could automatically import your Flickr albums onto your blog or Facebook profile (using the My Flickr application.)

Flickr is also a great place to find cool images. All that is needed to signup is a Yahoo account (free and easy to create.)

Visit Flickr

Similar photo storage & sharing alternatives:
Many people still find it easiest to create and share photo albums in Facebook
Photobucket
Zoopy (local)

IMAGE EDITING

Picasa

Windows users fell in love with this easy to use, free Google application some time back. Just last week the long-awaited Mac version was released (it’s in beta so is still a little wobbly.)

Download the Picasa application and you can retouch, crop, change colours, add effects, remove red eye…Picasa has all the basic photo editing functions you need. The Picasa web service also means that you can upload, store and share images online like with Flickr.

Visit Picasa to download the Windows, Mac or Linux version.

Skitch (Mac only)

Skitch is essentially an image sharing and editing application.
This fast and fun application also allows you to take and save custom screenshots quickly and easily. Snap a portion of a webpage - add quick notes or circle important info….copy and send via an IM chat or paste into an email. Your dedicated online Skitch URL also means you can save and share your images.
A must-have app for any mac user.

Visit Skitch to download

IMAGE PRINTING

My Photo Book

We’re all familiar with the usual way of printing your photos but to be honest the standard Jumbo print has become a little boring. Enter My Photo Book – now anyone can create coffee table quality books using your own pictures. Control what images go where, add captions and specify the size, cover type and length of your book.

An awesome gift idea – it sure looks slicker than a standard issue photo album.

Visit Myphotobook for more info and to download the software, also available on CD from any participating Foto First and Fuji film outlets for R40-00.

These are just a few of the apps we find useful. Leave us a comment if you know of any other interesting image sharing, editing or printing ideas.

Next week: We've interviewed some leading web/tech experts and will be chatting about some of the trends for 2009.

1. Check out Fall Out Boy's new video for "America's Suiteheart": www.falloutboyrock.com
2. Read the official Travolta family statement on the tragic death of Jett Travolta: www.travolta.com
3. And, all the People's Choice Awards winners:

Movies
Favorite Movie
The Dark Knight

Favorite Family Movie
WALL-E

Favorite Action Movie
The Dark Knight

Favorite Comedy Movie
27 Dresses

Favorite Drama Movie
The Secret Life of Bees

Favorite Independent Movie
The Secret Life of Bees

Favorite Cast
The Dark Knight (Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Morgan Freeman, Maggie Gyllenhaal)

Favorite Male Movie Star
Will Smith

Favorite Leading Man
Brad Pitt

Favorite Male Action Star
Will Smith

Favorite Female Movie Star
Reese Witherspoon

Favorite Leading Lady
Kate Hudson

Favorite Female Action Star
Angelina Jolie

Favorite On-Screen Match-Up
Christian Bale & Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

Favorite Superhero
Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman

Television
Favorite TV Drama
House

Favorite TV Comedy
Two and a Half Men

Favorite Animated Comedy
The Simpsons

Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show
Heroes

Favorite Competition/Reality Show
Dancing with the Stars

Favorite Game Show
Deal Or No Deal

Favorite Male TV Star
Hugh Laurie, House

Favorite Female TV Star
Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?

Favorite Talk Show Host
Ellen DeGeneres

Favorite Scene-Stealing Guest Star
Robin Williams, Law & Order: SVU

Favorite TV Drama Diva
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer

Favorite New TV Drama
The Mentalist

Favorite New TV Comedy
Gary Unmarried

Music
Male Singer
Chris Brown

Female Singer
Carrie Underwood

Group
Rascal Flatts

R&B Song
Alicia Keys, "No One"

Pop Song
Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl"

Rock Song
Kid Rock, "All Summer Long"

Country Song
Carrie Underwood, "Last Name"

Hip-Hop Song
Flo Rida featuring T-Pain, "Low"

Combined Forces
Jordin Sparks featuring Chris Brown, "No Air"

Song From A Soundtrack
"Mamma Mia" from Mamma Mia!

Other Entertainment Categories
Favorite Funny Male Star
Adam Sandler

Favorite Funny Female Star
Tina Fey

Favorite Star 35 & Under
Carrie Underwood

Online Sensation
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

User-Generated Video
"Barack Roll"