DemoGirl

I came across RSS Mixer a couple of days ago and have been trying to figure out how to demonstrate it usefully in a screencast. What is RSS Mixer? Well, quite simply, it allows you to create mixes of RSS feeds and then gives you a nifty little widget to put on your website or blog.

I came across this article today which explains how to use RSS Mixer to mix up your twitter, Jaiku, and Pownce updates and I thought it was a great example of what you can use RSS Mixer for. Shaman goes through each step, complete with screenshots, so of course I felt the need to make a screencast. I also demonstrate how to add the RSS Mixer widget to your Tumblr Tumblelog. (Since I think everyone should have one of those too ) Here’s my screencast tour of RSS Mixer:

Flash Demo 3m19s

(sources: Somewhat Frank, Digital Streets)

If you’ve been reading this blog long enough to know that I started out posting my screencasts on Screeniac.com, then you may or may not remember my previous screencast for Tumblr.  Well, sometimes these “cool things I find on the web” change a bit and when I really like a service I try to create updated screencasts.

That was the case today with Tumblr.  Tumblr is a service that helps you create Tumblelogs.  A Tumblelog gives you a quicker and easier way to share all the things you love.  You can share videos, links, photos, quotes, write text, and post it in a matter of minutes.

The last time I reviewed Tumblr I said I was going to start using it – and I really meant to – but sometimes it’s hard to find the time with all the services I try out each day.  After today I decided that I’m going to make a bigger effort to post to my Tumblelog and I hope you enjoy it!  Here’s my screencast tour of Tumblr:

Flash Demo 4m50s

Fichey gives you a unique and fun way to find popular content on the Web. It grabs popular pages from del.icio.us, digg, downfly, reddit, and StumbleUpon from whatever day you select. You’ll quickly get a screenshot of the article which you can scroll through and then choose if you want to doubleclick and visit the page itself. There’s nothing to sign up for and it’s already consumed too much of my afternoon. Here’s my screencast tour of fichey:

Flash Demo 1m47s

(source:  TechCrunch)

CircaVie is a service from AOL where you can create “multimedia timelines all about your life”. You can sign into circaVie using your OpenID, your AIM Screenname, or create a new account. These timelines can be created for just about anything – photos during a vacation, your child growing up, or even just a description of events as they’ve happened in your life. You can also add links and YouTube videos to your timeline. After you’re through, you can put them on your blog or website or link to them on your AIM Homepage. Here’s my screencast tour of circaVie:

Flash Demo 3m41s

The Visual Lounge is a blog written by Betsy Weber – Techsmith’s Chief Evangelist.  I’ve been using a Techsmith product, Camtasia Studio, to create my screencasts for over a year now and it’s a great product.  Last month, Betsy gave me the honor of naming one of my screencasts, Screencast of the Week.  Well, she sent me a note yesterday letting me know she did it again!  She also gave me that sweet button you see over there on the right so I can brag about it for as long as I want.  Thanks Betsy and thanks to all the loyal DemoGirl readers!

Phonevite is a free service that allows you to send invitations and announcements to your friends, family, and co-workers over the phone. All you need to do is sign up for an account, quickly verify your number which is used as your caller ID, add your recipients numbers, and record your message over the phone or by using a headset or microphone. You choose the date and time the call is made and you can request to receive an RSVP as well. Your calls are all stored in your account and all of the replies from your guests are organized for you – so you can quickly see who’s attending.

I was recently contacted by the guys over at Phonevite to create a custom screencast for their service. I tested it out last week and I have to say, I think it’s a pretty cool service. (John and Kalvin are also really nice guys!) If you want to see Phonevite in action and see some of what I do when I’m not posting to my blog, check out the screencast I made for Phonevite here.

(related article)

YouTube has added a nice little feature recently – the Custom Player. You can choose from one of nine color schemes, pick a layout, and add videos from your favorites or playlists. Then, just grab the code, smack it on your blog or website, and you’re all set. Here’s my screencast tour of YouTube Custom Player:

Flash Demo2m46s

There are a lot of ways to share links and all the other random stuff you find on the web, with your friends. Siphs gives you another way. Just sign up for an account, add your friends email addresses, and install the Siphs bookmarklet. When you find something you like, highlight it and click on the Siphs bookmarklet. Your friends email addresses are already saved so that’s really all you need to do. Here’s my screencast tour of Siphs:

Flash Demo 1m56s

Well, today is Friday and I think it’s time to examine a few fun tools you can use to waste away the rest of the afternoon. These next three screencasts are for services created by pimpampum and will show you how to do some pretty cool stuff with flickr images.

Bubblr helps you make fun comic strips out of flickr photos by adding bubble captions to them. Here’s my screencast tour:
Flash Demo 2m4s

Bookr helps you create a cute photobook out of flickr images which you can then post on your blog or website. Here’s my screencast tour:
Flash Demo 2m21s

Phrasr matches flickr images with the words in a phrase. Type in anything you want and see what happens! Here’s my screencast tour:
Flash Demo 1m46s

(source: MOMB)

Buddystumbler is a service that hooks you up with other guys and/or gals with similar interests and then gives you an easy way to connect via IM.  You can search for people by tags or by adding a bit more detail, like age and location.  You need to agree to be buddies before IM names are exchanged but you can leave a “shout out” on other members profiles without making a commitment.  Here’s my screencast tour of buddystumbler:

Flash Demo 3m47s