Following right on the heels of Blogs and their incredible popularity – yet an even better way…

How many times have you rummaged around the Internet scouring for information, then compiled a list of web links, perhaps copied and pasted some text together in your word processor, and then, aaaargh, lost track of all of that information? Or, ok, you finally rounded up all that info, now how can you share all your hard earned collected data with colleagues, friends or family. Well at last now you can – and – easily!

Want to try it - sign up for a free account at http://www.amplify.com and start using their service. It's as easy as "drag and drop" - you just pull together the information (words, pictures, sound, video, etc.) from the Web sites you visit and put it all together on a Web page of your own. All information is kept organised together, laid out on the page just the way you like it with the Web pages broken up into individual frames and each frame contains your culled information. To see where the original information comes from, simply click on any particular frame and the original Web address is listed as an active link.

Now not only can you keep and store each page that you create, you can send its unique Web address to others and they will be able to view that page also.

So what exactly is Amplify?

Amplify is a free companion toolbar that gives you the power to find, collect, save and share content (information) from multiple online sources in personalised pages called Amps. After you create an Amp, you can save it as a Web based multi-source bookmark and access it from the companion toolbar or any computer with an Internet connection. You can also share it with anyone with just a single link. The Amplify companion toolbar also lets you block pop-up ads, search the Web or navigate directly to any category on the Amplify.com community.

The Amplify community is a place where you can view, share, search for and discuss Amps that you or other Amplify users have created. Whether you are Amp'd about shopping, entertainment, politics, games, technology, satire, humour or just seeing what other people are Amp’d about, the Amplify community is for you.

And, what exactly is an Amp?

An Amp is a dynamic personalisable page you can create to display, compare and share all sorts of Web content, including pictures, text, video, animation, and audio from the same or different online sources.

Whether you use the Web for shopping, research or entertainment, Amps help you manage, organise and focus on the content you care about, allowing you to make the most of your time online. To see examples of how other people use Amplify, browse The Community categories to see for yourself!

To start creating your own Amps, simply download Amplify and install the companion toolbar.

I’ve got lots of info tagged; who can I share an Amp with?

Anyone and everyone with Internet access can view an Amp using either a PC or a Mac. So, if you’ve got an Amp to share, go for it and don’t worry about the recipient needing Amplify to view your Amp.

At this time, however, only PC-users are able to create their own Amps. The other 5% of you will need to be patient. They hope to have a Mac and Linux version available soon.

What are some specific examples of how Amplify can help me?

Amplify is useful for many things. Here are some specific examples of how Amplify can improve your online experience:

Shopping: Amplify allows for true comparison shopping. No more clicking from one Web site to the next, losing track of pages, products, etc. With a click of a mouse you can gather products from different vendors in one place (an Amp), and easily save and share your collections with anyone. And everything you add to an Amp automatically includes a link back to its original online source so you or anyone you share your Amp with can easily continue shopping or browsing.

Research: Amplify enhances online research by enabling users to aggregate, save and share specific information from multiple online sources in a single page that can be saved and shared with a single link. Everything you add to an Amp automatically includes a link back to its original online source so that you or anyone you share your Amp with can easily learn more.

Travel: Use Amplify to plan your next trip. Create an Amp that includes your flight information, hotel accommodations, sights to see and things to do. And of course, include a personal message and then send your friend/spouse a link to the Amp telling them to pack their bags.

Entertainment: Because it allows you to resize online content however you want, even if it’s fixed in a small part of a Web page, Amplify is a great application for enjoying rich media. It’s also ideal for creating your very own fan page with your favourite pictures, music, lyrics, and movie scenes.

Political: Whatever your political persuasion, create and share Amps that educate and persuade others about your point of view. Include photos, headlines, statistics and quotes from reliable sources that help make your point. After you create your Amp, don’t forget to share it with the Amplify community.

Tell me again, what does the companion toolbar do?

Using the companion toolbar, you will be able to find, collect, save and share online content in personalised pages called Amps. These Amps can contain content you select from multiple sources in a single page. The companion toolbar also gives you instant access to the pop-up blocker, and the ability to search the Web directly from your browser.

How do I Amp?

The 3 Basics:

1. Click the Active Amp button in the left corner of the companion toolbar and then mouse over anything you want to add to an Amp. Whatever you see inside a dashed line is ready to be Amp’d. Just left-click and it will be Amp’d.
2. Place your mouse over any image or highlight text and then right-click your mouse. Select Add to Amp and the content will be Amp’d.
3. When you scroll your mouse over video or animation, you’ll see a floating Amplify icon appear in the upper left corner of the content. Just click on the floating icon to Amp the video or animation.

How do I share my Amps?

You can share an open Amp directly from the Amp toolbar by clicking on the “Share” Button. You will be given a choice to share the Amp by link, IM or email.

You can also share Amps that are not open by clicking on “Share” from the Amplify companion toolbar. You will see a drop down list of all your Amps, and be given a choice to share any of them by link, IM or email.

What is Amplify.com?

The Amplify community is a place where you can view, share, search for and discuss Amps that you or other Amplify users have created. Whether you are Amp'd about shopping, entertainment, politics, games, technology, satire, humour or just seeing what other people are Amp’d about, the Amplify community is for you.

Only Amplify Community members can create, post and rank Amps, and earn points for their participation. Non-community members are restricted to viewing Amps and posting comments. So browse The Community as a guest for now. You might be shy at first, but you’ll come around in no time.

Must I download Amplify to view Amps and post comments in the Community?

Anyone with Internet access can browse The Community and post Amp reviews. Welcome to the neighbourhood. You’ll need to download the Amplify companion toolbar and create a username, password and nickname to create and post your own Amps in the Community and rank other people’s posted Amps.

Can I search for Amps on a specific topic?

At the top of every page on the Web site you will find a search box. Type in search keywords just like you would when searching the Web and hit Search (make sure the Amp Search tab is selected). This will bring up every Amp in The Community with your search terms in either the title or description. You can sort the results by date posted or community ranking. Also, you can narrow your Amp search to a selected category by clicking on the Choose Amp Category drop down menu.

What exactly does a “post” mean?

After you login, each time you participate in The Community you have the ability to earn points. Points are earned through posting, rating and commenting on Amps. Points are subtracted with disallowed and inappropriate posts and comments.

In Amplify-lingo, a “post” refers to the posting of an Amp—its content, description, title and appropriate category. A “comment” is different than a post. It is part of a discussion thread referring to the post. Both posts and comments can be disallowed and/or deemed inappropriate. Make your Amps relevant, fun and appropriate!

Disallowed posts were refused submission to The Community due to user mistakes, like posting in the wrong category or posting twice. Disallowed posts carry minor point reduction penalties.

Inappropriate posts were refused submission to The Community due to deliberately abusive or profane content (such as racial slurs), pornography and/or malicious intentions. Inappropriate posts carry heavier point reduction penalties, which increase with each refusal.

How hard is to use Amp? Is there a “HOW TO AMP” tutorial?

Amp’ing is not hard at all. Once you create a few Amps, the Amp people are confident it will become second nature to you. And like any new skill, you’ll probably get better, faster and more creative at Amp’ing the more you do it, so don’t forget to practice.

Well if Amplify is so good, why is it given away free?

Because their mission is to get the whole Web Amp’d, the Amplify people decided that it needed to be free so that everyone can begin using it with no hesitation. In case you’re concerned about a free download, rest assured, they do not bundle any third party software and will not serve pop-up ads.

To download Amplify simply choose “Download Amplify Now!” from the homepage (link to portal) and the installation wizard will guide you.

Just remember to unlock your toolbars from the View menu, otherwise the Amplify companion toolbar may not appear.

cite: http://www.amplify.com

Arthur Hissey
Computer Research & Technology
www.crt.net.au