Okay Geek Farm
the Best Social networks you never knew about
Brandon Davenport Jan 2, 2010
Applications, Design, Editorial , Exclusive, Internet, Okay Geek, Websites 
Social networks keep us together, and allow us to share our info, creations and let people know what we are up to. We all use Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and so on and so forth, but what if there was a whole undiscovered world of this stuff. What if there was something, dare I say it, better than Facebook? What if their was something simpler than Twitter? What if they were right under your noses the whole time, and all you have to do is explore.
Gowalla
Gowalla is one of those sites that nobody is going to find out about, unless it continues going in the direction it is going by being completely and utterly awesome.
What is Gowalla for?
Note: I just started using Gowalla =)
Gowalla is a location based web app that lets your friends know where you are checking in. It focuses on ranking locations based on how many people check in and check out -- which helps you find a good place to eat, shop or play. Also it mostly requires that you have your iPhone handy so you can check in to get coffee or grab some milk.
Have you used Foursquare? Lets pretend Foursquare is Facebook and Gowalla is Twitter. Why did you start using Twitter? Because it is simple, it does one thing very well, maybe better than the competition. Its light and fast. Same with Gowalla, it takes what you use already, simplifies it and then makes it function better, look better, and feel better.
What do I like?
First off, the design of the site is mind-blowing. It makes me feel like I am in a web 2.0 urban jungle of places and friends. It gives me the warm fuzzys. The different shades of greens makes the site mellow and clean, and the rounded vimeo style layout brings a sign of hipness. These guys know what thy are doing.
I also like the fact that signing up is stupidly easy, and the layout is clean and simple. I feel like I know where everything is, even though I have only used the site for 30 mins so far. I also like the feeling of not being bombarded with ads, updates and news. Its like I click something and its just "whenever your ready to move on...". I hate Facebook for the fact that I never feel alone, its always in my face. Sometimes you need some alone time on your social networks. Its a really chill environment and will be an instant hit with the hipness inside of you.
What I don't like
For god sakes, why do I need an iPhone to check in somewhere? Why can't I be at Starbucks, login on my laptop go to the site, check out what my friends are doing, browse and say "hey, I'm here". If you can do this there is no clear option on the site to do so. If this is your business model, a mobile location service, make it clear on your site, or else you will slightly disappoint people and that may be just enough for some of them to leave.
Conclusion
Gowalla is as Web 2.0 as it gets, without being overly complicated. It is a simple to-the-point location service that is based on the iPhone, for the iPhone. It is probably the best Location web app available, even though you cannot be a mayor of a library (wtf). It's website is fresh, its iPhone app is top-notch and it needs your help! Spread the word, tell your friends. "Go out. Go discover. Go share. Gowalla."
Visit Gowalla
Virb
Virb is a social network for people that are really feeling the limits of Facebook and Twitter. It provides complete customization options and insane integration with your existing networks and content.
What is Virb For?
Note: I just started using Virb ;)
I must say, may be better than Facebook, and Blogger. Virb is a next-gen social network for Bloggers, Artists, Musicians, Photographers or anyone else who creates and shares. It allows you to pump everything you make, and share it with your friends. Also it features something that no other popular social network provides, or allows -- In-Depth layout and customization options yes CSS too! Yum yum yum!
What do I like?
From the moment I saw the customization options, I was in love. Not only can you change the layout, positioning and design of your profile's elements, but you can dive right into CSS. Yes CSS on a social network. Not even Wordpress gives you CSS control on their free hosted blog system. Not only that, they give you (hold onto your seats) Full HTML control. So you can expect to spend months at your computer designing the best profile page ever.
Virb also does something unique. Right out of the box, it gives you the ability to pull your Twitter, Flickr, Vimeo, Youtube, Blog and other stuff right on to the homepage of your profile. It only gets better from here. They allow you to forward your own domain URL, so in a way Virb is the best blogging, vlogging and photo streaming platform you never heard of.
It also has an amount of settings that will make your eyes bleed. This is truly, dare I say it, one of the best Social networking sites I have had the privilege to use.
What I don't like
My eyes are bleeding. They are bleeding from the overwhelming amount of options and features. Even though they are all perfect and they are all what I want, there is no comfort feeling, like you get from Twitter or Facebook. Its that seatbelt feeling of the main focus being "updating your feed" or "seeing what your friends are up to" and sadly, this site lacks that.
You and all of your friends are too busy creating, sharing, and customizing so obviously they are too busy to see what you are up to. This is trying to be too many things at once. They need to take what they have and divide it into different products. "For bloggers", "For musicians", " For beginners" stuff like that. Unfortunately this is too complicated for your rockin' mom and may be the reason this social network is not bigger than Facebook.
Conclusion
If you are a person who enjoys Twitter and Facebook and you are happy with what you've got, try this out, you might like it. If you are a hard core designer, photographer, blogger or seasoned tech man, this is screaming your name. This is where it gets interesting though. This would make a great blogging platform, a great photoblog, and a great way to make a name for yourself. This is Facebook for geeks. FTW.
Visit Virb
PureVolume
Pure volume is a place for music lovers to discover bands and artists that they never knew existed. Also It is a great way for bands to introduce themselves to those people.
What is Purevolume for?
Note: I have only used a bit of PureVolume so far
PureVolume is for the Music Junkie inside of you. It provides a way for artists to promote their band, and share their content using a very well made site architecture and different ways to promote your band, or yourself. Also It is the perfect hub for music lovers of all kinds to get news, info, and videos about all your favorite artists you don't even know about yet.
The profile design is top notch, and its perfect for any artsy band who is sick and tired of the 1998 design of Myspace and the lack of control on Facebook. The promotion opportunities are endless, like being on the front page, and having a new, growing fan base that adores you.
What do I like?
This site screams professional, artsy, and hella awesome all at the same time. Its layout is immaculate and the implementation of Listers and artists is perfect.
They did something interesting here though -- they took their entire audience and split it into two. Listers and artists. The neat part about this is the two groups are like two different social networks all on their own. When its time for a lister to venture out into the sea of music, the artists open up the flood gates and let them in. When your not out looking for music, you can hang out with other listeners and try to find the next big band.
When the bands and artists are not launching a new album, or not releasing a new single, they can chill with other artists, and catch up on what their fans are up to. And its a steal for them because its all for freesies! Yes everything (like all the other social networks we looked at) is free!
What I don't Like
I did not sign up for PureVolume because I am not a music junkie. Thats the one problem I had. I did not join. There is something missing from PureVolume that every social network should have. A Demo or tour of the site and its features, that way I not only might join, but I may also like music a bit more.
Conclusion
If you love love love music, and you are tired of looking at peoples horrid Myspace profiles, this is a MUST. If you are a new and upcoming band, and you need somewhere where the entire audience is there for one reason, music, you MUST join now. This is not only a music hub for fans, its a major tool for musicians.
Visit Pure Volume
Other Networks to check out
Trig - is the perfect way for any urban hipster to get their message across. If you are (again) tired of the crappy Myspace profiles and limiting Facebook pages, this is a must for you. Its unique with its 20 shades of grayish/blackish/of-blackish color palette, and it holds firm ground being mostly music oriented.
9rules - is a blogging community which always put a lot of emphasis on quality design, so it’s no wonder that their social network, my.9rules, looks very neat, too. If you need a place to chill and hang out with your artsy friends, this is the place.
Threadless - is one of the first successful sites to harness the power of commercial use. It focuses on letting people submit their t-shirt designs, the community votes for the very best, which then become a part of Threadless’ official catalog. Its really cool and its a must see.
Brandon Davenport Jan 2, 2010
Applications, Design, Editorial , Exclusive, Internet, Okay Geek, Websites 
