SOMEWHAT FRANK

Video: Live From Twiistup 3

Are you twiisting up in southern California tonight?  Unfortunately, I was not able to get out to southern California like I was for Twiistup 1. But thanks to advancements in modern technology (i.e. Web 2.0) I just got a chance to video chat over BlogTV with Mike Macadaan who is hosting his third Twiistup event in Venice, California tonight at the Air Conditioned Supper Club. The event will feature 9 showoff companies and an appearance by celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton.

AskMeNow: Text Message Answers On The Go

Are you ever on the go and in need of answer? I often find myself in need of an answer the minute I step away from the computer and therefore cannot look it up. While having an iPhone has often remedied the problem, AskMeNow may be another possible solution. AskMeNow, an Irvine, California-based startup, is a mobile service for anyone with questions and looking for answers while on the go.

iPhone Secret Features, Flickr Video & Tools, Google Mashup Editor, Facebook on Netvibes, Best Conferences & Twiistup

Photo of the Week: Barry Bonds hit home run 755 last night in a game vs. San Diego tying Hank Aaron for most career home runs in Major League history. John Feeley was in attendance and captured history with his zoom lens in this shot (shown above).  

Somewhat Frank Weekly Tidbits: 08.05.07

Twiistup 2: 08.08.07 - Sign Up Today!
Time to for Twiistup 2, you may recall I attended Twiistup 1 on my birthday in Santa Monica, California and had a blast. If you are going to be in Venice, California this coming Wednesday (August 8, 2007) you should stop by Air Conditioned Supper Club and Twiistup too! SIGN UP HERE.

How To Become A Blogger
Stowe Boyd dishes 5 simple steps to becoming a blogger. It is a common question, I am glad he addressed it.

Facebook Meet Netvibes: Netvibes Introduces the Facebook Widget
The new Netvibes Facebook Widget launched to allow users to view their Facebook notifications and friends. You can now access your Facebook info on Netvibes, and keep up to date on what your friends are doing.

Secret New iPhone Features
Walt Mossberg points out how Apple issued its first iPhone update this week. And, while the company billed it as merely a bug-fix and security-improvement patch, in fact it has several small feature improvements that Apple hasn’t announced or documented.

FLICKR TOOLBOX: 100+ Tools For Flickr Addicts
Check out some Flickr tools that Mashable pulled together for Flickr addicts like me.

Google Mashup Editor
Read/Write Web got beta access to the new Google Mashup Editor which provides a simple interface that enables developers to make basic web applications and mashups quickly. And again, like Yahoo! Pipes, it is very definitely aimed at developers.

Reconfirmation: Flickr To Add Video
Flickr has been rumored to be adding video since August but it appears that they could do it sooner than later.

Personalize Your Site’s Content With MineKey
MineKey is a startup that makes adding personalization to any website simple through their embeddable widget.

Perform Powerful Searches Visually with SearchCrystal
searchCrystal enables you to perform powerful searches visually. Their wonderful platform makes it possible to explore and filter 50 - 500 web pages, images, videos, blogs in a single display that guides people toward relevant info in a structured way.

What Web Conferences to Attend
I wrote up a pretty extensive list of conferences worth looking into back in January. Of course a few other conferences have popped up over the last few months. Read/Write Web weighs in on the conferences to check out.

Twiisted Up in Santa Monica

Twiistup took place last night (May 9, 2007) at Zanzibar in Santa Monica, California to bring together some of the Southern California technology community. Twiistup, previously highlighted on Somewhat Frank, was founded by Mike Macadaan with the help of Ryan Buckholtz. Twiistup attracted a large turnout which filled the bar with loads of Southern California based technology and design enthusiasts. In addition, pulled together a number great giveaways, swag and even some sushi. DJ Anthony Valadez mixed psychedelic beats all evening and the bar offered a drink special on a drink called the Twiistup which was orange and tasted like Tang with a kick.

There were presenters throughout the duration of the evening which gave five minute talks for the crowd. They included:

Buildv1 - Digg-like site for connecting with entrepreneurs
CrazyEgg - heat maps your site traffic patterns
goodreads - social network for avid readers
mint - helps you keep track & save money
ooVoo - consumer facing video chat
Urbaniacs - create an urban hero avatar then go meet others
Verse Studios - gaming meets social networks
yourminis - flashy and sexy widget platform

Twiistup was a very good first event for the area which is often overshadowed by glitz of Hollywood. Congrats to Mike, Stephanie and Ryan for bringing the community together for an evening of tech related entertainment. Here are some photos from Twiistup.

Photo Attribution: Thanks to Mike Macadaan via Flickr.

Are you ready to Twiistup?

If you are going to be in the Los Angeles, California area on May 9, 2007 then I would recommend you make your way to Zanzibar in Santa Monica to Twiistup. What is Twiistup? Twiistup, founded by Mike Macadaan, a friend and AOL colleague, is an event that aims to bring together the brightest minds in SoCal for an evening of conversations, demos and enjoyment.

There will be demonstrations from:

Buildv1
Verse Studios
goodreads
yourminis
Urbaniacs
mint
ooVoo

I am planning on being in attendance (unless my work schedule interferes) and it’s my birthday so I am going to take 50 Cent’s advice:

It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's your birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's your birthday
And you know we don't give a f*ck
cause it's not your birthday!

I hope to see you there. I wrote about Twiistup on the TECH cocktail site and Mike offered up the promo code: techcocktail to save guests $10 per ticket - snag your tickets today.