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I just received my beta pass for Chi.mp

Some of you may know what Chi.mp is, but some may still be asking, “What’s that about?!”
Basically, its a website designed to manage and control all your other sites. Simply put, it’s where you manage your whole online life.

You can import all your contacts from multiple sources, manage them all, and it will automatically keep the other sites up to date, eg. in Facebook and Gmail.

I’ve been playing around with a profile for a little bit. Check out my progress here: Savell.mp. I still have some work to do, but it’s coming on.

Another great function of Chi.mp is OpenID!
Although Chi.mp did not create OpenID, it does support it.

Chi.mp turns your domain into a passport for thousands of sites across the web. Instead of having to log in with countless different usernames and passwords (or if you’re the lazy type, all for one and one for all), just type in your domain address, e.g. http://savell.mp.

The great thing is, your username and password that you specify for Chi.mp works with all other sites that support OpenID. So if you have a Chi.mp account, you can log into Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and many other sites all with one account, as for me, http://savell.mp then my password. This greatly helps to keep things organised, and is basically a great idea.

You will know where you can use your OpenID when you see this logo:

But you don’t want just anyone viewing everything on there now, do you?
You don’t want your boss to keep track of your personal life, and your friends to keep track of your work.
With Chi.mp you simply tag services or things you would like people to see. So, seeing as I only want family to see family-related items, I can tag them as ‘family’ and they’ll be able to see everything i want them to see. When they come to savell.mp they will only see things that are specifically tagged for them.

The only issue I’ve had was when I tried to import multiple contacts that I exported from MobileMe. Granted I was exporting ALL my contacts into a single vCard to then be uploaded to Chi.mp, but I kept being faced with errors. I’ve logged a ticket on Chi.mp support so I’ll keep you updated.

*Update*
Support have not replied, but Chi.mp has gone into Beta, so its a step up, adding new themes, and other services. I tried again to update my contacts, and this time was successful.

I know it’s not the end of the world, as it imported all my contacts from Gmail. But still, it would be nice if it worked.
Another thing is that they don’t currently support MobileMe at all. This includes the Galley. It would have been nice to add something other than a Flickr gallery. Although the site is still currently in Alpha, they might still add support for this at a later stage.

You can get more info here from Chi.mp
Or more info on OpenID here
Or just check out my Chi.mp at Savell.mp

Ever wanted to view a web page in 3D? Well, now you can.
ExitReality is an IE/FF plugin that can turn any page into 3D…

What is ExitReality for?

• View any webpage in 3D… every website is now a virtual world
• Turn your standard 2D web page into your own unique 3D space
• Meet and chat with people in 3D
• Search and explore thousands of online 3D communities and meet new people!

Wouldn’t it be nice to view a site with friends? Maybe watch YouTube together? Jump into ExitReality.

What Can You Do?

• Convert, decorate and share your Social Network Page in 3D
• Collect cool objects to add to your 3D space or apartment
• Create a 3D Avatar, chat with friends and meet new people
• Invite people to your virtual space
• Host real time parties and events at your online space

This software is a novel idea and well pulled off, although there’s still a lot of tweaking to be done and kinks to iron out. Fortunately, it’s still in beta, so its a great start.

But the business ideas of this could be amazing. Think about it for a second. You can have live, interactive ads, or eye catching product placement. For example, one of our Little Design Planet clients is doing a Dive Fest website. Could you imagine making this into a 3D beach party? Visitors to the site could maybe see the stands that will be at the actual event, and take a walk through. Potentially, customers are likely to stay on the site for longer periods of time, meeting fellow customers or suppliers and creating further business relationships. Mutually beneficial, wouldn’t you say?

You can take objects from one person’s 3D space and copy it into your own. It could be something like a music jukebox, or if your clever, you could create a brand of some sort, and people will be able to copy that into their own domains, increasing brand awareness.

You can really see what it will be like in a few years time. Surfing the internet will be like playing a game. There are already some cool ideas popping up, just look at 3D Shopping for instance.

One issue I have run into from using this briefly was applying a theme. Sometimes it would drop the newly created theme above the old theme without removing it, so you see both. Or sometimes it would be floating around somewhere else on the page. There is no way to refresh your site and start from the beginning, but I’m sure that no doubt this will soon be a thing of the past.

*Update*
So I took ExitReality on another test drive, and got the opinions of a few other web enthusiasts. And I must say, I’m inclined to agree with the concerns they raised.

The potential is certainly there. My concern is whether or not the novelty will wear thin before it properly takes shape. Many thanks to Sony for your input.

Download Plugin Here
ExitReality

My new iPhone 3G GelaSkin arrived this morning.
First impressions – well, it’s great.

I had the GelaSkin for iPhone 1 (2G), which was good too, but the new one, or specifically for 3G, actually hugs the iPhone, and wraps around the side for even more protection. It works really well.

I’m sure I’m not alone when I recall how the Silicon case alternative sticks to your jeans as you try sliding your iPhone in and out of your pocket. Most annoying when you’re in a hurry to take a call! Here lies another benefit of a GelaSkin. Slips in, slips out. Easy. It also doesn’t make the iPhone look like a brick, which is always a good thing.

GelaSkins also give you a free wallpaper to go with your phone, which is a nice touch. So you can have a funky graphic on the back of your sleek iPhone, with a great matching wallpaper. As you can see below.
And with over 50 artists contributing to their work, you won’t be short of designs.

GelaSkins Daim Back and Front

The skin is made from 3M vinyl, which is really durable and tough. Bubble free and non-sticky on removal too.

The only thing I will say is that, although the GelaSkin covers more of the iPhone compared its predecessor, it doesn’t cover right round and over the silver sides of your iPhone. But that’s only if I absolutely have to find some remnant of fault with it. All in all, I’m gonna say you won’t be disappointed!

GelaSkin from the Back

GelaSkin from the Side

GelaSkin

Hi and welcome to Display:Block

As all things have to start somewhere and here is as good a place as any.
This blog will be dedicated to Web Development, CSS, HTML, Tips, Tricks, Reviews, and everything else.

Stay tuned – more to come shortly.
Savell Martin