SharedBook is More Than Just a Scrapbooker's Delight

When we consider what makes a web business worthy of a consumer following, we look at the obvious - the look, the functionality, and the ease of interaction with the site.

Consumers want to know that they can get what they want, when they want it, and have many options and alternatives available to them in the process. As a result, we too often consider only the front of a business and fully take for granted the intricate work that goes into site development, to make it do exactly what it does. Too bad for the multitudes of skilled professionals out there whose job it is to do just that. The unsung heroes of the Internet Age and the work that they do are often as unique as the end product itself.

At SharedBook (www.sharedbook.com), an online business that created true collaboration technology allowing people to share memories and experiences through stories and photos in an easy-to-use, client-supplied environment, it is the programming and the technological expertise of its staff that are key to creating the end-product. The collaboration technology enables people to build personalized, customized MemoryBooks, combining personal photos and stories with blog-like community photos and stories; in addition to incorporating a branded client's supplied content. If Web 2.0 is about getting value from users, then SharedBook should be at the head of the class.

SharedBook's technology allows end users to read through the content and annotate portions with stories and photos; displays the content along with the annotations in a patent pending way and displays the annotations without interrupting the flow of reading; and it allows users to create their own book while incorporating the original content along with other users' annotations, within a rich set of customized templates

This unique functionality is achieved by using a specialized server that stores content and annotations, including a user's personal content - along with various patent pending algorithms that are used to maintain the synchronization of the annotations and the content. This server integrates dynamic printing algorithms that automatically edit the chosen content into a professional, personalized, high quality book, and web services integration that automatically prints the book on a Xerox IGen digital printer and then ships it directly to the user. Human hands never touch the product until the package is mailed and opened.

SharedBook can be even more unique though its generic partner adapter component that is used to receive a partnered site's feed along with its content. The technology enables users to seamlessly create a customized MemoryBook from materials entered on the partner site, and it is designed in such a way that specific adapters can now be easily added that enable inclusion of partner-specific content: text, photos and any structured database information that is used to create a pre-populated, SharedBook book-making space.

The programmers at SharedBook have also created specific branding technology that allows clients to edit content and customize the look and feel of the online site and printed MemoryBook, all while making sure the grammar and spelling adhere to English standards.

The sharing mechanism that enables users to invite friends and families to join the private book making space remains one of the most significant programming details. The automatic creation of an online flipbook version of the user's printed book (the system can also automatically create one, if the user hasn't started one) is enabled, giving guests a glimpse at the end product, and a way to create and buy their own. All this is done using a standard web browser with code created in DHTML, AJAX, and other standard web technologies to view content in a sophisticated way, without the need for specialized plug-ins or add-ons.

For the tech-savvy, this explanation says it all - to the end user, just log on and use it. For the layman reading all of this, it is surprising how simple it is for everyone to use.