Black Web 2.0

I had the pleasure of being able to talk with Brett Wright of UptownLife.net. UptownLife recently relaunched, a little over a couple a weeks ago, and is more or less the online version of Uptown magazine. See below for the full email exchange: (more…)

I just received my Dropbox beta invite, and already contemplating getting rid of some of my external storage devices. Dropbox is an Amazon S3 based online storage solution that allows users to seamlessly store your files in “the cloud” making them accessible from any location. Dropbox comes with a Python-based desktop client for both Mac and Windows, that creates and links shared folders from your computer to your online Dropbox. The application creates a folder on your computer called “My Dropbox”. Once files from you desktop are placed in the “My Dropbox” folder, they are instantly synced to your online Dropbox or any desktop computer with the client installed. (more…)

Filmmaker Spike Lee has teamed up with Nokia to direct what is being dubbed the “the world’s first social film”, comprising videos made entirely with cell phone footage from everyday people.

The film’s theme will evolve around the way in which music tells the story of humanity. The final film will run across three acts. Each act will be announced online and people will then have four weeks to produce their submission. “You are seeing first hand the democratization of film,” Lee said in a statement on Thursday. “Aspiring filmmakers no longer have to go to film school to make great work. With a simple mobile phone, almost anyone can now become a filmmaker.”

People can submit text, music, video or images anytime between now and August 21 to here. Nokia will choose 25 submissions and then allow the people to vote online for their favorite. Spike Lee will then choose the winning submission from each act and direct the film through the Web site.

The final film with the three winning submissions and other contributed content will premiere later this year in Los Angeles.

In episode # 6 of the Black Web 2.0 Show, I speak with serial entrepreneur Clarence Wooten. The creator of 4 start-ups Clarence’s newest venture, Collective X, was described by Michael Arrington of Techcrunch as “the way LinkedIn should’ve been done in the first place”. CollectiveX is a group collaboration system which mixes the social networking capabilities of LinkedIn with the intranet features of Windows Share Point Services. CollectiveX features include built-in calendaring, discussion boards, file and media sharing.

In 1994 to early 1998, Clarence ran Metamorphosis Studios, Inc., a multimedia and Web design firm. Metamorphosis Studios was acquired in 1998 by MediSolv, Inc. In 1998 Clarence founded ImageCafe.com, a leading e-commerce website solution. With less than $1 million in capital raised, Clarence sold ImageCafe to Network Solutions/VeriSign for more than $20 million. Prior to starting his most recent venture, Clarence was managing partner of Wooten Ventures, an angel investment firm providing seed funding and guidance for entrepreneurs building innovative businesses.

Clarence and I discussed a range of topics including CollectiveX, the business of start-ups, and tips on leading a successful start-up.

Download File Here

You can also join the Black Web 2.0 Collective X Group Site here.

Comedian Damon Wayans star of such shows as “In Living Color” and “My Wife and Kids” and member of the very talented Wayans’ Family, has taken his newest show to the internet. (more…)

Microsoft released the first Community Technology Preview (CTP) of Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008, the new version of its robotics programming platform. Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 contains improvements in its runtime performance, distributed computational capabilities and tools.

Scheduled for release later this year, the first preview of the product is now available for evaluation and testing by developers, customers, and partners. Microsoft Robotics Developer Studio 2008 is a Windows-based environment that can be used by academic, hobbyist, and commercial developers for the creation of a variety of robotic programs and testing scenarios. (more…)

There has been lots of buzz around InteractiveOne, a RadioOne company that plans to focus on interactive web media. Many of us have been wondering what exactly is InteractiveOne and what plans does RadioOne have for it?

I recently noticed there are actually a few sites out there from InteractiveOne that are either in Beta or will launch soon, lets run down them: (more…)

Markus gave you updated blog posts yesterday, today here is a recap of sorts in pics:

RushmoreDrive Launch Event - NY

You can also check out the Events widget in our sidebar.

IAC’s Black Web Enterprises finally unveiled their online initiative targeting black people this evening with its launch of Rushmore Drive. The launch party, held in the magnificent IAC building, was a gather of the who’s who of African-American internet and media spaces.
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Black Web 2.0 will be traveling to New York City tomorrow to get a “sneek peek” at IAC’s Black Web Enterprises (BWE) new black targeted website Rushmore Drive. We were first introduced to Rushmore Drive during our interview with the CEO of BWE Johnny Taylor. The launch party takes place at the beautiful IAC Building in Chelsea, NY. Barring no unforeseen circumstances, we will be live blogging the event.

Stay Tuned!

IAC Building via Vimeo.

A look inside the new IAC Headquarters from Jon Feldman on Vimeo.