Digsby Updates Facebook

Digsby, the multi-network IM and social media tool has been updated with tighter Facebook integration and added support for MySpace IM. This is good, but the really great news is that dotSyntax has also removed the confusion mess of crapware nags from their installer.

The new installer now gives you an option to install the ‘Digsby Toolbar’ and asks if you want to contribute unused CPU cycles to sponsored research. While all of the adware/sponsor programs used in the old Digsby installer were optional, the new installer makes opting out easier and more obvious — a real plus considering that most users don’t really read the fine print during installation.

What’s New?

MySpace users can now use Digsby to connect to their contacts using MySpace IM, without opening a browser. And yes, in spite of the fact that MySpace seems to have fallen off the face of the planet from a press standpoint, there are still 70 million users, making it over 3x bigger than Twitter.

The real meat of the changes are in Digsby’s Facebook integration. Now you can fully interact with your Facebook Newsfeed right from Digsby. You can post your status updates, comment on friend’s activity, “like” status updates and browse photos. And of course, you can use Digsby to connect with your Facebook contacts via Facebook Chat. It’s a great way to stay connected, even when you don’t have Facebook open.

Download Digsby

Digsby Adds Real Time Web

dotSyntax released a new version of Digsby, the popular multi-network instant messaging and social networking program. This update provides three new features, and sports a new look for Windows 7.

• Digsby now integrates with MySpaceID, providing real-time notification from your MySpace activity stream, status updates, and photos.
• OneRiot integration provides real-time search, giving users quick access to what’s buzzing in news, videos and blogs.
• And a new Global Status feature lets you update your status across all IM and social network accounts at once, much like Ping.fm or HelloTxt.

“People want instant access to the content their friends are sharing,” said Steve Shapiro, president of dotSyntax, “Our partnerships make Digsby the premier desktop client to discover and participate in social conversations that are taking place right now.”

The new Global Status feature also allows you to share links (via their own URL shortener digs.by) and pictures (via pic.im). I’m not real fond of URL shorteners, especially after this week’s drama surrounding tr.im, but Twitter makes them practically unavoidable. This integration at least makes it easy to shorten URLs when posting updates to Twitter.

It is great to see the competition heating up between Digsby and Trillian Astra. If only Digsby had an iPhone version…

You can download Digsby at www.digsby.com

Social Network Wars

With Myspace, Facebook and other social networks all vying for attention, what can the average Joe do to maintain his sanity? This week’s Sunday Funny is a video that wouldn’t be funny if it weren’t so true: Social Network Wars. 

Read more

Digsby

Digsby is a multi-protocol instant messaging program that adds social networking and email notification integration. Digsby’s IM support is extensive. Digsby connects to AIM, WLM (MSN), Yahoo, ICQ, Google Talk, Jabber and Facebook Chat.

Social network support includes Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and LinkedIn, giving you the ability to update your status and get live updates from your contacts.

And Digsby gives you email notifications for Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail, AOL, IMAP and POP3 mail accounts. If you need to connect to multiple networks, Digsby is worth a closer look.

Background

Digsby began as Steve Shapiro’s school project as he worked on his MBA at Rochester Institute of Technology. The project grew to a team of developers, now operating as dotSyntax LLC. After two years of development, Digsby was first released in a private beta in February 2008, and to the public in March 2008. Since that time, Digsby has quickly grown to become one of the most popular multi-protocol IM programs on Windows.

Customization

One of Digsby’s great features is the ability to personalize the look. You can create or download new skins to change the entire look of Digsby.  You can switch the chat theme, load custom emoticon and sound sets.

Requirements

Currently Digsby is only available on Windows (XP or Vista), but Mac OS X and Linux versions have been promised.

Installation Notes

In late 2008, the Digsby installer was changed to include a number of “utilities” of dubious value. Most of these additional utilities are adware supported. Installation of these additional programs is fortunately optional, but be cautious to read each installation screen carefully and choose decline for these “extras.”

Useful Links

• Digsby – official site
• Digsby Blog – official Digsby company blog
• Digsby Forums – official Digsby support forums
• Digsbies.org – fan site with a feature wish list, skins, conversation themes, emoticon  and sound sets
• irc://irc.freenode.net/digsby – IRC chat with the digsbies; frequented by the developers
• Digsby Widget – embed this on your blog and visitors can chat directly with you

Hackers target MySpace

Security firm Fortify Software is warning that hackers are turning their attention towards popular social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace.

Criminal hackers now view social networking sites as their best target for attacks, according to Rob Rachwald, director of product marketing at Fortify Software.

Part of the reason is that such sites are designed to be usable by “unsophisticated” consumers, meaning that the barrier to entry for attacks is potentially lower as users are more likely to click on a link that leads to malware.

“A buffer overflow enabled hackers to exploit the Aurigma ActiveX image uploading software used by Facebook, MySpace and other social networking sites,” said Rachwald.

“The bad news is that this exploit is being used in a hacker toolkit currently being offered for download on several Chinese language sites, meaning that novices have been able to stage these attacks, and not just professional hackers.”

Yet another reason to hate the zillions of apps and invites.

Source: ITNews

Hello World! Feedback? Feedback!

The BigBlue Crew suggested a blog would be a great way to share what’s going on behind-the-scenes at BigBlueBall.com, so we’ve launched BigBlueBlog. We’ll be posting information about our staff (the BigBlue Crew!); site news and updates; info about new goodies we’re working on at BigBlueBall; and — most of all — listening to your feedback.

Did you know…?

• BigBlueBall.com was originally a site where two web developers showcased their portfolio?
• The BigBlueBall.com domain was originally registered way back in 1998?
• BigBlueBall has been covering instant messaging since March 1991?
• The name “BigBlueBall” refers to the planet earth, as seen from space?
• And… we have our own entry on Wikipedia?

What’s coming up next?

At BigBlueBall, we believe that instant messaging was the original social networking app, and that social networking is here to stay. What is social networking? Simply the connections we make between each other; our friends, family, co-workers and colleagues. Social networking is about strengthening those connections and helping us build richer, more satisfying relationships.

Technology can be a great enabler — helping us build our own social networks. Or technology can get in the way. At BigBlueBall, we want to help you sort through the myriad of tools and options that are out there and find what really works best for you.

So what’s next at BigBlueBall? We’re listening to your feedback, and evolving beyond just IM to cover the broad spectrum of social networking tools, techniques and technologies.

For now, please share your feedback, and stay tuned. Subscribe to our feed and you’ll get all the updates on the changes at BigBlueBall.