Channel9’s new, ink-enabled forums have me thinking. When might an ink message draw traffic? And what makes an ink forum compelling?
* What if you had an ink-enabled blog and Steve Ballmer dropped by and personally–in his own handwriting–wrote something as innocuous as “Good points. Thanks for your comments.” I imagine a first-ever post like this will draw a lot of traffic from the “in-the-know-crowd.” The same would probably be true for the first President or President-elect to give you a thumbs up on your personal diary.
* What if Scott Adams inked a satirical quip on an ink-capable political blog?
* What about fan sites? Can you imagine what an ink-enabled American Idol site might look like? Would 13-year old girls draw hearts, and “I love you’s” and tons of other personal messages draped in flowery colors? Would an ink-enabled fan site draw more traffic or be more fun than a text-only one?
* “Wishing you well” sites. Who will be the first to provide an ink-enabled site for kids of all ages to handwrite and post personal “we’re thinking of you” messages and drawings after some amazingly spectacular event or a horrific misfortune? For that matter, what third-grade class will be first to create a collection of inked “Happy Thanksgiving” drawings posted in an Internet thread?
* Refrigerator art gone Inkernet. Would you ever delete an ink drawing scribbled by a three and a half year old relative of yours that was posted to your blog?
* Will ink inspire new graffiti artists? Show me any new technology and someone artistic tries their hands at it. Who will be the first hit-and-run artist that only posts their works in random threads across the Internet? (As an aside: Could someone create a career out of inking spam art? Phillip Torrone on the first-ever Channel9 ink thread got close to showing how–see post #14.)
* Community sketchbooks. There are art sites where enthusiasts and artists share their works. Who might create the first ink-only site?
Lots of inkable ideas come to mind here–and lots of guerilla marketing opportunities too. Do I need to spell it out more? Nah, it’s more fun when things are spontaneous. Let’s see what happens.
I don’t have a Tablet PC but seem to be one of the few that would abosolutly love one. I’m not sure if this will help or not but you don’t have any other comments right now which is such a shame.
I think an ink forum or just a forum that you could ink on would make things so much more personal. Smilies, signatures, and avatars are common place as are profiles to make your posts show alittle bit more about yourself and make them more friendly.
I think a ink forum would make your posts unbeliveably personal in a good way, text can be very cold and impersonal. When really forums are very personal things you go there to discuss your likes or hobbies or just to generally make friends. Having ink I think would make them alot more userfriendly as it would be more like talking to people when you see real handwriting then a bunch of computers really.
Do I make any sence?
(sorry about any spelling errors I’m rather dyslexic)
Hope that helped.
Michelle.
(I’d just love to sign my name rather than type it in forums)