ADVISORY, June 15, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Core News Facts:
-- SwapThing releases a new Beta version to create a
community-driven experience in a social media environment.
The new, lightweight interface utilizes tags that not only
identify items and services swappers are seeking or offering,
but also become a part of the swappers' identity, indicating
their interests and skills.
-- Swappers can build SwapCircles, their own collaborative spaces
that are either public or private, based on user choice.
SwapCircles grow strong, interconnected communities around any
common interests, activity and/or geography.
-- Swappers' tags are portable, with each contributing their set of
tags to SwapCircles to dynamically share the shifting interests
of each community. For example, over time the interests of a
SwapCircle of mothers will shift from infants, to toddlers,
to pre-school, along with the items, services, advice and
experiences swapped within the group.
-- SwapThing plans to be in Beta for several months, beginning with
the launch at the STIRR Mixer 1.3. The company is embarking on
a journey of collaboration with users to extend swapping beyond
the physical items and deliverable services to create relevant
virtual exchanges within a shared community.
-- SwapThing is leveraging Web 2.0 technologies to open up the site
for users to have more control. Open API's will allow other
sites to interact with SwapThing through web services.
Pre-Approved Quotes: Attributed to Jessica Hardwick, Founder and CEO of SwapThing
Click here for Jessica Hardwick's hyperlinked profile:
www.swapthing.com/corporate/aboutUS_Team.jsp
-- We have seen a shift in people swapping more non-market services
that don't easily fit into a rigid taxonomy structure of
categories and subcategories. We saw tagging as the opportunity
to shift to a folksonomy system where all things are defined and
classified by the people. We also saw the opportunity to extend
the model and have users carry a collection of their top tags
that indicate their interest into the SwapCircles that they join,
creating a collective intelligence that is both dynamic
and useful.
-- People already use SwapThing to recycle, reuse and repurpose
what they have, as well as to reduce their overall consumption.
With consumer debt reaching all-time highs, people see this as
a great opportunity to get what they need without spending a lot.
-- We chose the STIRR.net as our launch pad because we believe they
are an incredible catalyst for change within the industry, and
offer unique ways for the entrepreneurial community to swap
thoughts and ideas and collaborate to build stronger business.
About SwapThing
SwapThing enables the trade and barter of any combination of items and services between consumers and small businesses, using cash to offset unequal exchanges. SwapThing offers free registration and listing, with transaction fees of $1.00 for each exchange of goods, no matter how many items are in the swap. Unlike competitors, SwapThing is barter-based, as opposed to auction-based, allowing completely private, one-on-one negotiations. The SwapThing search engine matches items offered to items wanted, a unique system of direct exchange between users, and a rating system to build trustworthiness. Based in Cupertino, Calif., SwapThing also enables the creation and joining of SwapCircles to build strong communities and social networks for traders of like interests. For more information visit www.swapthing.com.