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Let the Mixxing Begin!

Posted by Jason on September 17th, 2007

Welcome to all of our Beta Testers!

Our goal is to make Mixx the place where real people (a.k.a: You) come to find relevant, individually tailored content—whether you want text, photos or videos. And we want you to let us know how well we’re meeting that goal. Because everyone should be able to find what they want when they want it, without having to dig through the mountains of stuff that other people think is important.

Since we are in beta, the site isn’t yet fully functional, but we’d like you to take a look at some of the features and let us know what you think.

  • Your Mixx: Select a few categories that interest you and we’ll deliver the web’s best content—stories, videos and photos—as chosen by you and other Mixxers with similar interests.
  • Vote on what you see: Like it? Mixx it IN by clicking the green arrow. Think it’s mediocre or just bad? Use the red arrow to Mixx it OUT.
  • Submit content that you’d like to see on Mixx. Make sure you select a category or two, and that you add a few tags. This makes it easier to find.
  • Create a private group to share stuff with other Mixxers.

And finally, but most importantly: Use the Feedback link to let us know what you think! A few things to keep in mind as you Mixx:

  • Is the site easy to navigate?
  • Is everything where you think it should be?
  • Are there features that you would expect to see and don’t?
  • How will you use the site? To find great content? Discuss issues? Connect with people who have shared interests?
  • Anything else you’d like us to know?

Of course, we want you to love it all, and if we thought it would work, we’d shower you with the compliments you so richly deserve. But the thing is, we need your honest opinion. You won’t hurt our feelings—really.

Thanks, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts!

The Mixx Team

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8 responses to "Let the Mixxing Begin!"

  1. Blackthir13en added September 26th, 2007 at 9:48 am

    Very excited to see your offerings! Can’t wait to get my hands on an account.

  2. honest ape added September 27th, 2007 at 9:27 am

    Looks great.

    One complaint, one suggestion.

    Complaint: We need a bookmarklet or browser extension. It is a pain in the rear to go to a website, copy the link, come back to Mixx, then post it. If we are at a website and have an easy way to submit that page via bookmarklet or extension, it’s much more likely for your users to do so.

    Suggestion: While many people don’t like frames, for site like this one, there would be many benefits to giving users an option to use them. Meaning, if I clicked a link and it opened in a frame with some minor Mixx options at the top (including one to remove the frame), then I could easily give it a thumbs up or down. Clicking a link, then going to that site, then deciding if it’s worthy of a thumbs up or down, then going back to Mixx? Really a pain in the ass. Being able to optionally navigate all of this via a frame for external links would make it sooooo much easier. Something I wish Digg and other similar sites would do.

    Comment: When it comes to a site like this, the main barriers are always going to be usability, or lack thereof. The easier you make it for your users to both submit articles and to rate the articles of others, the more they will do so. With attention spans what they are, people are willing to go through fewer hoops to do what they want.

    Otherwise, great site. While the limitations above are stopping me from submitting many stories, I still like the site and the way it’s designed, both aesthetically and use-wise.

    Great job!

  3. Chris Jacobson added September 27th, 2007 at 11:12 pm

    Is there a widget available I can add to my site for users to vote for/against a story I publish on my blog?

  4. Craig added September 27th, 2007 at 11:17 pm

    Might want to set up a feedback form instead of having Feedback as a Mailto.

  5. jim added September 28th, 2007 at 11:11 am

    Thanks to everyone for your feedback.

    Blackthir13en -
    Check your GMail account for an invite.

    Honest Ape -
    We have plans for a browser bookmarklet and other tools to improve people’s interaction with the site. Stay tuned… the bookmarklet is on our list.

    Great point about voting… The frames idea is interesting. You’re correct that they aren’t very popular. Perhaps a Toolbar or Firefox extension could accomplish the same thing? Either way, we’ll take a close look at the issue you raise.

    Your comment about usability is spot-on. It’s a priority for us to make tasks and other interactions with the site easier.

    Chris J -
    The site tools and widgets will be available for public launch, which is scheduled for the week of October 8. Please check back.

    Craig -
    Great suggestion. It’s on our list, so stay tuned!

    Thanks again everyone.

    Jim

  6. BlackThir13en added September 28th, 2007 at 12:13 pm

    I’m going there NOW!!! THANKS!

  7. Linda McGill added September 30th, 2007 at 11:32 pm

    Tried the mailto for feedback but it didn’t work. Look forward to the bookmarklet.

    Use will also depend on the quality and usefulness of the conversations among members, which of course is an unknown at this point. Will be more clear within the next month or so.

    October 8 is an auspicious day for a new venture.

  8. Nintendo wii added July 15th, 2008 at 1:33 am

    Great !
    I have informed my ten friends and most of them have created their account here. Still we all are deciding to join a group and share stuff with each other.
    Please carry on providing more and more services in future also.
    Will be eagarly waiting for that.

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