An Email Alternative

Eyejot is one site that I have come across in the past month or so that I really like.  There is nothing really too complex about the site itself - its layout is simple and appealing, sign-up is easy and painless and it detects both the speaker and webcam for you.  As a user, all you have to do is record and send - it's that easy.

There are a number of reasons why I like this site but the main ones are:  it's free, you don't have to download anything to send or view video messages and you can view messages sent to you via eyejot without signing up.  This last one is key.  Ease of use and accessibility play a huge role in the success or popularity of Websites.  Take, for example, wikipedia and myspace.  With regards to wikipedia, anyone can go to the Website and do a search and read/view the information - free, with no sign up; only when someone wants to contribute content do they have to sign up.  MySpace functions in a similar way.  People can go online, search profiles, and view content (to some degree) without having to sign up.  This gives users a sense of inclusion and accessibility without costing them anything - time or information.

Video messaging may not be the newest kid on the block - but it's fun to send and receive one from time to time.