Its been about three weeks since we started quietly rolling out panels and overall feedback and specific user behavior continues to exceed our expectations. Most recently, we've again updated the system and can offer a peek at a few more things:
We have enabled our "community reviews" capability, so to check it out simply go to any panel you encounter and be the first to write a review right inside the panel! Try rolling over this Home Depot panel to get a quick look at the "Reviews" tab! (Look for integrated "Yelp" reviews soon too!)
Widget Preview: Notice here, on the right hand column of this blog, a very early sneak preview of our widget with the heading of "info on some of the things that matter to me." We'll be releasing this widget with a one-click install for the various blogging platforms. Please, try it, roll to see the panel info now!
The panels widget will allow you to proudly display "panels" for things that matter to you...in my example here you'll notice my preferred charities, my Alma Mater, favorite companies, our local zoo, etc. but can include literally and entity of any kind as long as it has a web site. Bloggers will be able to display panels for any of the potentially millions of entities that will grace our system when we roll out live. Other examples so far include a VC that lists all of his portfolio companies, a sports fan shows his or her favorite teams, or even a foodie who's panels display her favorite or recently reviewed restaurants and wines! This is one line of javascript that automatically creates panels based on the link, bloggers do nothing and blog readers benefit!
Panels in Action: Check out IDG SVP Colin Crawford's blog post entitled "2D barcoding poised to take off?" and the truly exciting developments in that emerging sector. This thorough post is a great example of how panels lets the user learn a lot more about a subject, and the industry players, without ever leaving the page. I'll be positing more frequently with results from other blogs that will be rolling out the capability on an ongoing basis. If you are interested in helping us out and I haven't contacted you please contact me at cbarnes@panels.net.
