You can see an example of this in the sidebar of my site.  The second column now displays a Twitter badge that displays my last 5 Twitter postings (affectionally known as “tweets”).The code was provided by Twitter (http://twitter.com/badges).  You can select one of three styles of badges.  I am using the HTML version that immediately leverages the CSS file I use to control my site’s presentation. 

To learn more about Twitter check out this video.

To learn more about badges check out:

• Flicker Badges
• Twitter Badges
• Dilbert Widget

Enjoy. 

I normally don’t have a problem explaining new technologies to people but Twitter really caused me to pause and think.  

A Twitterer for more than a few months now I find it a great way to stay in touch with friends and colleagues.  Now that I use Twitterific I am able to submit and track Twitter posts all day long.

Cali Lewis (of GeekBrief.TV) latest show discussed a video created by the team at CommonCraft Show that does a great job explaining how Twitter works and why you would want to use it.  It is really short and worth watching.

Brian does a great job exploring the Zuda site and what it means to both comic creators as well as their readers. Zuda is changing the way people view and interact with online comics. What I believe is even more important however is the fact that it was a company like DC Comics, a major player in the comic book publishing space, providing the mechanism that allows professional and amateur talent alike to share their creativity with the world. And that is the people, the readers, who decide which work merits support and recognition.Check-out the entire article at the Kansas City Star.

Technorati Tags: DC Comics, Zuda, Web Comics

Title: Alpha Monkey
Writer/Artist: Bobbie Rubio/Howard M. Shum
Summary: In a misguided attempt to save his son from the destruction of Earth by a comet (which then happens to miss the Earth entirely) a scientist rockets his son into another dimension. The child ends up on a parallel world ruled by Monkeys! Given unique powers by the planet’sbananas, the young boy fights off invading monsters as the planet’s new defender, Alpha Monkey! 

Title: This American Strife
Writer/Artist: Jason Longo
Summary: A quirky, humorous “Dear Diary” recounting of the artist’s observations on life, This American Strife is a sharp-witted visual stab at editorial blogging. 

Title: Battlefield Babysitter
Writer/Artist: Matthew Humphreys
Summary: In a family of superheroes, in a city of superheroes, in a world of superheroes, Katherine Fields is a babysitter. But when a routine night of babysitting turns into a villainous invasion, Katherine finds herself transformed into a super strong heroine. At $8.00 and hour, it’s going to be a long night. 

Title: Black Swan
Writer/Artist: Mulele Jarvis
Summary: A young college student, Nina, is embroiled in a 500-year-old vendetta when she encounters a spirit bound to a mystic dagger left on her doorstep. Implicated in murder and on the run from a detective possessed by a rival spirit it’s up to Nina to relive an age-old battle without dying in the process. 

Title: Dead in the Now
Writer/Artist: Corey Lewis
Summary: When Braz – a young, cynical boy – discovers the world’s first authentic zombie he decides to end Earth’s monotonous routine and usher in an age of zombie-infested, chaotic adventure! Gathering supplies and weapons, Braz sets his friends up like modern, urban Lost Boys with himself as their Pan. 

Title: The Dead Seas
Writer/Artist: Pop Mhan
Summary: Legions of undead controlled by Necromancer warlords destroy life as we know it, plunging the Earth into a futuristic Dark Age. But it’s adventure and romance on The Dead Seas as a swashbuckling young pirate named Devin teams up with an adventurous crusader name Luna. Armed with the secret of Pandora’s Box, they set out destroy the Necromancers and save the world. 

Title: The Enders
Writer/Artist: Tim Smith III
Summary: Aluna didn’t ask to be given godlike power and she certainly didn’t ask for her parents to be killed in the process – but the enigmatic alien known as The Ender works in mysterious ways. Without time to grieve, Aluna is tasked with using her power to save the Earth from imminent destruction. The only question how? 

Title: High Moon
Writer/Artist: David Gallaher/Steve Ellis
Summary: It’s the fading days of the Old West in the late 1890’s when an enigmatic drifter, Matthew Macgregor, ambles into the dusty town of Blest, Texas. The nights are cold in Texas as Werewolves secretly haunt the town, but Macgregor has a supernatural secret of his own. When the sun sets it’ll be a showdown at High Moon.

Title: Leprenomicon
Writer/Artist: Greg DelCurla/Fernando Ruiz
Summary: In old Ireland, when the banshee sings for you it means that your time on this Earth is coming to an end. But American Michael O’Connor refuses to take this news lying down. With the (forced) help of a kidnapped Leprechaun, he intends to solve the mystery of his own death even if it turns the world of faeries, gods, and plain old normal folk upside down. 

Title: Raining Cats and Dogs
Writer/Artist: Sho Murase
Summary: A young, snake-haired gorgon named Mika, winds her way through the contemporary, everyday wonderland of dating, work, after-hours adventures and everything in between alongside her friends Apple (a rokurokubi energy-vampire), Feebe (a bake-neko cat girl) and Akiha (a normal human).

If you are planning to be in NYC on Oct 30th check out the launch party. For an invitation, go to ZudaComics.com for more information.

Technorati Tags: DC Comics, UGC, User Generated Content, Web Comics

What makes the site unique is that this is the first time a publisher as large as DC is entering the world of web comics. By allowing both amateur and professionals to participate in the contest the door is open to a wide range of stories, styles and genres. “We’re not looking for a specific type of material — we’re actively looking for everything,” said Ron Perazza, the director of creative services for DC and one of Zuda’s chief architects in a NY Times article that covered the announcement (see attached).

For the past 6 months I have lead the IBM team working on the design and development of the Zuda site with the team from DC Comics. It is great working with Richard Bruning, Ron Perazza, Kwanza Johnson and Dave McCullough (not shown) from DC in that they really love the comic business and have a rich appreciation for its long history. It is that respect for comics that has allowed them to approach publishing comics on the web in a way that preserves the art form.

There has been an abundance of press and blog coverage on Zuda since the site was announced in the beginning of July. This interest will only grow with the start of the annual ComicCon convention in San Diego this week. As I write this I am on my way to the event with two colleagues who are working with me on the project. I will be sure to post pictures of the event and the Zuda launch party scheduled for later in the week.

People interested in learning more about Zuda can go to ZudaComics.com. The site covers information about the imprint, submission process as well as downloadable logos and banners. You can also register on the site so you can receive updates about Zuda through out the summer. The site is scheduled to go live in early October.

Photo credit: Richard Perry (New York Times)