Brainshark and Validize Were Hits at MIN7

At last night’s Mass Innovation Night (#Min7) I found both Brainshark and Validize particularly interesting.

If you haven’t seen #Brainshark yet, you should check it out. Like other presentation sharing platforms it allows you to upload presentations to your blog, or web page. On the blog end it embeds java script and HTML for popular platforms like WordPress and Blogger. But it apparently has problems with WordPress.com blogs because it’s such a closed platform. WordPress.com severely controls the use of widgets, allowing only those available via its themes, and does not support javascript. Still, Brainshark is a unique SaaS (Software as a Service) platform for creating, sharing, and tracking presentations. There is also Brainshark Content Network that includes ready-made presentations (34 on the site currently), and eLearning and marketing programs as well as tools for managing enterprise applications.

One thing cool about Brainshark is the ability to record you voice into the presentation itself, so that the result is more than just a silent slide deck. After all, a person’s voice and delivery presence is critical to any presentation one reviews.

Validize was another interesting company demoing their wares. #Validize takes on the challenge of authenticating and validating a person’s online presence. It does this via providing multiple validation icons. For example, there are separate color coded icons for personal (per), professional (pro), business (biz) and organization (org) profiles. Each provides background information on the individual or entity, and Validize validates that the person or company behind the icon is really who they say they are.

Validizes’ capabilities make it an ideal authentication beacon for social networking sites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, where aliases and spamming accounts are increasing in prominence. It also has applications on other social platforms such as gaming and auction sites. The company is in the process of emerging from its beta program.

This Blog post was composed on my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-Randy Giusto

randygiusto@newdigitalcafe.com