The Smart.fm website

Every so often I stumble upon a website which makes me feel like a child that’s been given a shiny new toy. And this certainly was the case with Smart.fm. A social learning network, which claims to help you learn faster and remember better. And these are not just empty promises, they have the science in place to deliver results. Although they started as a language learning tool in Japan, Smart.fm is now a platform which accommodates practically every learning goal you set.

I don’t get (too) easily excited, but the tools available to users, and the bustling community of eager learners, really made me say “wow” out loud. And of course, no matter how good an online service is, it would only go so far without a catchy video explaining what it’s all about (remember twitter’s early days). Watch the video below to get a better idea of what Smart.fm is all about. Registration is free and only takes a sec.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I cannot guarantee how much time it will take you to reach your learning goals. However, after having explored the service, I would easily believe them in that it would be one of the faster methods around.

It makes use of Google Maps, and there’s lots of cool stuff you can do there. These include embedding your favorite spots on your blog, writing reviews on spots and events, bookmarking, adding friends, sharing photos and videos on the places you bookmark.

Nomao’s user interface is about as web 2.0 as they get. Without sacrificing usability. In reality, it’s one of the most simple to use and effective user interfaces I’ve seen on a web service in quite some time. Well, at least according to my liking.

I think I’m going to like using this

Imagine my excitement when I came across Pownce. A new micro-blogging, social networking type of site that promises a lot more than the competition and far as I can tell – it delivers as much.

The produce of the labor of four dedicated individuals, one of whom happens to be web-pioneer and Digg founder Kevin Rose, Pownce allows users to exchange notes, messages, pictures, links and files. The privacy controls allow how much of what you publish is made public. You can send staff to just one person off your friend’s list, a select few or everyone on it. I guess it depends on how big the space will be where you plan to throw your next parteeeeyy!

There is also a “pro” version of the service, which offers more features, but personally I am quite content with what I can get for free. Well done to Megatechtronium (how did they come up with this name for a company – I don’t know) for the brilliant work they’re doing, and from the looks of it Pownce will just keep growing in features and goodies for everyone, users and developers alike. Check them out here.