It may have an awful logo, but Zorap, a video conference and media sharing startup, has developed a browser plugin that makes sharing movies and pictures both simple and surprisingly fun. The Windows-only plugin is currently working on Ning and MySpace, with support for more social networks (and Macs) coming soon. If you’d like to try it out, head over to this Ning page.
Zorap is basically an elaborate video chat for multiple users that integrates media sharing options. Users can drag and drop images, movies, and audio files into a group chat window. Each file is then streamed live from your hard drive, so everyone can watch or listen to the same thing simultaneously (you can also simultaneously watched streamed YouTube videos).
The technology is impressive: sharing pictures, dragging each video chat window around, and streaming movies in real time all seem to work seamlessly. Unfortunately, the majority of these functions require a plugin (or Firefox extension), which could well be the service’s undoing. Zorap is quick to point out that some other communication services, like Skype, have done extraordinarily well despite requiring separate software. But these companies have succeed in spite of, not because of, their required downloads.
Besides the plugin issue, Zorap’s integration into social networks may have a hard time catching on. Unlike a chat service like Skype or AIM, Zorap has people meeting up in rooms that are linked from their social network profiles. If you have a lot of people constantly checking your profile then this might lead to some impromptu meetings, but it seems like the buddy-list model is better suited for conferencing than social network apps.
Once you’ve got the plugin installed and friends in your meeting, Zorap works well and is a lot of fun to use. But the company still has a long way to go – finding your friends can be tricky, and the company’s website is pretty amateurish. Zorap will also see competition with a number of other services that allow you to simultaneously enjoy media with your friends using Flash, which most people already have.
That is easily, and I mean EASILY the worst logo I’ve ever seen.
This is Paul from Zorap.
We hear you on the logo (and website)!
But, come on over to http://zorapcrunch.ning.com and we’ll show you the experience. A couple of us will be hanging around in the room to give you a feel for things.
We do have a plugin (just as flash does), and it only takes a second the first time. It’s really light, and the results in terms of quality of experience are huge.
See you there!
Believe it or not I actually think their logo is great! It’s so awful it transcend it’s own awfulness. Crappy designs like this can really work in the right situation (think South Park).
…and this is coming from someone who designs logos for a living:
http://www.imageco.com
I love your captain kirk picture
did you know the latest movie from JJ Abrams will feature the orginal look of 1966?
http://www.skoo...television.html
whats the story behind the logo?
very anti-web 2.0
i like it
I just ran through the demo with Paul of Zorap. It was indeed fairly impressive and fun to use. The download went smoothly for me before I entered the room and chatted with Paul. I liked the ability for me to move the windows around without affecting what others saw.
/LesC
If used wisely the “fugly” logo might sell pretty well. It is different so props for that.
Nice, the only drawback to getting a viral spread would be the plug in requirement…which would also hinder it from spreading to mobile devices. The idea of enabling file (not link sharing like mebo) sharing with the chat is a good one.
This logo is retarded, but maybe in this way express the company’s values well.
Okay, Okay! We confess!
First, the logo was created in about 10 minutes using Microsoft Paint.
Second, the website is hosted free by Google.
Third, the name “Zorap” cost us about 12 bucks on GoDaddy.
And finally, yes, the Zorap client is a browser plug-in.
But, if you choose focus on those things – you are missing the point.
We poured our energy into creating a cool new web service that combines high performance video chat with real time media sharing. The experience is unlike anything that can be built with flash.
Zorap is simple – it’s hanging out with your friends, sharing pictures, videos, music, talking, webcams, or just “whatever” – in real time – all from the privacy of your Ning social network or MySpace home page.
We considered creating a Zorap “Chat Site” – and we might do that yet – but we would rather empower individuals with simple, powerful tools than deal with the complexities of a mondo consumer offering.
Try it and see!
Barry Spencer
Zorap Inc.
haha that can’t be the real logo… but it looks like i have to check it out…
meh… why would anyone use this when there is TokBox if you want easy/one-click calling and Skype if you want a download with more functionality
Although the last comment, before this one is on August 4, 2008, I just want to express my grattitude for such a nice website conference hangout with the many features. I have visited a lot of rooms, but Zorap has functionality that is unique and so easy to use. The youtube video that is an introduction to Zorap is short but covers all the basics to see how easy it is to use.
On my socialization list of places, Zorap is in the top 10 social fun places and may become number one with a few other enhancements that would make it stand out more than it already does.
To the Owner and Zorap developer team, you have done a swell job of bringing this type of place to the Net! What you have created here is like one of those “too good to be true deals”. It honestly is a feature rich user-friendly on-line application with top notch functionality to have started about eight months ago if I am correct.
Thank you Zorap team, way to go!
my IE 8 and firefox latest crashes on windows vista 32bit. Is this expected?