It’s been a busy few weeks at both Digi Nut and My Neighbourhoods. We’ve added the first few in a range of new features to the site as well as upgraded the server to cope with increased demand (the old server was creaking under the strain). Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s been introduced over the past few weeks:

New server
So the site is quicker and ready for even more new features, which are in development as I type…

WeeWorld partnership
I’m delighted to say we signed a partner contract with WeeWorld so you can now easily use your WeeMee character in your My Neighbourhoods profile. Check out an example here. Thanks to Lexie and Obi for their close work in getting the API tested and implemented. (We are one of the first, if not the first, to make use of their newly opened API.)

Profile image
Users can now upload their own profile image so you can get an even better idea of your neighbours and other members.

New local area and city information
We’ve increased the content provided about your area and city, including local health information, regular events, jobs and news. Our members and site users can find out even more about their local community and city.

Enhanced profile
Further improvements and additions have been made to our user profiles based on feedback from current members, including tag based data that will help define new features in the months to come. The new additions also help users get to know their neighbours and other members even more.

There’s much more in development so keep checking back for more details or subscribe to the RSS feed. As always, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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We all know how important inbound links are to Search Engine Optimisation. A new and easy-to-use service has recently launched allowing you to achieve this in a few simple steps. The web app, King of the List, allows site owners to create links (with chosen keywords in the link, which is also important) and push these links to the top of a list, dubbed “crowning”.

One user even claims to have been included on Google within 24 hours as a result. I’m not entirely sure this is the direct result of using King of the List but it’s an interesting concept and a cost effective way of starting the essential task of building inbound links.

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I attended Monday night’s Creative Out evening organised by Robert Loch, of Internet Peeps fame, and it was a thoroughly entertaining night. The format was informal with attendees invited to talk for a minute or two on creative concepting, with socialising and mingling afterwards. There were a variety of people from designers and entrepreneurs to writers and journalists.

I met Jemima Kiss, a journalist for the Guardian New Media, who wrote an excellent breakdown of the night and had kind words to say about My Neighbourhoods on the Guardian blog:

Also present was Danny Bull, creator of myneighbourhoods.co.uk. It’s a fledgling social net that he described as a combination of UpMyStreet, Fish4 and MySpace. The idea is to help people communicate with their neighbours and, though it’s still early days, he said members have already started emailing each other. Two of them have started jogging together. From small seeds.

Find out about future events at the Creative Out web site. I would highly recommend attending if you are based in or around the London area.

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My Neighbourhoods was again picked up by the national press last week; Lucia Adams from the Bricks & Mortar section called to find out more about the site. The short article mentioned My Neighbourhoods in relation to to a report by the National Association of Estate Agents.

Fortunately it [neighbour-networking] is also an activity which is increasingly achievable online: www.myneighbourhoods.co.uk is a new website that will enable you to get to know the locals without actually having to meet them.

Read the full article

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We do:

Get your own at BananaName.

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My Neighbourhoods has been reviewed over at The Good Web Guide. The review is extremely positive and summarises by saying:

The site is simple to use and registration is free. A great idea and useful tool, everybody needs good neighbours, everybody needs MyNeighbourhoods.co.uk.

Read the full review on The Good Web Guide web site.

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My Neighbourhoods has once again been featured live on air. The interview took place on radio station Spin 103.8 during their SPIN Talk program. It was interesting to talk about the site once again and the potential affect people think it could have. People are joining on a daily basis and communities are beginning to form all over the UK.

I hope to have the podcast available soon.

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My Neighbourhoods appeared in The Sunday Times Style Magazine on the barometer (’Going Up’) this week. It’s an excellent piece of publicity for the site. The mention has resulted in more members from all over the UK, which is good news as the site continues to grow.

You can view the press clipping on the My Neighbourhoods site.

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This morning I was asked to take part in another live radio interview, this time on Colourful Radio, a national digital Talk, cross-cultural radio station. The interview took place on the Colourful Morning show with Amina Taylor who talked specifically about the decline of community spirit and how My Neighbourhoods could combat this by bringing people and communities closer together.

Listen to the interview by downloading the podcast.

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Today I was asked by a Belfast-based radio station, U 105.8, to speak about My Neighbourhoods following our launch a couple of months ago. The interview took place on their Drive Time show and covered the social and community building aspect of My Neighbourhoods, as well the potential for helping local crime and improving the areas in which we live. The station was very interested in how the site seems to have reversed the trend for using technology to communicate with people across the globe by putting you in touch with your neighbours.

It’s excellent coverage for us and I hope to have the podcast available for download soon.

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