Not sure I like this idea. My basic understanding of it is that anyone can save a webpage I have created and then send it to anyone else. They can also use it to add in their own comments.

http://www.sidepipe.com/consumer/con...s_overview.htm

Any other thoughts?

I don't like this idea either. I suppose you could liken it to people sticking post-it notes all over your page. At least it seems with this system that people will only see the comments if they are sent the URL by the person who made the 'webpipe' but I certainly don't like the idea of other people being able to leave comments all over my site.

I wonder if there are any legal implications of using this. Wouldn't there be the possibilities of libel if people post 'not-so-nice' comments about websites.? And what about people who don't understand its a separate application and take it as part of the website the comments are shown on? Seems to be straying into Gator territory....

Exactly. I mean you put a link on a webpage that links to this 'webpipe' how would someone tell it wasn't part of the original site? Would they even think that it might not be?

I see this as a way for others to take content/work of others and that irritates me.

I have looked at that several times. If I may play the Devil's Advocate and suggest the other side of the coin........I don't really like that name, but anyway........couldn't this help people to collaborate on web site? Isn't that its purpose.

I might not fully understand this, but isn't this a program to let you email a copy of a webpage to someone with your comments on it? If so, you can do that with a screen capture now.

Does this allow for people to leave notes on my page for others to see? Or does this only allow a copy of my page to be sent to others (not for anyone except who the user emails it to)?

More research for me...

Dave

After looking around some more, I found the following press release. Please note that the bold italic text was added by me.

SidePipe.com Launches New Web Communications Tool

Mill Valley, CA -- November 1, 2001 -- Everyone now has the power to collect, organize and share web content with others, using SidePipe, a unique, easy-to-use internet technology and browser enhancement that lets users create interactive "WebPipes" of internet web pages that can be shared with others via e-mail. That seems like a good feature used to show others your ideas about existing webpages. With a single click, recipients of SidePipe WebPipes can start viewing selected web pages and commentaries and even participate in a WebPipe's built-in discussion boards.

SidePipe is the newest technology from web tools maker SidePipe.com of Mill Valley, California.

SidePipe was released on November 1, 2001 and is available for free download at SidePipe.com.

"SidePipe is an entirely new communication channel superimposed over the entire World Wide Web," says Christopher Bohn, CEO of SidePipe.com. "It combines the ability to quickly and easily collect web content, comment on it and share it with others, while automatically providing live discussion boards about each page of that content."

Creating WebPipes is simple. SidePipe opens as a special browser window on top of your current browser window. You simply add the page to your WebPipe, along with any comments that you have. Add as many other pages as you like, then email the WebPipe to friends or colleagues. Seems like a good feature. They see the web pages in your WebPipe, along with your comments. The WebPipe is interactive, making SidePipe a collaborative tool.

SidePipe's patent-pending technology deep links to the web page that you launched it on. SidePipe can bookmark even deeply nested web pages that normally elude most web browsers.

In addition to creating WebPipes, SidePipe "Web Notes" let you post messages about any web page or read what others say about it. SidePipe offers this unique communication channel both privately and publicly. You can leave private notes at sites around the web that are readable only by you, as well as public notes that can be read by anyone. DANGER! DANGER! It looks to me like they have gone to far now. This would allow someone to say how bad your site or product is, and then give a recommendation to some other competitor. It doesn't matter what machine you are on; wherever you are connected, you can access all of your SidePipe WebPipes and Web Notes.

"SidePipe's uses are nearly limitless," says CEO Bohn. "It is ideal as a research tool for gathering and sharing web-based information within a business or organization, for real estate and travel agents to draw client attention to specific recommendations and options, and for more effective electronic newsletters to customer lists. We're really excited about the educational applications, as well."

At launch, SidePipe is free-of-charge. SidePipe installs in less than 30 seconds. The free download is available at www.sidepipe.com. Sample WebPipes are also available at the SidePipe website.

Custom branded skins for WebPipes will be available from SidePipe in the coming months.

"We want to provide a tool that people will want to use; to start an incremental revolution; to usher in the simplest next-step computer users have ever taken," says Bohn.

SidePipe.com is a privately owned web technology and e-commerce tools developer founded in 2000 by Christopher Bohn, formerly at Broderbund Software, ModaCAD, and Mindscape. Doug Carlston, founder and former CEO of Broderbund Software, sits on SidePipe's Board of Directors.
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IMO, it looked like it might be a good tool for interactive discussions about sites (when using the email function). But to be able to leave comments on any site for anyone to read has seemed to cross over into the realm of trespassing.

The brick and mortar example again: Would you allow someone to come into your store and post notes about your store and how the competitor down the street is better? I don't think so.

Next question: Who will download this for self-defense? Who will use it to see if others are posting on your site?

Dave