Virb is live and it rocks

VIRB is live, and to put it mildly; it rocks.

VIRB is a competitor of myspace, there's no escaping that. It's a generalized social network, same as myspace. That's about where the comparisons end. My first impression of the site was that it was a very beautiful website. Aesthetically pleasing, and a quick look under the hood wow'ed me. As a web developer myself, I'm extremely passionate about web standards and semantic markup. It was a pleasure to see this site has surpassed even my high expectations.

The site is the brainchild product by the genius developers of Unborn Media Inc.. It appears to be a spinoff company, taking it's own name as Virb Inc.

VIRB has all the fixtures of a high end social network. Video, music, and blogs are all staple features. Where VIRB accels is in it's usability. The site is plain addictive. Spend 5 minutes with it and you'll be ready to close your myspace page. Profile customization starts with simple color selection but extends deep. So deep that you can alter the core HTML of your page, as well as add your own CSS.

Another first for a social network, that I've seen, is the ability to link up your flickr account. Two quick clicks and your profile is reeling with flickr goodness. Several other features are unique to the site, including VirbTunes, an iTunes extension that will post your most listened to iTunes songs on your VIRB profile.

Sign-up is a cinch, and the site runs beautifully overall. The layout is pleasing, the javascript is unobtrusive, the features are incredibly well done, and best of all; it's fun! To quote a friend, "There's no thinking... I just do."

The only drawback I can find is that the custom modules feature only allows modules from certain approved websites. I'm hoping in the future that they can develop and/or use an existing widget standard. As a widget site owner, I really want the ability for my widgets to be on VIRB.

I'm notoriously tough on websites. Design, usability, semantics, and web standards are all categories that have earned me a reputation at my day job. I'll put it out there as solid as I can; I have never seen a site as impressive as VIRB. Now, I could sit and evangelize all day, but I need to go play with my VIRB profile!

James Thomas is a web developer living in Orlando. During the day he can be found working for the mouse, and spends most of his evenings working on various projects in a desperate attempt to change the web.