我們最近推出的新功能，能夠隨時改變您的社群subdomain：
Jan 30, 2009
Jan 20, 2009
Homebloc的初衷
網絡時代下，人類的溝通，更加通達，資訊的來襲，彷如海嘯。在這個愈來愈平的世界，人與人之間，距離即使那麼遠，卻又彷彿非常近。
然而，地方社區是全球資訊海嘯之下的沙漠，街坊鄰里之間，缺乏溝通渠道，少對話，沒交流，跟平坦世界的通達完全脫節。
大家身處的空間，明明這麼近，就在眼前，隔一條街、一座樓、一扇門、甚或一堵牆，卻又那麼遠，偏偏不認識，想打招呼也沒法子。
大廈門外，升降機前，我們擦身而過，互相碰面，四目交投，心想：「我有無見過你？」現實世界最近的距離，何解成為最遠的隔膜？
Homebloc開發團隊相信，茫茫人海裡，只要有平台，只要有渠道，我們最終也定能找到志同道合的人、找到跟生活息息相關的社群，這正是我們開發Homebloc的初衷。
然而，地方社區是全球資訊海嘯之下的沙漠，街坊鄰里之間，缺乏溝通渠道，少對話，沒交流，跟平坦世界的通達完全脫節。
大家身處的空間，明明這麼近，就在眼前，隔一條街、一座樓、一扇門、甚或一堵牆，卻又那麼遠，偏偏不認識，想打招呼也沒法子。
大廈門外，升降機前，我們擦身而過，互相碰面，四目交投，心想：「我有無見過你？」現實世界最近的距離，何解成為最遠的隔膜？
Homebloc開發團隊相信，茫茫人海裡，只要有平台，只要有渠道，我們最終也定能找到志同道合的人、找到跟生活息息相關的社群，這正是我們開發Homebloc的初衷。
Jan 1, 2009
新一年，新Homebloc登場
2009年來了，祝大家新年進步。我們亦趁這個時候推出全新的Homebloc。
最終都比我哋趕起咗（雖然仲係好多bug），原來只要夠
Hombloc @ homebloc.com
http://homebloc.com/Bloc/D
最後，我要祝大家喺09年順利快樂！！
http://homebloc.com/Bloc/D
Nov 11, 2008
全新開始
兩年前某個夜晚，臨危受命寫文，要半小時內寫完，就這樣，我胡裡胡塗開始了寫稿生涯，一寫便是兩年。寫著寫著，生活也起了一些變化。夜訓了，變胖了，寫了半本書，最後銷情不是非常理想，但總算完了小時候的心願。
這段期內，除了寫稿，我也嘗試過不同種類的工作，例如做一些財經研究、新媒體研究、製作網上節目、參與網上節目、策劃互聯網推廣、統籌Web2.0開發項目、林林總總同步進行什麼都試。我的工作背景有點Tech，我也喜歡新東西，也許是這個原因，我的工作總跟互聯網有關係。
黎老闆說，專注才是成功之母，曾經何時，我也以為可以同時處理不同的工作，其實prejudice being a basic human commodity，人總以為自己有能力討好全世界，於是rather than achieve everything，we ended up achieve nothing。最近開始，思哲慢慢減少寫報紙稿，維持每周一篇。接下來，我會更專注在新媒體的工作上努力。
近幾個月，我加入了Homebloc這個Web2.0開發團隊，跟一群Geek仔日夕相對，試圖實踐一個幾新鮮既概念 ─── Hyperlocal News。它指那些發生於社區內的、主流媒體沒函蓋的，卻往往最貼近生活的新聞資訊。例如說，誰是你住處附近最便宜的豬肉檔、是哪位鄰居每天準時發出噪音、上班乘搭的巴士路線最近改了班次等等。昨天，受制於生產成本，這些極具價值但小眾的新聞，沒法子登上大眾媒體的舞台。
再舉個例，這就是連接你和你社區的人。你能向你社區的人直接表達想法，甚至直接跟他們進行日常生活上的互動。例如你能透過Homebloc分享你的照片、透過Homebloc找你的失貓、透過Homebloc轉讓你的傢具等。
差不多兩個月前，我們推出了Private Beta，參與者給予我們很多意見。其後，我們拿了某些同類型網站，做了一趟usability test，過程既好玩，亦取得了很寶貴的參考資訊。舉例說，我們看見user面對功能強大的網站卻無從入手的一臉無耐，我們又看見冗長的表單在註冊時如何惹人生厭。
坦白說，Homebloc開始的時候，太心急去採摘那些「Low Hanging Fruit」，急於求成，沒想清楚策略是否正確，於是後來即使從User處收取了很多意見，卻由於前期的開發方針有誤，包袱太多太重，以致後期開發有所限制，不能輕易作出重新部署。
誠然，如果我們連一小撮用戶的訴求也回應不了，更遑論要回對其他廣大的用戶吧。此刻，Homebloc團隊正忙得不可開交，我們的workflow正在蛻變，願能嚴格執行SCRUM development cycle；只要能上下一心，把現在這個Prototype的UI徹頭徹尾地改過來，我們才可以回應user和自己的期許。打個比喻，就像我最近搬家，Homebloc現正準備遷到另一個地方生活，象徵一個全新的開始！
這段期內，除了寫稿，我也嘗試過不同種類的工作，例如做一些財經研究、新媒體研究、製作網上節目、參與網上節目、策劃互聯網推廣、統籌Web2.0開發項目、林林總總同步進行什麼都試。我的工作背景有點Tech，我也喜歡新東西，也許是這個原因，我的工作總跟互聯網有關係。
黎老闆說，專注才是成功之母，曾經何時，我也以為可以同時處理不同的工作，其實prejudice being a basic human commodity，人總以為自己有能力討好全世界，於是rather than achieve everything，we ended up achieve nothing。最近開始，思哲慢慢減少寫報紙稿，維持每周一篇。接下來，我會更專注在新媒體的工作上努力。
近幾個月，我加入了Homebloc這個Web2.0開發團隊，跟一群Geek仔日夕相對，試圖實踐一個幾新鮮既概念 ─── Hyperlocal News。它指那些發生於社區內的、主流媒體沒函蓋的，卻往往最貼近生活的新聞資訊。例如說，誰是你住處附近最便宜的豬肉檔、是哪位鄰居每天準時發出噪音、上班乘搭的巴士路線最近改了班次等等。昨天，受制於生產成本，這些極具價值但小眾的新聞，沒法子登上大眾媒體的舞台。
再舉個例，這就是連接你和你社區的人。你能向你社區的人直接表達想法，甚至直接跟他們進行日常生活上的互動。例如你能透過Homebloc分享你的照片、透過Homebloc找你的失貓、透過Homebloc轉讓你的傢具等。
差不多兩個月前，我們推出了Private Beta，參與者給予我們很多意見。其後，我們拿了某些同類型網站，做了一趟usability test，過程既好玩，亦取得了很寶貴的參考資訊。舉例說，我們看見user面對功能強大的網站卻無從入手的一臉無耐，我們又看見冗長的表單在註冊時如何惹人生厭。
坦白說，Homebloc開始的時候，太心急去採摘那些「Low Hanging Fruit」，急於求成，沒想清楚策略是否正確，於是後來即使從User處收取了很多意見，卻由於前期的開發方針有誤，包袱太多太重，以致後期開發有所限制，不能輕易作出重新部署。
誠然，如果我們連一小撮用戶的訴求也回應不了，更遑論要回對其他廣大的用戶吧。此刻，Homebloc團隊正忙得不可開交，我們的workflow正在蛻變，願能嚴格執行SCRUM development cycle；只要能上下一心，把現在這個Prototype的UI徹頭徹尾地改過來，我們才可以回應user和自己的期許。打個比喻，就像我最近搬家，Homebloc現正準備遷到另一個地方生活，象徵一個全新的開始！
Nov 6, 2008
"Entertainment Weekly" of your friends
When Wanszezit forwarded this link to us this morning, I was certainly surprised if not shocked. Is this real?
Facebook, one of the more popular social networking sites and a typical example of what the web 2.0 "movement" is all about, has emerged as the second most visited site from Hong Kong. For a website that only started targeting the Asian region a short time ago, this is even more remarkable.
It would be foolish to give an analysis of its success with Wanszezit nearby, but I would like to share my personal experience of adopting to the "Facebook" frenzy.
I was aware of the website for quite some time but did not bother to sign up. As a member of the late majority, and more importantly an extreme introvert, I am not keen to try it out. Then for reasons I did not remember, I finally gave in about a year ago. Nonetheless it didn't catch my interest and was quickly forgotten.
Things started to turn when I joined the development team half a year ago.
First come the Facebook application "Street War Online" (古惑仔Online). Although the gameplay and the objectives were simple and unchallenging, I (and most of the colleagues) was immediately addicted. Alter ego in a orderless world is forever attractive. As a side effect, my "friends" list was closed to double less then 3 weeks.
When the excitement subsided later I soon realised, with the expended list, this is a great place to "know" all your friends and relatives. As soon as they shared their photos online, you will have a pretty good idea of what they are up to recently. Who's getting married, who recently went overseas, what they have been doing in the weekends, and other things that you cannot imagine can now be seen online.
It feels like going to a nudist beach but you are the only person wearing clothes.
As with any social-based websites, it will definitely benefit from the continuous growth of users and the increased in traffic. Monetising the website will be politically challenging (and more on that later). But with its popularity, survival in the near future is unquestionable.
So the question now becomes...will the "Facebook phenomenon" be here to stay?
Given that the Hong Kong people are crazy about entertainment news and the willingness to share, I have no doubt that this will become part of the culture.
Be prepared to add your sons and daughters to your "friends" list real soon...
Facebook, one of the more popular social networking sites and a typical example of what the web 2.0 "movement" is all about, has emerged as the second most visited site from Hong Kong. For a website that only started targeting the Asian region a short time ago, this is even more remarkable.
It would be foolish to give an analysis of its success with Wanszezit nearby, but I would like to share my personal experience of adopting to the "Facebook" frenzy.
I was aware of the website for quite some time but did not bother to sign up. As a member of the late majority, and more importantly an extreme introvert, I am not keen to try it out. Then for reasons I did not remember, I finally gave in about a year ago. Nonetheless it didn't catch my interest and was quickly forgotten.
Things started to turn when I joined the development team half a year ago.
First come the Facebook application "Street War Online" (古惑仔Online). Although the gameplay and the objectives were simple and unchallenging, I (and most of the colleagues) was immediately addicted. Alter ego in a orderless world is forever attractive. As a side effect, my "friends" list was closed to double less then 3 weeks.
When the excitement subsided later I soon realised, with the expended list, this is a great place to "know" all your friends and relatives. As soon as they shared their photos online, you will have a pretty good idea of what they are up to recently. Who's getting married, who recently went overseas, what they have been doing in the weekends, and other things that you cannot imagine can now be seen online.
It feels like going to a nudist beach but you are the only person wearing clothes.
As with any social-based websites, it will definitely benefit from the continuous growth of users and the increased in traffic. Monetising the website will be politically challenging (and more on that later). But with its popularity, survival in the near future is unquestionable.
So the question now becomes...will the "Facebook phenomenon" be here to stay?
Given that the Hong Kong people are crazy about entertainment news and the willingness to share, I have no doubt that this will become part of the culture.
Be prepared to add your sons and daughters to your "friends" list real soon...
Oct 24, 2008
爛Gag #1
又到禮拜五,送上爛 Gag 一則.
Hacker's in Heaven
Jesus and Satan have an argument as to who is the better programmer. This goes on for a few hours until they agree to hold a contest with God as the judge.
They set themselves before their computers and begin. They type furiously for several lines of code streaming up the screen. Seconds before the end of the competition, a bolt of lightning strikes, taking out the electricity.
Moments later, the power is restored, and God announces that the contest is over.
He asks Satan to show what he had come up with.
Satan is visibly upset, and cries, "I have nothing! I lost it all when the power went out."
"Very well, then," says God, "let us see it Jesus fared any better."
Jesus enters a command, and the screen comes to life in vivid display, the voices of an angelic choir pour forth from the speakers.
Satan is astonished. and stutters, "But how?! I lost everything, yet Jesus' program is intact! How did he do it?"
God chuckles, "Jesus saves."
Hacker's in Heaven
Jesus and Satan have an argument as to who is the better programmer. This goes on for a few hours until they agree to hold a contest with God as the judge.
They set themselves before their computers and begin. They type furiously for several lines of code streaming up the screen. Seconds before the end of the competition, a bolt of lightning strikes, taking out the electricity.
Moments later, the power is restored, and God announces that the contest is over.
He asks Satan to show what he had come up with.
Satan is visibly upset, and cries, "I have nothing! I lost it all when the power went out."
"Very well, then," says God, "let us see it Jesus fared any better."
Jesus enters a command, and the screen comes to life in vivid display, the voices of an angelic choir pour forth from the speakers.
Satan is astonished. and stutters, "But how?! I lost everything, yet Jesus' program is intact! How did he do it?"
God chuckles, "Jesus saves."
Oct 13, 2008
明日之後．．．
首先，去片。
請先不要細想黃毓民的批評理據，有沒有似曾相識的感覺？
這正正是毓民過去在電台開咪時的言論！
言論和新聞自由是香港最重要的資產，但筆者卻感到過去幾年這些自由正不斷萎縮。曾經是商台最受歡迎的主持大班和毓民，先後因為與電台鬧翻而被封咪。如果同樣的情况在外國發生，兩人大可以在別的電台繼續做節目主持，以他們的收聽率，不愁沒有電台收留。但他們卻不約而同地，花費不少的精力、時間和金錢，競選為立法會議員，繼續議事論事。
筆者不禁懷疑:香港已經沒有電台肯收留他們嗎？另外兩個電台的「睪丸」在哪裏？為什麼政府遲遲不肯再發電台牌照？古有一零八個好漢被迫上梁山，今有兩名嘴被迫進議事堂。（順帶一提，如果當年其中一個還在電台開咪，這名好心人大有幾會不需要花費不菲的登這廣告）
請先不要細想黃毓民的批評理據，有沒有似曾相識的感覺？
這正正是毓民過去在電台開咪時的言論！
言論和新聞自由是香港最重要的資產，但筆者卻感到過去幾年這些自由正不斷萎縮。曾經是商台最受歡迎的主持大班和毓民，先後因為與電台鬧翻而被封咪。如果同樣的情况在外國發生，兩人大可以在別的電台繼續做節目主持，以他們的收聽率，不愁沒有電台收留。但他們卻不約而同地，花費不少的精力、時間和金錢，競選為立法會議員，繼續議事論事。
筆者不禁懷疑:香港已經沒有電台肯收留他們嗎？另外兩個電台的「睪丸」在哪裏？為什麼政府遲遲不肯再發電台牌照？古有一零八個好漢被迫上梁山，今有兩名嘴被迫進議事堂。（順帶一提，如果當年其中一個還在電台開咪，這名好心人大有幾會不需要花費不菲的登這廣告）
幸好，我們還有互聯網。
這年頭，除了電視、收音機和報紙之外，互聯網已經成為大眾重要的資訊來源之一。雖說互聯網能否完全取替其他媒體還是未知之數，但不久的將來互聯網必然成為重要的傳播媒介。作為新聞網站(albeit hyperlocal)，HomeBloc必定遵守傳媒的重要原則﹣﹣維護新聞自由。如發現政府或公營部門的不是，盡管如實報道。如果屬實，我們一定為你留下記綠，永不封殺！
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