So i thought tweeting it (the time Twitter was way less popular) but realized I don’t really want to send it just somebody who happens to follow me, i don’t actually no them and many are not my friends outside Twitter. So I finally ended up copy pasting the link to multiple people on Skype. Then I thought, isn’t there really a better tool for sending links and web content to selected friends like via e-mail, but just designed for this.

So we started to plan Spark – system for sending Web content to friends, links, videos, pics and so on and to have discussion around it. According to studies, 30% use e-mail for sending links (http://lifehacker.com/5318802/how-do-you-share-links-over-the-internet), 23% via IM and 20% via Facebook. Twitter is popular, but many this it’s too restricted for it (http://www.wordyard.com/2008/10/27/twitters-link-sharing-limits/).

So what is Gspark? Its like email but dedicated for sharing Web content with good tools for discussions. It has great features like you can see if the receiver has clicked the link you sent, which for me is important info.

spark pic

Some months back we wanted to tighten our focus and started to build tools for media companies to use Spark as a way to add micro-messaging by users to their Web site. We are really proud that Aamulehti (Finnish local newspaper from Tampere) saw the benefit and opportunity and started to work with us. So that today as part of Gspark early beta launch, also Aamulehti launches their new service based on Gspark called “Viidakkorumpu” (http://www.aamulehti.fi/viidakkorumpu/). It allows selected users to post Sparks to Aamulehti Web site to let readers know what is happening in the world right now, interesting stories, funny videos and pics.

Still there is lot to come is Spark and we have just started to scratch the surface. Join the sparking team and let us know what you think. Just add me as your friend send a spark (http://www.gspark.com/users/stobekum).