Sometimes I run across an idea that, despite being terrible, is/was still really popular (parachute pants, the Macarena, Dane Cook). Then there are the ideas that ARE truly great AND are popular (the transistor, antiseptics, Grand Theft Auto). Then there are the ideas that are truly great but just don’t quite catch on… ShiftSpace is one of those. Now I know this blog is more about posting usable info that will help us in our jobs, and ShiftSpace doesn’t fit that bill. But it’s such an interesting idea that I can’t help but write about it.

ShiftSpace is an open source meta-layer that can be displayed above any webpage. Think of it as a way to modify, comment on, and generally manipulate webpages in real time, then save those modifications to a server to be viewed by others. Anyone familiar with FireBug or the web developer extension for Firefox (great post on it Stevie, btw) will know about editing source code on the fly for testing purposes. Shiftspace allows you to edit it on the fly then save to a ShiftSpace server so other ShiftSpace users can see, and even add to, your creation. The app itself is built on top of Greasemonkey which is another awesome Firefox extension for modifying pages in realtime - although a bit difficult for the lay user.

It’s a little difficult to wrap your head around it without a demo, so check out this vid: http://www.shiftspace.org/screencasts/intro/index.html

The project is still in relative infancy, but they are apparently building out more “social” features. I imagine that you will eventually be able to subscribe to a feed of the modifications made to webpages as ShiftSpace users modify them. Or subscribe to a feed of the latest modifications made by your friends and other ShiftSpace users. Instead of sending an email to a friend with a link and a note about a page you could send them to the page with your note (and any mods you’ve made) laid on top of the page itself.

I’ve only played around with the app for a little while (username “Mikeadelic”… I made a small edit to www.foxnews.com) but I already see interesting potential for social applications. The business applications are there, but would have to be developed and time-tested like any other social media.

Again, this is more mind-bending on a theoretical level, but it really portends a future where the web is something we can modify to our own personal designs, instead of being simply “served” a webpage we must accept at face value.

… oh, and you don’t need to mention how long it’s been since my last post… i already know =)