I’m using Ubiquity behind the scenes, so it’s optional for the user to use the command line. Since I don’t have them invoke it, or describe it in detail, it’s an easy step to skip.

The Troubleshoot link above detects if you’ve installed the MOBhat command feed. If not it displays an error and gives instructions. If Ubiquity had a <noscript> like mechanism, then I could detect if Ubiquity wasn’t installed earlier.

View the HTML source of the page, the technique might be useful on your command feed pages. If so just add a pageLoad command like this to your command feed:

function pageLoad_detectNoUbiquity(){
    var doc = Application.activeWindow.activeTab.document;
    var url = doc.location.href;
    var troubleshoot = "http://mobhat.restservice.org/welcome/troubleshoot";
    if (url == troubleshoot) {
        jQuery('.no-ubiquity', Application.activeWindow.activeTab.document).hide();
        jQuery('.ubiquity', Application.activeWindow.activeTab.document).show();
    }
}

It’s been a long time coming, 2 hours here and 2 hours there, but I am ready to launch my Lifestreaming experiment… and I need your help.

Introducing MOBhat from Austin King on Vimeo.

I’ve changed the name of the project from OFace to MOBhat. MOB – like a gang of people and hat – like your different social identities throughout the day. Also it sounds tough but is the name of the old timey hat in the logo next to the Bowler. Watch the video then signup at MOBhat.restservice.org. Have questions or feedback? Let’s play together and figure out if “faceting” your Activity Stream is a worthwhile technique. Definitely join the MOBhat FriendFeed Room and we can build on this experiment together.

Background Posts

• A Sketch of Oface Feb 2009
• Faceting Social Identity? It’s All About the Audience Oct 2008
• OFace — Imagining an Identity Faceting Web Service Sept 2008
• Intended Audience and Faceted Social Identities Sept 2008

Introducing MOBhat by Austin King is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.vimeo.com.