Taking Scrapbooking into Web 2.0 with ScrapEase

Riverside CA (PRWEB) March 28, 2007 — Kizmeta LLC has announced the initial beta launch of their online scrapbooking software, ScrapEase. ScrapEase.com is a website that offers a convenient new way to be creative with digital photos. ScrapEase is a cross between an online photo sharing site and image editing software. Users add photos, then crop, flip, and embellish their digital memories to create and share digital scrapbooks online. And to make things even easier, there is nothing to download or install because ScrapEase runs online in the user’s web browser.

ScrapEase is the brainchild of Kizmeta LLC founders, the husband and wife team Matt and Laurie Petty. The original idea for ScrapEase came on a trip back from a family reunion. “The reunion was so much fun and gave us some really great photos,” said Laurie. But having moved from Missouri to California in 2004, the couple was unsure how best to show off all the pictures. “We wanted to put the pictures online,” said Laurie, “but a plain gallery wasn’t quite right. I told Matt it would be great if I could just scrapbook the photos right online and then send album links to everyone.” Knowing that a lot of other families are separated by long distances and suffer from the same lack of time and resources to spend on creating traditional scrapbooks, the pair decided to create something that everyone could use. When they arrived home, Matt got straight to work on what would eventually become ScrapEase.com.

ScrapEase is a new type of software called “Web 2.0″ or “Webtop” software. Unlike traditional software that you download or purchase on disk, and then install on each computer you own, you access ScrapEase through any computer with a web browser. ScrapEase uses the latest technology to provide a look and feel that is similar to traditional software, but with the advantages of the Web. Web-based software users gain the benefit of feedback from the network of other users, and the flexibility of accessing the software from anywhere. ScrapEase runs on most platforms and is not limited to Windows computers. It works the same no matter if you have Windows, Mac OS, or even Linux.

ScrapEase makes creating and sharing online scrapbooks easy through its unique interface and collection of papers and embellishments. Users drag and drop photos, cropping and adding effects to create beautiful and lasting memories. To enhance photos, simply double-click your photo to crop, rotate, or add effects such as borders and drop-shadows. Adding papers and embellishments works the same way, and with thousands of papers and embellishments to choose from, there is no shortage of unique creations. To make finding coordinating elements easier, ScrapEase offers the ability to browse kits of coordinating embellishments and papers. Returning to your favorite papers and embellishments is easy with your Ideabox, a personal collection of favorites. If you find a particular album or layout inspiring, you can also add those to your Ideabox, too.

Another advantage of ScrapEase over traditional scrapbook software is that publishing and sharing your albums is automatic. Because you create your scrapbooks online, the albums are ready for viewing instantly. And you can send friends and loved ones an email of your scrapbook right from ScrapEase.

ScrapEase is more than online scrapbooking software, though. The site also has forums, or message boards, and the ability to leave comments on album pages. Users can share, get feedback on, and find ideas for their own scrapbooks. “We wanted a single place where you can create, share, and discuss your scrapbooks, all online,” said Matt Petty, co-founder and lead developer on ScrapEase.

Some of the unique features of ScrapEase include:

Drag-and-drop page editor — Create layouts in minutes
Papers — Choose from a vast array of papers
Embellishments — Dress up your pages with the growing collection of embellishments
Photo Editing — Use effects like Black and White, Sepia-tone, Drop-Shadow, Rotate and Crop
Ideabox — Save your favorite papers, embellishments, and layouts
Coordinating Kits — Makes creating great looking pages easy
Forums — Get ideas from other ScrapEasers
Comments — Read and leave praise on albums
Instant Album Sharing — Send your scrapbook albums to anyone around the world

The feedback they have received so far has been very positive, and Kizmeta already has several enhancements to ScrapEase underway. “We are very excited about ScrapEase, but we know we can’t do this alone. We need the input of other scrapbookers to help us improve and guide the direction of the service,” explained Matt. Kizmeta has issued an open invitation for testers, and to help encourage feedback, anyone who signs up during the beta test period will be eligible to receive discounts on the upgraded service after launch. The upgraded service will include increased space for albums and premium features not available in the free accounts. Sign up for free and learn more at ScrapEase.com.

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