Eagle, CO August 23, 2010 -- A software developer in Eagle, Colo., is working on "a different class" of social-networking website based on privacy and security.
A 20-year veteran of computer programming and software design, Paul Kulas says online communications should be moving toward more privacy, not less. That's why he's putting blood, sweat and tears into developing zeldaB. Designed from the ground up to protect our privacy, the new website, zeldab.com, allows users to share thoughts, information, photos and video without the gotcha that comes automatically with other online communities.
"We're not trying to replace other networks like Facebook, Twitter and Google," Kulas says. "But none of those sites offer a service I'd use, that I'd let my family use or that I'd recommend to our friends.
"zeldaB is a different class of social networking," Kulas adds.
Features of zeldab.com, still under development, include:
* Privacy, safety and security — You, the user, are in complete control of everything you post on zeldaB. Everything you post is protected and cannot be cached by a search engine. No one from the outside can search for Members.
* Circles of Friends — Set up as many Circles of Friends as you choose. Each Circle cannot access content from Friends in Circles. You control what each Circle member has access to.
* Parental controls — Parents of Child members can approve all Friend requests; Parents can remove Friends; Parents have control over what information their children make public and which Communities their children join.
* Take it back — You recall, or un-send, anything sent to another Member.
* Non-published listing — You can choose not to be listed on zeldaB. If you do, the only way you can be contacted is by zeldaB Members who have the unique code you've given them. If you change the code, Members without the new code can't contact you.
* Simple and intimate interface — zeldaB is a private and personal experience, unlike other social-networking sites on which you feel the world is watching you while you're logged in.
* Close your account and zap everything — If you want to leave zeldaB, we think you should be able to take everything, and that means everything, you've every posted without a trace. Every post, message, file shared, whatever, it all goes with you.
The website, zeldab.com, still needs some work, however, before it's ready for the masses. So Kulas is trying a creative strategy for funding the operation, asking for donations of as little as $5. In return, contributors receive tokens of "our profound gratitude," including zeldaB magnets, stickers, lanyards and mouse pads; organic zeldaB cotton tote bags and T-shirts; and, ultimately, a special zeldaB homepage with a "zeldaB Founder" insignia.
"Our minimum goal for contributions is $25,000, so we can move forward in the creation of zeldaB," says Kulas. "If a small percentage of the people concerned about the inappropriate use of their personal information will pitch in $5 or more, not only will they be safeguarding their own identity, but they'll also be helping protect their friends and colleagues generations to come.
"The real winner here will be the user. If we're successful, we believe other entrepreneurs will follow and, in time, the standard on the Internet will be to protect users' privacy," Kulas adds.
For more information, visit www. zeldab.com