What can you use the application for?
StumbleUpon lets you discover new articles and videos based on a community opinion. You can use the website to find popular sites based on many topics. Many users install the toolbar and click the Stumble button to find a new site or rate an existing one.
What is the history and popularity of the application?
StumbleUpon was founded in 2002 in Calgary, Canada. After venture capital investment it was sold to eBay for 75 million dollar in 2007.
What are the differences to other applications?
StumbleUpon uses the serendepity factor more than other social bookmarking websites. You don't know what the next site will bring but more often than not it is interesting and of high quality.
How does the application look and feel to use?
The website features a lot of small 'screenshots' of the recommended websites. The integration of video is nicely done. A lot of people will use the toolbar to get recommendations.
How does the registration process work?
Registration requires your email address and a birth date. You must create a username but a password is automatically generated. After signup you are encouraged to download the toolbar. You can login with either your email address or your username. We got 4 emails during the first two weeks after signing up encouraging us to remember the "Golden Rule" of Stumbling: the more you do it, the better it gets!
What does it cost to use the application?
StumbleUpon is advertising supported. There is almost no advertisement on the website and toolbar. However, advertisers can pay to direct people to their website. Although users can still rate the advertisers' website there is no separation between normal and sponsored content.
Who would you recommend the application to?
StumbleUpon is a great way to wander around on the web. It is easy to do and the recommendations are of high quality. But your chances of doing anything useful are low.
