Ingrid Taylar, a SF-focused contributor to About.com, just published a phenomenally written piece about GroupCard. She somehow managed to tell our story, describe our service, and detail certain features - all in one page.
If you're just getting to know GroupCard, this is probably THE piece to read.
GroupCard Redesigns the Group Card
About the time that Barack Obama announced his family's desire to adopt a shelter dog, some e-mail links led me to a GroupCard at the Humane Society website. The electronic card will be delivered to the Obamas on the 21st of November with the message "Thank you for deciding to adopt." When you click on the card, you'll peruse the messages of more than 4,600 people who've signed the note to our new president-elect and his family. If you opt to sign it yourself, you can leave a unique imprint with choice of font, your spot on the page, and an optional photo of your pet.If you've ever been part of the fractured and stealth group-card giving process you'll appreciate the ease of bringing everyone together in one electronic spot -- without having to circulate and hide the card, without missing the people who are out of the office, or 1,500 miles away.
GroupCard began in 2007 as a prototype on the Stanford University campus and now has headquarters in Menlo Park, with the bulk of the team based in Milwaukee. In the world of e-cards, it's a relative newcomer. But the interface is addictive in its autonomy. It allows signatories a measure of control over the desktop graphics. And it bridges the geography which normally constrains the traditional group card and paper-bound well wishes.
Sending a GroupCard is free. You can choose from a variety of templates or use your own image to create the cover. You then sign the card and have an optional add of audio or images. Once you've settled on those parameters, invite others to sign the card. GroupCard lets you interface with Facebook or Outlook. You also program in a date and time for card delivery. And, as a final touch, your GroupCard can be used as a group gift pool. Part of the card creation process allows you to attach a gift card to which other people can add amounts. Individual donations are anonymous and accrue on the gift.
The final product is electronic. But GroupCard has added printing options -- either DIY (downloadable), or produced by GroupCard in the form a poster card, a wall poster, or a flip book.
The GroupCard Hall of Fame and blog page has some GroupCard examples to inspire GroupCard newbies.
