Welcoming You Back For the Very First Time

For the past few mounts, Team Grapevine has been harbouring a secret, and we're thrilled to be able to finally let you in on it.

Shortly after we launched the initial Beta of Grapevine, we took a clone from its best bits, pruned the bits you told us you weren't crazy about, and added a sprinkle of our Special Sauce (the spicy one).

And thence a new Grapevine grew, bigger, stronger, richer. Free of genetically modified junk, just natural growth, thanks in no small part to the hundreds of you who provided direct and indirect feedback on our first Beta.

And we've just brought it out for all to see.

So what's changed, and why?

Well first off, Grapevine has changed attire to become an application you install on your computer. We are all Web lovers, and were somewhat reluctant to leave the cosy ambience of a web browser... but found we had to in order to provide you with an always-on, finger-on-the-pulse experience. No longer do you have to 'remember' to navigate to Grapevine. The app will start itself up for you, and will let you hear things you want to - when you want to.This is a key part of putting you in the place where conversations flow by.

We have also taken the opportunity to revisit how you interact with vines and other people. You simply 'follow' vines that are important to you, and can then choose whether each one should be audible or muted. Your 'Followed Vines' view lets you hear things of interest almost immediately, across all your vines. You discover new vines through the Vinery, which is fully searchable and browsable.

You will encounter three types of vines - open, public and private. An open vine is 'open' to everyone - anyone may post, or listen to existing posts. A public vine can also be listened to by anyone, but only members can post. And a private vine is just that - private to its members, both for posting and browsing.

In all honesty, this is just scratching the surface. There are numerous other changes. Our aim has been nothing short of turning Grapevine into a unique voice communication experience. One where you can readily interact with others, on your own terms. You can remain tuned into your very own stream of conversation, discussion, opinion, sweet nothings, rants and raves. You can overhear things that make you go 'aaah', 'uuuggghhh', 'hmmm', 'grrr'... and elect toreadily share these emotions with your cohorts, or keep them to
yourself. You get to pick whether you engage in real time, in your own time... or not at all!

Hopefully we've managed to whet your appetite a bit. Watch this space for further news. And please do let us know what you think... We are in effect creating a new medium, and we know that it takes time to get everything just right, so this is one discussion you'll find us following with undivided attention!

Keep talking, and catch you soon, on a vine somewhere near....