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"This post is part of Mashable\u2019s Spark of Genius series, which highlights a unique feature of startups. If you would like to have your startup considered for inclusion, please see the details here.  The series is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark.\nName: Obayoo\nQuick Pitch: Obayoo combines microblogging and file sharing into one quick, easy-to-use enterprise collaboration tool.\nGenius Idea: Now that microblogging has Twitter to champion its cause, there's a slew of companies that are banking on the fact that the enterprise is ready for microblogging. You've probably heard of Yammer, and a few of the others, but lesser known Obayoo is also worth a look.\nObayoo functions in a similar fashion to other enterprise microblogging platforms, and Twitter itself, and works using your company email address. Once you provide your email address, you've started the account creation process and can invite other employees with company emails at the same domain to participate. You can even designate whether or not the invited staff members are more senior or report to you.\n\nThe site certainly has a Twitter-like feel, so you can follow other staff members, post updates, and view the company timeline.  It also one ups Twitter by supporting groups, threaded replies, and status updates with files, smart links, and hashags. Obayoo status updates can even include multiple files and be shared with all colleagues or just specific groups. Plus, all shared rich media content like links, images, files, and hashtags are saved separately and made available for future access via the top navigation menu.\n\nObayoo certainly has the enterprise microblogging basics covered, but something we really like about the web-based service is their RSS support. You'll notice that from the main view of the timeline that there's a feed tabs which could, depending on the RSS feeds and Twitter searches you add, automatically update with relevant information and pack a powerful punch in tracking news and updates surrounding your industry, customers, clients, or competition.\nIn the feeds section, Obayoo supports importing RSS feeds, Twitter search terms, messages by specific Twitterers, as well as Google blog and news search queries. Since the feeds exist in your timeline view side-by-side with company communication, feed items can be easily accessed, shared, saved to favorites, and foster discussion (via replies).\nObayoo's approach to internal microblogging is pretty innovative and might even make project collaboration, along with file, image, and link sharing a little bit more seamless for your business.\nSponsored by Microsoft BizSpark\n\nBizSpark is a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.\nEntrepreneurs can take advantage of the Azure Services platform for their website hosting and storage needs. Microsoft recently announced the \"new CloudApp()\" contest - use the Azure Services Platform for hosting your .NET or PHP app, and you could be the lucky winner of a USD 5000* (please see website for official rules and guidelines).\u201D"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2009/06/10/obayoo/>