Lafango
[[File:Lafango-logo-1010.png]]
{{Infobox dotcom company
| company_logo = [[File:Lafango-logo-1010.png|232px]]
| company_type = [[Private company|Private]]
| launch_date = July 2008
| location = [[New York Metropolitan Area]]
| url = [http://lafango.com/ lafango.com]
| website_type = [[User-generated content|User Created Content Sharing]] & [[Social network service|Social Network]]
| registration = Free
| current_status = ACTIVE
}}
'''Lafango''' is a [[social media]] website that allows users to create profiles, upload and share unlimited media (audio, video, images, and text), communicate in user created communities, compete in contests, create free [[electronic press kit|electronic press kits]], and blog. Previously named TalentTrove, the website was named one of the top 10 Internet companies to watch out for in 2009 not only in terms of the idea but for its technology and adoption.<ref name="Siliconindia.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/53206|title=10 Internet Companies To Watch Out For in 2009|author=Silicon India |date=2009-03-04 |accessdate=2009-03-09}} ''Siliconindia.com''</ref> It serves as a multimedia platform for talents and [[talent scout|talent]] seekers and provides an artistic community for like-minded individuals to share and grow.<ref name="Silicon India">{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconindia.com/magazine/articledesc.php?articleid=OVAC721885408|title=Virtual Stage To Showcase Your Talent |author=Silicon India |date=2009-03 |accessdate=2009-03-09}} ''Siliconindia.com''</ref>
Lafango boasts original, user-generated media content. This differentiates it from other social networking and Media sharing sites because users only upload media that they have attested to creating themselves.<ref name="Network Solutions">{{cite web|url=http://blog.networksolutions.com/2009/a-trove-of-undiscovered-talent-an-interview-with-talenttrovecoms-founder-davinder-singh/|title=A Trove of Undiscovered Talent - An Interview with TalentTrove.com’s founder, Davinder Singh |author=Mayra Ruiz-McPherson |date=2009-05-15 |accessdate=2009-05-15}} ''networksolutions.com''</ref>
==Features==
===Media Sharing===
Lafango is a social networking site built around [[user-generated content]]. Whereas users of [[YouTube]] might upload any video they find interesting, the focus of Lafango is each person’s individual talent, regardless of what kind of content he or she creates. That means only original works are shared on the site.<ref name="mashable.com">{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2010/01/22/talenttrove-helps-creatives-build-online-portfolios-for-free/|title=TalentTrove Helps Creatives Build Online Portfolios For Free |author=Samuel Axon |date=2010-01-22 |accessdate=2010-01-22}} ''mashable.com''</ref> TalentTrove users can upload a variety of [[multimedia]] types. Once media is uploaded, it is then associated with the uploading user's stage.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | left
|-
! Media
! Formats
|-
| Video , HD Video (720, 1080)
| width="200px" | .AVI, .DV, .MOV, .QT, .MPG, .MPG2, .MPEG, .MPEG2, .MPEG4, MP4, 3QP, 3G2, .ASF, .FLV, .WMV (more)
|-
| Image
| .JPG, .JPEG, .GIF, and .PNG
|-
| Audio
| .MP3, .M4A, .WAV, and .WMA
|-
| Text
| Direct Input, Copy & Paste
|}
Users can also create text documents which will be displayed in Lafango's text reader with the purpose of online self publishing. The reader application presents text to the viewer like a book.
===Stage===
A user's stage on Lafango is a virtual portfolio which contains background information as well as a browser for media viewing. Each stage has a unique [[URL]] based on user name of the individual. Within Stages, users can group their media together by media file type. The presentation of each collection of files changes based on the file type associated with that collection. Video, Audio, Images, and Text collections all have unique layouts that make the viewing and browsing experience very easy on the visitor.
[[File:Lafango-stage-images.png]]
[[File:Lafango-stage-text.jpg]]
[[File:Lafango-stage-audio.jpg]]
[[File:Lafango-stage-video.jpg]]
===Media Discovery===
Tag, title, description, and categorizing system all allow for users to specify how they prefer their media to be found. Singers, musicians, painters and dancers are represented, alongside more niche talents like extreme stunts, hair styling and [[culinary arts]]. This allows users the option to portray themselves in more than one category and display their talents in the correct classification.<ref name="nj.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2009/04/web_survival_aspiring_artists.html|title=Web Survival: Aspiring artists can get the break they need at networking website |author=Leslie Kwoh |date=2009-04-24 |accessdate=2009-04-24}} ''nj.com''</ref> A location search can also be executed, allowing for talent seekers and agents to find particular types of performers for a specific location.
===Stage Of The Day===
Lafango highlights users on the homepage through Stage. Stage of the Day is an honorary award given to a different registered user on a daily basis. This user is chosen because of their contribution to the site, participation in the community, media quality, and presentation.
===Contests===
To promote user interaction on the site, Lafango also offers free contests with varying themes and prizes with the winners usually being picked by way of community voting.
====Recurring Contests====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Contest
!First Prize
|-
| [http://lafango.com/photoshop-contest Mashup Mondays]
| align=center | Prize Pool
|-
| [http://lafango.com/poetry-contest Writers Wednesdays]
| align=center | Prize Pool
|-
|}
====2009 Contests====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Contest
! First Prize
|-
| Michael Kelly Best Guitar Solo Contest
| align=center | Electric Guitar
|-
| Best Electronica Song
| $250 Sam Ash Gift Card
|-
| What's Your Story? Writing Contest
| align=center | $250
|}
====2010 Contests====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Contest
!First Prize
|-
| [http://lafango.com/photography-contest-2010 Photography]
| align=center | $1000
|-
| [http://lafango.com/cute-kid-contest Most Photogenic Child]
| align=center | $1000
|-
| [http://lafango.com/best-comedy-skit Best Comedy Skit]
| align=center | $100 iTunes Gift Card
|-
| [http://lafango.com/bollywood-singer-contest Bollywood Singer]
| align=center | Rs. 5 Lakh ($10000)
|-
| [http://lafango.com/miss-eworld-2010-beauty-pageant Miss eWorld]
| align=center | $10000
|-
| [http://lafango.com/gogreen-essay-contest GoGreen College Essay]
| align=center | $1000 Scholarship
|-
| [http://lafango.com/photography-contest-2010 Photography: Action!]
| align=center | $500 in Cash Prizes
|-
| [http://lafango.com/singing-sensation Singing Sensation]
| align=center | $350 in Cash Prizes
|-
| [http://lafango.com/gospel-singing-contest Gospel Singer]
| align=center | $1000 Church Donation
|-
| [http://lafango.com/cute-pet-contest World's Cutest Pet]
| align=center | $150 in Cash Prizes
|-
| [http://lafango.com/school-photo-contest Student Photography]
| align=center | $250 Scholarship
|}
===[http://lafango/radio Lafango Radio]===
Lafango Radio is the online [[streaming radio]] station of Lafango.com. It launched in December 2008 and broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It solely plays original, user-generated content. On January 28, 2009, Lafango Radio was picked up by [[iTunes]], a digital media player developed by [[Apple Inc.]]. It is listed in the Alternative category and has three available streams: 32 kbit/s, 64 kbit/s, and 128 kbit/s.
===[http://lafango.com/tv Lafango TV]===
Lafango TV is the online streaming television station of Lafango.com. Similar to the radio station, it only features original user content and is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The channels that are offered are comedy, sports, models, chefs, actors, and vocalists.
==Company history==
TalentTrove.com was launched in July 2008 and is based out of the [[New York Metropolitan area]].
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://lafango.com/ Lafango] Official Site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lafango}}
[[Category:Social media]]