Reframe It

Reframe It is a free social networking and website annotation/commenting tool that requires the download of a free browser extension or the addition of a bookmarklet (no download). This Mozilla add-on is a virtual margin at the right of any internet page that users can open or close to make comments. The newest version, Version 2.0, works with Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, and Safari.^[1]

Reframe It allows users to comment anywhere on the web - without the permission of the website’s owner - and to instantly view and share comments through social networks like Facebook and Twitter, groups, blogs and e-mail.^[2][3]

Reframe It lets users highlight specific text or photos for comment, create bookmarks, import contacts, join groups, add tags and ratings, filter, follow and reply to comments, although it takes users a few moments to familiarize themselves with the tools.^[4][5] Users can also create groups based around specific topics, making it useful for friends or coworkers.^[6]

Reframe It currently has two offices, one located in San Francisco, CA. and another located in Boulder, CO.

History

Bobby Fishkin founded Reframe It with engineer Brian McKinney and UVA Master of Computer Science graduate Ben Taitelbaum. The concept of website annotation was inspired by the marginalia in Shakespeare’s works .^[7]

The company was officially launched October 8, 2008.^[8]

Reframe It has filed patents to protect its software.^[9]

The name Reframe It stems from a user's ability to make comments in order to "frame" any online material as they see fit.

Response

The NYTimes was “impressed with the user interface design and functionality" of Reframe It, though at the time it launched felt that its features were “a bit limited”.^[10] Though some early critics from CNET News felt that the commenting concept may have been outdated, they described it as “a tour bus for the Web, in which groups can see everything out there, but stick together nonetheless.” ^[11]

Reframe It won the 2009 OnMedia Award in the Community Platforms category.^[12]

References