Hi, my name is Alexander van Elsas, I am 39 years old, married and have 4 children.
I am especially interested in the adoption of new (media, mobile, Internet) technologies by its users. In my blog I tend to write from a user centric point of view. If interested you can follow me on this blog , on twitter or Friendfeed. I’m a big fan of interaction, so I always try to reply to comments on my blog.
Right now I’m CEO of Glubble, a startup that is responsible for the new Glubble for Families service, a unique Family browser that connects families including small children online. Glubble provides children a safe and fun experience on the web and provides families a private family page where they can send each other messages, share photos and create family events. Glubble has been downloaded more than 700.000 times and is now used in more than 125 countries worldwide.
The past years I have also been working in the field of social media technology advising several companies on their Web 2.0 strategy and initiatives.
In a previous life I got myself a PhD in the field of computer science meeting Industrial Design (Delft Technical University: FreeForm Displacement Features in Conceptual Shape Design). After getting my PhD I went to work at the research lab of KPN, the Royal Dutch Telecommunications company in the Netherlands. I have worked there in many projects on technology/service development projects.
I then went working for KPN Mobile, where I was involved in the commercial roll-out of UMTS in the Netherlands. Part of this roll-out I worked with Waag Society to develop an UMTS Education pilot (check out Frequency 1550 project for more on this).
In my last job at KPN, I was responsible for Community developments.
9 responses so far ↓
trancending my human limitations through the web « Rolf Skyberg // October 1, 2007 at 7:43 pm |
[...] limitations through the web Of the many contacts I made while recently in the Netherlands, Alexander Van Elsa has stood out as someone really thinking about things. I’m always a fan of audacious titles [...]
Bessy // March 27, 2008 at 2:11 pm |
So you think that there’s a future in voice recognition, past English? It’s already difficult to translate preloaded text correctly into other languages, let alone automatic voice to text recognition in multiple languages, especially for mobiles. I know they have voice to text to quickly find a contact/action that’s written on a phone/phonebook… but I don’t really think, at this point in time, that voice to text is logical for global use.
Alexander van Elsas // March 28, 2008 at 8:37 am |
@bessy I would agree on that. It works for simple directives, but is difficult for natural language.
techsadhu // May 1, 2008 at 9:09 pm |
“I love trying to make technology work for the user, instead of making the user work for the technology.”
I like that quote from a Consumer’s perspective. But the R & D guys may opt for the latter.
“PhD in the field of computer science meeting Industrial Design”
I’d never heard, CS had got to do something with ID. Is this a new kind of specialization?
Alexander van Elsas // May 1, 2008 at 9:19 pm |
@techsadhu they might not look related, but if Industrial Design has taught me anything at all it is that the best designs are the simplest ones. Just think Apple and you will understand what I mean.
Web 2.0 Asia // June 3, 2008 at 10:53 am |
Hi Alexander,
I am so glad to have found this wonderful blog of yours. You seem to be monopolizing the “starred items” on my Google reader.
If you have time, come visit Openweb.Asia – sort of the web 2.0 workgroup of the Asia, where my own blog is also part of.
Alexander van Elsas // June 3, 2008 at 10:57 am |
Hi Chang (I went over to web 2.0 Asia to look up your name)
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad to hear you enjoy reading my posts 
pinastro // June 16, 2008 at 7:30 pm |
I have been regularly following your blogs.I am working in a Web 2.0 R and D lab.
I was thinking if Performance Appraisals could also be 2.0 fied just like other 2.0 revolutions.Will the Wisdom of Crowds be of any help to the Performance appraisals.Also Is there any possibility of a 360 degree appraisal with an element of Web 2.0 in it ???
Would like to get your views on it.
pinastro // June 16, 2008 at 7:31 pm |
you can email me at
pkaarthikeyan@gmail.com