Intersect PTP, Inc.

They’re here! Story search, email notifications, automatic story posting to Facebook and more features you’ve asked for are now live on Intersect.

Here’s what’s new:

• Story search — Now you can browse Intersect by time, place, and topic. Search for stories by text and tags in the new search bar located on the top right of the site, then narrow the resulting stories by time using the time selector.
• Intersection notifications — Want to know when someone shares a story that’s about the same time and place as one of yours? Look for a notification in the Notifications feed on the home page when a new story intersects with one of yours.
• Email notifications — Now you can see who’s interacting with your stories right from your email inbox. Visit your Account page to select what sort of site activity you’d like to hear about via email. We’ll send you just one email daily with all your notifications, but look for more delivery options soon.
• Facebook story posting — Like to share Intersect stories with your friends on Facebook? Now it’s easy. Turn on default Facebook story posting from your Account page and every public story you share on Intersect will be posted to Facebook the second you hit Publish. If you’re on Twitter, we’ve got default Twitter story posting, too.
• Story-by-story Twitter and Facebook posting — Don’t want to post every story to your social networks? You can now choose which stories to post to Twitter and Facebook right from the Create a Story page, whether you’ve got default posting enabled or not.

Got more features you’d like to see on Intersect? Let us know at betasupport@intersect.com.

Enjoy the new version. As always, let us know what you think!

From tales of paperboy routes and historical events to his dozens of love letters to favorite cars, Kurt Clark has shared some great stories on Intersect.

Today, he shared a story about Intersect on Seattlepi.com’s Bellevue blog.

Intersect is “more fluid than a blog, and more emotional than a social network,” Clark wrote, summarizing Intersect’s ability to connect people through stories tied by time, place and topic.

It could even be called “organic,” because some of the connections that people have made there simply appeared without any intent, other than to find common ground. Otherwise underwhelming events become the center of attention when multiple viewpoints are involved. In that fertile ground something grows; this is what I am discovering the longer I am there.

Last week, user Jessica Wallace shared her thoughts on the site on her blog, Geekamama, and on the BlogHer network:

“After I spent a little time surfing around the site, reading stories and FAQs and getting a feel for the general vibe, I posted my first story. And just like that, I was hooked,” Wallace wrote.

The Intersect community so far has a welcoming, friendly feel, which is also a big draw for me. People have commented on stories I’ve posted, sharing memories of their own about the event or place. This really helps to foster a feeling of connection, underlining the core idea behind Intersect: we are connected to many people in many ways.

Thanks for the feedback, Kurt and Jessica! And thanks to everyone who has spread the word about the site. We learn so much from your experiences, and are constantly working to improve the site. Stay tuned!

The latest version of Intersect is now up and running, just in time for holiday storytelling. And we’ve included new features! As always, thanks to all of you for sharing stories and making suggestions. Your great feedback helps us keep improving the site.

Here are some of the new goodies you’ll find on Intersect:

• Login with Facebook — You can now create a fully functioning Intersect account using just your Facebook ID. Soon you’ll also be able to autopost your stories to Facebook. Please spread the word to your Facebook friends if they haven’t joined Intersect yet.
• Following/Follower lists — Now everyone can see a list of the people you’re following and the people following you. You can find the lists at the You page. (This is a change from the last release, where we put your following list under People.) Also, we’ve added a Follow button right on the story page, so if you see a great story by someone new, you can start following the person right away.
• iPad-compatible location selector — We’ve converted the location selector from Flash to HTML, so now you can use it on an iPad (or iPhone or iPod touch).

Enjoy the new features, folks! Any questions or comments, email us at betasupport@intersect.com. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook or Twitter to keep up with new developments. And happy holidays!

The holidays are here! And many of you have been sharing stories about your preparations for the season. You’ve described all sorts of holiday events, including glitzy parties, visits to sketchy Santas, and one epic tumble over a portable dishwasher.

Here are a few highlights:

• Jim Strange reflected on the meaning of Hanukkah and shared a beautiful picture of lit Menorahs.
• Lauren Bricker baked holiday cookies (they look delicious).
• Beth Anderson gave Santa some trouble after he and his reindeer pulled a no-show.
• On his evening stroll, Jon Mitchell spotted some pretty impressive Christmas decorations.
• Andre Tan confessed to having a large collection of Department 56 miniature buildings — which is cool.
• Jessica Wallace listened to Louis Gossett Jr. read “Peter and the Wolf.”
• Tim Haywood reminisced about holiday traditions and tripping on the dishwasher on the day he took his kids for Santa photos.
• Craig Paul Larsen Sr. caught Santa peeing from the rooftop.
• Kurt Clark recalled the overpriced wine at an otherwise enjoyable holiday party.
• And Jeff Torgerson had to fend off his labrador in order to finish decorating the Christmas tree.

Thanks for all the great stories. Happy holidays, all!

In October, writer and entrepreneur Alyssa Royse told her first Intersect story about a rude note left on her windshield. This month, she mused on the joys of being known by your neighborhood butcher.

Last week, she shared her thoughts on Intersect in a post on tech news site Seattle 2.0.

“Here’s why I think Intersect just might work – and shift paradigms,” Royse wrote:

As every social-networking site has shown us, people like to feel connected, and they like to feel heard. Intersect nails that, as do many others.

What makes them different is that they can promote a virtuous cycle of feeling connected to a community, BY being heard and promoting that community.

Intersect organizes stories in storylines and makes them discoverable at intersections of time and place. To Royse, that shows promise.

“I’ll admit it, my hopes are up on this one. I like it. I think it has legs,” she wrote.

“…This might tap into the ultimate virtuous cycle that actually bonds communities.”

Read the rest of Royse’s post here.

Dana Dyksterhuis’s Intersect stories are generous, personal and — for the most part — joyful. The devoted dog owner and favorite subject of a wayward Starbucks sketcher took some time to talk New York, “Love Actually” and why restaurant pens are awesome.

Name: Dana Dyksterhuis | Age: 39 | Birthplace: Omaha, NE | Occupation: Founder of BoastHouse

What do you like about telling your stories on Intersect?

I adore Intersect because it’s an opportunity to create an online journal of my life. My intention is very focused; and that’s to post anything from little random moments, to big meaningful stories, that ultimately my niece and nephews will read about their crazy aunt who adores them, along with — God willing — a child I hope to have someday.

I want my child and the children of my brothers and sisters to have an intimate peek into the history of their family!

How do you define a great story?

Something that touches you. That could include a sudden connection with someone, feeling compassion to a cause or person, or even feeling fear in a situation. Something that makes you laugh. Everyone has a story – but it’s hard to dig deep and find out the real, raw stuff going on. When you discover that, it’s brilliant.

On the other hand, a great story can be the simplest of things; a family recipe, a walk down the street, a moment with a secret crush. There are stories everywhere. What will you expose?

What’s your favorite story (fiction or non) of all time?

Wow. Of all time is a big one, so I’ll go with one that is in my mind right now, because it’s the holidays: the love story of Jamie Aurelia in “Love Actually.” Different languages, different lives, but wa-la, Love! Without getting too mushy, they make it happen. It’s beautiful.

Who is your favorite character (fiction or non) of all time?

Too many “characters.” My Grandma Peggy because she was hilarious, strong and a joy. The late journalist Ed Bradley for his moment with the 9/11 widow when she was crying, asking him to find her husband in the rubble and he got down on his knees to hold her hand and listen. Bridget Jones because she’s a talented mess but awesome, the Quizno’s “Sponge Monkeys” because I’m wondering, “Who in the heck are they, how weird!” Fenster in “The Usual Suspects” because he’s a hot criminal and I wanted to name my first fluffy dog after him …. Gosh, characters beautiful and bad are everywhere! I should probably stop here.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve ever met?

My Grandma Peggy. She was a single mom. A career woman. An absolutely hilarious, teeny woman full of spunk. A cancer survivor. She was my best friend and the love of my life. I miss her so much.

What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been?

It’s very cliché, but honestly, I freaking love New York! It’s the most energizing, beautiful city to me. I feel right at home whenever I go.

On a smaller scale, I love going back home to Omaha and meeting my girlfriends out for dinner at Jams and M’s Pub. Going to Mt. Fuji with my mom and other family friends, hanging out in O with nephew Dougie and going to Memphis to see sister, niece and nephew. Little spots that are great because they all have years of memories attached.

From your experience, what is the most interesting age?

Whatever age my niece Lily (now almost 2) is and nephews Peter (almost 4) and Dougie (3) are! Whatever they do is adorable and brilliant and eye-opening to me. Love them madly.

If you could relive one day in your life, what day would it be?

The night my Grandma Peggy passed. She was at home, at my mom’s, as comfortable as can be. She had “let go” and was done fighting the fight. I spent a lot of time with her that night, including napping on her bed with her and holding her hand. But about 9 o’clock I left. I wish I hadn’t. I got the call the next morning.

If you could go back and give your 10-year-old self advice, what would it be?

Keep on plugging away, little one! You’re talented and brilliant and amazing and don’t worry about what these people say to you. Someday, it truly won’t matter and you’ll be holding your head high with confidence while you’re rocking it! Believe in yourself always and stay strong! YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE LOVED. Don’t ever, ever forget it.

Dogs or cats? Both! And dolphins, tigers, bears, seals… I’m an animal freak.
Print books or digital? Hmmm… both.
Pen or pencil? Pens you get with the tab at restaurants that write perfectly… you know what I’m talking about.
Coffee or tea? The English loose-leaf tea of someone I adore.
Ski vacation or beach vacation? Neither. An adventure in NYC

Last up, give a shout out. Who’s another Intersect storyteller whose stories you’ve enjoyed reading?

So many of them! I love Evonne Benedict because of her creativity and compassion. Marie Montemayor’s photos that are attached to her stories are beautiful and remind me of how much I love Seattle. And Joanna Stevenson has the most amazing stories about family and their memories from growing up in Africa.

The stories people share are absolutely brilliant and I feel so blessed to be a part of this community.

Keep up with Dana on her Intersect storyline, her Twitter, LinkedIn and on her website, BoastHouse.com

Books, coffee and way too little sleep.

It’s finals time at the nation’s colleges, and students at Carnegie Mellon University are taking us back with caffeine-laden stories of academia, procrastination and late nights.

So best of luck to Kristen Hauser, Molly Hall, Joshua Hixson, Stacey Chin and every other student locked up in a campus library this week for the benefit of their brains.

The holiday break is coming soon, we promise you. Just a few more days!

The latest build of Intersect is now live! Thanks to all of you who’ve been working with us over the past few months to make the site better. It’s an enormous help to us and, hopefully, to the broader Intersect community.

• The invitation code has been lifted (hooray!). Now your friends can sign up for Intersect without delay.
• The site is now open to Canadian users, and the iPhone app is available in Canada.
• Using the Follow button, you can now follow other Intersect members. (Many of you requested this feature — thanks for the feedback.)
• Twitter users can log in to Intersect, comment on stories, thank others, and follow members — all without creating a regular Intersect account. Now it’s easier and more fun to share your Intersect stories with your Twitter followers.

There are other changes too, including some reorganization (the old Organizer features now live at the You page) and a new look (check out the new logo).

Again, thanks for all of your great feedback and please keep it coming. (PS — and thanks again to all of our friends here in Seattle who helped Intersect win the Flashies “No Longer in Stealth” award — we so appreciate it.)

Oct. 23, Seattle, Wash. -- Valentina Vitols catches 'Silver Man' on break.

No matter how well you think you know the places you go, something is always bound to surprise you.

Over the last few weeks, people have been sharing some of the unusual, unexpected or delightful things they’ve seen in their neighborhoods. Has something turned your head lately? Here’s a roundup:

A curious character, June 30, Los Angeles, Calif. — Ana H. didn’t know quite what to make of her flowered, fedora’d and Flinstone fleeced fellow passenger on her bus to West Hollywood, even when she saw him again, grooving to Latin tunes.

Singing in the rain, Oct. 30, Kirkland, Wash. — Luiz Marques spotted workday enthusiasm in an unusual place — a cold, rain-drenched street corner where a woman hired to hold up a sign for a local business danced her shivers away.

Otherworldly, April 9, New Orleans, Louis. — Is it a park, or an extraterrestrial outpost? Mark thought the decor made this grassy area resemble the latter, and has the eerie picture to make his case.

Fame and doughnuts, Nov. 24, Redmond, Wash. — Even the CEO of Microsoft can’t resist some doughy goodness. Kurt Clark spotted the local celebrity at the local Safeway supermarket, stocking up.

All we can say is, “Thanks!”

Two weeks after polls opened on its website, Seattle tech news site TechFlash announced that Intersect had won its Flashie award for being the most promising startup that’s ‘No Longer Stealth.’

Founder Peter Rinearson accepted the honor at The Flashies awards ceremony Wednesday night, thanking the Intersect team and everyone who supported the site.

“Of course, we’re thrilled,” Rinearson said today. “It’s wonderful to be part of such a vibrant tech community.”

Thanks to TechFlash — especially co-founders John Cook and Todd Bishop — and to everyone who voted for all the nominees! Here’s Techflash’s write-up on the event.