I was invited to an earlier version of The Venice Project, the TV-related project from the wizards behind Skype. An NDA has prevented me from writing about any details of the experience including screenshots, but I can and will admit that I didn’t spend much time with it. Sort of an in, check it out, look around, and get out experience.

I’m very interested in TV on the web. I just tried using my login to checkout the new version of Venice Project, strangely name changed to Joost and it didn’t work, so not sure if my beta status is still valid (anybody else able to get in?). Whatever the case, I know two things I don’t like that carry no NDA.

The name and the design.

How do you say it? Juh-ooo-st? Joooost? It doesn’t have the appeal that Skype had. Who wants to be a Jooster? Is the name easier to remember than The Venice Project? Perhaps, but it’s not very appealing.

And what’s with the psychedelic color scheme? Doesn’t work for me. Why not something that better represents it is a TV-related project? Do you like the name Joost better than The Venice Project? Premature name and design change and breakaway from the Venice Project linkage. Why not start out with Joost?

Not sure when Joost will offer a public beta, but their best move would be waiting as long as it takes to polish and perfect the software, not changing names and perpetuating the clubbiness of an invite only with NDA marketing strategy.

• Skype automatic contact syncing in version 1.2 beta
• Skype public API
• Skype to go to release status in summer with SkypeOut paid service
• Up to five step process sending money via PayPal with Skype 3.2 beta
• New Skype upgrade available (0.95.0.25):
• Mac users will get Google Desktop … someday