In developing Rayt, we have learned that there are tons of web annotation programs out there (over forty at our last count).  There are even a lot of social annotation products aimed at helping researchers and co-workers share information with each other.

But our vision is broader.  We want the entire world to collaborate in redefining the Internet.  We want every webpage to be the result of democratic deliberation.  We want the world to speak truth to power and we want them to speak that truth on the websites of the powerful.  

But we can't do it alone.   We can only define truth together, by pooling our collective knowledge and correcting each other's ignorances and blindspots, by complementing each other's expertise. 

Defining truth is social, and we think the more opinions the better.  To this end, we will be adding features to make Rayt more social.  The Rayt web portal will include

1. PROFILE PAGES where users can provide some information about themselves and display an RSS feed of  their comments and rayting.
2. TRIBES are groups you join that reflect your interests as a rayter (2008 election, consumer rights, news junkies, etc.).  When another member of your tribe posts a comment you will be alerted on your profile so you can respond to or rayt their comment.

We'll be adding other features to stress the social nature of Rayt and to draw more users to post and rayt comments.  Let us know if you have any suggestions about making rayt feel more like a community.