Fluidinfo provides users with a convenient way of accessing and sharing data on any chosen topic, be it in the form of text, music, tips, and video, as well as everything in-between. Along with supplying relevant information from various sources, the service allows users to make finding data an easy social sharing experience; users can sign in via Twitter and start tagging away sources worthwhile enough to serve up for discussion. Most importantly, users can add to the data already stored in the database. Every time a user comes across an “object” - a collection of tags, which has no owner - there is always the opportunity to add new information to it - the main idea of Fluidinfo.

Cloud Database

A cloud database, as described by Fluidinfo’s founder Terry Jones, is simple and natural. It is distinguished by its reputation as a shared database without rigidity and tight control over information. Any application you can think of is allowed to store their information in Fluidinfo’s database, thus creating a pooling effect. For example, a simple interest search for “Russia” will generate several categorizations of data contributed by various websites and individual people. There are videos from Youtube, a plethora of current events from several encyclopedias or blogs, music listings from SoundCloud, an avalanche of books from Amazon, references from Wikipedia, and finally, your own added tags if you actually have anything relevant to contribute to the already bustling stock of data.

Using Fluidinfo is almost analogous to walking into a unique thrift shop, in that you never quite know what random, yet relevant jewels you will come across. Literally any interest a user decides to type into the search engine has the potential to have a database of esoteric findings attached to it.

Security

Security, especially with regards to cloud databases, is a popular topic of discussion. Fluidinfo confronts that question by implementing a straightforward set of conditions for any form of information users choose to share through the database. The website has a permissions guideline that serves to provide privacy control.

Everyone is granted read access to information, but write access is limited to the author of the information. If a user decides to add data into the database they are the sole controllers of their tags - no one else can alter it unless they have been given permission to do so. Again, tags can be added freely by anyone, there is no need to ask the database for permission (the beauty of Fluidinfo).

Browser Compatibility and Funding

The website is currently compatible with Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browser extensions; it simply will not load if used with any other browser, like Internet Explorer. Since 2009 to present day, Fluidinfo has raised $1.3 million in funding from various investors. In a nutshell, it’s on a mission to create and develop a way for everyone and anyone who has information about something to always have a place to put it. The kicker is that you are never obliged  to ask for permission - a truly “fluid” process.