4marks.com Announces Launch of Web Platform Connecting Catholics

Zelienople, PA (PRWeb) January 23, 2007 -- 4marks is proud to announce the launch of the 4marks.com network. 4marks.com is an Internet platform to help Catholics meet and exchange information. The use of the 4marks platform serves to enable users to then connect in the real world, and help individuals, families and communities deepen their Christian values. This powerful new venue can serve as a crucial instrument in both spreading the Faith and bringing new people into contact with each other.

"We are responding to market demands with a web platform that allows Catholics to explore and build a stronger Christian foundation in their lives, said Brian Barcaro, co-founder of 4marks.com. "First, as social networking continues to mature, there is going to be a desire from users to extract more production from these on-line activities and move beyond casual friendships, virtual interactions or finding long-lost friends. While we do not foresee the latter activities fading, the emergence of more concrete uses is unavoidable. Second, our focus continues to be on the unique needs of our vertical market. Our experience tells us that although users will continue to use more broadly focused services, they also highly value the ability to conduct certain activities within a vertical space that has a strong faith connection. We have been focused on the Catholic, and to some degree the general Christian market, and we are excited about continuing down this path with 4marks."

The 4marks platform currently consists of ten different properties, tied together by a 4marks User ID account. This account will allow a user to access any area within a 4marks property that does not require a subscription. In addition, through our menu system and cross-pollination of applications, the properties are able to connect with each other, rather than a stand-alone space.

4marks.com Services:

- Folio (beta) -- A social networking tool enabling friends and families to connect and share information.

- Events -- A dynamic events calendar, with search and calendar views of local, regional and national events. Users may also plan, invite and advertise an event to others.

- Forums -- A virtual community where people can discuss a variety of topics, as well as have friendly coffee shop conversation. The rooms range from broad-based topics to a narrow niche focus.

- 4Marks Magazine -- An on-line magazine that combines user-submitted content with well-known authors. Readers will be intrigued by many feature articles, as well as a collection of topics that can be applied to everyday life.

- Photos (beta) -- Currently, this area provides the managing and serving of photos to different areas of the 4marks network. Further development will allow social networking and photo sharing between distant friends and families.

- Polls -- Getting a pulse of what Catholics are saying, the polling property is all about fun and feedback. Members can view and participate in conversations/topics of interest.

- Singles -- Providing singles with a place to meet other individuals of similar values is a key component of this property. Rather than being in an isolated community, users can enjoy the multiple networking benefits of 4marks while maintaining the integrity of their singles community.

- Temperaments -- The 4Marks' Temperaments Test is based on a time-honored method for better understanding your natural tendencies and that of others. Our test and comparison tool provides users with insight and practical ways to work on their own tendencies, and also deal with others more productively.

- Trivia (beta) -- Our trivia area enables users to have fun, compete and learn about their faith and other topics. Racing against the clock, users can answers questions weekly and a leader board is automatically updated with new results.

- Education -- To be released in the first quarter of 2007, this property will provide users with the ability to subscribe to our Daily Catechism service for anyone aged Kindergarten to Adult. In a second phase, users will be able to enroll in a variety of on-line classes. Specific classes for RCIA, Pre-Cana, Baptismal Prep, among others, are also in development to further serve the parish and diocesan communities. The goal is to provide additional tools to Pastors, DRE's and individuals, to supplement parish/diocesan educational initiatives.

"One of the most exciting aspects of 4marks is that within our vertical platform we do not feel as though we will generally need to compete with other websites, Barcaro stated. "Our focus is to bring groups, content and services together. We want to provide groups and users who are producing content a platform that allows them to create an identity and focus on what they do well, while we focus on our strength, which is technology and marketing."

About 4marks.com

4marks.com is a dynamic web-based social and content networking platform, providing a full range of services for individual users, businesses and organizations with a concentration on the Catholic marketplace. 4marks.com is owned and managed by Acolyte, LLC.

Contact: Dan Flaherty
888-605-3977 x6

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