All this week, we're counting down to the launch of the newly designed SocialVibe.com with previews of the exciting new site components. All the features you know and love will still be available, but in an easier to use, easier on the eyes and more effective way.

Today's sneak peek is one that will appeal to most of us - THE CAUSES. Currently, you can see what's up with your chosen charity by visiting their Cause page, which you can access via a tile on your Dashboard. Those things will still be possible with the new SocialVibe, but with added benefits. The NEW Dashboard (as we showed you yesterday) gives you awesome new ways to connect with your Cause.

1. You have a whole TAB devoted to your Cause. This is where you can watch a video about your Cause and its current goal, the total impact being made overall by the community, comments from other members about the cause, goal progress, and more.

2. Cause goal ticker located on your Dashboard. Conveniently placed at the top of the Dashboard, you'll find a ticker that helps you track your goal progress without ever having to visit the Cause page.

This kind of makes the old Dashboard look a bit outdated now, doesn't it?

What do you think, getting excited yet? We've still got several more features to share with you before our grand unveiling on October 5, so keep your eyes on The Vibe for all the latest updates!

For the past month, Keep A Breast supporters have been vying for the chance to win a 5-pack of their I <3 Boobies bracelets. To be eligible, all they had to do was successfully invite 5 friends. Fortunately for us (and our causes!), many of our members qualified!

Here are the KAB bracelet winners:

celeny
Jenn
J3NN L.A.;â„¢
John Havoc
maaggiee
Micah Billions!
Ashlee Ambition
Halie Hazardous
franparade
Kristin
brianna
sabrina [savetheboobies!]
marcolostpolo
SahSox4883
Jessica
Jenn
A.M Designz
swalker4414
HunterWunter :]
Willow6
Amanda(Y)
Zoey
mezfrekklyface
Brett Beatdown!
UnfitForSociety
Famous_gt
Drea.
otalia4life
MakeAChange
Emma
Ryan
hey itsme
ShawnisSexxay

Congratulations to all! Keep an eye out for more fun, easy ways for you to help your cause and get something back for yourself, too!

One can't deny the magic of visiting a zoo - getting the chance to see hundreds of different species from all over the world right before your very eyes. Sadly, it isn't as magical for the animals on display. Many of these zoo animals live shortened lives due to the stress of living in environments too different from their natural habitat (we're not talking conservations, which have done wonders for helping endangered species.) For humans, visiting a zoo isn't always convenient, affordable or healthy.

The BBC seems to have created one solution for animal lovers and has opened what they call the World's Largest Online Zoo.

Wildlife Finder visitors can view over 370 different species in their true natural habitats. You can browse different ecosystems, animals and habitats, the quality is amazing, and you don't have to smell monkey poo while you're waiting for the chimpanzee to come out from behind that big rock.

"It has always been my hope that, through film-making, I can bring the wonder of the natural world into people's sitting rooms," [Sir David Attenborough] said. "Now the web has totally changed how we can link information, connect people and reach new audiences in a world which likes to have things on demand."

What do you think: would you rather check out the animals online or in person at a zoo? What is your favorite exhibit to watch?

via TreeHugger

Remember that crazy Wal-Mart growth map we showed you a while ago? Now we've got one showing the viral growth of Target, too. Both big box retailers opened up shop in 1962, but Target got off to a much slower start.

Watch the animated map from data visualization specialists Flowing Data to see just how quickly the locations went from sparse to abundant from 1962-2008. Growth started off very slow in the 60s and 70s, but in the 80s and 90s, it seemed to explode almost overnight.

Which do you prefer, Wal-Mart or Target?

via GOOD

Weeks after the untimely death of DJ AM, the NYC Medical Examiner has completed the autopsy and ruled his death by drug overdose as "accidental."

The results showed "acute intoxication" due to a lethal combo of cocaine, oxycodone, Vicodin, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, Benadryl and Levamisole. That last one is a drug commonly used to cut cocaine.)

If it is even possible, this makes his passing even more bittersweet. DJ AM was a former drug addict who had recovered and was even working on a reality series for MTV at the time of his death, hoping to show youngsters the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Barely surviving a plane crash alongside Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker a year prior was said to have pushed him over the edge and back into using.

MTV recently announced that they are still planning to air the show, called Gone Too Far.

Below is DJ AM talking about the show:

Will you watch the show?

via PerezHilton

We're only a couple of months out from the premiere of New Moon, the next film in the Twilight saga, and the newest trio of promo posters for the teen vampire drama have been released. Which of these would you hang on your bedroom wall?

Are you all on the edges of your seats waiting for your first peek at the NEW SocialVibe.com? We thought so! We won't keep you waiting any longer.

The first new feature you'll be able to enjoy is a freshly designed and easier to use Dashboard. Possibly the most noticeable difference is the less-cluttered look of the Dashboard, which has tabs so you can easily monitor your activities, influence, friends, and what's happening with your Cause.

You'll be able to earn more points than before with the new Dashboard, as all sponsor activities will be listed in the main area and can be easily completed right there. You can also track your progress, as the Dashboard clearly displays the amount of points you've earned, along with a direct translation of your cause impact (i.e., 100 points = 37 days of clean water for a person in Africa.)

Additionally, all social networking tools and other points-earning activities (such as answering the Daily Question) are listed in the right sidebar.

What do you think so far? This is only the beginning of the new features that will be up and running in just 6 days. Stay tuned for another feature preview tomorrow!

If you enjoy creative skateboard videos and retro video games like Tetris, you're going to enjoy this. The following clip shows 36 skaters "freebording" down a San Francisco street to re-create the popular 90s video game.

Find out more: http://www.freebord.com