Thing 21: Podcasts, Smodcasts!

I really don't like bloglines. I find it cumbersome and pointless. I've been getting podcasts a long time without it, and I've been just fine. Once again, I can find these things if I want to, I don't need someone to manage it (rather poorly) for me.

Thing 20: You too can YouTube

There are a ton of things that we could do with YouTube. Any time there's any kind of media that relates to any of our programs we can use the embedding to show kids stuff on the website. YouTube is a tremendous resource, but you have to be careful, because sometimes people don't own the things they post and we don't want to be showing illegal content. Other than that, it's fine. I chose this video because it makes me laugh. But if you're easily offended or have a poor sense of humor about the absurd, don't watch it.

Thing 19: Discovering Web 2.0 tools

I chose Linked In, a social networking tool. I thought that it was an interesting idea, and since I'm a technology guy I figured I'd see people like me on there. Since nerds of a feather flock to similar websites.... or something that's actually clever....

The pages are a little cluttered, but I think it's because they're trying to avoid having lots of frames and menus to go through. I just think they'd be better served by putting a few in there.

Social networking is good for everybody, so yeah, I suppose it could be useful here too.

Thing 18: Web-based Apps: There not just for desktops

The online versions of these kinds of applications are becoming more and more powerful, and professional looking. It used to be that the documents and interfaces looked like crap, but not anymore. I was also impressed that there are ways to synch documents on your pc with your online account. Pretty cool.

Thing 17: Playing around with PBWiki

Riveting. Absolutely riveting. It works just like other wiki's. computers can do that...

Wiki's

As always the danger of Wiki's is that not everyone knows what they're talking about and the site can't be monitored continuously. It's a great way to find information, especially when it's pop culture info, but it's dangerous to rely on for correctness.

Library 2.0

People like labels. So if Library 2.0 helps you conceptualize a new version of the old system, that's fine. But really all the whole 2.0 business is really about is adapting to change. The world is changing faster than ever, and government is notorious for moving slowly, so is it a surprise that people need a "thing" to embrace in order to move forward? Like my magazine cover says, catching up to the 90's.

Technorati

I took a look at the top ten searches on technorati and it's really sad to me that two of them are Antonella Barba and Paris Hilton. Then there's Richard Jeni, who just killed himself. People are so sad.