What would the 23 Things look like a year from now? A month from now? Tomorrow? Web applications that are new, shiny and cutting edge today are so rapidly refined and replaced that it's difficult to know what to focus our collective attention on.
I appreciated the opportunity to explore many of the things, but the most interesting part of the experience was the exercise of creating and adding to the blog itself; living a web 2.0 activity that I might never have done otherwise. Observing others take tentative steps in the program, then gain confidence in their own ability to venture into uncharted web territories was also satisfying.
I would be happy to participate in another "discovery exercise", were one to be offered. But schedule it for the winter months; early dark and cold temperatures are more conducive conditions for bathing in computer's light.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thing 22: The Illustrated History of Furniture
Project Gutenberg is fascinating. Perusing the top 100 Ebooks is quite eye opening. One might have expected Pride and Prejudice, Ulysses, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. But--Lameness of the Horse? Round-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and Fancy? Handwork in Wood?
Although I am not an audiobook person, I can sympathize with all the iPod owners who are left out of this. I think we need to look ahead to the growth of downloadable video as the next big thing.
Although I am not an audiobook person, I can sympathize with all the iPod owners who are left out of this. I think we need to look ahead to the growth of downloadable video as the next big thing.
Thing 21: So many choices
I found Yahoo Podcasts an inviting site for exploring the podcast world. The selection is so vast, and the tags so unpredictable (can you tell that I am still not a fan of random tagging?), that the favorites and most populars so prominently displayed made it easier to choose something. I also found the descriptions when searching rather inviting.
I recommend the Weekly Ryan if you like your call in radio shows delivered in an Irish accent.
I recommend the Weekly Ryan if you like your call in radio shows delivered in an Irish accent.
Thing 20: An old friend
YouTube has helped me catch award show speeches and news-making footage I've missed, fueled reminiscences of Phil Rizzuto ("The Money Store!"), and identify music when I'm not sure of the tune. Trying to guess what tags will bring up the best hits can be a challenge.
It's a great place for nascent filmmakers to get some exposure for their work.
You should also check out Vimeo. Great for all your lip dub needs.
It's a great place for nascent filmmakers to get some exposure for their work.
You should also check out Vimeo. Great for all your lip dub needs.
Thing 19: Yelp is my new best friend
I love yelp! I searched for various stores, restaurants, etc. in specific neighborhoods in a specific borough of a specific big city and was able to find reviews, recommendations, maps...everything I like when I embark on a trip. I will definitely use and recommend this site. Great for people travelling to new places, laptop in hand, wireless in the air!
Thing 18: A good thing
My faith in Web 2.0 has been restored with a visit to Zoho Writer. This is a useful tool. Based on the number of disks and flashdrives that are left behind in the public computers, a web-based word processing site with storage capabilities is an idea whose time has come.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Thing 16: Insert clever title here
Two experiences with Wikipedia:
My son tested it by adding his name to the famous people's birthday list. It was expunged within the hour.
I was curious about a director that made a guest appearance on Entourage last season. His Wikipedia entry included, in addition to some helpful biographical information, on which specific street corners in NYC he purchased his cocaine. The caption to his photo helpfully described him as a crack addict.
This was all gone the next day.
I like the idea of the wiki being used for book discussions and recommendations.
My son tested it by adding his name to the famous people's birthday list. It was expunged within the hour.
I was curious about a director that made a guest appearance on Entourage last season. His Wikipedia entry included, in addition to some helpful biographical information, on which specific street corners in NYC he purchased his cocaine. The caption to his photo helpfully described him as a crack addict.
This was all gone the next day.
I like the idea of the wiki being used for book discussions and recommendations.
Thing 15: Man and machine
My concern about the many "2.0" activities is that while they are supposed to foster community, collaboration, and social networking, they are in reality solitary pursuits: one person, a screen, a keyboard. Time spent blogging, uploading, and tagging is time not spent interacting with others in person.
I was therefore most encouraged by Wendy Schultz's pespective, "To a temporary place in time". Library 4.0, library as salon, "knowledge spa": putting the human element back into the library experience.
I was therefore most encouraged by Wendy Schultz's pespective, "To a temporary place in time". Library 4.0, library as salon, "knowledge spa": putting the human element back into the library experience.
Thing 14: A portmanteau
Technorati is just too much of a mess of stuff for me. Too random, too often offensive, too I-just-don't-care-about-these-random-musings-ish. I just claimed this blog, so it will be interesting (only to me) to see if anyone hits me.
The best part of exploring Technorati was the opportunity to learn the word "portmanteau".
The best part of exploring Technorati was the opportunity to learn the word "portmanteau".
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