Category Archives: Geekness

Want to know what people are talking about? Check out Omigli

Thanks again to the Poynter Organization for sharing the info about a new search tool.

“Omgili, a relatively new site that searches online discussions very effectively … scans millions of online discussions on more than 100,000 message boards and forums.”

What I like about this as opposed to a Google Alert, which returns results on the recently posted, is that Omgili scans — or crawls — forums and discussion groups.

Perhaps I’d get the same results from the Google groups scan, but my recent check for engineers and geeks seemed to turn up none of the same info in the top page or two of results.

More thoughts on Web 2.0 … The Machine is Us/ing Us

Got my speakers going and checked the sound on the link for the last post.
Then I stumbled on this similarly produced pencil and paper reply. I just had to share it.

I’m thinking here about conversation and growth of ideas.

The original Wesch video Web 2.0 … The Machine is Us/ing Us explained something, the follow-up by CoryTheRaven questioned the thought. It reminded me that some time ago I saw this post from ResourceShelf about a Webcast Online: Why Large Companies Should Out-Innovate Small Ones

They referenced a weblecture by Dan Hesse where he suggested that big companies “make it impossible for the smaller guys to compete.”

But the fact of the matter is this: Ideas don’t come from teams. Ideas come from individuals. It is key to growth of the idea that others participate in the development of the full concept. But the idea has to start someplace.

Somebody has to ask that first question. Somebody has to say — out loud — in a meeting, “The Emperor has no clothes.” Somebody has to say, “Wouldn’t it be cool if we didn’t need to use candle light to see?”

Or perhaps better put, someone has to first imagine that there is a question. Ask it and begin to find the answer.

So
Happy viewing. Happy thinking. Happy writing.
Share your thoughts or ideas, or no one gets the benefit.

Tell me what you think.

What is Web 2.0?

Web2_0
Have you been hearing references to Web 2.0 and don’t quite get what that means… No, it’s not a new programing language. If you want the whole magilla on it, check out this piece over at O’Reilly Media for more information than you could possibly need, unless, of course, you DO need it. (BTW, you should know, there is more than one O’Reilly in the world)

But if you just want to get the basic idea so you can sound smart at parties, check out this great video hosted over on YouTube explaining Web 2.0 by Michael Wesch, associate professor of cultural anthropology at Kansas State University.

I have to tell you that the new set up of my machine is not quite complete and has left me without speakers… but I didn’t want to wait to tell you about great video. It easily gets the message across even in silence. My apologies if the sound is weird… but I’m betting it’s not.

I don’t know how many people might notice that the beginning of this short flick looks an awful lot like “Why Man Creates” the 1968 classic short film by Saul Bass.

I must have seen that movie 20 times while I was in college. Art professors showed it as well as my favorite Math King, Marvin Brubaker, who retired last year from Messiah College in Grantham, PA. (He once told me he was the only democrat there… OK, maybe one of a very few.) But they honored him at a great retirement gig that I was pleased to attend.

Funny how your favorite professor, who you thought really liked you best, really seemed to like everyone best? How cool is that? How fortunate for those of us who felt special … even if it was less than we really imagined.

Is MySpace the New Pot?

In the December 31 column “On Blogs” by Troy McFCullough in the
Baltimore Sun
“’07 may be year bloggers break free of all the hype.”

Daryl Plummer, chief Gartner fellow, is quoted by the Associated Press about blogs:

“A lot of people have been in and out of this thing. …Everyone thinks they have something to say, until they’re put on stage and asked to say it.”

Then this morning, according to ResourceShelf, which is “.. where dedicated librarians and researchers share the results of their directed (and occasionally quirky) web searches for resources and information.” (If you aren’t actually a librarian, you might have NOT idea about the kinds of quirky things these pros can dig up. How about the “Atlas to Plucked Instruments”? Wait, I digress…)

The ResourceShelf reported this morning:

More than half (55%) of all online American youths ages 12-17 use online social networking sites, according to a new national survey of teenagers conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Past President Bill Clinton may made the most famous denial of his association with marijuana in March of ’92 when he said simply, “I didn’t inhale.” But he certainly was neither the first nor the last to get poked because may — or may not — have dabbled in drugs. The more accessible the forbidden is the more people will try them. (n.b. I am NOT encouraging or condoning drug use or experimentation. I am mother, for cryin’ out loud!)

Today, checking on a candidate’s past drug use is as common as checking on the attitudes and dalliances of his youth. It’s part of the business of politics. Tomorrow, it will be checking them on the internet or in the archives of ancient online BulletinBoards, UserGroups, MySpace,YouTube and other such on line social networks.

In my opinion parents today go way over board by teaching children to fear strangers. We all need healthy respect for that with which we have no experience. We don’t (please tell me you don’t) send money to Nigerians who send emails offering us millions of dollars for our help. We don’t eat food we find in the street.

We can be polite if someone asks for directions. But we don’t get in the car with them to take them to their destination. Respect vs. fear.

I am not making a statement about drugs here. Don’t suppose I am. Don’t infer it. I am not talking about drugs.

However, I am talking respect.

We must not fear MySpace or the internet. We must be careful; we must it wisely. Because in the end, the ether is absolutely NOT PRIVATE. And your mother WILL find out what you did here.

Happy New Year.
Watch what you say!

Kerch