Next Generation ebook

I just logged onto Amazon for some quick pre-black Friday shopping from the sofa, and could help but see the large promo for the newest in ebook technology. Apparently Amazon has been working hard the last 3 years on rolling out the latest in a wireless, hand held reader -- Kindle.

It runs $399 and was designed "to disappear in your hands," putting the focus back onto the content and away from clunky devices. Amazon is loaded with promotional materials talking up the new device.

Count me in. I'll try to order one next week, and give this a test drive. The star rating doesn't look great, but comments from beta testers seem very positive.

Why Not Flickr?

Many libraries are wrapping a lot of money or development hours into building platforms for storing and providing online access to digital collections. The majority of these collections are based on historical photos collections that are public domain images. So... why not simply add the collections to Flickr. Libraries can add the initial tags to make searching easy. Once they are on flickr, the larger community can add tags, image notes, etc. to build upon the collection.

We are getting ready to digitize a small collection of historic photos at my library for the city's 150 birthday. We had a planning meeting today on how to approach the project. I threw this on the table, and we are running with the idea. We'll check out the API's available on Flickr, and go from there. I'll post once the project is complete.

In the meantime, before signing that contract with the hefty price tag for a digital content solution, ask the question... why not flickr?

"ellll-mo!"

Yes, Elmo... ugh! Until a week ago we had no Elmo in our house. However, my son somehow knows exactly who he is. Elmo has crept into his vocabulary as one of his first couple hundred words... sigh!

I was dismayed, but have decided it is okay. After all Elmo is a part of pop culture for little tykes today, the toddler equivalent to Brittany. Being literate in American culture is knowing the big stars, right?

Anyways, he already has the Elmo doll in his crib, and I'm sure the holidays will bring a spoiling of Elmo from the g-parents.

Just no McD's. I cannot handle the golden arches.