Techsoup Staff Becomes Daily Soup Famous

Last week I wrote about a congressional hearing focusing on virtual worlds (See post Online Virtual Worlds: Applications and Avatars in a User-Generated Medium) Turns out Susan Tenby, Techsoup's Senior Manager of Online Community Development, testified at the hearing (I'm a big fan of the Techsoup site). What do you know, the evening of 4/7/08 she became a part of a story on The Daily Show. Read all about it and watch the VERY funny video here.

Captain Kirk Should've Been a Librarian

I love the video links that come in my weekly PALINET newsletter:

Online Virtual Worlds: Applications and Avatars in a User-Generated Medium

Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet
Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
2123 Rayburn House Office Building

This was a hearing held yesterday for the Congress' Committee on Energy and Commerce.
I've only listened to the opening of this, but it shows how relevant Web2.0 is and gives an excellent explanation of Virtual Worlds. I hope to finish it at some point. Unfortunately it's only available as a .wmv file, so I can't download an mp3 or anything. Makes it harder for me to have time to listen, but it sounds very good.

Go HERE for the archived file.

Amazing Finds

Just some tidbits I have been saving up that are really quite amazing...

First, flying penguins are caught on film for the first time ever!



A new Google Search tool can see into the future.

TODAY only, you will find a special video when clicking any featured video in the list on YouTube. Be sure to check it out! (Do you know the meaning of rickroll?)

Be sure to check out the Election Deathmatch Coverage.

Finally, a Betamax to HD-DVD converter, something I've been waiting for for years.

Google and Virgin Media have joined forces with Vir-gle. You can now join the ranks of those planning to travel to Mars. I will definitely be one of the first to add my name!

Lastly, be on time everytime with Google Custom Time. This will really come in handy!

A special thank you to this site for sharing all of this breaking news with me!

Down for everyone or just me?

By now, you should figure out that The MLxperience is a great blog worth reading. I'm catching up on it today and just can't stop sharing all the great stuff she finds! Thanks for doing the work MLxperience!

So, here is a COOL site. Want to find out if Google or Twitter or Facebook are down for everyone or just you? Check out downforeveryoneorjustme.

The Future of Reputation: gossip, rumor, and privacy on the internet

Another find on The MLxperience. I hope I find the time to read this book that you can get free in PDF format online. The Synopsis states:
" What information about you is available on the Internet? What if it’s wrong, humiliating, or true but regrettable? Will it ever go away?"

Check it out here.

Web2.0 Lists for Information Professionals

Found these links to Web2.0 tools for library types at The MLxperience. Be sure to check them out:

25 Useful Social Networking Tools for Librarians from College Degree.com

e-Learning Reloaded: Top 50 Web 2.0 Tools for Info Junkies, Researchers & Students

Big Dog Quadruped Robot

I received this link in my Twitter stream this morning from user jowyang. Wow, this is really eerie. The future of the battlefield?

More WebJunction Webinars

Welcome, Stranger: Public Libraries Build the Global Village

Event Type: Spanish Outreach Webinar
Date: 4/29/2008
Start Time: 1:00 PM EST
End Time: 2:00 PM EST

Description: Learn about the recently published report, Welcome, Stranger by Urban Libraries Council from report authors, Rick Ashton and Danielle Patrick Milam. Find out five strategies for success libraries can use to support successful immigrant transitions. The first 75 registrants will receive a free copy of the Welcome, Stranger report. Registrants must provide their mailing address in the notes field when registering. For details about this month's topic and other information on past or future webinar sessions, visit: Spanish Outreach In Depth Webinars.

Registration Ends: 4/29/2008 at 11:00 AM
Other Information: please, INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL when you register.
Contact: spanishoutreach@webjunction.org
Presenter: Rick Ashton and Danielle Patrick Milam
Link: Instructions on joining webinar
Status: Openings

Rural In Focus Webinar on The Best Small Library in America

Event Type: Rural Webinar
Date: 5/1/2008
Start Time: 2:00 PM EST
Description: WebJunction and The Association for Rural and Small Libraries presents a free hour-long webinar focused on a topic important to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. Registration is NOT required for this event, but to receive a reminder via email, you may register below. For details about this month's topic and other information on past or future webinar sessions, visit: Rural In Focus Webinars.

Registration Ends: 5/1/2008 at 12:00 AM
Other Information: please, INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL when you register.
Contact: rural@webjunction.org
Link: Instructions on joining webinar
Status: Openings

Helping Spanish-speaking Patrons Prepare for the DTV Transition

Another great Webinar from WebJunction -

Join us for the next free, hour-long webinar:
April 8th, 10:00-11:00 AM PST/ 1:00-2:00 PM EST

Helping Spanish-speaking Patrons Prepare for the Digital Television Transition

The Digital TV Transition is set to affect millions of people and many will be coming into libraries looking for information and assistance. Because of the language barrier, Spanish-speaking patrons face an additional hurdle in preparing for the DTV transition. Join us for an informative presentation by Patrick Webre of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the DTV Transition and the DTV resources available to libraries.

Instructions for Joining the Webinar.

Note that registration for this webinar is optional. If you wish to register and receive email reminders, please visit the WebJunction Calendar of Events. Otherwise you may follow the instructions above to join the webinar.