WorldKit

"WorldKit is an easy to use and highly flexible mapping application for the Web. It's a Flash based app, configured entirely by XML and requires no programming or extra software. It's in the style of World as a Blog, with many customizable design elements.

If you have any sort of geographic information .. such as environmental data, weblog, site visitors, travel diary, photo albums, news .. on worldwide or local scale, check out worldKit. Take a look at the examples, and the manual. Download for free, for personal and non-commercial use." [via Scripting News]

I'd like to see WorldKit combined with this. Then keep it running on a site 24/7 to show legislators and elected officials. Then explore how to create a map that uses current data such as that from Libraries: How They Stack Up (PDF).

Time for the LJ Third Annual Movers amp Shakers

"Brian Kenney writes: 'The editors of Library Journal need your help in identifying the emerging leaders in the library world. From librarians to vendors to others who work in the field or related industries, our third annual Movers & Shakers supplement will profile up-and-coming talent: people who are innovative, creative, and making a difference. Now more than ever, library workers are creating ground-breaking services and collections for their users. But too often the people behind these exciting projects remain out of sight, known only to their peers. So help us celebrate the new professionals among us who are moving our libraries ahead. More information, and an online form, is available at www.libraryjournal.com/ljms. Nominations are due by November 1 and should be submitted to bkenney at reedbusiness.com or via fax 646-746-6734 or snail mail: Library Journal, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010.' " [LISNews.com]

Keep Library Assingments on Track

"This is the neatest thing I've seen this month: The University of Minnesota Assignment Calendar. You set todays' date and the date that your assignment is due. Next, select the topical area that your assignment covers. Then voila! The assignment calculator suggest dates and tasks that you'll need to accomplish to finish on time. Even better, is that it not tells you what tasks you need to do, but it also makes sure you understand the steps (see Quick Study - Citing Sources task) [Thanks to Scott Walter and Helga Visscher on the EBSS listserv for drawing it to our attention!]" [Education Librarian]

I really like the idea of this site, but my favorite part is that the assignment steps include AskUs at the Libraries can also help, search the library's catalog, and look up articles in an appropriate index, as well as links to online research tutorials written by librarians! Great integration - very well done!

A Mighty Wind fans should check out this Fresh Air interview with Harry Shearer (Real file here) in which you get to hear excerpts of The Folksmen's version of The Rolling Stones' hit "Start Me Up!" Not to be missed!

I didn't realize you could buy the soundtrack; I guess that's what I get for not going in record stores anymore. Now I'm faced with a dilemma because it's not available in Rhapsody. :-

I wonder how much they had to pay to do that cover....

Sneak a Peek at Next Year's Tech Tools

"From a computer shaped like a cow to 64-bit chips, Computex had something for everyone....

Intel showed off the lighter side of PC design at its booth, with a display of whimsical Pentium 4-based PC designs, ranging from one that looks like a potted plant, one in the shape of a cow, and one designed to look like books set atop a desk.

The book PC, designed by Tsai Syh, resembles books and other desktop items, such as a family photo. A stapler hides the PC's power button and a toy car is activated to let users know that the computer is running." [PCWorld.com]

I sooooooooo want one of these! I can't find any pictures of one yet, though. How cool would it be for a library to have a row of these?! When I get one, I'm going to set my librarian action figure on top of it. ;-)

Pocket PCs for the Blind

"A line of Pocket PCs for the blind from Freedom Scientific that completely lack screens; instead they have full keyboards and special 20 or 40 cell Braille matrices for 'displaying' information. [Via PocketPCThoughts]" [Gizmodo]

Libraries will need to follow this development in part because we need to make sure our web sites and online services work with these devices.

Hand/RSS

"RSS News feeds are the newest way to download and read news stories on a variety of subjects, from all over the internet. Handheld Headlines/RSS for Palm OS allows you to download these news feeds, either via a HotSync or using a direct internet connection on your Palm Power Handheld, and then read them later! Use it to keep updated with the latest news, sports and financial updates as well as read your favorite websites!" [The Connected PDA]

It's great to see aggregators becoming available specifically for PDAs/smartphones, but I actually have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I really-really-really want to take my news on the go (and I fully expect that RSS will play a big role in mobile content in the future) but on the other hand, it's difficult to follow the coveted links in my aggregator if I'm not directly connected to the net. Pervasive, ubiquitous access is going to be the key.

Do mobile aggregators argue for or against full content feeds? I'll have to wait until I get my Treo 600 (hopefully) and can test this out for myself. At that point, remote access to your aggregator must become pretty important, too.

BTW, Hand/RSS costs $14.95.