So I finally got a Shoutcast Server working with the WinAmp DSP plug-in on my home PC, and I'm able to stream it to Pocket Tunes on my Treo. How cool is that?!

Of course, now I have to find the time to create playlists for the various scenarious in which I envision myself using this. For example, the first one I want to create is a baseball-themed one for between innings at Brent's games. I plan to wow the other parents with this one! After that, maybe a library-themed one that I can play as people slowly congregate in the room where I am giving a presentation.

Oh, the possibilities!...

I would love to get a grant to have 37signals design an online library catalog. I've been reading their book Defensive Design for the Web: How To Improve Error Messages, Help, Forms, and Other Crisis Points because I'm redesigning our merged web site/extranet/intranet, and while most of the suggestions in the book are fairly intuitive, most of us don't take the time to add in all the little niceties and user-supportive framework. It's a very quick read and an easy ILL for library webmasters.

It looks like I'll be using ColdFusion on a Windows server for the new MLS site, so if anyone has suggestions for CF-based aggregators, RSS-generators, bulletin boards, blogging software, and kitchen-sink functionality, I'd love to hear them.

Hoosiers Get Free Software Online

"SimIndiana software is designed to let residents use any computer to access personal files and software stored on a remote server. The applications include e-mail, file management, file and group sharing, and remote printing. Residents can also download tools for word processing, making spreadsheets, and managing calendars and contacts.

The package is available at the state's official Web site. State agencies like the Indiana Public Library and the Department of Workforce Development will help people use the software from their public access terminals....

'SimIndiana is the first statewide technology inclusion program of its kind, and we are making it available to all Hoosiers at no cost,' Lt. Gov. Kathy Davis said in a statement. 'This eliminates the economic barriers that have prevented some people from utilizing and benefiting from technology.' " [CNET News.com]

I love the idea, even as I cringe at the thought of the FBI culling through the personal data these residents will store on State servers, but I really take issue with Lt. Gov. Davis' statement. This may "eliminate the economic barriers," but there is most definitely a cost to Hoosiers. In this case, it just happens to take the form of censorship on library terminals that have been forced to filter legitimate information for patrons who may not even know this is happening, let alone that they need to proactively request the filter be turned off.

Someone needs to tell every Hoosier named "Richard" who goes by the name "Dick" that he'll have to request the filter be turned off each and every time he uses SimIndiana on a library-filtered computer that broke down his economic barriers.

SmartStream™ Alliance Newsreader Brings RSS One Step Closer to Mainstream

"SmartStream™ Alliance (http://smartstreamalliance.com/) just released a desktop newsreader for the Kerry campaign that uses technology from MyST Technology Partners. This demonstrates a unique perspective concerning smart Internet applications and the use of RSS in friendlier ways. Imagine the possibilities as you experiment with this free download." [Think Outside The Feed]

This is an interesting step for RSS readers, but it would make more sense to make this web-based, rather than a desktop client. In another step towards the mainstream, Time Magazine has named Bloglines one of its 50 Coolest Websites. Here's the write-up for it:

"If you want to stay plugged into the world of politics, technology, show business or any other area of professional or personal interest, you have to read Web logs, a.k.a. blogs, regularly-updated personal or collaborative online journals. The best ones are in some ways more relevant and more influential than mainstream media outlets. To keep up, let Bloglines track your favorites and deliver their latest posts in one neat package. Other good blog-aggregator services include Kinja.com, a similar though somewhat shaky service (it just launched a few months ago) that shows promise as a tour guide for those entering the blogosphere for the first time, and Blogdex.net, MIT Media Lab's study in 'contagious media' that lists the fastest-spreading ideas and news items based on how many blogs are buzzing about them."

This is the second time that Time has highlighted the benefits of an RSS news aggregator without referring to the jargon acronym RSS itself.

Color Communication & Symbolism

"Colors in motion - an animated and interactive experience of color communication and symbolism. (flash. via One's web)" [MetaFilter]

This is a very cool explanation of color, one that might be helpful for librarians that design web sites.