Well, I can't blame Movable Type for the lack of postings lately, as it's running just fine. No, it's just been really busy around here, with a big project at work and lots of family and home stuff going on.

However, here are a few things to keep you busy until things return to normal (well, more normal anyway) in December.

• I hope that BroadcastFlag.com becomes a good resource on this topic, because librarians really need to start paying attention to and understanding what's going on with Digital Rights Management (DRM) and how it could affect us. Yes, the Broadcast Flag is seemingly related just to TV shows, but it will end up being oh-so-much-more, including a precedent.
   
• Aaron recently posted information about Altarama, a company that might be able to help libraries provide SMS reference. This is a topic that is becoming near and dear to my heart since I'm a big fan of SMS, text messaging, and instant messaging in general. I'd add to his comments that these text-based channels could make great interfaces to our catalogs. They're also great for answering trivia questions and quick requests for material availability. If you're not familiar with texting and SMS, you need to learn and soon, because these are quickly becoming primary communication channels for your under-25 users.
   
• Blow me down and knock me over, but Leland Johnson noticed that the fantastic Library ELF service (are they routing around the shortcomings of your OPAC yet?) is officially offering RSS feeds now. Hooray!
   
• Check out Borders' new GiftMixer 3000 for an interesting take on readers' advisory.
   
• Jessamyn has a great rant about anytime, anywhere reference. It's very Scan-like and shifts library services to where the patron is at the point of their need. I like.
   
• In case you missed it, I talked to several library vendors about RSS at the Illinois Library Association conference back in September. I even gave each of them a handout. Only two of them have responded in any way, shape, or form. Only ProQuest and Innovative cared enough to call me back. Not even a courtesy "thanks for sharing" contact from the others. For shame, library vendors, for shame.
   
• And finally, I'll be at the Internet Librarian conference in a couple of days, so if you will also be there, please stop me and say hi! I'll be teaching an all-day preconference with Mr. Library Stuff himself on Sunday, co-moderating a track with him on Tuesday, and presenting with Steven and then Greg Schwartz for same said track. It's going to be a busy time, although I am greatly upset that I will miss Karen A. Coombs presentation about her XML work. Argh! She'll just have to give it again at another conference when I can attend. Ironically, I hope to blog more from the conference, too. ;-)