MySpace

MySpace is another place on the Web where people can express themselves openly and share common ideas that can lead to new social networks. Like other parts of the Web, it is also a place full of vanity and extremism. I've noticed that many up and coming music acts first expose themselves (so to speak) on MySpace. In general, I think the layout is pretty good. The person search and invite link could be better organized, however.

Chimp Crazy

Białowieża Primaeval Forest

The Białowieża Primaeval Forest, known as Belaveskaya Pushcha (Белавеская пушча) or Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus is a small protected remnant of an ancient forest that once spanned across Europe. Poland is working hard to preserve this ancient forest with a variety of programs. Similar efforts are underway in Belarus and Russia to protect the small areas of old growth forest remaining. I hope to travel there someday to see it for myself. Flickr is another great tool to appreciate and preserve old and new media (and old forests). The link to this photo is:

http://www.drzewa.puszcza-bialowieska.eu/ang/dab10.jpg

Chimp Crazy

Pandora and similar sites

My wife discovered Pandora a couple of years ago. So, I've had some familiarity with the site. One of the most impressive aspects of Pandora is how they must index or catalog bands and genres. It seems to me they do a pretty good job of connecting the various related components of bands, songs, and genres. This is admirable because music is probably the most subjective of the arts, and their ability to identify relationships between these various entities seems improbable. I believe they use a computer algorithm to associate these relationships, and this is even more impressive than a human cataloging those same associations. I did set up a new account for this blog, and the reference band that I used is my favorite band under the age of 30 years, the mighty Arcade Fire.

RSS Feeds

I enjoy having an information stream that is already focused for me when I get online. The RSS feeds are a good way for me to start my Internet day. I think that RSS feeds may help me both personally and professionally because they eliminate clutter and concentrate my interests into a more restrictive area. Libraries can certainly use the multitude of information resources within the library/bookstore/publishing nexus to access useful information more efficiently. I use the Scientific American and Amazon readers, among others. I find that they are a great starting point for information as I start my day. The ability to access this information so readily and efficiently adds to the relevancy of the content.

Chimp