Computers in Libraries Conference: Washington D.C.

I’m in Washington D.C. attending the Computers in Libraries Conference and I’m really enjoying the content. Yesterday, the keynote speaker, Chris Sherman, talked about search engines and if you want to hear about some of the features he mentioned listen to my podcast by clicking here.

The speakers have been very good at this conference. I’ve heard a lot about blogs, wikis, podcasts, databases, etc. If possible, I will put some links up next week so that you can check out some of the great sites I’ve heard about in the last two days.

There are approximately 2,400 conference attendees including full conference registrants, exhibit only attendees and vendors. It’s interesting to be at a conference where everyone is excited about these technologies and tools.

Creating a lens, blogging rights and Apple news

I’m going to tell you about something that I bet you have not heard of before. Have you heard of a lens? Not the eyeglass kind but the web kind? A lens is yet another free web resource out there like blogs, wikis, forums and podcasts. A lens is a single web page that you create on a specific area of expertise. On your lens you would create links to websites on that topic. You could also include links to blogs, wikis, forum and podcasts. Your lens should be a good place for people to start when looking for information on a topic… not the final place but the starting place.

I found out about lenses while looking at a blog on one of my favorite TV shows The Office. The blog owner started a lens on The Office in which he give links to other websites and blogs on the show.

If you have a lot of interest or knowledge on a topic you would create a lens at Squidoo. If you have a blog or wiki on that topic be sure to include the link on your lens.

Looking for some legal information on blogging? The EFF: Legal Guide for Bloggers is a nice resource and it’s free. The Electronic Frontier Foundation makes this information available on their website. Topics include liability, protection and intellectual freedom.

The EFF also provides a link to the Blogger’s FAQ on Student Blogging. Topics on this page include free speech, public/private school blogs and student newspapers.

I know I’m Applecentric but I can’t help myself because I love those Macs. I, of course, now want a MacBook Pro. Since I have an iBook (G3) with a new battery I cannot justify purchasing a new Mac but I am keeping the idea in the back of my head. The MacBook Pro comes with iLife, iWeb, Front Row, a backlit keyboard, iSight (built-in camera) and the Intel Core Duo. I would be happier with one more USB port but I can live with two. After I hold several bake sales I will let you know what happens.