Interpretation: The copy of code, being mere bits, is free—and becomes valuable to you only through the support and guidance. Authenticity: You might be able to grab a key software application for free, but even if you don’t need a manual, you might like to be sure it is bug free, reliable, and warranted. From
◊ Technology ◊
Being BTF: immediacy & personalization
As a sellable quality, immediacy has many levels. [It] has to fit with the product and the audience. Personalization requires an ongoing conversation between the creator and consumer, artist and fan, producer and user. It is deeply generative because it is iterative and time consuming. You can’t copy the personalization that a relationship represents. From
Being BTF (better than free): intro
The role of libraries in an increasingly digitized culture is a hot topic among librarians, educational institutions and industry groups. A mention in LibraryBytes piqued my interest about a ChangeThis manifesto by Kevin Kelly. Better Than Free describes 8 hidden values for companies to bring forward in a digital marketplace filled with free products. Kelly
The internet, literacy & access to knowledge
A reader sent a link to the video below with a flattering note: “I’ve seen this YouTube video a couple of times and thought you might be interested in cogitating on the implications…” Me, cogitate? Why, make me blush… The popular video by Fisch, McLeod and Brenman serves up statistics on the information age in
Spotlight on 23 Things
23 Things introduced me to the work of Helene Blowers. I saw a reference to it on another library blog and curiosity about the name prompted a web search. 23 Things is an online self-discovery program that encourages the exploration of web 2.0 tools and new technologies. The project launched in August 2006 with 352
Remembering the future
My town election/library/school dream is about my community coming together around a common purpose—to strengthen our bonds, to enrich ourselves through learning and fun, and to provide lasting value for residents of West Boylston and beyond. I glimpsed a part of that dream in Ipswitch Australia. Remember When – Memories of Ipswich is “a collaborative,
Funding what we value: information
Given the availability of sophisticated, low-cost publishing tools, it is reasonable to expect better information from all levels of government. In this context, better means: integrated, timely, informative, personalized, interactive, and multi-channel. Integrated – it’s costly and ineffective for town departments to have individual websites. Municipal information needs to be available from a central, well-organized
