DISQUS

"I disagree with what the majority of the American people want."
MIND = BLOWN

Everyone I know has been sick for at least one week since the beginning of the year... Including myself. Get Well Soon!

Yeah, I saw that McDonald's thing too... Sleazy!

This is WAY sexy in a very 70's kind of way... Must be the socks. :-)

Congratulations!

Their new interface is fantastic... Beta, what beta?

"I believe that incentives are real and that owners take care of their investments better than other parties. So, based on those principles I would have an objection to public libraries, but they're really a low-priority."

As a public librarian, it's always nice to be such a high priority to everyone all the time...

This attitude is exactly why public libraries are a necessity. They are open to everyone regardless of what's in their investment portfolios. Public libraries are the only institution bridging the digital divide between the technological haves and have-nots today. We're fighting a tough fight, often with the technological equivalent of stone knives and bearskins.

Public libraries provide the same quality service to the homeless as they do to the wealthy. If libraries were privatized this would undoubtedly change. To quote (of all people) Keith Richards, "The public library is a great equalizer." Without them there would be even more pervasive information poverty than there currently is.

Public libraries today have adapted to the times, and currently provide (among many other things) MP3s, WiFi, and personalized research conducted by professionals with Masters Degrees to anyone who wants it without charge. I would like to see any private company take that on. I dare say that if public libraries provide what they provide "the government" has the right to provide the same services... Since we are just another department of the government anyway this is already precedent.

Sadly, paying people to Stumble is going to pollute the site. Shunning SU isn't the answer, since this isn't their fault, and it hurts them too. This sucks because StumbleUpon is one of my favorite online services.

Google is the new Microsoft.

I was a Mac person until two years ago, then I finally and regretfully bought a Compaq laptop based more on cost than anything... Don't get me wrong, I like Microsoft products (Office) it's just that I don't need Gates involved in every aspect of my life. Now the same can be said of Google. It's fair to say that Microsoft owns the software that runs our PCs, and it's quickly becoming evident that Google owns or will own at least a piece of much of the information we need to function.

I am now suspect of Google... They've already grown far too powerful. They index all of our searches, it's creepy. Someday, everything will be Microsoft/Google. Like in "Fight Club" planet Starbucks... Angela and ministers of grace defend us!

StumbleUpon is one of my favorite tools too! Let's hope they don't ruin it.

This is both useful and cool, a combination not easy to find. Thanks!

BTW Nicole, congratulations on moving and shaking and blogging!

Don't get me wrong, I think that any free access to information is a good thing. I encourage anyone who can take advantage of the offer to do so. I just wish that businesses would consider public libraries when they make these deals. A lot of the time, public libraries are also not considered when discount offers are made on products or services. Businesses will offer special prices to schools, but they don't consider the public library to be associated with the school systems, even though we supplement public education... And without the budget of the board of education.

Once again, public libraries get shafted.

Interesting data. Thanks for passing this along!