I recently listened to an interesting episode of the CBC Spark podcast with a talk on online community and the impact of real-life death. It got me to thinking about the online communities and relationships that I find important.

The reasoning is that when one dies, your IRL friends and family may not be aware of your online relationships. In extreme circumstances this would result in your online connections never realizing what had happened to you. The suggestion in the podcast was to make sure that your family members understand what groups should be notified if something happens to you. This sounds obvious; but it’s often the case that the person’s online identity is something that’s only vaguely understood by the family (if at all). Notifying a WoW guild is probably not something they’ll think about without some instructions. All in all, a thought-provoking interview.

While I’m not as concerned with postmortem notification itself, I did like the idea of examining and classifying my online relationships. I do think it’s worthwhile to make more explicit my links to certain groups, organizations, and people. I’ll get to groups later, though; I want to start with individuals. I’ve made some real connections online over the years. These are mentors, muses, and friends, and all of them really matter to me. I like knowing what’s happening with them, and I want them to know what’s going on with me.

• Cory Doctorow
• Jon Udell
• Peter Watts
• Dave Slusher
• Paul Fidalgo
• Thomas Gideon

I’ve only met a couple of them in person (and even then, only in passing)…yet all of them are important to me. The Internet sure is weird!

You know…the smartphone gets a bit of a bad rap. It’s not all bad. It’s certainly true that it has changed how people interact today; oftentimes, if  I look about when I’m on the train or in a restaurant, it seems like just a sea of people looking at tiny screens. Sometimes that’s bad. Other times…not so much. It’s a literal portal…a porthole, a window to everywhere else you currently aren’t.  There are situations where one can abuse it; when one should be in the moment.  But sometimes it’s a refuge, and sometimes it’s a safety valve. When you’re not in a place you really want to be, for example; having an outlet that allows you to connect with others can be really helpful.

So, I came home last night to a shipping box on the porch. I was confused; I didn’t remember anything that should be arriving. Even after I opened the box, I had no idea…there was another box inside, with a hamster with a rocket-propelled wheel on the front. Still no clue!

Once I pulled that box out, however…I noticed that there was a lithium-ion battery warning on the back. Simultaneously, I noticed some stickers and help info in the bottom of the outer box, and I finally realized: I was holding a Cr48 Chrome OS laptop!

Like most of the other geeks around, I had filled out an application to join the pilot program for the Cr48 in December. But I never thought I’d actually get one! I’m working on it right now…it’s pretty sweet, and I’m looking forward to exploring it’s nooks and crannies. The Web Store is pretty nifty, and I’m very excited to try out some Chrome extension development!

Since we’re well into the Web 2.0 world, it seems everyone is past ready to boot up Web 3.0. There are a lot of different slants to this, but often, the gist is that next evolution of the Web will involve augmenting our current AJAX-y web goodness with a powerful network of sensors integrated into the Web. Web 3.0, Web of Sensors, Semantic Sensor Web…whatever you call it, it sounds pretty cool.

But for this new model to work, you’ve got to have sensors. And ideally, lots of ’em. If I’m really going to keep track of myself and my life, I need location data and activity data; I need quantitative and qualitative info…I need it all. And while sensors keep getting cheaper, I still don’t have them everywhere I need them.

But…I carry an uber-sensor almost everywhere I go. My cellphone. Modern smartphones (I have an Android Nexus S) have cameras, GPS sensors, accelerometers, and 3G data connections. I’m currently using an app to track my running time, distance, and location, I use my camera to photograph and record my meals, and I sync audio notes to cloud storage for backup and later review.

I’ve recently started taking my paper travel journal, and rather than trying to sync it up manually, I rip pages out (easier to write on anyway!), scribble down my thoughts, and photograph them with the phone. Sync it up to Picasa, and I can transcribe them at my leisure! It’s pretty awesome.

So while I too look forward to ubiquitous tiny sensorwebs, I’m making do now. It works great, and I’ve got more data than ever. Time to compile and analyze…

This is a big deal. This certainly isn’t the first protest/unrest/demonstration to be covered by the Internet and cable news, but this is a large, important Arab country, with ample press in the country from various important news agencies (CNN, Al Jazeera, BBC, etc.) to provide coverage.

Some useful links as I find them:

• Analysis: Why Egypt matters
• Mubarak should prepare to leave
• Arbor Networks shows online impact of Egypt crisis
• What’s Happening in Egypt Explained

I scored an invite to the official Diaspora pod from a school buddy of mine…thanks Ziggy!

I’ve created my account, and added it to my Elsewhere list and contact info. Here’s the direct link. Feel free to say hi!

So, last I posted, I was trying out the streaming music services, starting with MOG. Which wasn’t bad; they’ve got a decent Android app, a Roku channel (FTW!), and a nice service; plenty of tunes. But it’s $10 a month (if you include the mobile app; $5/m if you don’t want mobile). The $5/month charge DOES include the Roku channel, which is cool. But I’m just not feeling this price level in my gut, you know? For $9/month, Netflix gives me a 1-DVD at a time checkout service, plus on-demand streaming of anything in their Instant library to my computer,  TV, and multiple other devices (soon to include an Android app.)

So to me, $5/month is probably the top end of what I’m willing to pay for a jukebox in the sky. If MOG drops the premium price to $5, I’d probably give it another whirl, but most of the sites appear to be hovering around there.

Not Grooveshark. The basic (computer only) service is free (!), and the VIP service (which includes no ads, and the Android app) is currently $3/month (set to increase Dec 1st). Now we’re talking! It’s a bizarre service, which allows file uploads of music, but also negotiates with the labels for library access. I don’t know where exactly it’s going to go, but for three bucks a month, I’m willing to ride along for awhile!

So far, so good. I’m using the Android app, building playlists, and generally enjoying it. And I can skip Starbucks once a month to pay for the service! Friend (follow, whatever the heck they call it!) me at kkennedy if you try it out!

Extra added bonus: they have a official WordPress plugin. Here’s Fireflies, by Owl City, which has been stuck in my head for a week or so. Catchy song!

Yes, folks, that’s H.P. …Lovecat! AWESOME. Courtesy of Chet Phillips Illustration and his Literary Pets collection, Lovecat graces the wall just outside my bedroom. I love it.

Chet Phillips does some great frame-able artwork and trading card sets, primarily of animals; dogs, cats…even Sinister Simians!

I love Chet’s stuff, and the prices are very reasonable. I look forward to his updates when he releases a new series…there’s always something I want. You can also find his work in online quizzes, calendars, and other fun places. This art rocks.

Addendum: yes, my photography skills are terrible, and in no way do these illustrations justice. I’ll try to take better photos and update, but in the meantime, links below to the Chetart Etsy store gives a MUCH better idea. Just a couple clicks there and you can purchase your own!

H.P. Lovecat

Mercurial Goodecurdle