Thursday, November 06, 2008

Obama Already Changing Government

OK its not working right now, but keep trying it -- Obama's transition team has launched a website -- http://www.change.gov/ which invites all of America to start getting engaged in the work of changing government. I am so glad that the terrific team that Obama put together to guide his online work for the campaign is still hard at work and is already making history with the way this government is going to use the Internet to connect citizens with their government!

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

HOPE

This says HOPE to me:

LinkedIn asks that you not use their Apps


linkedin
Originally uploaded by Ted Shelton
Open letter to Reid:

You know I am a huge supporter, have been a LinkedIn member since you were in private Beta. And you know how eagerly I have awaited the launch of your applications platform.

But I have to say, I keep finding myself saying "what the heck??" when I try to use your product.

I'd like to suggest that you open up a collaborative product development process with your customers to get feedback from the people that want you to succeed on how your product needs to evolve to achieve the promise that it so clearly has but has not yet fulfilled.

This kind of message (see attached) tell me in big red bold type - GO AWAY, DON'T USE OUR PRODUCT.

I don't think that is the message you want to send.

best

Ted

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

The News Media They are a-Changin'

(With apologies to Bob Dylan) Inspired by the news this last week that the Christian Science Monitor has become the first of the major US newspapers to end print publication -- don't think they'll be the last...

The News Media They Are A-Changin'

Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that sources of news
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be digital to the bone.
If your news to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start webbin'
Or you'll disappear with a moan
For the news media they are a-changin'.

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the web's still developin'
And there's no tellin' who
will be reportin'
For the journalist now
Will be later a citizen
For the news media they are a-changin'.

Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The internet has come
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your Windows
And rattle your walls
For the news media they are a-changin'.

Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old print forms are
Rapidly agin'.
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the news media they are a-changin'.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
Print is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the news media they are a-changin'.