Black Wednesday

by Heather Keroes

The Twitterverse is filled with question marks this morning.  Some are serious ponderings …

Others, not so serious …

The rush of tweeted questions featuring the tag #altwiki is the answer from several “traditional” media sources to Wednesday’s SOPA-protesting Wikipedia blackout.  The Washington Post, NPR and the Guardian have teamed up to offer (as Washington Post blogger David Beard puts it) “an experimental, one-day Band-Aid.”  While none of these news outlets have taken an official stance on the SOPA bill, they have several journalists and researchers on call to answer questions … questions that you may otherwise look up on Wikipedia.  Just tweet a question to #altwiki and you may get an answer.

I think it is a clever (and just a bit humorous) response to Wikipedia’s protest of SOPA.  As I mentioned, none of these news outlets have taken an official stance on the bill, but in any case, they’ve added themselves to the conversation and reminded some of us that information can come from the news too (there are still people out there, called journalists, who do research for a living).  And sometimes, you may find the answer you’re looking for, even if that answer is unexpected.  Here’s The Washington Post’s response to that ever-tricky woodchuck question:

Love boat anyone?

by Roger Pynn

So what’s showing up on every Web page telling the story of the tragic Costa Concordia cruise ship accident in Italy?  But, of course, cruise specials … “Vacation Cruise Specials” screams one; “Italy is only $US606 away” beckons another; and, “Alaska Cruises 75% off.”  Right below that is the headline:  “Divers suspend search of capsized Italy liner.”  Really?  And further down, “Book a 5 day cruise to the Caribbean for only $349.”

Is it just me?

Life Without Wiki (and Wales)

by Roger Pynn

No … this is not a political statement.  Frankly, I’m not sure I have spent enough time on the issue to understand the uproar about SOPA and PIPA (a pair of bills that Internet leaders say would censor the Web and result in over-regulation).

This is about a day when Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales decided to go black, people may find that with a little careful digging there are many more meaningful resources than his user-generated encyclopedia … a source I often lazily quote, but also often find vague.  As a former journalist, I know that simply citing countless references isn’t enough to justify a conclusion.  You need to follow paths that often take you down winding roads, but sometimes bring you to a gem.

I don’t find that on Wikipedia.

Mr. Wales is an interesting personality.  A serial entrepreneur he’s no doubt brilliant.  He also has a history of taking his toys and going home when he doesn’t get what he wants.  Cutting you off from his nonprofit encyclopedia for a day as a means of protesting legislation he fears will hurt his business ventures is an example.

Messaging from the Grave?

by Kim Taylor

Much has been said about how to manage your social media presence if you were to unexpectedly meet your demise.  But, this Facebook app takes it to the next level.

“If I Die,” the “digital afterlife application” (fancy description, eh?), allows users to install the app on Facebook and either pre-record a video or write a text message to be shared with friends should that fateful day arrive.

Some might find the very thought of this morbid, but in today’s digital age, how different is it than making funeral arrangements to relieve family of the burden?

What do you think?  Would you do it?