After all of this, and this, and temptation by this, I’m a recent convert.  Development toward the iPhone (ie, it’s so prolific that everyone’s trying to get a piece of the action) and its nearly seamless capability to mashup data, media, and GPS, helped it wedge its way into my life.

Now that “iT” is here (my IdPhone), some disparate comments:

Apps iDig:  Maps (the street view added with 2.2 update); EasyWriter (landscape keyboard which will ‘paste’ to mail); Evernote (sync your notes and then some); Wikipanion (quick wiki search tool); NetNewsWire (only for my top 10 feeds; syncs with Newsgator); Google mobile (voice search, Reader … great, as ever); Shozu (upload photos as you shoot); GrandDialer (for your GrandCentral number); Dialer (Melodis; voice contact search/dialer); Yelp (find nearby java, gas…);

Helpful places:  iPhone J.D.; iPhone blog; and MacRumors

Oh, and yes — I’ve come to terms with the fact that there is value in a fun interface.  Say what you will, the iPhone has it.

Enrich your site
Choose engaging social features from a catalog of gadgets by Google and the OpenSocial developer community.

Attract more visitors
Your users can easily invite friends from social networks and contact lists to visit and join your site.

No programming whatsoever
Just copy and paste a few snippets of code into your site, and Friend Connect does the rest.

Not to mix up topics too much in one post, but just so you can test out Google’s new tool, here is a primer topic upon which you may comment.  ”Can you believe the Kansas Business Attorney — champion of the 8525 and Windows Mobile — is now wielding an iPhone?”

Go ahead.   You (probably) can’t break anything.  (Tip: begin by clicking the double blue box)

Having tried them all, I might recommend the google Reader (if you are a gmail account holder) and newsgator, which will synchronize your feeds and reading across web, desktop and mobile phone.

Leave questions for me in the comments. Thanks.

Focused Highlights

9:00am – 4:00pm at the Record Bar

Some of the region’s finest entrepreneurs, technologists, social media experts, and new media success stories presenting.

Emcees: Alternageek’s Christa Casebeer and Microblink’s Rob Jensen.

New Heights for Flyover States

October 29, 2008 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the Kauffman Center of Kansas City

A reception showcasing the entrepreneurs, innovators, and early-adopters using web technology to grow their businesses, advance their careers, and enrich the regional economy in new ways:

коли под наем
1. Three of the area’s up and coming social media strategists will present an overview on how the web is changing their cities for the better and how new opportunities for innovation are expanding the importance of web-based technology in the Midwest.
2. A wrap-up panel: Where do we go from here? After a day filled with all the cool individual things that are occurring in Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, and the surrounding areas, we’ll discuss actionable items along the lines of “What now?“.

Emcee: Kauffman’s Vice President of Entrepreneurship, Bo Fishback.

Just so you know, those attending will enjoy a stellar panel of presenters.

{Note to organizers: Congratulations in advance for this event!  It’s already FTW!}

The Walnut Valley Association was formed in 1972,with its sole purpose to produce the Walnut Valley National Guitar Flat-Picking Championships Festival, also known as the Flat-Picking Championships, currently known as the “Walnut Valley Festival” or simply “Winfield” to the long time attendees.

Evolving from 2 days in 1972 to its current 4-days the 3rd weekend of September annually, it endeavors to produce “family fare” entertainment on 4 stages simultaneously, a large quality, juried arts and crafts fair, workshops, and acoustic instrument contests. What began with 10 acts and 2 contests now boasts over 40 acts and 8 contests, including one international contest, 5 national contests and 2 Walnut Valley contests.

The contests are a major part of the festival. Along with the National Flat Pick Championships and the National Finger Pick Championships, the Walnut Valley Festival hosts the International Autoharp, National Mountain Dulcimer, National Hammered Dulcimer, National Bluegrass Banjo, Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle, and Walnut Valley Mandolin Championships. Over the course of years, the contests at Winfield have attracted more than 3,000 contestants from all 50 states as well as many foreign countries including Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, England, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Caledonia, Switzerland, and Wales. Well-known Winfield winners include Mark O’Connor of Nashville, Tennessee, who has won or placed in more Walnut Valley Festival contests than any other contestant. Mark won the National Guitar Flat-Picking Championship in 1975 and 1977, and also won the Walnut Valley Fiddle Championship in 1974 and 1977. Alison Krauss of Nashville, won the Walnut Valley Fiddle Championship in 1984 and Steve Kaufman of Alcoa, Tennessee, is the only three-time winner of the National Guitar Flat-Picking Contest, having won in the years 1978, 1984, and 1986 respectively. (Tennessee has consistently produced the most winners over the years.) Other Winfield winners include Mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile, the Mandolin Champion in 1993 and Dixie Chick fiddler Martie Erwin Seidel in 1987 and 89.

Festival attendance has been between 11,000 and 15,000 annually …

While other events are keeping me local, I cannot attend.  However comma.  I have just found a live stream on Front Porch Radio.  If you’re timely, you are sure to enjoy.

The sidebar ultra-handy view is great for a number of web applications:

Google mobile view:  no doubt, you’ve seen this on your phone; with search, maps, iGoogle, youtube, calendar … what’s not to love;

Gmail mobile: in case you don’t have it in 9 other places already;

Google mobile Reader:  personal preference will tell you quickly rather you prefer your reader here or its regular spot;

Google mobile Notebook:  if you’re a researcher or web-clipper of any magnitude, the notebook belongs in your sidebar;

gTalk:  a chat client you already love

Meebo: simplify your chat; for those times your trying to juggle your mother on MSN, friends on google and your nephew on AOL;

Hahlo:  it’s a Twitter client, designed for the iPhone, but give it a go (yes, on your PC even);

MojiPage:  designed for the mobile web; register, then see your Twitter, Friendfeed, Digg, Google search, weather, del.ic.ious, RSS reader;

Yahoo mobile: okay, so the list is a little Google heavy; Yahoo mobile offers mail, messenger, news, address book, calendar, flickr & more

So, give ‘em a try — your favorite web apps … on the side.

What do you want in your sidebar?

hahlosidebar2

Loading image

Click anywhere to cancel

I can appreciate his hesitation as he launched into registration.  I’m thinking he’s thinking, “what kind of language will be in the terms of service to give me comfort that I can entrust these people with my day-to-day practice, my livelihood, and ultimately, even my good standing with the state bar.”  But, I nearly digress.

So, there’s Rick, excited about trying out this new software as a service (Clio, by Themis Software), and he takes a few moments to scan the terms for how well he might be protected in the event something goes wrong. Then he comes across just what he’s not looking for (what’s a good antonym for glee).  In his words, here are

[j]ust a few of the gems on the hit parade: “1. You expressly understand and agree that Themis Software shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses (even if Themis Software has been advised of the possibility of such damages), resulting from your use of the API or third-party products that access data via the API. 2. Abuse or excessively frequent requests to Clio via the API may result in the temporary or permanent suspension of your account’s access to the API. Themis Software, in its sole discretion, will determine abuse or excessive usage of the API. Themis Software will make a reasonable attempt via email to warn the account owner prior to suspension. 3. Themis Software reserves the right at any time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, your access to the API (or any part thereof) with or without notice.”

What does the FutureLawyer do; how should he react?  The suspense is killing you.  You’ll have to read the punch line at FutureLawyer.  (You didn’t think I would mooch his ENTIRE post, I hope; but here’s a hint: it ends with sarcasm.)

And for those following a now-stale thread on these premises: know that neither Erik Larson nor anyone at Adobe has lived up to their “we’ll get back to you” promise regarding the new Acrobat.com terms of service.  You’re stunned.  I know.  Apparently, we gave way to more recent posts showing up on the Google Finance page for ADBE.  (Yes, I would feel bad if I suspected they just paid us a little lipservice while shareholders were watching.)

To be sure, if you’re a “speller of big words” (as my friend calls a good, critical thinker) you know the infamous “kill all the lawyers” line from Henry VI suggests that such a move will rid them of those who have an ability to find redress for grievances.  Some even refer to attorneys as  “guardians of independent thinking”.

Consider, however, the reporter.  (Does a tree really fall in the woods if it isn’t reported?)  One need not look far to recall a reporter who finds the right opening, really probes, digs into unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory, publishes her finding, and kaboom!  It’s viral.  If you read, you know how an important, well-reported story can sweep the earth, alter inertia, and move people so much more effectively than the best-crafted injunction, brought by capable counsel.

Even now, they’re gathered in Hungary at Global Voices Summit 08.  You know how to google; try “gvsummit08″.  They’re discussing fighting censorship around the globe.  They’re blogging.  They’re tweeting.  IM’s, emails, qik video…they know their effort — the mere fact that they are convening — is important.  They’re so right.

Sure, I want able counsel in my corner (or gone if I’m a conspiring malefactor).  But if I’m gonna scheme the citizenry, sneak one past “the people”, the first thing we do, let’s kill all the reporters.  Indeed.

Don’t stop here.  Google blogs for gvsummit08.  You have no excuse: click here.  Or here (for tweets).

Lots of things are impossible … right before you do them.

- Be More Productive

- Go Paperless

- Online Marketing

- Presentations

- Save Money

So, go there.  Prosper.  (You’ll be glad you did.)

Tiny Twitter is just what you are looking for and it will work on ANY Java enabled device (that’s a bunch & includes the CrackBerry) and ANY Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Smartphone (they’re pretty cool).

If you like Twitter, but wish there was an app out there to allow you to tweet from you cell, look no further.  Web Worker Daily comes through again, and shows us just the ticket:

“On my Windows Mobile phone the interface is crisp and clean and Twhirl like.  I can see and browse through my timeline and tweet, reply or direct message easily. Options let me choose how often it checks for updates which is great with the ever changing API limits that Twitter seems to be imposing.”

What’s not to love?

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

Now it’s ours … a republic, if we can keep it.

If I’m not mistaken, can’t one get a feed of his gmail inbox? If it’s not too cumbersome, I could see listening to email during morning commute.

But wait! It’s not that simple (read: it does not work). What to do?

Leaping tall buildings in a single bound, LH’s own Kevin Purdy comes through with a way:

You’ve always been able to email yourself with a phone call through voice-to-text service Jott, but with the introduction of Jott Feeds, Gmail (and Google Apps) users can now have a summary of their messages read to them by phone. The secret sauce lies in Gmail’s RSS feeds and a go-between web site that handles password requirements. I’ll show you how …

You know what Wayne and Garth would say, no?

Lifehacker, “we’re not worthy!”