spreading the Drupal love

I mentioned in a previous post that I was spending a bit of time learning Drupal.

In my foray of Drupal learning, I’ve come across some great resources for libraries using this open-source content management software for running their websites, portals, or blogs.

Drupallib a place for library drupallers to hang out. Drupallib “is intended as a place for Drupal implementors in libraries to share ideas, configurations, themes, and maybe even to incubate the development of some modules that allow commonly desired functionality in library websites (both for libraries’ principle sites or for secondary or specialized subsites). Drupalib features a blog, a forum, and a listing of drupal sites implemented by libraries.”

Drupal for Libraries listserv is a very active discussion list, where you can discuss various aspects about implementing Drupal in your library.

Drupal Groups including a group for libraries.

The September issue of The CyberSkeptic’s Guide to Internet Research has an article on Drupal and Libraries. Writtern by Elyssa Kroski from iLibrarian, the article provides an overview of Drupal and applications in libraries. Elyssa also has a presentation on Drupal for Libraries from Computers in Libraries 2008 worth checking out.

Want more? Amanda Etches-Johnson at blogwithoutalibrary.net has a 3 part series on Drupal. Amanda demystifies Drupal modules. The McMaster Library website was completely redesigned using Drupal. Impressive!

Going to the OLA Super Conference? Take a look at session #413, Building User Centred Websites with Drupal. I’ll be there!

trend map 2009

A brilliant trend map for 2009.

There are some fascinating and frightening (albeit humourous) trends, risks and red herrings here including:
GLOBAL RISKS: Major Internet failure
FAMILY: Debt stress, Allowable luxuries, IMBYs, Middle class unrest, Unplugging
MEDIA: Flight to quality, Facebook fatigue, Skimming, Micro boredom, Digital diets

This “multi-tentacled hydra” map is available under a Creative Commons license, so feel free to share!

top 10 tech surprises

As 2008 draws to a close, top lists and rankings begin to make the press.  I’m always interested in some of the least expected rankings.  The 10 Biggest Technology Surprises for 2008 is worth a read.

Be sure to check out the slideshow to learn why these shocking stories made the list.

1. Windows crumbles. Not!
2. Tech couldn’t stop the financial meltdown
3. Virtualization. It’s alive!
4. Cloud computing
5. Green IT
6. Apple as the enterprise champion
7. Forget innovation, let’s just buy something.  (remember Microsoft and Yahoo?)
8. The big switch or the big snitch?
9. The social net election.
10. The Internet.