Play isn't exactly the word I would use to describe my experience with image generators. I had an attempt at making a customised neon sign but had no luck. But then I thought who needs a bar sign anyway. So I moved on and decided on the reflection generator. It was only after I had made that decision that I noticed the first couple of comments from those whose attempts had been unsuccessful. "do (sic) not work for me " and "Yeah I couldn't get it work for me either." Still I decided to persevere and was finally rewarded.

Bloglines

Finally managed to find the time to use Bloglines. Being a bit of a news junkie I must admit that I like the concept although I found it interesting that some of the links that appeared were not actually selected by me. For instance, the PETA link was not one I chose although I'm quite happy to know what is happening in the world of animal rights. I am intrigued, however, to know how the link was made me. Was it based on my choice of a vegetarian site? Do organisations pay to be 'attached' to other sites? Has anyone else noticed this?

Frustration

This is where my montage was going to be. Unfortunately owing to technical difficulties it will not appear at this stage.

And this is where I would have had my attempt at colr pickr. Unfortunately another technical hitch (apparently caused by certain IT restrictions) and I was unable to show you my efforts. Which brings me to another point about technology. Great when it works but incredibly frustrating and time consuming when it doesn't!

Hence the inspiration behind my choice of pictures for the badge.

Barcode

Barcode
Originally uploaded by camera_rwanda

Techno musings

Ah yes - the joys of tecnology. Well, the blog is off and running. Running to where I don't know but apparently it will team up in cyberspace with someone's friend called Flickr. I'll keep you 'posted'.
By the way some food for thought. An ex-Silicon Valley employee by the name of Andrew Keen has just written a book with the title - The cult of the amateur : how today's internet is killing our culture and assaulting our economy. He argues that that much of what is on the internet (including blogs) is a sign of growing narcissism in our culture -"We don't need to read the thoughts of 11-year-olds with a laptop, says author who warns against 'great seduction' of the web". His book has certainly generated plenty of debate. Take, for instance, an entry from Seth Finkelstein on the Lessig blog - "Andrew Keen is working the contrary angle of the Web 2.0 hucksters. But, note, you're playing into his professional-wrestling game. That is, the Web 2.0 snake-oil seller says "UTOPIA! Give me ATTENTION!". Then that creates an opening for an anti-Web-2.0 pundit to say "DYSTOPIA! Give me ATTENTION!". And both can then play to their respective audiences (and yes, there is still an audience, one of the most blatant lies of of blog-evangelism is for A-listers to claim that there is not)".