Here’s a Google Map mashup of Tunisian prisons…

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For my book, I’m looking for some quick examples of the successful application of the Semantic Web. The ideal case would involve large commercial or governmental agencies using a large ontology to address a large problem with quantifiable results, but I’m open to less than ideal examples as well because it is an imperfect world.

Thanks! [Tags: semweb semantic_web everything_is_miscellaneous]

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Here are the lead articles from USA Today, and their evil twin reframings.

Your open-ended challenge: Reframe one of today’s headlines.

(By the way, if you’re wondering why I’m doing these quizzes instead of actual blogging, I am heads down revising my book, so I’m feeling sort of pressed. Plus, for the past couple of days I’ve been at meetings I’m not allowed to blog about.) [Tags: doep puzzles]

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If you had to choose to give up one sense, which one would it be? But I’m really asking so I can ask Part 2: If you had to deprive all humans of one sense, which one would it be? Why? [Tags: puzzles]

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This episode of DOEP is yet another excuse for me to be dumb in public. This time, it’s about rivers.

Why does the mighty Mississippi roar? I’m pretty sure it’s not because of that powerful north-to-south gravity that’s so obvious on globes. Well, at least on globes that, in a fit of blatant hemispheric jingoism, put the north on top. Let me generalize: Why do rivers have currents? And if it’s because they come from melted snow rushing down mountains, then why are there rivers in the summer? And how do you explain the Amazon? Or the Nile? Or the Konkapot? Where’s all that water coming from and why is it in such a hurry to get somewhere? Why doesn’t it stop to smell the flowers, Mr. Businessman?

So, to summarize: Why didn’t I take freshman geography?

[Tags: doep puzzle rivers geography]

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Hiawatha Bray has a good article in The Boston Globe about Yahoo’s anti-DRM general manager of online music, David Goldberg. Yahoo is offering the new Jesse McCartney CD for the usual $9.99, but without DRM. If I had even the slightest interest in Jesse McCartney, I’d be girlcotting it. But I like what Goldberg says. [Tags: drm yahoo digital_rights itunes]

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They turned off the Internet when Ethan left Zimbabwe. Here’s Ethan’s conclusion

I find it hard to believe that a government which can’t pay its bandwidth bill is systematically monitoring the internet communications of half a million people. But threatening to monitor those communications creates a panopticon effect – by telling people they’re under observation, many (most?) will behave as if the government’s watching. And in a country where transgression can mean indefinite detention and abuse while in custody, it’s hard to blame people for wanting no remain firmly on the right side of authority

This is just one of five affectionate, frustrated posts Ethan’s done from Zimbabwe:
My Holiday in Harare
You Might Be Having a Currency Crisis If… (Hint: The currency has an expiration date. For real.)
Photos from Zimbabwe
Reading Between the Lines.

This is terrific reporting. (Some great photos, too.) If the MSM think they can do better, then they damn well should send someone to Zimbabwe and do it. (If they were smart, they’d send Ethan.)

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For years, Richard Sambrook, the BBC’s Director of Global News and World Service, has been one of the most popular bloggers inside the BBC. Now he’s started SacredFacts, a public blog. As Euan Semple points out, how Richard balances his private views with his journalistic position will be fascinating to watch. This is especially true because, despite the fact that he inhabits a position that is the exemplar of what people mean by The Establishment, Richard is open-minded, clear-headed about what’s happening to journalism, a born little-d democrat, aware of the power of the media to make the world better, ready to experiment, and in love with the Web. I’ve gotten to know him personally a little, so I’m willing to go out on a limb and add that there’s no one better to have a beer with. [Tags: media journalism richard_sambrook bbc blogs]

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According to Esme Vos at MuniWireless.com, Sacramento plans on covering nine counties, 30 municipalities, 3 million people and 12,000 square miles with wifi. It will provide communications for organizations involved in emergency relief, public safety and national security. [Tags: wifi esme_vos sacramento]

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Can’t you just smell One Web Day in the air? I know I can’t. But nevertheless, this is the big day. So celebrate the Web, and try to make it a little better for us all. Then let OWD know what you’re doing by posting a photo of what you’re doing and tag it “onewebday2006.” And use that tag for whatever you contribute to the Web in the name of OWD today. [Disclosure]

At the Berkman Center at 12:30, we’re have a little party. You’re invited. We’re going to talk about the Web’s value to each of us. Then we’re going to make a video thank you card (and a paper analog) and drop it off at Tim Berners-Lee’s office. Sir Tim is at an event in London where, by the way, where OWD’s thank you will be conveyed to him officially, although that may be a secret.

Here’s what I think I’m going to say during my allotted seconds on the thank-you video:

Thank you, Sir Tim, for not keeping even a little tiny bit of the Web for yourself. Because of that act of generosity, a billion people have been able to engage in the little acts of generosity called links that together are making a better new world.

Something like that.

PS: Here’s the BBC’s coverage of OWD. [Tags: onewebday2006 web]

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