Is the government really closed?

Normally I stick to posts about tools available from corporations.  However, after attending SLS11, I had to write a "real" blog post because I became extremely irked.  See, all these students and their professors at a college in DC kept going on about how the government is closed and it needs to be open.  Then it got into there being only one "real" news site.  So, here's my rant: What ever happened to teaching students to seek out information?  Are we really in an age where everyone must be spoonfed information in order for the information to exist?  The government is open to a large extent.  The data that we see everywhere comes from government funded research and agencies.  When we look at nutrition labels, calorie counters, cool apps that tell us how much pesticides are in our food, where do people think the data came from?  The company didn't spend years researching and collecting it.  It didn't appear out of thin air.  It came from a government website download that's available to EVERYONE.  That's how the Congressional Budget Office gets materials (bills are available online via the feds). See, there's a super site...a FEDERAL .gov site...that gives the information.  Seek and ye shall find.  Want data about food?  USDA has it.  Data about meds, FDA has it, pesticides?  USDA or EPA.  The files are in pdf, doc, rtf, xml, csv, and other files (including pretty cool widgets).  Want a hard copy? Generally, they'll mail it to you.  This infogeek has boxes of materials courtesy of our tax dollars regarding health and wellness (an interest of mine).  I've got so many documents full of html links that I had to upload them to scribd. 

There are a lot of citizen journalism sites out there.  I like patch.com.  There are other ones out there too.  More and more are sprouting up thanks to the Knight Foundation.  Who?  See...that's the problem.  People don't seek.  The Knight Foundation is a grant making foundation that gives money to projects that promote citizen journalism through use of technology.  It didn't pop up after the Egypt uprising.  It's been around for YEARS and YEARS (since 1950 to be exact).

Branchout: Search your friends' contacts to find a job/customers

This is a great tool for jobseekers and those looking to network. It roots through your friends' information to find out company names and associations.  Most jobs are given through referrals.  BranchOut lets hiring managers and business owners see who to headhunt from friends/contacts and we get to see what companies we wish to join via our friend network.  My favorite part?  The job listings.

Instagr.am: Having been born too late for the telegram, this will definitely do

Are you like me and wish you lived in during the olden days/days of yesteryear, just to receive a telegram?  Well, now you can get one via your smartphone.  Ok...via an iPhone.  You can share photos to Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and check-in to Foursquare with this app.  Instagr.am features 11 filters, including color, tonality, border, and mood.  With an open API for developers, it's a definite "win".

Schedulicity

Schedulicity is by far one of my new favorite sites and services.  Schedule an appointment online with your favorite hair dresser, salon (new partnership with L'Oreal), personal trainer, realtor, or consultant.  You can book online or call for an appointment.  It's free to clients and businesses pay under $20/month for a basic service.  I can't wait to see what other features they roll out next.