Like Paul Schmelzer's Centerpoints, WebWalker is a compilation of interesting stuff--things that catch our attention but don't necessarily generate a full post. We'll be publishing this column every couple of weeks so if you've got things to share, please send your ideas to any of the WebWalker authors. We'll be sure to thank you for the link.
What’s in a name? WebWalker was first launched in May 1999 by Steve Dietz, founding director of the Walker's New Media Initiatives department. WebWalker was a "newsletter about the Walker Art Center Web sites and digital culture on the net." The last issue (#28) was published April 23, 2000. An archive of the previous issues–minus #22-27 which appear to be lost in the ether–can be found in WebWalker archive.
• She's not quite the Dolphin Oracle but Ms. Dewey is a search helper that aspires to rule your world (would we expect anything less from Microsoft?). Not very useful and of questionable entertainment value, Ms. Dewey is a better example of viral marketing than an interesting search interface. In the end, Ask.com (formerly Jeeves) is more useful and Google’s under the radar Web 2.0 search, SearchMash, gives better results. (Robin)
• The Walters Art Museum recently launched Integrating the Arts: Mummies, Manuscripts and Madonnas, an educational unit built with Pachyderm 2.0. Pachyderm is an open source multimedia authoring tool designed to make it possible for content experts with limited technical knowledge to publish rich-media presentations. Integrating the Arts is a model project meant to demonstrate Pachyderm's potential. Stay tuned to see how Walter’s museum staff and teachers use the tool. The Walter's project was directed by Sandbox Studios. (Robin)
• In the rapid-fire Web (Bubble?) 2.0 world, it seems like a new site pops up every hour. How can you possibly keep up with them all? TechCrunch is good and has in-depth writeups, but MoMB is better for pure reach. It’s the Museum of Modern Betas! (ironically, still in alpha.) (Nate)
• Get into the Christmas spirit by decorating someone else’s Christmas tree via the web. Matthew Knight of de-construct has set up a little site where visitors can suggest decorations to be placed on the tree. A new decoration each day. (Justin)
Great to see the Dietz legacy continue!
I tried to use that Ms Dewey search engine a few weeks ago - it was so slow, it was pretty worthless. Ms Dewey was pretty irritating, especially when she gets bored. At least dolphins are cute and friendly and not smug and prissy like this woman. Maybe it’s the ubiquitous Flash banners with the scary animated people that blare out “Type in your message and let me say it” that have turned me off of this. Why do I need a human? I like computers.
Comment by jennifer — 12/14/2006 @ 11:42 am