XplanaZine

Here’s our take on news that matters for Wednesday, October 26. Today’s theme is signs of future times. There are definitely a number of signs our there trying to point us towards some possible futures. Here’s out take on a few of them.

• Wouldn’t you know it. Just when I finally figured out how to get my kids to do what I want them to, now we have remote-controlled human beings. This is an interesting read and, perhaps, a great example of “just because we can doesn’t necessarily mean we should.”
• Of course, no one is surprised by a possible future that has Google being the Microsoft of the Web. And, as if to corroborate that possibility, Google announced yesterday that it would be offering up services similar to those of eBay. Google figures that, if it owns everyone’s content, it will own their business as well. Good formula but we’ll have to wait some to see if they can pull it off. For more on this, read a review of Google Base in Ars Technica.
• In the category of “Other Possible Futures,”, Microsoft announced yesterday that it would join Yahoo and the Open Content Alliance to provide online book search .While Google is busy being sued, Microsoft and Yahoo are busy making sure that their rival doesn’t own everyone’s content. By the way, Google is far from “slowing down” in their efforts. This article from Wired, yesterday, relates that many writers like what Google is doing.
• And, finally, here’s a nice graphic from the Washington Post that outlines the players vying for AOL. At this point in the race, Yahoo poses the most threat to Google so it would put a big dent in Google’s expansion plans if Yahoo makes a successful bid. A Microsoft or Comcast purchase at this point won’t significantly change the future landscape.

Now, here’s a recap of our favorite posts from the edublogging community from the past 48 hours.

• From Paul Chenoweth : Post on one day in Iraq vs. closing domestic technology gaps.
• From Matt Pasiewicz: Post on letting pedagogy transform Learning Management Systems.
• From James Farmer : Post on contemporary online teaching cases.
• From Lanny Arvan : Post on U of Phoenix, online programs, land grant universities, and extension programs.
• From Will Richardson: Post on student blogging and the associated changes that challenge teachers.
• From Stephen Downes: Post on the tagsonomy interview with Peter Morville.