Junoba is a head’n’shoulders of search engines - it is a 2 in 1 application. One of its functions is aggregation of social bookmarking services topics and the other one is ability to search through these services. Among them user can find Digg, Yahoo Buzz, Delicious, Reddit, Propeller and Mixx. It does not work on any new algorhtym, but it uses Google Custom Search technology. It is another decent initiative that uses GCS tools - recently I wrote about KidRex that is also based on Google Custom Search.

Idea of searching through web 2.0 services is not new, I bet that everybody interested in SE business can name at least few engines that search through social web services. However searching through bookmarking services is fresh idea. It is a great tool to get information a little bit different to mainstream media news. Junoba can help in reducing the meaning of agenda setting effect - users can learn which opinions are really popular on specific fields.

-mw

On Tuesday, February 17, 2009 in Washington D.C. conference on Web 2.0 and 3.0 will be held. Project10x is responsible for organizing this event. Main topic will be role of information and communication technologies in an era of connected governance.

Key questions this workshop explores:

• What is the significance of connected governance in the Obama administration?
• What role does cloud computing, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 semantic technology play in an era of connected governance?
• What immediate steps towards connected governance should government agencies take?

The purpose of this conference is several-fold, namely to:

• Explore how we can operationalize this vision of connected governance,
• Demonstrate the kinds of changes that are coming to next stage web-based systems in government, and
• Map the role of information and communication technologies (specifically, cloud computing, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 semantic technologies) in the evolution of government information systems from e-gov (silos with web front ends) to connected governance (e.g. distributed social computing environments for collaborative work, information sharing, knowledge management, and participatory decision-making.)
• Discuss near-term steps towards connected governance that every agency can take.

Conference Agenda

The full conference agenda is posted at the following URL:

From E-Gov to Connected Governance - The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in an Era of Connected Governance

Highlights of the conference program include the following:

• Our keynote sessions begin by highlighting recent findings, conclusions and recommendations of a UN study that examined the current state, direction and evolution of e-government worldwide. The second keynote features running your organization on semantics, presented by the Dutch government.
• Following the keynote, we set the stage for the morning’s panel session with an overview presentation by Brand Niemann and Mills Davis, that outlines the role of Web 2.0, Cloud Computing, and Web 3.0 semantic technologies in and era of connected governance. This presentation highlights new concepts and practices of connected governance, the role of information and communication technologies in realizing this vision, near-term steps towards connected governance that every agency can take.
• Following the overview, we introduce a panel discussion of leading technologists, invite them to tell us briefly about the capabilities they provide, the problems they solve, and the value their solutions bring, and to discuss how the capabilities they provide might be combined to further enhance the value to government, business, and citizenry in the era of connected governance.
• After lunch, the conference features demos of next generation capabilities and solutions for connected governance. Each panelist has the opportunity (about 10 minutes) to present.  A topic we have asked presenters to feature is what sort of free trial, sand box, or quickstart package(s) they offer so that government agencies can access to learn more, or get started.
• Also, the conference will announce a program of briefings, technical training to build skills with Web 2.0, cloud computing and Web 3.0 semantic technologies, and services to support pilots of connected governance solutions. These programs are produced by Semantic Exchange and Semantic Communities in association with industry experts and leading vendors.
• Call to action: this conference asks government agencies and system integrators to sponsor and undertake pilot projects that integrate best of breed cloud computing, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0 semantic technology capabilities into next generation solutions for collaborative work, transparent information sharing, and knowledge management, and connected governance.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009.
Morning session: 8:30 am EST to 12:00 noon.
Afternoon session: 1:00 pm EST to 4:00 pm EST.

Computer Science Corporation, Executive Briefing Center, Falls Church, VA.

• Address: 3170 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, VA, Executive Briefing Center. Free Parking close-by or a short cab or bus ride from the Dunn Loring Metro Station.
• Accommodations: Marriott Fairview Park

The conference will be bradcasted via WebEx.

-mw