Microsoft shuts down PopFly

Microsoft’s PopFly mashup tool is mentioned in chapters 1 and 2 of this book, but as it turns out this product is no longer going to be available come late August.

Unfortunately, on August 24, 2009 the Popfly service will be discontinued and all sites, references, and resources will be taken down. At that time, your access to your Popfly account, including any games and mashups that you have created, will be discontinued. However, Microsoft is still very much dedicated to helping you express your creativity and pursuing a path to software development and offers multiple products to help along the way. If you’re interested in refining your skills in Web applications, please visit Microsoft Web Platform Installer. For those interested in programming on the Xbox, then please visit Microsoft XNA or Microsoft Kodu. And for those who are interested in Windows programming, please visit Microsoft Express. If you have questions or concerns or just want to drop us a line, contact us at popfly@microsoft.com.

You can find more in this announcement from Microsoft.

Library Mashups Podcast & Competition

Last week I was on the Library 2.0 Gang talking about mashups and this book. There were some awesome mashup ideas talked about during the call. One that has stuck with me was a way to grab reading lists from all libraries in your area so you can see what books are best for your kid.

Another really awesome idea mentioned letting patrons geocode your library to create a map that patrons could use their cell phones to follow. Basically patrons go around the library and geocode different Dewey areas and then share it with the public. In the end anyone with a cell phone can use the GPS in it to find where books are in your library.

If you have an awesome mashup idea you can win a copy of Library Mashups! Just share your idea with the gang and we’ll vote.

Competition  This month’s show launches the Library 2.0 Gang Mashup Idea competition.  To enter you need to send in your idea for a library mashup.  It can be as simple or complex as you like.  The only restriction being that it must include library data or functionality somewhere within it.  The best three, as judged by Nicole Engard and myself, will each receive a copy of the Library Mashups book she has edited.  Closing date is August 31st, send your entries to librarygang@talis.com.

Library Mashups at ALA

I won’t be at ALA this weekend, but that doesn’t mean that Library Mashups won’t be there

Chapter author Karen Coombs will be presenting Creating Library Web Services: Mashups and APIs and at the Information Today Inc. booth you can find the pre-order form for the book (with a special ALA attendee discount).

Make sure you don’t miss out on learning more about mashups with at ALA!

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