In the past, publishers and authors had no way of knowing what happens when a reader sits down with a book. Does the reader quit after three pages, or finish it in a single sitting? Do most readers skip over the introduction, or read it closely, underlining passages and scrawling notes in the margins? Now, e-books are providing a glimpse into the story behind the sales figures, revealing not only how many people buy particular books, but how intensely they read them.

I realize I should probably be bothered by this some a privacy point of view, but I kind of like the idea that my reading habits are offering concrete feedback. "Dear publisher, this is where the book got boring and I gave up."

Google is offering formal (free) courses about to power search, with lectures and tests, to be completed over several weeks. I imagine these are useful skills librarians should know and be teaching their patrons. (Apparently, it is more than an intensive Google ad. John's doing it, and has found some of it interesting.)

I was going test out diigo with some Unprofessional Development, but, honestly, the idea of being brave enough fail ambitiously is actually rather inspiring. So, uh, the art of Sparky's - what we should all aspire to sometimes?