Today was less full of sessions and more full of sea lions. I did hit parts of the Mashup track. The opening session was pretty much Mashups 101. Darlene went over the whys and hows and showed some common examples of mashups. She did mention that Ruby is the quickest way to write them, so that’s next on the plate.

In the closing session, Justine Wheeler highlighted free repositories of data for mashing. A lot of government data sets are freely available, you just have to dig and decipher to make sure you’re getting the data you really want. Then Kathy Greenler Sexton showed us the user’s perspective and how they are using these mashed up applications. It was a treat to see how all of the things we are doing are getting used outside of the library.

In between, I got an offer to go to the aquarium, and that’s an opportunity you just don’t pass up. We were destined to be there. I took lots of pictures too. Penguins and otters rock. On the way back, we stopped to bark at the sea lions. Some were pretty posers and others just wanted to sleep. Lots more pictures.

The speakers reception was enjoyable. David Lee King is the man. Remember that always. If you want to be and/or look hip, stand near David Lee King.