Google talk: Om Malik has a theory about rumors regarding Google introducing an instant messaging client. If Om is correct, Google will use Jabber technology which will enable its users to have voice conversations with users of AOL IM and Apple’s iChat.

My dream “communications tool” would allow me to use iChat’s awesome IM-based video conferencing feature with someone on a Windows platform (without using a third-party host). Anyone know of any workable hacks in that department?

RSS feeds and podcasts from state and federal sources: A while back, I pointed to this directory of RSS feeds provided by federal agencies. In looking for it tonight, I ran across a couple of other helpful resources for policy wonks seeking RSS feeds: The RSS in Government weblog (rssgov.com) has a large directory of state and federal RSS feeds (however, it appears to be inactive currently). Also, there is a new directory of podcasts being offered by states and federal government agencies at the website Free Government Information.

(freegov link via: researchbuzz.com)

32: I noticed in the photo of Pacman Jones at practice today, he’s wearing #32. Of course, when I think of that number, I immediately think of the great NFL stars who have worn it, Hall of Fame players like Jim Brown and O.J. Simpson.

Hmmm.

On Target: AdAge’s Jonah Bloom explains why Target’s take-over of the current issue of The New Yorker was a brilliant move…and why it’s nothing new.

Quote:

The idea of a presenting sponsor taking ownership of a media channel is not new. As a tactic it enjoyed its broadcast heyday between 1930 and 1960, and has popped up periodically across all media ever since. Still, as I flicked through the August 22 issue of the New Yorker it dawned on me that it’s time is now.

Jonah gets it.

By the way, the publisher of the New Yorker was kind enough to send me an e-mail over the weekend thanking me for “getting it.” I’d say that moved him up a notch on my list of most admired magazine publishers, however he maxed out that meter long ago.

Oh, yeah? Now, if I were trying to be funny, I’d get into some trash talk feud with Jonathon Rheingold over something he’s said. Rheingold is the publisher of the hip hop magazine, XXL. In talking about the custom published magazine XXL has just done for the Sirius station owned by Eminem, Shade 45, Rheingold said the following:

“Typically, custom publishing projects do not work, since the consumer gets turned off to the overall advertising message…The hip-hop consumer is even more critical. But in the case of XXL Presents Shade 45, since Shade 45 is a truly authentic and uncensored rap radio channel, the marriage with the XXL brand made sense. Therefore, we were able to create a magazine that the fans will want.”

Where did he pull that “typically, custom publishing projects do not work” fact from? I can say with confidence that I’ve reviewed most of the major research of the past two decades relating to the effectiveness of custom publishing — in general and related to specific titles — and there is no evidence to suggest that “typically,” custom publishing projects do not work.

I would continue with this dissing, but I understand that typically, publishers of rap magazines shoot people who disagree with them.

Geezercasting: I’ve discovered why I like podcasting. It’s because I’m over 45.

Quote:

A survey of over 8,000 American consumers by pollsters CLX has revealed that podcasting is most popular with those over 45, with 21 per cent of those questioned listening to podcasts. This compares to just 13 per cent of 15 to 24-year olds.

I heard this item while watching “Attack of the Show” with my 14-year-old son. “Oldcasting” is the term they used.

Okay. All together. “This kind of research is meaningless.” As soon as those young whippersnappers discover what one can do when one has a simple means to “broadcast” MP3 files to all ones friends, well, I predict they’ll figure out fun things to do with it that will be a lot more enticing than the Top 100 podcasts on iTunes.

Miss Pacman, no more: Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones practiced for the first time (WTVF, Tennessean) since a contract holdout kept him on the sidelines for three weeks of drills.

Lists of blog lists: Blog listings that Josh Hallett would like to see rather than the “top bloggers” kind:

Bottom 100 Blogs Nobody Reads But Should

Top 1000 Overated Blogs

Top 10 Blogs From Bloggers Who Shouldn’t Blog

Blogs I Don’t Read Anymore and Why

Blogs I’ve Never Heard Of (kinda tough to make that list)

Could Josh be starting a meme?

What Jon Friedman says: “The New Yorker is right on Target. (temporary link)” (Jon obviously gets it.)

Samir asks: Are newsweeklies necessary?

Quote:

Husni says newsweeklies should return to their roots and cover and analyze events in ways that other outlets have not done.

Gaggle of Google stuff: There is a Google tool bar someone other than me can use on a Mac (Firefox), but there’s not a Mac version of the Google desktop tool. For some reason, I don’t feel left out.

And buried in this NY Times story is news that Google will launch a “communications tool” on Wednesday — likely suspect: IM.

Quote:

Google executives say they plan to unveil on Wednesday a “communications tool” that is potentially a clear step beyond the company’s search-related business focus. While executives would not disclose what the new software tool might be, Google has long been expected to introduce an instant messaging service to compete with services offered by America Online, Yahoo and MSN from Microsoft.

Also, on a related note, Steve Rubel points to this hack that turns gmail into an RSS reader. (Why you’d want to do that, I have no idea — I have my gmail account fed to Netnewswire.)

(via: Micropersuasion and PaidContent.org)