Don't put all your eggs in one basket

It was sad to hear a few months ago that Google Reader was going to be retired. It got me thinking about how much we rely on technology and more importantly how much we put into one basket. Over the years I have had a number of technologies that I used pulled out from under me and I have learned the hard lesson that you can't rely on them always being around. If you are looking at your options for e-learning then it is important to make sure that you also have in place some alternative technologies just in case your find your primary options is going away.

In particular if you use free services then you need to have a plan not just for an alternative but also how you will get your data out of the service that is going to be shuttered. Not all services have options for getting your data out but it should be an important consideration when you are choosing technologies.

Google for example have Google Takeout which allows you to export your data. They also have a group of engineers called "The Data Liberation Front" which looks at how easy it is to get your data out of Google products. So just remember even your favourite technology can disappear so it's important to have your plans well and truly ready. 

To babble or not to Babble

If you have been hanging around the internet and particularly Google+ you would by now have seen the rumours flying around about a unified Google messenger slash voice tool. Google currently has several tools from Messenger to Gtalk and for those in the US Google Voice. Also Google has Hangouts and Hangouts on air. The proposed name for this new unified experience is depending who you talk to Babble or Babel.

For a long time I have been hoping that Google would create a true open standards compliant platform independent communication tool. However I am starting to think that Google may have left its run to late. Facebook has just created Facebook Home and is looking to be the central hub for messaging. With its huge user base many of whom are happy to stay in its walled garden this unfortunately may become the defacto standard. Add to that Microsoft integrating Skype into its OS and soon to push it out to the Xbox and Google’s fractured messaging offering looks second rate. I think this has been a wasted opportunity for Google to not only lead the pack in messaging and voice but to also use it as another compelling reason to join Google+.

One can only hope that Google’s Babbel or Babel is not still born.

( cross posted from www.darylhunt.net )