The Value of Feeds
One of the things I learned during the Votes, Bits, & Bytes conference is that people are using feeds to distribute content directly without having a weblog, Web site, or other place that serves as a home for those feeds. At first, it might sound odd, but it’s very useful for people whose information sharing activities might place them at risk of harm. In some countries, someone maintaining a weblog with subversive ideas might face imprisonment or worse. While blogging anonymously might seem like an option, it’s not completely safe. Blog hosts and ISPs might be forced to reveal the identity of the user. Someone at VBB talked about how it’s possible to distribute podcasts and other information and materials via feeds without having a permanent home. People without regular Internet access might also be able to take advantage of this method.
Maybe this year will be the year of the podcast, as Lisa suggests, since it might catch on because of its utility and how it can be distributed.
