Spot-On: Hot Spots

Widgets really are going to be an important part of the new, flexible, go-anywhere, anytime Internet. You know, like "plastic."

Maplight.org's Presidential Fundraising Widget takes the best of what's out there in term of data - who's got how much and what are they doing with it - and puts it on YOUR website, blog or social networking page.

Spot-on doesn't want to take the money out of politics. We think that's naive. But we sure think more people should pay attention to money in politics. That's why Maplight's latest widget is today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:21 PM | Permalink

West Coast politics is different. It's not a question of size or open space - the old saws that analysts and historians used to cite. No more. Today's it's about entrepreneurs, self-improvement and a profound belief that the system as we know it is flat-out busted.

The New Progressive Coalition is one organization tilling this field. And unlike a lot of other groups with "new" and "progressive" in their names, they actually mean it. They've started telling the world about what they're doing with a new blog, 77 Federal.

It's good reading. And it's today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:16 PM | Permalink

Politics has the Federal Elections Commission. Business has the Securities and Exchange Commission. Both are treasure troves of information with one catch: You gotta know where - and how - to look.

We've told about some of the FEC-related sites out there. Now comes Docu-drama an SEC-related site designed to shed light the harsh light of disclosure on Silicon Valley. Having been through one Internet Bubble, Spot-on knows all about the factual accounting that makes SEC filings so worthwhile.

You should, too. It's today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:17 PM | Permalink

Fall's approaching. Here in California, that means figs. And figs mean - if you're anything like the gourmand we are - cheese. You don't need to be Wallace or Gromit to know what we mean.

But some folks can't tell a Stilton from a Roquefort. For you, there's the Cowgirl Creamery's Library of Cheese. They've got a listing for pretty much any cheese you've ever heard of - those they make and the work of others - from Detroit Street Brick to Tipsy Cow with Percorino Romano along the way. The Library of Cheese - it's today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 12:41 PM | Permalink

Feeling sorry for yourself? Wondering why everything always happens to you? Well, stop it this very instant.

One look at Australian Nick Vujicic and you’ll feel pretty ashamed of yourself for griping about what’s ailing you. Did they give you the wrong flavor at Starbucks? Did the new kid at the checkout take too long? Someone cut you off on the highway? Try living a Life Without Limbs.

Posted by Mike Spinney at 1:16 PM | Permalink

Anytime Spot-on can say something nice about Ed Cone, an early blogger and all-around good guy, we want to take that opportunity.

Today Ed's written a good piece for CIO magazine - aka his "day job" - about technology, computers, the Internet and politics. It's not the usual paean of praise for those who "get it." It's good reporting and some thoughtful insights and it's today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:06 PM | Permalink

CNN has discovered YouTube so you know this Internet has gone "mainstream" - whatever that is anymore.

Those of you who like to hang on the cutting edge might like a peek at something a bit rawer and, well, almost as interesting. Voxpopuli.com - that's "voice of the people" in Latin - has video, polls, rants, raves, and other stuff on all the things you care about: Politics, sports, and this year's election. No Wolf Blitzer, though.

VoxPopuli is showcasing lots of different stuff and since variety is the spice of life - particularly in the swamp of August - it's today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:27 PM | Permalink

Spot-on's Kevin Weeks has had a lot to say about food quality and local farming. So, obviously, we don't think that high tech and good food can be separated. We're not alone, it seems.

Oregon blueberrry growers want you to know your farmer - even if he is a fer piece up the road. They've put a URL - Oregonberry.com - on boxes of the little blue jewels so you can go to the site, type in the lot number on the package and - wunderbar! - see a picture of your grower.

So today, meet Bob Epler, the guy who grew Spot-on's morning berries. For combining Internet savvy, smart marketing and, well, good berries, he and the rest of the Oregon growers are today's HotSpot.

Posted by Chris Nolan at 1:00 PM | Permalink