Over on his New York Times Tech blog, David Pogue has listed a couple of free downloads, just in time for Christmas. They include PC Pandora (which lets you spy on those using your computer) and an original Christmas music set from sampling company Garritan.
There’s more in the comments too, which is where you always find gems. So far, you’ll find Mac Heist’s Giving Tree and Jaduka. I’m sure the list will grow.
It’s amazing how much happens in the tech world when you take a vacation. The latest news is that LinkedIn is taking the Facebook tact and adding applications. The difference is that LinkedIn Apps are all productivity focused and, in theory, will help promote your profile even more.
Right now, the following apps are available to spruce up your LinkedIn homepage and/or your LinkedIn profile:
Amazon Reading List
Slideshare
Linking your WordPress or Typepad posts to your profile
Huddle Workspaces
TripIt
Box.net
Google Presentation
Company Buzz
According to Chris Brogan, you should drop everything and run over to LinkedIn and add Apps to your profile. I took his advice and added the WordPress and SlideShare apps. I’d love to be able to add my other blogs, but the BlogLink app seems to be a bit buggy. I assume that will work itself out. I think that the blogging apps (when they work) and the Slideshare apps are just brilliant.
That said, I’m a little worried about this development as well. I love that LinkedIn is actually doing something. However, you can’t control where the applications appear on your public profile – at least not that I could find. I’m afraid LinkedIn profiles might become as messy as the old Facebook profiles or MySpace. I hate clutter.
What do you think? Will you add LinkedIn apps to your profile? Do you think they’ll help promote your talents? Are apps a bad idea, contributing to the clutter? Let us know in the comments.
