A Thing: The 8th One. (Mashups.)

 So, we've talked about how you're a tool.  And we've talked about how tools are tools.  And we've talked about how you can combine the tool of yourself with the tool of other tools and make yourself a powertool.  So, now, let's talk about tools for other tools that can help make your tools powertools, so that when you use them, it makes you a powerpowertool--or is it a powertooltool?  Alright, a powertool-powered powertool!  (Mashups.) 

Let's use Flickr, which we explored the possibilities of in the last post, as an example.  Numerous mashups involving Flickr have surfaced, and can be accessed here.  Mashups are programs that are used in conjunction with another service to create a new tool, entirely.  In Flickr's case, mashups with the site find ways to utilize the site and its images in new, creative ways.  For example, I used http://metaatem.net/words/ (which searches Flickr for pictures of letters, so you can spell things, essentially) to create this:


                                
 

Personally, I had a lot of fun choosing which letters to put where, and am satisfied with this product!  I think that students would have a lot of fun with tools like this for Flickr, and that mashups for other sites carry the same potential for brightening up otherwise standards curriculum.  I think that applications like this one are a great way of getting students' creative energy flowing and getting their minds engaged.  As far as me using mashups like this personally, I am positive that there will be some situation in which I will be craving some sort of neat tool to add a neat spin onto something I'm working on, and I will, indeed think:  "There's an app (or maybe a tool) for that!"