Footnote is an interesting social network:  it contains entries and social linking for dead people.

The concept seems morbid at first thought; however, it does provide a structured place to remember the dead, as well as provide links to others they were connected with.

Areas of the site worth noting are the Pearl Harbor Muster Rolls and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  There are also a variety of Revolutionary and Civil War lists.

To gain an appreciation of the social aspect of this site, check out the Recent Connections page.

Keep this site in mind for the potential geneological information.

found via TechCrunch

Jessamyn has the best overview of the Sarah Palin / Librarian debate that I have seen so far.  The key to this, and to any other emotionally charged story, is to check your facts, and remember that everyone gets it wrong sometimes (so don’t be so sure about something even if you are sure).

Unrelated, but soberingly relevant, is the United Airlines “bankruptcy” story from a couple of days ago.  The source seemed reliable, but the information was old.  Again, some basic fact checking in the early stages of this would have saved a whole lot of grief.

Update:  This New York Times article has a great overview of the UAL story… (thanks LISNews )