Picasa 3.5 Released by Google

Google has released an updated version of the free Picas photo management application.

From Google's Picasa Blog: Announcing picasa 3.5 now with name tags

Some of the new features are a terrific example of how cloud based computing is and will work. The integration of Google maps shows an example of a generic cloud based service and the integration of people to contacts and groups of you Google account shows cloud based data integration.

Open Source - Cross Platform - 2D Animation Program - Pencil

Pencil is a free application that can be used to create 2D animation.  It is like an electronic pad of paper one would use to make a traditional flip book.  Creative people could have a lot of fun with this and do some really cool animations. Pencil looks like a lot of fun.

I have not used it yet.  If only there were lots of time to play.  Please provide feedback, and samples of you animation, if you have any experience with this application.  It could easily be used to make some animations for a school project.

Check out the Gallery of examples.  It seems there are  a number of YouTube videos of the process and the output.

Pencil