One of the main issues with open source software that people have (and a reason they don’t use it) is that it’s hard to install and configure. There is a new project called BitNami that is trying to take the sting out of the open source adoption process. They bundle many popular Open Source software packages into a 1-click setup file. Theoretically, all a user has to do it download the package of their choice and copy it on to their system or web host.

There are some very hard-hitting packages to chose from including WordPress blogging software, phpBB bulletin board software, Drupal CMS, and MediaWiki, among others.

To check out their packages. Head over to BitNami.org and download the application you are interested in. You will probably have to FTP the packages up to your web host. More detailed instructions can be found on BitNami.org.

The BitNami project is looking to add new packages to their site and are taking suggestions. One app on their list that excites us in particular is SugarCRM, an immensely popular Customer Relations Management application.

We say “way to go!” to the BitNami project and hope this radical step will broaden the user base and drive more people to utilize these fantastic tools.

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Social video site Seesmic has announced some cool new features at DEMO08, a conference that showcases new software and web projects. Even though it’s still in private beta, the so-called video Twitter now allows you to instantly see video responses to posts as an uninterrupted stream.

Now Seesmic also has a mobile application for Nokia’s multi-talented N95 smartphone. Rather than being a live stream application such as like Qik, mobile Seesmic posts will be pre-recorded video snippets. You will also be able to view Seesmic videos on the mobile application.

While we’re happy to see Seesmic branching out, we can’t help but hope they touch more mobile phones than just the N95. Perhaps they can expand to additional Nokia handsets or even better yet, to Windows Mobile.

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Have you heard of Twitpic? No, we didn’t just call you a bad name. Promise.

Twitpic is a new entry into the Twittersphere that allows users to upload photos from their computer to Twitter. The interface is simple, and so is the actual uploading.

First, you enter your Twitter login information. Second, you select an image to share. Third, you add a caption (if wanted) and post the picture. You can then view the photo from the Twitpic page or from your Twitter homepage. Easy as cake.

An obvious disadvantage to Twitpic is that you have to be in front of your computer to post your images. Contrast this with other services such as VisualTwitter and MobyPicture, which allow you to upload an image from your mobile device. Seeing as Twitter really shines as an on-the-go social network, this limitation might be devastating.

You make the call.

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As we told you earlier, the TSA recently launched a new blog used to get suggestions from Johnny Everyman for improving the airport security process. And boy is it working. The TSA has already changed a practice in which passengers were required to take all their electronics out of their carry on bags during screening.

Oh, so they instituted this national policy some time ago, then due to public complaints, decided to rescind it? Nope. The head office never knew it was happening. What? Really? They say that local TSA offices set it up independently and they were never told. Yeah, but don’t they ever fly? Apparently not. If not for the blessed internet, they would never have known that this was going on.

The irony of the whole thing is that this blog was set up to allow the users to help explain and improve the airport security process, giving the traveler a greater sense of ease when flying. Instead it brought to light the frightening fact that the TSA wasn’t in the loop on some important security measure. At least they’ve got it under control now. Good ol’ internet. Protector of the free world.

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We have to admit we haven’t given much thought to blogging community site MyBlogLog over the last year or so. The service launched as a way for bloggers to get in touch with one another and find new sites they might be interested in. But Technorati and Google Blog Search are both much more useful for finding blogs covering topics you care about.

But that doesn’t mean there’s no value in MyBlogLog. The service offers a couple of web site tools including a free and subscription analytics package and a “recent visitors widget,” that shows the profiles of other MyBlogLog members who have visited your page. And this week MyBlogLog rolled out an updated and much improved version of that widget.

Not only does the new widget have a slick Web 2.0 look and feel, but when you hover your mouse over the name or image of a recent visitor, you see link to their MyBlogLog profile and links to their web sites. This adds value for anyone who publishes the widget on their site, and also creates an incentive for bloggers and web publishers to sign up for a MyBlogLog account since there’s a better chance that someone might see their profile on a random page and click through to their site.

To get the widget, just login to your MyBlogLog account and click the “Get Widgets” button to get the HTML embed code.

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