The buzz around using emerging internet technologies to communicate with key audiences has become noticeably louder in the last few years. okay, the buzz is deafening.

Most municipal leaders understand that using the internet and its many applications should be a key public information strategy in 2009. but even with this awareness, most find it chal lenging to expand their communication programs beyond the municipal Web site and the traditional press release.

The good news: We are all in this together. Just five years ago, the term "blog" was virtually unknown. We all had to learn the basics, so if you feel behind the curve, there is no time like the present to learn the ropes. (of course, if you have a teenager or two around to help you out, even better!)