Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Greek ship Ariana's owners deny pirate release
Greek ship Ariana's owners deny pirate release: "MOGADISHU (Reuters) - The owners of a Greek ship hijacked more than six months ago off the coast of Somalia denied Thursday it had been released by Somali pirates.
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RTEbusiness: Jacob Fruitfield Foods has sent solicitors' letters to a number of retailers. http://bit.ly/5tKZCh
RTEbusiness: Jacob Fruitfield Foods has sent solicitors' letters to a number of retailers. http://bit.ly/5tKZCh: "RTEbusiness: Jacob Fruitfield Foods has sent solicitors' letters to a number of retailers. http://bit.ly/5tKZCh"
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
I have reached the summit of the 23 Things Mountain
Well I finally made it to Thing 23 Summarise your thoughts about this learning programme. Its been a really enjoyable experience but I did feel a little pressurised after falling behind by a week or two and became more determined to complete the programme before the deadline expired. I also liked the flexibility of the course in that if you thought something was not that interesting, you could blog about it quickly and move on.
I particularly enjoyed the whole blogging aspect of the programme and at times this site must have resembled the rantings of a lunatic standing on an electronic soapbox.I will definetely try and incorporate or use some of the Things I learned in my work particularly the Web 2.0 office applications. I will go back and explore Flickr and play with image generators in more detail since at the time my digital camera was broken.
In terms of Social Networking sites my Facebook page has just mushroomed, since my brother uploaded a picture of me and all my relatives and old neighbours registered on it began contacting me to become friends. You could say that my facebook page has been hijacked by all these people and they keep providing the content, by posting comments and uploading videos. I must admit that i have a fondness for occassionally logging onto Twitter since I'm curious about what people I know are doing. Its never really that interesting and I have two people following me.
So there you have it the last entry for the 23 Things programme, I hope you have enjoyed and possibly been entertained by some of these posts.
Au Revoir
Jacque Rocard
I particularly enjoyed the whole blogging aspect of the programme and at times this site must have resembled the rantings of a lunatic standing on an electronic soapbox.I will definetely try and incorporate or use some of the Things I learned in my work particularly the Web 2.0 office applications. I will go back and explore Flickr and play with image generators in more detail since at the time my digital camera was broken.
In terms of Social Networking sites my Facebook page has just mushroomed, since my brother uploaded a picture of me and all my relatives and old neighbours registered on it began contacting me to become friends. You could say that my facebook page has been hijacked by all these people and they keep providing the content, by posting comments and uploading videos. I must admit that i have a fondness for occassionally logging onto Twitter since I'm curious about what people I know are doing. Its never really that interesting and I have two people following me.
So there you have it the last entry for the 23 Things programme, I hope you have enjoyed and possibly been entertained by some of these posts.
Au Revoir
Jacque Rocard
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
bamboozled by all the photos on Google maps for San Francisco
I came across google maps before since my cousin lives in San Francisco and has a scooter shop over near Berkley called rock ridge two wheels, and there were directions on his website using this technology.
So I thought it might be interesting to see how Google maps would show the path I should take using public transport from Fulton Street near Golden Gate park in the city to rockridge which is located across the Bay near Berkeley.
Whats really interesting is to see all the different photos that I encounter along the route. Google maps even works out the cost of using public transport and compares the difference in price to driving. I suppose you could say that Google maps is like a modern day passepartout.
So I thought it might be interesting to see how Google maps would show the path I should take using public transport from Fulton Street near Golden Gate park in the city to rockridge which is located across the Bay near Berkeley.
Whats really interesting is to see all the different photos that I encounter along the route. Google maps even works out the cost of using public transport and compares the difference in price to driving. I suppose you could say that Google maps is like a modern day passepartout.
Dude Zoho writer Rocks boo hoo for Microsoft Office
Oh no I must have turned into one of those Silicon valley nerds using such a statement to describe Zoho writer. A reason for this could be watching all those online videos about new technology and seeing the presenters become ecstatic about their unrealised potential.
I really like Zoho writer and all its capable of doing and will ultimately supersede Microsoft office. The whole idea of not having to store documents or presentations on a USB stick is just brilliant. I really like the idea that finished documents can easily be published to your blog. It seems a lot easier to prepare a more professional type presentation on Zoho show rather than powerpoint.
Of course there will always be people who will not want to leave the comfort zone of Microsoft office since it took them so long to the master the applications. I suppose thats progress you just feel comfortable with one new technology and other comes along and makes it redundant. Surely Zoho writer will make wiki applications redundant like PBWorks.
I intend stepping out of my Microsoft office comfort zone and utilising all the Zoho writer applications in my work wherever possible.
I really like Zoho writer and all its capable of doing and will ultimately supersede Microsoft office. The whole idea of not having to store documents or presentations on a USB stick is just brilliant. I really like the idea that finished documents can easily be published to your blog. It seems a lot easier to prepare a more professional type presentation on Zoho show rather than powerpoint.
Of course there will always be people who will not want to leave the comfort zone of Microsoft office since it took them so long to the master the applications. I suppose thats progress you just feel comfortable with one new technology and other comes along and makes it redundant. Surely Zoho writer will make wiki applications redundant like PBWorks.
I intend stepping out of my Microsoft office comfort zone and utilising all the Zoho writer applications in my work wherever possible.
Zoho writer document posted to my blog
23 Things Introduction:
The 23 Things is a twelve week learning programme which was by pioneered in 2006 Helen Blowers of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in the USA.
The whole ethos of the programme was to encourage staff to learn and explore web 2.0 technology tools which could enhance both their working and social lives. The programme has been so successful that it has been adopted and modified by several libraries and organisations around the world. The whole idea behind the course is to develop a culture of life long learning among staff by encourageing them to embrace the opportunities new technology offers rather than be intimidated by it.
The 23 Things is a twelve week learning programme which was by pioneered in 2006 Helen Blowers of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County in the USA.
The whole ethos of the programme was to encourage staff to learn and explore web 2.0 technology tools which could enhance both their working and social lives. The programme has been so successful that it has been adopted and modified by several libraries and organisations around the world. The whole idea behind the course is to develop a culture of life long learning among staff by encourageing them to embrace the opportunities new technology offers rather than be intimidated by it.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Online gaming and NASA chimps
I was never really interested in online games and always considered them for anoraks and people who never really grew up. My own memories of arcade video games was pumping lots of 10ps into the machine and not being able to master them.
I tried three online games which tested your brain power these were Bejewelled, busy bistro and the juice machine game. I must admit I did enjoy playing busy bistro but the graphics resembled a childs cartoon. Bejewelled was a test of real skill and there was a certain logic to switching the jewels around, but I just kept thinking of the chimps trained by NASA during the apollo space programme, who pressed buttons on control panels. Instead of receiving nuts for pressing the right buttons I got points.
As far as using games in the library maybe a test your brain type one could be developed to direct people around the library. I don't really get the whole avatar and second life thing and how it can be used in library environments. I think these avatar creators just need to get a life go out and walk in the real world and appreciate nature rather than some computer generated environment.
I tried three online games which tested your brain power these were Bejewelled, busy bistro and the juice machine game. I must admit I did enjoy playing busy bistro but the graphics resembled a childs cartoon. Bejewelled was a test of real skill and there was a certain logic to switching the jewels around, but I just kept thinking of the chimps trained by NASA during the apollo space programme, who pressed buttons on control panels. Instead of receiving nuts for pressing the right buttons I got points.
As far as using games in the library maybe a test your brain type one could be developed to direct people around the library. I don't really get the whole avatar and second life thing and how it can be used in library environments. I think these avatar creators just need to get a life go out and walk in the real world and appreciate nature rather than some computer generated environment.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
chirping on about twitter
I suppose the first thing about signing up for a twitter account was the number of people I knew who were members already compared to other social networking sites I had explored. Some of the comments are quite mundane and boring that people post.
I can see how it can be used as a business networking tool or for marketing purposes since a company could build up a large following for a particular brand and then exploit this customer loyalty to launch a new product.
Twitter could be used by the library to inform people about recent developments and contains links to the relevant sources. The only disadvantage I see of the library using twitter is that it has to be constantly updated to keep people interested. The other point to note is that twitter works really efficiently if people use their phones constantly. This could result in the library staff being inundated with an avalanche of tweets from followers.
I can see how it can be used as a business networking tool or for marketing purposes since a company could build up a large following for a particular brand and then exploit this customer loyalty to launch a new product.
Twitter could be used by the library to inform people about recent developments and contains links to the relevant sources. The only disadvantage I see of the library using twitter is that it has to be constantly updated to keep people interested. The other point to note is that twitter works really efficiently if people use their phones constantly. This could result in the library staff being inundated with an avalanche of tweets from followers.
Instant Messaging how it can help
I suppose Instant Messaging makes people feel more connected,and they know immediately the status of their intended recipient whether they are available to reply immediately or currently offline. My own personal experience of using this technology has been for social purposes. Skype has a type of instant messaging service which allows you to still communicate with somebody even though they may not have access to a webcam at that particular moment in time.
In terms of library use this technology has been successfully utilised in training webinars where several people are connected off site and the tutor is alerted to any questions they raise.
I suppose the only downside to instant messaging is that it should not be used for engaging in long conversations. This can result in one individual lagging behind in responses if they have a slow internet connection or are not a fast typist. A consequence of this is the conversation goes completely off the rails.
In terms of library use this technology has been successfully utilised in training webinars where several people are connected off site and the tutor is alerted to any questions they raise.
I suppose the only downside to instant messaging is that it should not be used for engaging in long conversations. This can result in one individual lagging behind in responses if they have a slow internet connection or are not a fast typist. A consequence of this is the conversation goes completely off the rails.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Forced to face facebook
I looked at two Social networking sites Facebook and MySpace and joined the former. I am not interested in social networking sites, but can see the value as a professional networking tool. I had a look through my old Alma Mater, but did not recognise anyone who has a presence on facebook. My brother lives in the US and I can see that he uses facebook to keep in contact with people overseas.
I found the article Social Network Sites Public, Private or What? from the learning tree ejournal quite illuminating. It was interesting the advice dispensed to educators concerning the strategy to adopt when communicating with their students outside the classroom.
In terms of using Social Networking sites in a library context, we could adapt certain aspects of the model used by the British library, but on a much smaller scale. These sites could be a way of keeping the college community informed particularly students about library developments, since more people would be inclined to look at the Library facebook entry than read the newsletter.
I found the article Social Network Sites Public, Private or What? from the learning tree ejournal quite illuminating. It was interesting the advice dispensed to educators concerning the strategy to adopt when communicating with their students outside the classroom.
In terms of using Social Networking sites in a library context, we could adapt certain aspects of the model used by the British library, but on a much smaller scale. These sites could be a way of keeping the college community informed particularly students about library developments, since more people would be inclined to look at the Library facebook entry than read the newsletter.
eaudio books and ebooks
I was never really interested in audio books, since I much preferred to read the text myself and create the voices of the different characters in my own head. However I realise the importance of audio books and some people get immense pleasure out of hearing a renowned actor narrate the story.
I remember my gran as her sight started to detoriate opting for audio books since she found the large print books tough going, and they invention opened up a whole new world for the blind. I have recalled people telling me they enjoyed listening to audio books while driving on long journeys. I personally would prefer to stick on a few tunes and sing along, ah well each to their own.
A lot of the eaudio books offered by Netlibrary for business were more popular rather than academic orientated. I did notice on the library catalogue that in the drop down menu for library collection there appeared to be no option to search for audio books.
I relation to ebooks I am quite familiar with them, but the whole technology is still in its infancy however it does seem the way ahead for most libraries. However there is a hint of the old snake oil salesman mentality by different publishers and distributor peddling a diverse range platforms for content delivery.
I think the printed book will always exist since there are so many bibliophiles out there who just like the smell and texture of a nice book. A printed book can be brought practically anywhere even into the bath , whereas the current ereaders will always need some form of power source. No doubt over time they will evolve to be more adaptable, but people will alway enjoy turning the actual page of a book.
I remember my gran as her sight started to detoriate opting for audio books since she found the large print books tough going, and they invention opened up a whole new world for the blind. I have recalled people telling me they enjoyed listening to audio books while driving on long journeys. I personally would prefer to stick on a few tunes and sing along, ah well each to their own.
A lot of the eaudio books offered by Netlibrary for business were more popular rather than academic orientated. I did notice on the library catalogue that in the drop down menu for library collection there appeared to be no option to search for audio books.
I relation to ebooks I am quite familiar with them, but the whole technology is still in its infancy however it does seem the way ahead for most libraries. However there is a hint of the old snake oil salesman mentality by different publishers and distributor peddling a diverse range platforms for content delivery.
I think the printed book will always exist since there are so many bibliophiles out there who just like the smell and texture of a nice book. A printed book can be brought practically anywhere even into the bath , whereas the current ereaders will always need some form of power source. No doubt over time they will evolve to be more adaptable, but people will alway enjoy turning the actual page of a book.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
sitepal and podcasting
I had a look at sitepal and really its just a gimmick to attract people to your site or blog. I can see the value of it for companies. It could be used by the Library to attract more students. Its a lot of grief to try embed this into your blog. I did not want to download it, and just emailed it to my gmail account. Thought I would be able to add it to my blog but failed.
with regard to podcasting I was familiar with this and have used audacity software to edit audio recordings. My personal feeling is that podcasting is useful for professional broadcasting organizations and educational institutions which adhere to quality standards. Its a good way of communicating your message. Reviewing the podcast directories there is probably some interesting stuff but you have to wade through a lot of chaff to get to the wheat. In other words do you really want to have to endure listening to some lunatic ranting on their verbal soapbox.
I suppose lastFM is a musical version of library thing, with all the information on bands that obsessive fanatical music fans would love. I had a look at the Roots a Jazzy Hip Hop Collective from the City of Brotherly Love, Philly. Everything you wanted to know about the band was there, including links to information about their backing singers who have also became successful solo artists.
I'm starting to think should we rename this programme 23 Usernames and password things.
with regard to podcasting I was familiar with this and have used audacity software to edit audio recordings. My personal feeling is that podcasting is useful for professional broadcasting organizations and educational institutions which adhere to quality standards. Its a good way of communicating your message. Reviewing the podcast directories there is probably some interesting stuff but you have to wade through a lot of chaff to get to the wheat. In other words do you really want to have to endure listening to some lunatic ranting on their verbal soapbox.
I suppose lastFM is a musical version of library thing, with all the information on bands that obsessive fanatical music fans would love. I had a look at the Roots a Jazzy Hip Hop Collective from the City of Brotherly Love, Philly. Everything you wanted to know about the band was there, including links to information about their backing singers who have also became successful solo artists.
I'm starting to think should we rename this programme 23 Usernames and password things.
Friday, May 15, 2009
YouTube video the Matrix runs on Windows.
I had a look around YouTube and was trying to discover something that would be relevant. I chose this clip the matrix runs on windows by College Humor since it lampoons a particular movie genre and the humour is supposed to appeal to students. Its also very relevant since ties in well with the lunchtime talk on gaming today. As you can guess I have fallen behind a couple of weeks and am trying to catch up.
The video has universal appeal since everybody has experienced those frustating moments when windows crashes. I was never a fan of the Matrix but as far as I recall it was originally a graphic novel, and I think it ultimately became a game. It developed into a whole cult thing that totally passed me by.
I don't know how you would incorporate this video into a library website,unless inject a sense of humour into it or were trying to attract the attention of Matrix fans. Maybe create sketches from common situations staff encounter when dealing with users, which could be used for training purposes. Since as the old saying goes "Laughter is the best medicine". And I must admit that this video was very cleverly done and quite witty.
The video has universal appeal since everybody has experienced those frustating moments when windows crashes. I was never a fan of the Matrix but as far as I recall it was originally a graphic novel, and I think it ultimately became a game. It developed into a whole cult thing that totally passed me by.
I don't know how you would incorporate this video into a library website,unless inject a sense of humour into it or were trying to attract the attention of Matrix fans. Maybe create sketches from common situations staff encounter when dealing with users, which could be used for training purposes. Since as the old saying goes "Laughter is the best medicine". And I must admit that this video was very cleverly done and quite witty.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Whirling around wikis.
I've had a look at a couple of Wikis and signed up for PBWiki. Of course the definitive Wiki is Wikipedia, which every student finds invaluable for assignments even if the content is not always correct.
I think The Cataloguers Wiki UL Scratchpad is a very good idea for updating a manual. I must admit though I was constantly distracted by illuminating adverts along the sidebar advertising everything from mobile phone games and dating sites. I whirred through Columbia University's New Media centre for Teaching and Learning conference video about how they created their own special wiki called Wikispaces which was taken up with great gusto by faculty and unleashed a torrent of innovative teaching methods.
I can see how wikis could be used in the context of the KBS by communicating with students regarding queries. Conducting information skills learning workshops by making them more interactive. The application of Wikis has great potential in a library context and its just a matter of sitting down and carrying out some serious brain storming sessions with colleagues to see what works.
I think The Cataloguers Wiki UL Scratchpad is a very good idea for updating a manual. I must admit though I was constantly distracted by illuminating adverts along the sidebar advertising everything from mobile phone games and dating sites. I whirred through Columbia University's New Media centre for Teaching and Learning conference video about how they created their own special wiki called Wikispaces which was taken up with great gusto by faculty and unleashed a torrent of innovative teaching methods.
I can see how wikis could be used in the context of the KBS by communicating with students regarding queries. Conducting information skills learning workshops by making them more interactive. The application of Wikis has great potential in a library context and its just a matter of sitting down and carrying out some serious brain storming sessions with colleagues to see what works.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Theres always a Brazilian following You!
For the Curious out there if you view the next blog after this one I guarantee you it will be Brazilian. Blogger must have cut a deal or has a some crazy strategy to place portuegese blogs along side english ones. I had a look at Friendly banter and the next blog after this contained photos of a family preparing for easter celebrations with pictures of chickens and miniature houses, which appear to be somewhere in Brazil. I couldn't understand a word of it since was all portuegese to me, but the photos told the story.
I had a look at Technorati, and had to read the instructions transcript since there were problems downloading the video explaining how to use it.Once I had read about all the great improvements to the site, I found it quite difficult to navigate around it. I can't really see it as being something I would use much or even at all.
I had a look at Technorati, and had to read the instructions transcript since there were problems downloading the video explaining how to use it.Once I had read about all the great improvements to the site, I found it quite difficult to navigate around it. I can't really see it as being something I would use much or even at all.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Web 2.0 Awards List Cocktail Builder
I am still trying to catch up on last weeks assignment. I am nearly there and the last part was to choose a site from the awards list and blog about it. Since I am a dapper cocktail maker and enjoy nothing more than experimenting with the contents of the drinks cabinet by mixing and shaking them about in the cocktail shaker with plenty of crushed ice. Images of the witches in Macbeth suddenly come to mind as they stir the contents of their cauldron adding eye of newt to spice it up. I can assure you my concoctions are alway thoroughly enjoyed by delighted guests. The thrill for me is making the cocktail and seeing what will work.
I was immediately drawn to Cocktail Builder, which metaphorically speaking dangles a carrot in front of you by asking what are the contents of your bar and suggesting possible cocktails to make. AS you enter the ingredients the potential of being able to make one of their concoctions fades further into the distance since the recipe suggestions keep changing and you get the feeling I will never be able to make one of these. However I did like some of their recipes and will obtain the ingredients and try them out on guests at the next soiree.
Overall if you knew nothing about cocktails and wanted to obtain some tips, its not a bad place to start. You can even make up you own recipes and suggest them to the site but you have to calibrate each part in ozs. Some of the cocktails have some unusual names like 1960s Black Devil, Screw the Devil, and horses neck.
There is the ubiquitious Sex on the Beach which seems to be on every bar menu around the globe. Maybe a new one could be sand in your bum after all that sex on the beach. Which would have to come with a tiny umbrella, and plenty of brown sugar and quite a sour taste maybe a whiskey sour and some bitters and possibly a flavoured vodka and slice of lime. There you are I have just invented a new cocktail thanks to cocktail builder.
I was immediately drawn to Cocktail Builder, which metaphorically speaking dangles a carrot in front of you by asking what are the contents of your bar and suggesting possible cocktails to make. AS you enter the ingredients the potential of being able to make one of their concoctions fades further into the distance since the recipe suggestions keep changing and you get the feeling I will never be able to make one of these. However I did like some of their recipes and will obtain the ingredients and try them out on guests at the next soiree.
Overall if you knew nothing about cocktails and wanted to obtain some tips, its not a bad place to start. You can even make up you own recipes and suggest them to the site but you have to calibrate each part in ozs. Some of the cocktails have some unusual names like 1960s Black Devil, Screw the Devil, and horses neck.
There is the ubiquitious Sex on the Beach which seems to be on every bar menu around the globe. Maybe a new one could be sand in your bum after all that sex on the beach. Which would have to come with a tiny umbrella, and plenty of brown sugar and quite a sour taste maybe a whiskey sour and some bitters and possibly a flavoured vodka and slice of lime. There you are I have just invented a new cocktail thanks to cocktail builder.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
right hopefully you will be able to see my eclectic list of books chosen from library thing. A brief word about the choices, I have always had an interest in comedy and satire, and each of these book reminds of my travels. I picked up the Tin Drum by Gunther Grass in an old bookshop in Prague while inter railing and read the first couple of pages, and thought its too heavy to carry around with me. So I got it for christmas the following year.
I bought the Seinfeld Scripts in the NBC Shop at the Rockefeller centre in Manhattan which was a very apt since the comedy was set in NYC. I spent a summer working in a cherry factory in Germany and read Vonnegut's book in the cellar of a workers hostel which was quite appropriate. War and Peace Tolstoy's historical epic about a Russian aristocratic families fate during the Napoleonic wars. I started this in Perth Western Australia with the intention of reading it during the course of travelling around the country. I got about halfway through it and gave it up. I just remember leaving some characters in a drawing room and that was the end of that since never picked it up again. Raging bulls Easy Riders by Biskind was an illuminating journey through 1970s Hollywood, and half the people featured would not be out of place as characters in Joseph Heller's Catch 22.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Drowning Shamrocks while flicking around Flickr
Well its two days since the shamrock was drowned on St Patricks Day. No doubt it was well and truly submerged metaphorically speaking of course by revellers up and down the country and around the globe downing several creamy pints of the black stuff, while stamping their feet to some traditional Irish music as they tapped Shilelaghs on their knees.
Ever wonder what happens to all those bowls of shramrock that have been given to US Presidents by our kow towing Taoiseach over the years as they visited the White House. If times get hard for old George W Bush,maybe he can flog all the Waterford Crystal bowls Bertie gave him on ebay. I'm sure Laura bush is probably relieved they are not in the White House anymore since she has no more room in her glass case for those extremely heavy and bulky crystal bowls.
Just a thought maybe George Bush & and ould "shoot your mates while out hunting Dick Cheney" use them as ashtrays for tipping their big fat cuban cigars into. Since everyone knows things are twice as big in TEXAS and they don't have piddly little ashtrays.
Anyway everyone seemed to enjoy St Patricks Day, and people are even disillusioned into thinking its summer. There are even some students strutting around in their boardies, although I haven't seen any flip flops yet .For these naive weather fools let me paraphrase an old spanish saying " only take your coat off after may has passed. In other words don't start stripping off at the first sign of sunny weather in spring because it is still very cold weather. With these thoughts of sunshine I have uploaded a picture onto Flickr which is this weeks assignment. A refreshing of view that greeted me first thing in the morning when holidaying in Mattagorda Lanzarote two years ago. You can nearly smell the sea air and feel the palm trees swaying in the warm tropical breeze. I just hope I have now linked the photo to the the blog or else I am going to have some very disappointed followers.
I really enjoyed Janes' lunch time talk on flickr and its quite an interesting site. I will no longer be downloading photos from the digital camera, then compressing them and uploading them onto gmail in order to send them to people.
I have found some really interesting and unusual stuff on flicker. I found one picture just by sheer accident where somebody had made out of pink icing sugar a typical bedroom complete with lamp on top of a locker a pair of slippers on a mat all on what appeared to be a large muffin. Maybe this could all be camera trickery. You'll just have to flickr to find our for yourself.
Ever wonder what happens to all those bowls of shramrock that have been given to US Presidents by our kow towing Taoiseach over the years as they visited the White House. If times get hard for old George W Bush,maybe he can flog all the Waterford Crystal bowls Bertie gave him on ebay. I'm sure Laura bush is probably relieved they are not in the White House anymore since she has no more room in her glass case for those extremely heavy and bulky crystal bowls.
Just a thought maybe George Bush & and ould "shoot your mates while out hunting Dick Cheney" use them as ashtrays for tipping their big fat cuban cigars into. Since everyone knows things are twice as big in TEXAS and they don't have piddly little ashtrays.
Anyway everyone seemed to enjoy St Patricks Day, and people are even disillusioned into thinking its summer. There are even some students strutting around in their boardies, although I haven't seen any flip flops yet .For these naive weather fools let me paraphrase an old spanish saying " only take your coat off after may has passed. In other words don't start stripping off at the first sign of sunny weather in spring because it is still very cold weather. With these thoughts of sunshine I have uploaded a picture onto Flickr which is this weeks assignment. A refreshing of view that greeted me first thing in the morning when holidaying in Mattagorda Lanzarote two years ago. You can nearly smell the sea air and feel the palm trees swaying in the warm tropical breeze. I just hope I have now linked the photo to the the blog or else I am going to have some very disappointed followers.
I really enjoyed Janes' lunch time talk on flickr and its quite an interesting site. I will no longer be downloading photos from the digital camera, then compressing them and uploading them onto gmail in order to send them to people.
I have found some really interesting and unusual stuff on flicker. I found one picture just by sheer accident where somebody had made out of pink icing sugar a typical bedroom complete with lamp on top of a locker a pair of slippers on a mat all on what appeared to be a large muffin. Maybe this could all be camera trickery. You'll just have to flickr to find our for yourself.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Grappling with RSS feeds
It may be called really simple sindication (RSS) but it certainly was not that simple to try transfer the chosen feeds from my reader to my blog.
I must admit that I have found this exercise one of the harder ones. I managed to set up the RSS feeds in my google reader but was stumped as how to tranfer them to my blog. I did find the creative craft youtube video tutorials entertaining and useful. You can just imagine the floor of the room where these videos were made it must just be strewn with paper everywhere. Then along came a knight in shining armour Michelle who enlightened me yesterday on the process and I would like to share it with everyone. No doubt I am not the only person who encountered this problem.
Instructions:
Go to blogger website www.blogger.com
Log in to your blog.
Click on Layout Tab.
Choose add gadget option from menu.
Add a blog to your list
Choose option import subscriptions from Google reader.
Select the which sites from your reader you want to import
Press the add button
they should then appear in your blog
As the old saying goes a problem shared is a problem halved. So I hope you have found these instruction helpful. I realise this entry has not been as exciting as the first one, but the blog is supposed to record my experience of the whole 23 thing learning programme.
I must admit that I have found this exercise one of the harder ones. I managed to set up the RSS feeds in my google reader but was stumped as how to tranfer them to my blog. I did find the creative craft youtube video tutorials entertaining and useful. You can just imagine the floor of the room where these videos were made it must just be strewn with paper everywhere. Then along came a knight in shining armour Michelle who enlightened me yesterday on the process and I would like to share it with everyone. No doubt I am not the only person who encountered this problem.
Instructions:
Go to blogger website www.blogger.com
Log in to your blog.
Click on Layout Tab.
Choose add gadget option from menu.
Add a blog to your list
Choose option import subscriptions from Google reader.
Select the which sites from your reader you want to import
Press the add button
they should then appear in your blog
As the old saying goes a problem shared is a problem halved. So I hope you have found these instruction helpful. I realise this entry has not been as exciting as the first one, but the blog is supposed to record my experience of the whole 23 thing learning programme.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The first entry
Hmm its very hard to think of what to say for the first entry, I suppose it depends on the sort of mood I'm in. Maybe I should introduce myself, but why give the game away straight away. I feel like one of those classical marble statues which are always portrayed in deep pensive thought. As a child I wondered what they were thinking about and why their noses or big toes were always missing and covered in bird droppings. No doubt I am not the only person to every quander these thoughts.
It must have been tough being a Greek philosopher or sage with people expecting your every utterance to be nuggets of wisdom. I' m sure Pythagoras him of the theorem fame, must have had some strange experiences going to the local market to buy dates. To most people this would have been but a simple transaction, but not for him since the market was arranged in the shape of an isocles triangle. No doubt this is how he came up with his famous formula the square on the hypotenus is equal to the sum of the square of the other two sides.
Poor old Aristotle he was killed by a soldier after he gave him a witty reply to a question. Aristotle was sitting in the bath like he always did pondering life and the soldier asked the great man if there was anything he could do for him. Arisitotle replied stop blocking the sun, the soldier was so enraged he killed him. I suppose if Aesop had been around at the same time, he would have composed a fable, such as never antagonise or try be to witty with a soldier bearing a sword.
Enough mutterings about Greek philosophers, I hear you say truly they must have been all mad to be so intelligent. Theres a fine line between genius and insanity and most of them must have traversed it, like Caesar crossing the Rubicon. Once you cross it you can never go back.
What I really want to ponder was the way adults all return to their childhood. This was very evident in Limerick yesterday after the heavy snowfall. This morning on the campus there were mounds of dirty snowballs strewn about the lawns. Just the remnants of snowmen built yesterday after the heavy fall. Small sticks protruded from these melting lumps which were once the arms. A child like innocence comes over you first thing in the morning when you see snow on ground. These melting lumps brought a smile to my face and probably lots of others who passed by them, triggering memories of making them as a child in days long gone bye.
So there you have that is my first entry for the blog, I wonder will anybody read, just have to wait and see. It won't alway be about Greek philosophers and snow, but whatever I feel like scribbling about.
It must have been tough being a Greek philosopher or sage with people expecting your every utterance to be nuggets of wisdom. I' m sure Pythagoras him of the theorem fame, must have had some strange experiences going to the local market to buy dates. To most people this would have been but a simple transaction, but not for him since the market was arranged in the shape of an isocles triangle. No doubt this is how he came up with his famous formula the square on the hypotenus is equal to the sum of the square of the other two sides.
Poor old Aristotle he was killed by a soldier after he gave him a witty reply to a question. Aristotle was sitting in the bath like he always did pondering life and the soldier asked the great man if there was anything he could do for him. Arisitotle replied stop blocking the sun, the soldier was so enraged he killed him. I suppose if Aesop had been around at the same time, he would have composed a fable, such as never antagonise or try be to witty with a soldier bearing a sword.
Enough mutterings about Greek philosophers, I hear you say truly they must have been all mad to be so intelligent. Theres a fine line between genius and insanity and most of them must have traversed it, like Caesar crossing the Rubicon. Once you cross it you can never go back.
What I really want to ponder was the way adults all return to their childhood. This was very evident in Limerick yesterday after the heavy snowfall. This morning on the campus there were mounds of dirty snowballs strewn about the lawns. Just the remnants of snowmen built yesterday after the heavy fall. Small sticks protruded from these melting lumps which were once the arms. A child like innocence comes over you first thing in the morning when you see snow on ground. These melting lumps brought a smile to my face and probably lots of others who passed by them, triggering memories of making them as a child in days long gone bye.
So there you have that is my first entry for the blog, I wonder will anybody read, just have to wait and see. It won't alway be about Greek philosophers and snow, but whatever I feel like scribbling about.
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