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Monday, November 28, 2005
Sunday, November 27, 2005
CSS rollover buttons
CSS rollover buttons
CSS rollover buttons
There are many different button-rollover tutorials available on the web, some JavaScript and some CSS, but none of the ones I've seen yet match that of the Trifecta button. Let's start with what makes the CSS rollover Trifecta button different from the many other rollovers you may have already seen.
Trifecta is a betting term in which the bettor must pick the first three winners in the correct sequence - this CSS button has three key features that separate it from the rest and make it a winner. Let's have a look:
CSS rollover buttons
There are many different button-rollover tutorials available on the web, some JavaScript and some CSS, but none of the ones I've seen yet match that of the Trifecta button. Let's start with what makes the CSS rollover Trifecta button different from the many other rollovers you may have already seen.
Trifecta is a betting term in which the bettor must pick the first three winners in the correct sequence - this CSS button has three key features that separate it from the rest and make it a winner. Let's have a look:
A List Apart: Articles: CSS Design: Mo? Betta Rollovers
A List Apart: Articles: CSS Design: Mo? Betta Rollovers
The rollover effect ? simple interaction that assists usability. If your design is consistent, a user will only have to experience the effect once to understand what it does throughout your entire site, which makes my HCI guy giggle with delight.
For years we?ve been preloading our on?state images to assist the browser in its rollover presentation. Preloading increases the weight of the initial download, but adds to usability by decreasing the wait time for an on?state image to appear. Decreases, but may not eliminate. Even when preloaded, some browsers present momentary pauses prior to rendering the image.
The rollover effect ? simple interaction that assists usability. If your design is consistent, a user will only have to experience the effect once to understand what it does throughout your entire site, which makes my HCI guy giggle with delight.
For years we?ve been preloading our on?state images to assist the browser in its rollover presentation. Preloading increases the weight of the initial download, but adds to usability by decreasing the wait time for an on?state image to appear. Decreases, but may not eliminate. Even when preloaded, some browsers present momentary pauses prior to rendering the image.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
GroupWorld.net Free Trial
GroupWorld.net Free Trial
GroupWorld.net 30-day Free Trial
This registration process allows you to set up a free 30 day trial of GroupWorld.net, hosted on your own computer. You don't need a server - the only requirements are a broadband internet connection (minimum 256kbps) and either Linux or Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Server.
If you would prefer to try a version running on our test server instead, please contact us and we will be happy to set up a trial login on our test server.
During the registration process you will be asked for your name and address information which will be used to send you an invoice with payment information for the full product, but you are under no obligation to pay.
GroupWorld.net 30-day Free Trial
This registration process allows you to set up a free 30 day trial of GroupWorld.net, hosted on your own computer. You don't need a server - the only requirements are a broadband internet connection (minimum 256kbps) and either Linux or Windows 98/NT/2000/XP/Server.
If you would prefer to try a version running on our test server instead, please contact us and we will be happy to set up a trial login on our test server.
During the registration process you will be asked for your name and address information which will be used to send you an invoice with payment information for the full product, but you are under no obligation to pay.
LearningByDoing
LearningByDoing
Investors and Partners
How can over fifty people work together in real-time in an online session to accomplish their goal in a short time? They need the help of people who are trained in planning and guiding the process to a successful conclusion.
Learningbydoing provides everything needed. Its methods are based on research and have been in use in courses since 2001.
Investors and Partners
How can over fifty people work together in real-time in an online session to accomplish their goal in a short time? They need the help of people who are trained in planning and guiding the process to a successful conclusion.
Learningbydoing provides everything needed. Its methods are based on research and have been in use in courses since 2001.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
China kung fu temple switches on to reality TV - Yahoo! News
China kung fu temple switches on to reality TV - Yahoo! News
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's ancient Shaolin Temple, made famous in the West by Grasshopper in the 1970s "Kung Fu" television series, is entering the age of reality TV with a show its own.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Chinese Kung Fu Star Search" will invite viewers to vote for their favorite martial arts masters by text messages or through the Internet after each episode, due to hit living rooms across China in March, Xinhua news agency said on Friday.
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's ancient Shaolin Temple, made famous in the West by Grasshopper in the 1970s "Kung Fu" television series, is entering the age of reality TV with a show its own.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Chinese Kung Fu Star Search" will invite viewers to vote for their favorite martial arts masters by text messages or through the Internet after each episode, due to hit living rooms across China in March, Xinhua news agency said on Friday.
Friday, November 18, 2005
FeedCreator.class.php - bitfolge.de
FeedCreator.class.php - bitfolge.de
FeedCreator.class.php
formerly RSSCreator.class.php
Download v1.7.2 (ZIP, 22 KB), Source code
Licensed under the LGPL.
FeedCreator.class.php
formerly RSSCreator.class.php
Download v1.7.2 (ZIP, 22 KB), Source code
Licensed under the LGPL.
Google Base
Google Base
Google-base is here!
Help the world find your content.
Google Base is a place where you can add all types of information that we'll host and make searchable online.
You can describe any item you post with attributes, which will help people find it when they search Google Base. In fact, based on the relevance of your items, they may also be included in the main Google search index and other Google products like Froogle and Google Local.
Google-base is here!
Help the world find your content.
Google Base is a place where you can add all types of information that we'll host and make searchable online.
You can describe any item you post with attributes, which will help people find it when they search Google Base. In fact, based on the relevance of your items, they may also be included in the main Google search index and other Google products like Froogle and Google Local.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Assess web based survey tools web based assessment tools web based testing tools web based exams
Assess web based survey tools web based assessment tools web based testing tools web based exams
Assess is the only web based tool that allows you to develop online surveys, online assessments, online tests and exams and online reporting in one tool. With Assess, you save a lot of time, grief, and money because you don't have to deal with a different vendor for each of your survey, assessment and test support needs. Assess does it all in one tool, for one low price, with one point of contact for ALL your survey, assessment and exam & testing needs. Assess is easy to learn and use and requires no programming, no software installation, no plug-ins or special online programs. All you need is internet access.
Assess is the only web based tool that allows you to develop online surveys, online assessments, online tests and exams and online reporting in one tool. With Assess, you save a lot of time, grief, and money because you don't have to deal with a different vendor for each of your survey, assessment and test support needs. Assess does it all in one tool, for one low price, with one point of contact for ALL your survey, assessment and exam & testing needs. Assess is easy to learn and use and requires no programming, no software installation, no plug-ins or special online programs. All you need is internet access.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Knowledge Management Solutions, Inc.
Knowledge Management Solutions, Inc.
Knowledge Management Solutions provides technologies and services that enable our clients to improve organizational performance and meet business requirements. Our technology suite is named KMx, and it will provide your organization with the ability to develop a high performance workforce with the knowledge and skills required to achieve success.
Knowledge Management Solutions provides technologies and services that enable our clients to improve organizational performance and meet business requirements. Our technology suite is named KMx, and it will provide your organization with the ability to develop a high performance workforce with the knowledge and skills required to achieve success.
Wavigo...Communication the way it should be...
Wavigo...Communication the way it should be...
"Beyond Skype? Wavigo Integrates Multi-Protocol IM, P2P VoIP, SMS,
RSS and Media Playback" ... Robin Good
FREE INTERNET CALLS -- INSTANT MESSAGING (YAHOO!, SKYPE, MSN, AOL AND ICQ *) -- CONFERENCING -- SMS-TEXT MESSAGING -- FILE TRANSFER -- NEWS -- STOCK QUOTES -- WEATHER -- SEARCH -- TRAVEL -- PODCASTS -- MULTIMEDIA PLAYER WITH KARAOKE.
DIALUP OR BROADBAND.
"Beyond Skype? Wavigo Integrates Multi-Protocol IM, P2P VoIP, SMS,
RSS and Media Playback" ... Robin Good
FREE INTERNET CALLS -- INSTANT MESSAGING (YAHOO!, SKYPE, MSN, AOL AND ICQ *) -- CONFERENCING -- SMS-TEXT MESSAGING -- FILE TRANSFER -- NEWS -- STOCK QUOTES -- WEATHER -- SEARCH -- TRAVEL -- PODCASTS -- MULTIMEDIA PLAYER WITH KARAOKE.
DIALUP OR BROADBAND.
voip-info.org - voip-info.org
voip-info.org - voip-info.org
Welcome to the VOIP Wiki - a reference guide to all things VOIP
This Wiki covers everything related to VOIP, software, hardware, service providers, reviews, configurations, standards, tips & tricks and everything else related to voice over IP networks, IP telephony and Internet Telephony.
Welcome to the VOIP Wiki - a reference guide to all things VOIP
This Wiki covers everything related to VOIP, software, hardware, service providers, reviews, configurations, standards, tips & tricks and everything else related to voice over IP networks, IP telephony and Internet Telephony.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
The Crazy Idea of Using Blogs for Business [MarketingStudies.net]
The Crazy Idea of Using Blogs for Business [MarketingStudies.net]
"Crazy idea, using blogs for marketing. In fact, how many of you were surprised when businesses went towards corporate blogs? Well, the simple logic of these investments is now getting clearer day by day.
Of course blogs are very much like the traditional "mouth to mouth marketing", but faster and easier to reach, available 24 hours per day, giving thought-leaders even more power to influence people around the world.
But there's more to it than this. As comScore Networks just reported this week, bloggers have a wonderful audience. There are about 50 million of them in America representing about 30 percent of the total U.S. Internet population. And they are, in comparison to the average Internet user, significantly more likely to live in wealthier households, be younger and connect to the Web on high-speed connections. Pretty impressive. Blog readers also visit nearly twice as many websites as the Internet average, and they are much more likely to shop online. So, do not wonder why any more, use them to your advantage."
"Crazy idea, using blogs for marketing. In fact, how many of you were surprised when businesses went towards corporate blogs? Well, the simple logic of these investments is now getting clearer day by day.
Of course blogs are very much like the traditional "mouth to mouth marketing", but faster and easier to reach, available 24 hours per day, giving thought-leaders even more power to influence people around the world.
But there's more to it than this. As comScore Networks just reported this week, bloggers have a wonderful audience. There are about 50 million of them in America representing about 30 percent of the total U.S. Internet population. And they are, in comparison to the average Internet user, significantly more likely to live in wealthier households, be younger and connect to the Web on high-speed connections. Pretty impressive. Blog readers also visit nearly twice as many websites as the Internet average, and they are much more likely to shop online. So, do not wonder why any more, use them to your advantage."
KnowledgeStorm - The Enterprise Software, Hardware, Services, and White Papers Resource
KnowledgeStorm - The Enterprise Software, Hardware, Services, and White Papers Resource
IT Vendors
Become part of the
KnowledgeStorm Network
Generate leads and get broad exposure for your white papers, product or solution information, Webcasts, case studies and analyst reports. Find out more about how KnowledgeStorm can help.
IT Vendors
Become part of the
KnowledgeStorm Network
Generate leads and get broad exposure for your white papers, product or solution information, Webcasts, case studies and analyst reports. Find out more about how KnowledgeStorm can help.
launch
launch
Knowledge Tree e-Journal Launch
Edition 7: Tensions in the Convergence of Technology and Pedagogy
Elnet graphic
In partnership with the Elearning Network of Australasia (ElNet), The Knowledge Tree: an e-Journal of Learning Innovation (the journal of the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework) launched its seventh edition with a concurrent online and face-to-face Multiple Venue Presentation (MVP).
Knowledge Tree e-Journal Launch
Edition 7: Tensions in the Convergence of Technology and Pedagogy
Elnet graphic
In partnership with the Elearning Network of Australasia (ElNet), The Knowledge Tree: an e-Journal of Learning Innovation (the journal of the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework) launched its seventh edition with a concurrent online and face-to-face Multiple Venue Presentation (MVP).
Rapid eLearning News: Europe Leads in Understanding Informal Learning
Rapid eLearning News: Europe Leads in Understanding Informal Learning
A meeting of the eLearning Forum will be held on October 21, 2005 to address the subject of the ?Leveraging Informal Learning for Improved Business Results? (www.elearningforum.com). Speaking at this meeting will be Bob Mosher (Learning Evangelist for Microsoft), Jay Cross (CEO, Internet Time Group), and myself. In preparing to moderate the meeting, I was lucky enough to be included on an email thread with Gunnar Br?ckner, CEO of coachingplatform Inc., with offices in Canada and Germany (http://coachingplatform.com).
A meeting of the eLearning Forum will be held on October 21, 2005 to address the subject of the ?Leveraging Informal Learning for Improved Business Results? (www.elearningforum.com). Speaking at this meeting will be Bob Mosher (Learning Evangelist for Microsoft), Jay Cross (CEO, Internet Time Group), and myself. In preparing to moderate the meeting, I was lucky enough to be included on an email thread with Gunnar Br?ckner, CEO of coachingplatform Inc., with offices in Canada and Germany (http://coachingplatform.com).
Friday, November 11, 2005
Dia a drawing program
Dia a drawing program
Dia is designed to be much like the commercial Windows program 'Visio'. It can be used to draw many different kinds of diagrams. It currently has special objects to help draw entity relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and simple circuits. It is also possible to add support for new shapes by writing simple XML files, using a subset of SVG to draw the shape.
Dia is designed to be much like the commercial Windows program 'Visio'. It can be used to draw many different kinds of diagrams. It currently has special objects to help draw entity relationship diagrams, UML diagrams, flowcharts, network diagrams, and simple circuits. It is also possible to add support for new shapes by writing simple XML files, using a subset of SVG to draw the shape.
Forbes.com
Forbes.com
The tyranny of the diploma
Brigid McMenamin, Forbes Magazine, 12.28.98
NEW YORK - AT 16 XAVIER DELACOUR dropped out of Albany Academy, a private day school. He went to work hawking Egghead software out of a store in Albany, N.Y. for $6 an hour. Explains Delacour: "My head was set more towards getting my career set up." A quick learner, he was soon writing software code for a local car dealer. Delacour was only 17 when he was hired by a Marlborough, Mass.-based startup, Attune, LLC, where he's helping design a gadget that writes original music and plays it on the Internet in CD quality. Attune plans to license the gadgets to Web sites, which will sell them at $90 each.
At an age when most kids enter college, with their earning years still well in the future, Delacour, a soft-spoken teen, has his own apartment and should earn $50,000 next year, plus a 10% share of the company's profits.
Bill Gates did go to college, but for only three years. He dropped out of Harvard to devote himself full time to computer work. The time he saved from college -- and additional years spared from grad school -- gave Gates a head start in building what was to become the world's greatest fortune. It's not inconceivable that had he gone for a Ph.D., someone else today would be the world's richest person.
The tyranny of the diploma
Brigid McMenamin, Forbes Magazine, 12.28.98
NEW YORK - AT 16 XAVIER DELACOUR dropped out of Albany Academy, a private day school. He went to work hawking Egghead software out of a store in Albany, N.Y. for $6 an hour. Explains Delacour: "My head was set more towards getting my career set up." A quick learner, he was soon writing software code for a local car dealer. Delacour was only 17 when he was hired by a Marlborough, Mass.-based startup, Attune, LLC, where he's helping design a gadget that writes original music and plays it on the Internet in CD quality. Attune plans to license the gadgets to Web sites, which will sell them at $90 each.
At an age when most kids enter college, with their earning years still well in the future, Delacour, a soft-spoken teen, has his own apartment and should earn $50,000 next year, plus a 10% share of the company's profits.
Bill Gates did go to college, but for only three years. He dropped out of Harvard to devote himself full time to computer work. The time he saved from college -- and additional years spared from grad school -- gave Gates a head start in building what was to become the world's greatest fortune. It's not inconceivable that had he gone for a Ph.D., someone else today would be the world's richest person.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Free On-Line Business and Management Development Program
Free On-Line Business and Management Development Program
The nonprofit development program is at http://www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/org_dev.htm.
This complete, free, "nuts and bolts" development program can be implemented:
* By professional and service organizations to promptly provide a business and management development program in their locale. (This program can be adopted "as is" or modified. Guidelines are included herein for carrying out the program.)
* As a free, self-paced program for entrepreneurs, leaders and managers.
* As a free, self-paced program for trainers and developers to better understand basic systems and concepts in business. (In conjunction with this program, trainers and developers would also benefit from understanding the competencies needed to effectively consult to businesses, including by working from preferred business-oriented outcomes. The list at the following site may be very useful: Knowledge and Skills Necessary for Competence in Organization Development.)
Note that this program is non-degree-granting. However, service organizations that adopt this program to provide it in their locale...
The nonprofit development program is at http://www.managementhelp.org/np_progs/org_dev.htm.
This complete, free, "nuts and bolts" development program can be implemented:
* By professional and service organizations to promptly provide a business and management development program in their locale. (This program can be adopted "as is" or modified. Guidelines are included herein for carrying out the program.)
* As a free, self-paced program for entrepreneurs, leaders and managers.
* As a free, self-paced program for trainers and developers to better understand basic systems and concepts in business. (In conjunction with this program, trainers and developers would also benefit from understanding the competencies needed to effectively consult to businesses, including by working from preferred business-oriented outcomes. The list at the following site may be very useful: Knowledge and Skills Necessary for Competence in Organization Development.)
Note that this program is non-degree-granting. However, service organizations that adopt this program to provide it in their locale...
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Australian Travel Information, Travelling in Australia, Backpacking in Australia, Holidays in Australia, Australian Travel Guide, Australian Explorer
Australian Travel Information, Travelling in Australia, Backpacking in Australia, Holidays in Australia, Australian Travel Guide, Australian Explorer
Send an E-Postcard
Recommended
Adelaide
Canberra
Coastal
Dingo
Island
Kakadu/Ord
Kangaroo
Koala/Bird
Mountains
Great Ocean Road
Northern Territory
Port Stephens
Sealife
Sydney/Canberra
Transport
Uluru/Olgas
Water/Reef
Western Australia
Enter a Competition
Best Photographs
General Knowledge
Most Postcards
Some History
Captain Cook
Digeridoos
General History
Prime Ministers
Getting Around
Bus
Car
Cycling
Flight
Train
Australian Nature
Animals
Birds
Dolphins
Flora
Sealife
Snakes
Australia Hostel
Australian Travel Information
Travelling in Australia is so easy with Australian Explorer. We offer over 12,000 quality pages of Australian travel information all in one great place. Just decide where in Australia you would like to explore and follow the many travel links below. You can enter one of the Free Competitions, send Electronic Postcards, Book Apartments, Book Car Rental, Book Hostels, Book Hotels, Book Australian Tours, Book Flights, Buy Australian Books Online, Book Experiences or just have fun learning about Australia.
Send an E-Postcard
Recommended
Adelaide
Canberra
Coastal
Dingo
Island
Kakadu/Ord
Kangaroo
Koala/Bird
Mountains
Great Ocean Road
Northern Territory
Port Stephens
Sealife
Sydney/Canberra
Transport
Uluru/Olgas
Water/Reef
Western Australia
Enter a Competition
Best Photographs
General Knowledge
Most Postcards
Some History
Captain Cook
Digeridoos
General History
Prime Ministers
Getting Around
Bus
Car
Cycling
Flight
Train
Australian Nature
Animals
Birds
Dolphins
Flora
Sealife
Snakes
Australia Hostel
Australian Travel Information
Travelling in Australia is so easy with Australian Explorer. We offer over 12,000 quality pages of Australian travel information all in one great place. Just decide where in Australia you would like to explore and follow the many travel links below. You can enter one of the Free Competitions, send Electronic Postcards, Book Apartments, Book Car Rental, Book Hostels, Book Hotels, Book Australian Tours, Book Flights, Buy Australian Books Online, Book Experiences or just have fun learning about Australia.
WWWEDU press release
WWWEDU press release
Introducing WWWEDU, a moderated list dedicated to the use of the World Wide Web in education.
WWWEDU is a moderated list sponsored by Andy Carvin at the Benton Foundation. The purpose of WWWEDU is to offer educators, webmasters and policy makers a continuous discussion on the potential of World-Wide Web use in education. The Web is increasingly becoming an ideal environment for teaching students of all ages. A well-conceived Web site can inspire creativity and interactivity, yet it is still too new of an environment for us to completely grasp its potential. What are teachers and students doing with the Web today? How can the structure of the Web positively affect learning and assessment? What else can be done to expand the Web's role in education? And how can we encourage non-Web using schools and educators to take advantage of this new tool? WWWEDU will hopefully provide a forum for these questions and others as they come up
Introducing WWWEDU, a moderated list dedicated to the use of the World Wide Web in education.
WWWEDU is a moderated list sponsored by Andy Carvin at the Benton Foundation. The purpose of WWWEDU is to offer educators, webmasters and policy makers a continuous discussion on the potential of World-Wide Web use in education. The Web is increasingly becoming an ideal environment for teaching students of all ages. A well-conceived Web site can inspire creativity and interactivity, yet it is still too new of an environment for us to completely grasp its potential. What are teachers and students doing with the Web today? How can the structure of the Web positively affect learning and assessment? What else can be done to expand the Web's role in education? And how can we encourage non-Web using schools and educators to take advantage of this new tool? WWWEDU will hopefully provide a forum for these questions and others as they come up
Monday, November 07, 2005
ClockLink.com provides fashionable clocks that you can easily embed in your web page. All you need to do is simply paste the tag on your web page. Our clock will display the city name of your choice if you choose. You can also choose a time zone for your clock so it will show the correct time. Decorate your website with our clocks!
Peer Resources - Our Corporate Profile
Peer Resources - Our Corporate Profile
Our mission is to provide:
check mark high quality training,
check mark superior educational resources, and
check mark practical consultation
to persons who wish to establish or strengthen peer helping, peer support, peer mediation, peer referral, peer education, peer coaching, and mentor programs in schools, universities, communities, and corporations.
Peer Resources has been in operation as a non-profit educational corporation since 1975 and has an unequaled record of experienced and published experts in peer, mentor, and coach systems in Canada.
Our mission is to provide:
check mark high quality training,
check mark superior educational resources, and
check mark practical consultation
to persons who wish to establish or strengthen peer helping, peer support, peer mediation, peer referral, peer education, peer coaching, and mentor programs in schools, universities, communities, and corporations.
Peer Resources has been in operation as a non-profit educational corporation since 1975 and has an unequaled record of experienced and published experts in peer, mentor, and coach systems in Canada.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
The Daily Telegraph | Bird flu drug panic
The Daily Telegraph | Bird flu drug panic
Dr Gathey said patients were swarming into her (Melbourne) Eastern Suburbs practice claiming they were travelling to Asia or had been placed on a waiting list for the drug by a chemist and wanted a script.
She said she was annoyed some of the demand seemed to be generated by pharmacists advertising they had a waiting list for the drug.
"Patients and pharmacists are colluding; they are dictating to doctors what we should be prescribing," Dr Gathey said.
Dr Gathey said patients were swarming into her (Melbourne) Eastern Suburbs practice claiming they were travelling to Asia or had been placed on a waiting list for the drug by a chemist and wanted a script.
She said she was annoyed some of the demand seemed to be generated by pharmacists advertising they had a waiting list for the drug.
"Patients and pharmacists are colluding; they are dictating to doctors what we should be prescribing," Dr Gathey said.
What You Should and Shouldn't Worry About: Putting Avian Flu in Perspective: Weekend - Yahoo! Finance
What You Should and Shouldn't Worry About: Putting Avian Flu in Perspective: Weekend - Yahoo! Finance
The worry isn't today's bird flu but what it might become tomorrow. We already know this flu is deadly, killing about half the people who catch it. The fear is that it will become more contagious, which could happen if it mutates or combines with a human virus. The risk is especially worrisome as infected birds migrate to Africa. There people live in close quarters with animals and a large percentage of the population has HIV, possibly making them more vulnerable. All of this increases the risk that bird flu will combine with a human virus, and once that happens, the disease will likely spread quickly.
The worry isn't today's bird flu but what it might become tomorrow. We already know this flu is deadly, killing about half the people who catch it. The fear is that it will become more contagious, which could happen if it mutates or combines with a human virus. The risk is especially worrisome as infected birds migrate to Africa. There people live in close quarters with animals and a large percentage of the population has HIV, possibly making them more vulnerable. All of this increases the risk that bird flu will combine with a human virus, and once that happens, the disease will likely spread quickly.
Richest Cities in the U.S.: Weekend - Yahoo! Finance
Richest Cities in the U.S.: Weekend - Yahoo! Finance
Richest Cities in the U.S.
Forbes.com
Sara Clemence
The richest cities in the U.S. are glittering metropolises where super-wealthy people gather and even relatively modest homes costs millions of dollars.
Richest Cities in the U.S.
Forbes.com
Sara Clemence
The richest cities in the U.S. are glittering metropolises where super-wealthy people gather and even relatively modest homes costs millions of dollars.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
SimPRES
SimPRES
SimPRES
A Simulator for time Petri nets
PRES+ stands for Petri net Representation for Embedded Systems. It is a model intended to represent embedded systems, which extends Petri nets adding data and real-time information to tokens, and associating functions and delays to transitions. Delays may be expressed as lower and upper limits.
SimPRES is a simulator for a subset of this particular computational model. The class of systems that may be validated using SimPRES corresponds to time Petri nets.
SimPRES
A Simulator for time Petri nets
PRES+ stands for Petri net Representation for Embedded Systems. It is a model intended to represent embedded systems, which extends Petri nets adding data and real-time information to tokens, and associating functions and delays to transitions. Delays may be expressed as lower and upper limits.
SimPRES is a simulator for a subset of this particular computational model. The class of systems that may be validated using SimPRES corresponds to time Petri nets.
Peer Resources: Mentor Question Contest
Peer Resources: Mentor Question Contest
In ancient Africa, prior to the time of the Greek and Roman invasions, when a child was born, each village shared the responsibility for raising and educating the child into the customs and traditions associated with that village.
This practice continues today and has become the rallying mantra: "It takes a village to raise a child."
But a more detailed examination of this ancient practice revealed that while the child had contact with every member of the village, there was always one older child (not a family member) who would be assigned the responsibility to ask questions and listen carefully to the younger child.
In Swahili (one of the oldest languages on our planet), this questioning person was called, "Habari gani menta" which, in English, means, the person who asks "What's happening?"
In ancient Africa, prior to the time of the Greek and Roman invasions, when a child was born, each village shared the responsibility for raising and educating the child into the customs and traditions associated with that village.
This practice continues today and has become the rallying mantra: "It takes a village to raise a child."
But a more detailed examination of this ancient practice revealed that while the child had contact with every member of the village, there was always one older child (not a family member) who would be assigned the responsibility to ask questions and listen carefully to the younger child.
In Swahili (one of the oldest languages on our planet), this questioning person was called, "Habari gani menta" which, in English, means, the person who asks "What's happening?"
Friday, November 04, 2005
Contentious » Blogging Style: The Basic Posting Formats (Series Index)
Contentious » Blogging Style: The Basic Posting Formats (Series Index)
Here are the seven basic blog posting formats:
1. Link-only
2. Link blurb
3. Brief remark
4. List
5. Short article
6. Long article
7. Series postings
Keep in mind that these types represent points along a spectrum. A specific posting might blend aspects of two or more formats.
Here are the seven basic blog posting formats:
1. Link-only
2. Link blurb
3. Brief remark
4. List
5. Short article
6. Long article
7. Series postings
Keep in mind that these types represent points along a spectrum. A specific posting might blend aspects of two or more formats.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
ICT in Education Blog
ICT in Education Blog
How it worked
Loaded Anquet Maps up on the screen using the whiteboard and zoomed into Dunbar. I asked the students if they could see any map symbols and if they would be prepared to come up to the board, circle a map symbol, call out the type of symbol and then give the pen to the next person with their hand up.
How it worked
Loaded Anquet Maps up on the screen using the whiteboard and zoomed into Dunbar. I asked the students if they could see any map symbols and if they would be prepared to come up to the board, circle a map symbol, call out the type of symbol and then give the pen to the next person with their hand up.
ICT in Education Blog : PowerPoint to a large group
ICT in Education Blog : PowerPoint to a large group
Tips when presenting PowerPoints to a large audience:
* Prepare your presentation well and have a run through
* Produce more content than you need (but make sure that there are a number of places in your presentation where you can end – but the presentation will still make sense).
* Find out what sort of presentation facilities are available (in particular find out the size of the screen – this will dictate the size of your text)
* Make sure you know which slide will come next (I sometimes place bits of clip art in some slides to jog my memory)
* Engage with your audience (audiences don’t just like being spoken to) Ask questions like, ‘who has studied population so far?’ ‘Put your hand up if you have studied Development and Health…….that’s interesting about 50% of you, thank you for helping me with that.’
* Make sure your audience are attentive (I find it useful to look down the middle row or along the side of an audience. For every person who is off task assume that everyone else in the row is the same. Change the speed of your presentation, the slant, the tone of your voice, move around more to attract attention or anything that you feel will re-capture the imagination of your audience.
* Ask for questions and provide a mechanism so that people can get their questions answered at a later date (for example an email address).
* Thank your audience
* Always have a back up plan!
Tips when presenting PowerPoints to a large audience:
* Prepare your presentation well and have a run through
* Produce more content than you need (but make sure that there are a number of places in your presentation where you can end – but the presentation will still make sense).
* Find out what sort of presentation facilities are available (in particular find out the size of the screen – this will dictate the size of your text)
* Make sure you know which slide will come next (I sometimes place bits of clip art in some slides to jog my memory)
* Engage with your audience (audiences don’t just like being spoken to) Ask questions like, ‘who has studied population so far?’ ‘Put your hand up if you have studied Development and Health…….that’s interesting about 50% of you, thank you for helping me with that.’
* Make sure your audience are attentive (I find it useful to look down the middle row or along the side of an audience. For every person who is off task assume that everyone else in the row is the same. Change the speed of your presentation, the slant, the tone of your voice, move around more to attract attention or anything that you feel will re-capture the imagination of your audience.
* Ask for questions and provide a mechanism so that people can get their questions answered at a later date (for example an email address).
* Thank your audience
* Always have a back up plan!
Learning Styles - take a free online test
Learning Styles - take a free online test
About Us
The Vancouver Island Invisible Disability Association is a registered non-profit association located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Read this page to find out more about us.
About Us
The Vancouver Island Invisible Disability Association is a registered non-profit association located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Read this page to find out more about us.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Berkun blog
Berkun blog
The data death spiral
November 1st, 2005
Whenever data is misused as the only means for making decisions, a death spiral begins. The lust for data overwhelms all sensibilities. Cowardly decision makers howl in glee at reams of unnecessary data, while bright people sit handcuffed to ugly slidedecks and mediocre ideas. Decision makers forget their brains and wait for numbers, fueling an organizational addiction to unnecessary and distracting data.
The data death spiral
November 1st, 2005
Whenever data is misused as the only means for making decisions, a death spiral begins. The lust for data overwhelms all sensibilities. Cowardly decision makers howl in glee at reams of unnecessary data, while bright people sit handcuffed to ugly slidedecks and mediocre ideas. Decision makers forget their brains and wait for numbers, fueling an organizational addiction to unnecessary and distracting data.
RSS Feed Reader / News Aggregators Directory :: hebig.org/blog
RSS Feed Reader / News Aggregators Directory :: hebig.org/blog
RSS Feed Reader / News Aggregators Directory
<< Previous Entry | Next Entry>>
Update in progress :-)
45% done
Latest additions: 2005-10-13 Feedexa in → web-based, Taskable in → Windows
Legend: DORMANT = no activity for one year or more, DISCONTINUED = project closed or website unreachable
RSS Feed Reader / News Aggregators Directory
<< Previous Entry | Next Entry>>
Update in progress :-)
45% done
Latest additions: 2005-10-13 Feedexa in → web-based, Taskable in → Windows
Legend: DORMANT = no activity for one year or more, DISCONTINUED = project closed or website unreachable
Niall Kennedy's Weblog: Tag-aware RSS feeds
Niall Kennedy's Weblog: Tag-aware RSS feeds
Tag-aware RSS feeds
Brian Del Vecchio wrote a long entry about about splicing a RSS feed by tag and how aggregator developers can create more tag-aware applications. It is possible within the RSS specification, but most feed authors have overlooked how to properly declare tags within their feeds. Flickr does not include categories with its RSS 2.0 feeds and Del.icio.us feeds use Dublin Core subject to provide space-separated tags.
Tag-aware RSS feeds
Brian Del Vecchio wrote a long entry about about splicing a RSS feed by tag and how aggregator developers can create more tag-aware applications. It is possible within the RSS specification, but most feed authors have overlooked how to properly declare tags within their feeds. Flickr does not include categories with its RSS 2.0 feeds and Del.icio.us feeds use Dublin Core subject to provide space-separated tags.
Niall Kennedy's Weblog: Sort help for feed aggregators
Niall Kennedy's Weblog: Sort help for feed aggregators
Sort help for feed aggregators
As our lists of feeds grow it becomes more difficult to sort through the clutter that greets us as we fire up our news aggregators. The list of publishers of supported feeds continues to grow, as does the appetite for consumption. The next important step in the feed aggregation space will be how you tame the data available within the application. I propose sorting services that would allow developers to offer their own reclassification of a list of feeds or their content.
Sort help for feed aggregators
As our lists of feeds grow it becomes more difficult to sort through the clutter that greets us as we fire up our news aggregators. The list of publishers of supported feeds continues to grow, as does the appetite for consumption. The next important step in the feed aggregation space will be how you tame the data available within the application. I propose sorting services that would allow developers to offer their own reclassification of a list of feeds or their content.
Creating a Custom RSS Feed Aggregator
Creating a Custom RSS Feed Aggregator
Creating a Custom RSS Feed Aggregator
By W. Jason Gilmore
Go to page: Prev 1 2
The PHP Script
The final task is to create the script that will display the user's chosen RSS feeds. This script, titled myrss.php, is surprisingly simple, consisting of just two main components:
* Login: The user will need to log in to view his customized feeds. This is accomplished by using a simple form and some logic that will confirm the supplied e-mail address and password.
* RSS Aggregation and Delivery: Assuming a valid login (or valid session; see next paragraph), we'll use the Magpie RSS Parser to display the user's chosen RSS feeds.
To save users the hassle of having to repeatedly log in every time they need an RSS "fix," I make use of PHP's session-handling feature. Once successfully logged in, the user's unique identifier is stored as a session variable for later retrieval. Keep in mind that the storage duration is entirely dependent upon how your PHP installation's session functionality is configured.
Creating a Custom RSS Feed Aggregator
By W. Jason Gilmore
Go to page: Prev 1 2
The PHP Script
The final task is to create the script that will display the user's chosen RSS feeds. This script, titled myrss.php, is surprisingly simple, consisting of just two main components:
* Login: The user will need to log in to view his customized feeds. This is accomplished by using a simple form and some logic that will confirm the supplied e-mail address and password.
* RSS Aggregation and Delivery: Assuming a valid login (or valid session; see next paragraph), we'll use the Magpie RSS Parser to display the user's chosen RSS feeds.
To save users the hassle of having to repeatedly log in every time they need an RSS "fix," I make use of PHP's session-handling feature. Once successfully logged in, the user's unique identifier is stored as a session variable for later retrieval. Keep in mind that the storage duration is entirely dependent upon how your PHP installation's session functionality is configured.
feed and rss protocols format
feed and rss protocols format
Why not continue using HTTP ?
Two reasons (explained below):
* http: cannot define actions.
* http: cannot launch aggregator software from your browser software to perform subscription to a feed.
The main difference with http: URL is that feed: URI are to be processed by feed reader/aggregator software, while http: URL are usually processed by web browser software.
Like the ma
Why not continue using HTTP ?
Two reasons (explained below):
* http: cannot define actions.
* http: cannot launch aggregator software from your browser software to perform subscription to a feed.
The main difference with http: URL is that feed: URI are to be processed by feed reader/aggregator software, while http: URL are usually processed by web browser software.
Like the ma
Does My Small Business Need a Budget?
Does My Small Business Need a Budget?
Does My Small Business Need a Budget?
By: Melody Campbell
"I only have a small business, I don't need a budget."
"I don't have enough money to budget."
For many small business owners, the word "budget" is something for the bigger company - maybe they'll have one when their business "grows up."
Does My Small Business Need a Budget?
By: Melody Campbell
"I only have a small business, I don't need a budget."
"I don't have enough money to budget."
For many small business owners, the word "budget" is something for the bigger company - maybe they'll have one when their business "grows up."
Don Kiely
Don Kiely
Don Kiely
Don Kiely, MVP, MCSD, is a senior technology consultant specializing in developing secure desktop and Web applications that integrate databases, Microsoft Office, and related technologies, using tools including SQL Server, the .NET framework, and XML. Don has authored and co-authored several programming books that you're likely to find in the discount bin of your local bookstore. He writes regularly for many industry journals, including MSDN, TechNet, Visual Studio .NET (VBPJ), and many other magazines. Don trains developers and speaks regularly at industry conferences, including TechEd, VSLive!, DevConnections, and others. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Colorado, but fortunately learned the error of his ways. In his spare time he roams the Alaska wilderness by foot, dog sled, skis, and kayak, with his love Carol and any of their 26 dogs. Contact him at donkiely@computer.org.
Don Kiely
Don Kiely, MVP, MCSD, is a senior technology consultant specializing in developing secure desktop and Web applications that integrate databases, Microsoft Office, and related technologies, using tools including SQL Server, the .NET framework, and XML. Don has authored and co-authored several programming books that you're likely to find in the discount bin of your local bookstore. He writes regularly for many industry journals, including MSDN, TechNet, Visual Studio .NET (VBPJ), and many other magazines. Don trains developers and speaks regularly at industry conferences, including TechEd, VSLive!, DevConnections, and others. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the University of Colorado, but fortunately learned the error of his ways. In his spare time he roams the Alaska wilderness by foot, dog sled, skis, and kayak, with his love Carol and any of their 26 dogs. Contact him at donkiely@computer.org.
The Bob Pike Group: Strategic Action Planning
The Bob Pike Group: Strategic Action Planning
Displayed Thinking Business Analysis
Adapted by Mike Vance from the storyboarding processes of Walt Disney, the process of Displayed Thinking Analysis creates consensus, engages all participants, and guarantees buy-in. It leverages the elements of brainstorming, affinity work, and group prioritization. Atypical display is below, yet keep in mind that the header cards change for each project given its components and the best process. Here is an example of the header cards that might be used for analyzing which solution route to take to improve a capability.
Free Education On the Internet -- Free-Ed.Net
Free Education On the Internet -- Free-Ed.Net
No tuition, no books to buy, no hidden fees
It's free ... all of it!
Education as never before
FAQ - About Free-Ed.Net - Contact Us - Make a Donation - Legal Stuff - Privacy Statement
No tuition, no books to buy, no hidden fees
It's free ... all of it!
Education as never before
FAQ - About Free-Ed.Net - Contact Us - Make a Donation - Legal Stuff - Privacy Statement
SQLCourse2 - Advanced Online SQL Training
SQLCourse2 - Advanced Online SQL Training
Welcome to SQLCourse2.com! This unique SQL Tutorial is the "sequel" to the highly successful SQLCourse.com site and will provide you with more advanced easy-to-follow SQL Instruction and the ability to practice what you learn on-line with immediate feedback! You will receive immediate results on a web page after submitting your SQL Commands.
Welcome to SQLCourse2.com! This unique SQL Tutorial is the "sequel" to the highly successful SQLCourse.com site and will provide you with more advanced easy-to-follow SQL Instruction and the ability to practice what you learn on-line with immediate feedback! You will receive immediate results on a web page after submitting your SQL Commands.
Big Picture | Apple to ditch IBM, switch to Intel chips | CNET News.com
Big Picture | Apple to ditch IBM, switch to Intel chips | CNET News.com
The Big Picture: Apple to ditch IBM, switch to Intel chips
Apple will announce its plans Monday in a move that raises questions about the Mac maker's future computer strategy.
June 3, 2005 5:08 PM
The Big Picture: Apple to ditch IBM, switch to Intel chips
Apple will announce its plans Monday in a move that raises questions about the Mac maker's future computer strategy.
June 3, 2005 5:08 PM
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
ASTD Home
ASTD Home
Call for Proposals: Research-to-Practice Conference
Do you want your research to influence practice in the workplace learning and performance (WLP) field? If so, then please submit a proposal for the Research-to-Practice Conference-Within-a-Conference, to be held at the 2006 ASTD International Conference & Exposition. The deadline for proposal
Call for Proposals: Research-to-Practice Conference
Do you want your research to influence practice in the workplace learning and performance (WLP) field? If so, then please submit a proposal for the Research-to-Practice Conference-Within-a-Conference, to be held at the 2006 ASTD International Conference & Exposition. The deadline for proposal
Computer Forensics by Ibas - Computer Forensic Investigations
Computer Forensics by Ibas - Computer Forensic Investigations
Computer Forensics - Computer Forensic Investigations
Document Actions
* Send this page to somebody
* Print this page
Incidents have always happened in the workplace and they always will except now the evidence is based on a computer. Human Rights, international law and protocols require that the incident is handled correctly. The information and facts based on a computer system must be secured and analysed in accordance with accepted international standards. Our Computer Forensic investigations deliver a professional service based on real technical expertise and investigation experience that provides compelling evidence meeting requirements and delivering real value.
Computer Forensics - Computer Forensic Investigations
Document Actions
* Send this page to somebody
* Print this page
Incidents have always happened in the workplace and they always will except now the evidence is based on a computer. Human Rights, international law and protocols require that the incident is handled correctly. The information and facts based on a computer system must be secured and analysed in accordance with accepted international standards. Our Computer Forensic investigations deliver a professional service based on real technical expertise and investigation experience that provides compelling evidence meeting requirements and delivering real value.
Call for Papers ITDL
Call for Papers ITDL
CALL FOR PAPERS
The International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning is a refereed global monthly publication focused on technology assisted teaching and learning at all levels of education and training in traditional, distance and open learning.
Specific topics include: research, innovation, theory and practice, curriculum, instructional design, technology, interactive technologies, synchronous and asynchronous learning, learning from television, online learning, peer learning, learning styles, learning objects, learning management systems, administration and evaluation of distance education and training programs, policy frameworks, institutional change, adaptation to different cultures, education-industry partnerships, legislation, and related topics.
CALL FOR PAPERS
The International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning is a refereed global monthly publication focused on technology assisted teaching and learning at all levels of education and training in traditional, distance and open learning.
Specific topics include: research, innovation, theory and practice, curriculum, instructional design, technology, interactive technologies, synchronous and asynchronous learning, learning from television, online learning, peer learning, learning styles, learning objects, learning management systems, administration and evaluation of distance education and training programs, policy frameworks, institutional change, adaptation to different cultures, education-industry partnerships, legislation, and related topics.
Odeo: Listen, Sync, Create
Odeo: Listen, Sync, Create
Today’s search podcast covers the new Google Blog Search, Gates on the Google "honeymoon," Kai-Fu Lee getting to work for Google, sort of, Yahoo’s trademark app for Y.com, AOL...
Today’s search podcast covers the new Google Blog Search, Gates on the Google "honeymoon," Kai-Fu Lee getting to work for Google, sort of, Yahoo’s trademark app for Y.com, AOL...
It's a Flat World, After All (Long article)
It's a Flat World, After All (Long article)
At one point, summing up the implications of all this, Nilekani uttered a phrase that rang in my ear. He said to me, ''Tom, the playing field is being leveled.'' He meant that countries like India were now able to compete equally for global knowledge work as never before -- and that America had better get ready for this. As I left the Infosys campus that evening and bounced along the potholed road back to Bangalore, I kept chewing on that phrase: ''The playing field is being leveled.''
''What Nandan is saying,'' I thought, ''is that the playing field is being flattened. Flattened? Flattened? My God, he's telling me the world is flat!
At one point, summing up the implications of all this, Nilekani uttered a phrase that rang in my ear. He said to me, ''Tom, the playing field is being leveled.'' He meant that countries like India were now able to compete equally for global knowledge work as never before -- and that America had better get ready for this. As I left the Infosys campus that evening and bounced along the potholed road back to Bangalore, I kept chewing on that phrase: ''The playing field is being leveled.''
''What Nandan is saying,'' I thought, ''is that the playing field is being flattened. Flattened? Flattened? My God, he's telling me the world is flat!
Distance Learning - ITDL-all issues
Distance Learning - ITDL-all issues
This Journal was established to facilitate collaboration and communication among researchers, innovators, practitioners, and administrators of education and training programs involving technology and distance learning.
This Journal was established to facilitate collaboration and communication among researchers, innovators, practitioners, and administrators of education and training programs involving technology and distance learning.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Yahoo! 360° Help
Yahoo! 360° Help
Allowed HTML tags and attributes
This is the complete list of HTML tags and associated attributes allowed in your 360° blog posts.
Allowed HTML tags and attributes
This is the complete list of HTML tags and associated attributes allowed in your 360° blog posts.
Elance - Buy Services Online
Elance - Buy Services Online
Services and Contractor Management
» We set up your business to buy and manage services electronically
» Employees find, buy, manage and pay conveniently
» Category managers control spend, process and compliance
» Providers and contractors receive orders, submit and bill electronically
» Your business saves 8-17%
Services and Contractor Management
» We set up your business to buy and manage services electronically
» Employees find, buy, manage and pay conveniently
» Category managers control spend, process and compliance
» Providers and contractors receive orders, submit and bill electronically
» Your business saves 8-17%
Friday, October 28, 2005
The Portrait of the Architect Rational
The Portrait of the Architect Rational
INTP -- my personality type
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is the structural engineering role -- architechtonics -- that reaches the highest development in these Rationals, and it is for this reason they are aptly called the "Architects." Their major interest is in figuring out structure, build, configuration -- the spatiality of things.
INTP -- my personality type
Of the four aspects of strategic analysis and definition, it is the structural engineering role -- architechtonics -- that reaches the highest development in these Rationals, and it is for this reason they are aptly called the "Architects." Their major interest is in figuring out structure, build, configuration -- the spatiality of things.
KnowPlace: Free Weekend Workshop
KnowPlace: Free Weekend Workshop
** Please Circulate**
Open Weekends @ Knowplace presents a free weekend workshop that requires only your participation. We need your active participation in the online community as it is the only way we can "see" you.
Most of the workshops are asynchronous (not real time) so you can participate when it's convenient. In some cases, the facilitator will offer synchronous sessions to complement the resources. If you are unable to participate in a scheduled synchronous event, you are welcome to participate in all the asynchronous activities. If you are feeling like a duck-out-of-water, that's okay too. We all started there too. :-) This weekend is devoted to those who have little or no experience online.
**New to Online**
This weekend is for "newbies", people who want a comfortable, safe place for their initial experience to the online environment. Helen Kershaw, our communication tools' expert, will work with the group to answer your questions (there are no stupid ones this is how we learn) You will be led in a discussion about what you need to consider to work online. Ask all your questions here!
** Enrol **
You self-enrol at Open Weekends. http://knowplace.ca/moodle_1.4.3/course/view.php?id=69 Anyone who has already registered at Knowplace has a login, and will have access to the course when it opens. If this is your first time using Moodle, please browse through the Use Knowplace course. http://knowplace.ca/moodle_1.4.3/course/view.php?id=19 Once you have a login, you will be able to access the course once it opens. All our courses open Friday at 9 a.m., PDT and close Sunday @ midnight PDT. The "three-day" weekend provides time for you to review the course materials and/or read and post to the forums later on Sunday. The facilitator(s) will be checking into the workshops throughout the weekend at times convenient to their time zones.
Wondering what Pacific Time equates to in your part of the world? Go to the global clock http://www.timeanddate.com/
** Future Topics **
If you have suggestions for topics you would like to learn about and/or present, please contact me, carolec@knowplace.ca
** Why Me? **
We know how irritating it can be to be placed on a mailing list that you don't want to be part of... So... If you want to be removed from the list, email Carole carolec@knowplace.ca with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
.....................
Carole Cotton, B.A., M.Ed.
Coordinator, Open Weekends @ Knowplace.
Career Portfolio Specialist, Online Educator, eCareer Coach
Yahoo IM - carole_cotton2003
MSN IM -cottoncarole
Skype ID - clcotton
Gtalk ID - clcotton
Knowplace http://knowplace.ca
** Providing customized training geared to the needs of specific groups - both in Canada and internationally
** Assisting organizations and individuals move into the online world quickly and efficiently
** Please Circulate**
Open Weekends @ Knowplace presents a free weekend workshop that requires only your participation. We need your active participation in the online community as it is the only way we can "see" you.
Most of the workshops are asynchronous (not real time) so you can participate when it's convenient. In some cases, the facilitator will offer synchronous sessions to complement the resources. If you are unable to participate in a scheduled synchronous event, you are welcome to participate in all the asynchronous activities. If you are feeling like a duck-out-of-water, that's okay too. We all started there too. :-) This weekend is devoted to those who have little or no experience online.
**New to Online**
This weekend is for "newbies", people who want a comfortable, safe place for their initial experience to the online environment. Helen Kershaw, our communication tools' expert, will work with the group to answer your questions (there are no stupid ones this is how we learn) You will be led in a discussion about what you need to consider to work online. Ask all your questions here!
** Enrol **
You self-enrol at Open Weekends. http://knowplace.ca/moodle_1.4.3/course/view.php?id=69 Anyone who has already registered at Knowplace has a login, and will have access to the course when it opens. If this is your first time using Moodle, please browse through the Use Knowplace course. http://knowplace.ca/moodle_1.4.3/course/view.php?id=19 Once you have a login, you will be able to access the course once it opens. All our courses open Friday at 9 a.m., PDT and close Sunday @ midnight PDT. The "three-day" weekend provides time for you to review the course materials and/or read and post to the forums later on Sunday. The facilitator(s) will be checking into the workshops throughout the weekend at times convenient to their time zones.
Wondering what Pacific Time equates to in your part of the world? Go to the global clock http://www.timeanddate.com/
** Future Topics **
If you have suggestions for topics you would like to learn about and/or present, please contact me, carolec@knowplace.ca
** Why Me? **
We know how irritating it can be to be placed on a mailing list that you don't want to be part of... So... If you want to be removed from the list, email Carole carolec@knowplace.ca with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
.....................
Carole Cotton, B.A., M.Ed.
Coordinator, Open Weekends @ Knowplace.
Career Portfolio Specialist, Online Educator, eCareer Coach
Yahoo IM - carole_cotton2003
MSN IM -cottoncarole
Skype ID - clcotton
Gtalk ID - clcotton
Knowplace http://knowplace.ca
** Providing customized training geared to the needs of specific groups - both in Canada and internationally
** Assisting organizations and individuals move into the online world quickly and efficiently
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Monday, October 24, 2005
Think 6 – For Consultants
Think 6 – For Consultants
Purchase Our Training Courses To Use With Your Clients
We provide off-the-shelf training for personal development, leadership, management, team collaboration, and productivity. Our products can enhance your ability to meet and exceed the training and development needs of your clients.
Our materials are professionally designed to be interactive. All courses begin with a quick assessment, contain practical "hands-on" activities that link the concepts "real-time" work related situation, and end with an action plan.
The price for each course is $279 and is delivered to you on CD. If your need is immediate CONTACT US to download an electronic copy.
Course Kits Include
* Course Overview
* Topic Outline
* Facilitator Guide
* Participant Guide
* Handouts
* PowerPoint Slides
Though we retain the copyright the course kits are fully reproducible. You can change the content or customize it for your clients.
Purchase Our Training Courses To Use With Your Clients
We provide off-the-shelf training for personal development, leadership, management, team collaboration, and productivity. Our products can enhance your ability to meet and exceed the training and development needs of your clients.
Our materials are professionally designed to be interactive. All courses begin with a quick assessment, contain practical "hands-on" activities that link the concepts "real-time" work related situation, and end with an action plan.
The price for each course is $279 and is delivered to you on CD. If your need is immediate CONTACT US to download an electronic copy.
Course Kits Include
* Course Overview
* Topic Outline
* Facilitator Guide
* Participant Guide
* Handouts
* PowerPoint Slides
Though we retain the copyright the course kits are fully reproducible. You can change the content or customize it for your clients.
business2blog: Startup Watch: Turning Worm Poop into Gold
business2blog: Startup Watch: Turning Worm Poop into Gold
Tom Szaky dropped out of Princeton because he saw an opportunity in trash. At 19, he started developing an alternative to Miracle-Gro by using the excrement of worms that eat compost. To keep costs down, he reused soda bottles to package his product and located his business in Trenton, New Jersey. He’s now got seven-figure funding and is pushing six-figure revenues by selling TerraCycle in select locations of Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and Home Depot. TerraCycle is planning on a full national rollout over the next three months.
Tom Szaky dropped out of Princeton because he saw an opportunity in trash. At 19, he started developing an alternative to Miracle-Gro by using the excrement of worms that eat compost. To keep costs down, he reused soda bottles to package his product and located his business in Trenton, New Jersey. He’s now got seven-figure funding and is pushing six-figure revenues by selling TerraCycle in select locations of Wal-Mart, Whole Foods and Home Depot. TerraCycle is planning on a full national rollout over the next three months.
Internet Workshop: 10 steps to basic web pages - Start Here
Internet Workshop: 10 steps to basic web pages - Start Here
Vance's e-Zguide "10+ steps to creating simple HTML files"
Start here http://www.tinyurl.com/32byv
Next: Setting up (Housekeeping awareness) | Browse Index | On to Step 1
The 'very basics' focus of the Tutorial I originally created here is being expanded on as part of a course I am teaching at Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. In this development effort, the original ten basic steps are being presented for more advanced learners of HTML in the PI context. (see note**)
This tutorial has the following components:
* Start here: Introduction to this material You are here!
* Setting up: Housekeeping awareness and Web design considerations
* Learn HTML in 10+ Easy Steps ...
Vance's e-Zguide "10+ steps to creating simple HTML files"
Start here http://www.tinyurl.com/32byv
Next: Setting up (Housekeeping awareness) | Browse Index | On to Step 1
The 'very basics' focus of the Tutorial I originally created here is being expanded on as part of a course I am teaching at Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. In this development effort, the original ten basic steps are being presented for more advanced learners of HTML in the PI context. (see note**)
This tutorial has the following components:
* Start here: Introduction to this material You are here!
* Setting up: Housekeeping awareness and Web design considerations
* Learn HTML in 10+ Easy Steps ...
Church of the Customer Blog: Small businesses and blogging
Church of the Customer Blog: Small businesses and blogging
For any organization, a blog is part of a long-term customer evangelism strategy. Since blogs are easy to set up and pay for (some are free), launching a blog should be at the top of your to-do list.
Why?
Among dozens of reasons, here are seven:
1. They fan the flames of customer evangelism. Their personal nature helps humanize you and your organization.
2. They function as an instant-feedback mechanism. Most blogs allow readers to respond to your posts or link to them on their own blogs. These features provide almost real-time feedback on ideas and issues that strike a chord, or highlight new or existing problems. A blog can help reveal a little problem before it becomes a big one.
3. They compel you to Napsterize more of your knowledge more often. A blog is about sharing what you know, think and believe; search engines index your ongoing knowledge-sharing, making it easier for customers and prospects to find you. Attraction is always easier than hunting.
4. They facilitate the spread of buzz. Honest, informative or thought-provoking posts about issues important to customers and prospects tend to be spread more often.
5. They allow you to have more simultaneous conversations. It's more than you could ever do in person.
6. Most blog service providers offer good-looking templates to use if your existing website design is embarrassing or non-existent.
7. They help position you as a knowledgeable expert in your industry.
Once you start blogging, here are five blogging don'ts:
1. Do not have someone else write your blog. Write it yourself.
2. Blogs should not be managed by the PR department or ad agency. Blogs are best when they’re authentic, which may include run-on sentences, detailed analysis or critical opinions. Typically, those qualities run counter to the sensibilities of traditional public relations.
3. Do not have a thin skin. Comments to your posts may bite or sting, especially while other people watch. But a strong benefit of blogs: unwarranted criticism often causes other customers often to spring to your defense. Trust-based relationships emanate from taking the bad with the good.
4. Do not let your blog go unattended for weeks at a time. Focus on several posts per week, even if they’re just a few paragraphs.
5. Do not make your blog a branding exercise of self- centeredness. If you endlessly promote yourself and your services, no one will care.
For any organization, a blog is part of a long-term customer evangelism strategy. Since blogs are easy to set up and pay for (some are free), launching a blog should be at the top of your to-do list.
Why?
Among dozens of reasons, here are seven:
1. They fan the flames of customer evangelism. Their personal nature helps humanize you and your organization.
2. They function as an instant-feedback mechanism. Most blogs allow readers to respond to your posts or link to them on their own blogs. These features provide almost real-time feedback on ideas and issues that strike a chord, or highlight new or existing problems. A blog can help reveal a little problem before it becomes a big one.
3. They compel you to Napsterize more of your knowledge more often. A blog is about sharing what you know, think and believe; search engines index your ongoing knowledge-sharing, making it easier for customers and prospects to find you. Attraction is always easier than hunting.
4. They facilitate the spread of buzz. Honest, informative or thought-provoking posts about issues important to customers and prospects tend to be spread more often.
5. They allow you to have more simultaneous conversations. It's more than you could ever do in person.
6. Most blog service providers offer good-looking templates to use if your existing website design is embarrassing or non-existent.
7. They help position you as a knowledgeable expert in your industry.
Once you start blogging, here are five blogging don'ts:
1. Do not have someone else write your blog. Write it yourself.
2. Blogs should not be managed by the PR department or ad agency. Blogs are best when they’re authentic, which may include run-on sentences, detailed analysis or critical opinions. Typically, those qualities run counter to the sensibilities of traditional public relations.
3. Do not have a thin skin. Comments to your posts may bite or sting, especially while other people watch. But a strong benefit of blogs: unwarranted criticism often causes other customers often to spring to your defense. Trust-based relationships emanate from taking the bad with the good.
4. Do not let your blog go unattended for weeks at a time. Focus on several posts per week, even if they’re just a few paragraphs.
5. Do not make your blog a branding exercise of self- centeredness. If you endlessly promote yourself and your services, no one will care.
iMedia Connection: Creating Customer Evangelists
iMedia Connection: Creating Customer Evangelists
MIT, for example, is making its entire courseware available for free -- teachers' notes, presentations, syllabuses, et cetera -- enabling people to become pseudo MIT students. The reason: increase value of the institution by attracting more people.
MIT, for example, is making its entire courseware available for free -- teachers' notes, presentations, syllabuses, et cetera -- enabling people to become pseudo MIT students. The reason: increase value of the institution by attracting more people.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
IrfanView - one of the most popular viewers worldwide
IrfanView - one of the most popular viewers worldwide
IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for non-commercial use) graphic viewer for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003.
It is trying to be simple for beginners and powerful for professionals.
IrfanView was the first Windows graphic viewer WORLDWIDE with Multiple (animated) GIF support.
One of the first graphic viewers WORLDWIDE with Multipage TIF support.
The first graphic viewer WORLDWIDE with Multiple ICO support.
IrfanView is a very fast, small, compact and innovative FREEWARE (for non-commercial use) graphic viewer for Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/2003.
It is trying to be simple for beginners and powerful for professionals.
IrfanView was the first Windows graphic viewer WORLDWIDE with Multiple (animated) GIF support.
One of the first graphic viewers WORLDWIDE with Multipage TIF support.
The first graphic viewer WORLDWIDE with Multiple ICO support.
Sound recording tools: Total Recorder - captures any audio from the Internet, records audio from CD, microphone, line-in, converts any sound formats t
Sound recording tools: Total Recorder - captures any audio from the Internet, records audio from CD, microphone, line-in, converts any sound formats to WAVE and MP3
Total Recorder Professional Edition
Professional Edition
Total Recorder Professional Edition records PC audio from almost any source, including streamed audio from programs like Windows Media Player. It can also record conventional audio from CD's, the microphone and other input lines on a sound card.
Total Recorder Professional Edition
Professional Edition
Total Recorder Professional Edition records PC audio from almost any source, including streamed audio from programs like Windows Media Player. It can also record conventional audio from CD's, the microphone and other input lines on a sound card.
WorkZ : Welcome
WorkZ : Welcome
WorkZ.com is the one-stop resource for small businesses that want to grow and prosper both online and offline. FREE in-depth WorkZ.com articles and e-mail newsletters help you create and manage, promote and maintain your business.
WorkZ.com is the one-stop resource for small businesses that want to grow and prosper both online and offline. FREE in-depth WorkZ.com articles and e-mail newsletters help you create and manage, promote and maintain your business.
CompuEd Conference Room
CompuEd Conference Room
Conference Rooms are rented on a month by month basis. There are no set-up or ongoing costs
Monthly Rate in AUS$
Conference Rooms are rented on a month by month basis. There are no set-up or ongoing costs
| Room Capacity | Monthly rage in AUD |
| 5 users | $69 |
| 10 users | $85 |
| 15 users | $99 |
| 25 users | $148 |
per additional 10 users $30
Monthly Rate in AUS$
No setup costs
No long-term commitment
Includes :
- Whiteboard
- Application sharing
- File transfer
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Forbes Special Sections
Forbes Special Sections
Cisco Systems Chief Executive Officer John Chambers may not have a crystal ball, but he does have a rock-solid prediction: "E-learning is the next big killer application." He is absolutely right, and smart companies are taking notice -- and action. Best-practice businesses, ranging from Dell Computer Corp. to Ernst & Young and Verizon Communications to the U.S. Navy, know that their future success depends upon their ability to foster a corporate culture where learning is second nature. As former General Electric Chief Executive Jack Welch says, "Our only strategic competitive advantage is the intellectual assets of our people."
Cisco Systems Chief Executive Officer John Chambers may not have a crystal ball, but he does have a rock-solid prediction: "E-learning is the next big killer application." He is absolutely right, and smart companies are taking notice -- and action. Best-practice businesses, ranging from Dell Computer Corp. to Ernst & Young and Verizon Communications to the U.S. Navy, know that their future success depends upon their ability to foster a corporate culture where learning is second nature. As former General Electric Chief Executive Jack Welch says, "Our only strategic competitive advantage is the intellectual assets of our people."
Friday, October 21, 2005
FILExt - The File Extension Source
FILExt - The File Extension Source
Welcome to FILExt!
How Did I Get Here?
If you did not come here directly or via a search then it's likely that you clicked on a file that Windows did not know how to open, you then picked the "search the Internet" option from the dialog and clicked on the search link on the Microsoft page that suggested you come here (or to our sister site cknow.com) to do the search. Please understand that you did not come here because we installed some software on your system. FILExt only exists on the Internet and we don't install software on your system. Basically, you got here to search for the name of a program that uses a particular file extension.
Welcome to FILExt!
How Did I Get Here?
If you did not come here directly or via a search then it's likely that you clicked on a file that Windows did not know how to open, you then picked the "search the Internet" option from the dialog and clicked on the search link on the Microsoft page that suggested you come here (or to our sister site cknow.com) to do the search. Please understand that you did not come here because we installed some software on your system. FILExt only exists on the Internet and we don't install software on your system. Basically, you got here to search for the name of a program that uses a particular file extension.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
GRTR Team Building Showcase 11.17.05
GRTR Team Building Showcase 11.17.05
You are cordially invited to a
Team Building Showcase for Decision Makers
Meet a sample of our senior consultants and experience a variety of Team Building programs. Join other decision makers, share ideas, and discuss Team Building ideas.
Thursday, December 1, 2005
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
St. Francis Medical Center Office Building
Lower Level Conference Room
1199 Bush Street at Hyde
San Francisco, CA
You are cordially invited to a
Team Building Showcase for Decision Makers
Meet a sample of our senior consultants and experience a variety of Team Building programs. Join other decision makers, share ideas, and discuss Team Building ideas.
Thursday, December 1, 2005
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
St. Francis Medical Center Office Building
Lower Level Conference Room
1199 Bush Street at Hyde
San Francisco, CA
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Roland Piquepaille's Technology Trends
Roland Piquepaille's Technology Trends
NASA's better eyes to find planets
Finding extrasolar planets is quite difficult mainly because of three basic facts: planets don't produce any light of their own; they are far from us; and they are lost in the blinding glare of their parent stars. But now, NASA engineers have found a way to eliminate this blinding light, and this is "a giant step toward finding Earth-like planets." At Hawaii's Keck Observatory in Mauna Kea, they used the Interferometer, which links the observatory's two telescopes, and they blocked starlight by adding an instrument called a "nuller." For example, they reduced the blinding light of Vega by 100 times. This will help NASA to select targets for its future SIM PlanetQuest mission, scheduled to launch in 2011, and its two Terrestrial Planet Finder observatories, which should be launched in 2016 and 2019. Will NASA find life somewhere in the universe? Maybe not, but it will be easy to find other planets. Read more...
Sources: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, September 29, 2005; and NASA's PlanetQuest web site Read more...
NASA's better eyes to find planets
Finding extrasolar planets is quite difficult mainly because of three basic facts: planets don't produce any light of their own; they are far from us; and they are lost in the blinding glare of their parent stars. But now, NASA engineers have found a way to eliminate this blinding light, and this is "a giant step toward finding Earth-like planets." At Hawaii's Keck Observatory in Mauna Kea, they used the Interferometer, which links the observatory's two telescopes, and they blocked starlight by adding an instrument called a "nuller." For example, they reduced the blinding light of Vega by 100 times. This will help NASA to select targets for its future SIM PlanetQuest mission, scheduled to launch in 2011, and its two Terrestrial Planet Finder observatories, which should be launched in 2016 and 2019. Will NASA find life somewhere in the universe? Maybe not, but it will be easy to find other planets. Read more...
Sources: NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, September 29, 2005; and NASA's PlanetQuest web site Read more...
DDN Communities: The DIGITALDIVIDE List
DDN Communities: The DIGITALDIVIDE List
The DIGITALDIVIDE List
Developed in collaboration with:
EDC Center for Media & Community
DIGITALDIVIDE is the official email discussion forum for the Digital Divide Network. With approximately 3,000 members in more than 70 countries, the DIGITALDIVIDE list is the Internet's premiere forum for discussing the digital divide. Membership is open to the public, and all DDN members are encouraged to join -- you can activate your membership on your DDN profile edit page.
The DIGITALDIVIDE List
Developed in collaboration with:
EDC Center for Media & Community
DIGITALDIVIDE is the official email discussion forum for the Digital Divide Network. With approximately 3,000 members in more than 70 countries, the DIGITALDIVIDE list is the Internet's premiere forum for discussing the digital divide. Membership is open to the public, and all DDN members are encouraged to join -- you can activate your membership on your DDN profile edit page.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Digital Inspiration: Convert PDF without Adobe Acrobat PDF writer
Digital Inspiration: Convert PDF without Adobe Acrobat PDF writer
6. Adobe CreatePDF - A free service from Adobe that allows you to convert MS office documents to PDF online. You upload the file to Adobe webserver or point a webpage URL and the resulting PDF is sent to you by email or can be downloaded directly from Adobe site. PS2PDF is another similar service - upload a postscript compatible file to and then click on the resulting link that contains the generated PDF.
6. Adobe CreatePDF - A free service from Adobe that allows you to convert MS office documents to PDF online. You upload the file to Adobe webserver or point a webpage URL and the resulting PDF is sent to you by email or can be downloaded directly from Adobe site. PS2PDF is another similar service - upload a postscript compatible file to and then click on the resulting link that contains the generated PDF.
DDN Communities: The DIGITALDIVIDE List
DDN Communities: The DIGITALDIVIDE List
The DIGITALDIVIDE List
Developed in collaboration with:
EDC Center for Media & Community
DIGITALDIVIDE is the official email discussion forum for the Digital Divide Network. With approximately 3,000 members in more than 70 countries, the DIGITALDIVIDE list is the Internet's premiere forum for discussing the digital divide. Membership is open to the public, and all DDN members are encouraged to join -- you can activate your membership on your DDN profile edit page.
The DIGITALDIVIDE List
Developed in collaboration with:
EDC Center for Media & Community
DIGITALDIVIDE is the official email discussion forum for the Digital Divide Network. With approximately 3,000 members in more than 70 countries, the DIGITALDIVIDE list is the Internet's premiere forum for discussing the digital divide. Membership is open to the public, and all DDN members are encouraged to join -- you can activate your membership on your DDN profile edit page.
!Cellphedia
!Cellphedia
Cellphedia is the 1st Ubiquitous Social Encyclopedia
This is a cell phone application that promotes the sharing of knowledge. It allows users to send and receive encyclopedia-type inquiries between specific, pre-defined groups of users, through Text messaging. Users can register on this site and start building the quick-reference Cellphedia-type encyclopedia entries, by asking other users and answering other users' questions wherever cell phone service is available.
...So are you a Cellphedian yet?
Cellphedia is the 1st Ubiquitous Social Encyclopedia
This is a cell phone application that promotes the sharing of knowledge. It allows users to send and receive encyclopedia-type inquiries between specific, pre-defined groups of users, through Text messaging. Users can register on this site and start building the quick-reference Cellphedia-type encyclopedia entries, by asking other users and answering other users' questions wherever cell phone service is available.
...So are you a Cellphedian yet?
Mauro Cherubini’s weblog » Blog Archive » Articles on Tags
Mauro Cherubini’s weblog » Blog Archive » Articles on Tags
Articles on Tags
I was really interested on this topic, so I decided to reblog this list that I found here.
"tagging"
Articles on Tags
I was really interested on this topic, so I decided to reblog this list that I found here.
"tagging"
FirstGov.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal
FirstGov.gov: The U.S. Government's Official Web Portal
Hurricane Katrina Recovery Information
* Help for Survivors
* How You Can Help
* Katrina y Rita en español
* Frequently Asked Questions
More Hurricane Relief Information
Online Services »
* Register Online for Disaster Assistance
* Find Government Benefits
* Apply for Government Jobs
* Find Vital Records
* Change Your Address
* Apply for Government Grants
* Contact Elected Officials
* Find Cheapest Gas Prices
* Shop Government Auctions
* Get or Renew a Passport
* Renew Your Driver's License
* Check Immigration Case Status
* Zip Code Lookup
* Estimate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs and Savings
More Online Services
Hurricane Katrina Recovery Information
* Help for Survivors
* How You Can Help
* Katrina y Rita en español
* Frequently Asked Questions
More Hurricane Relief Information
Online Services »
* Register Online for Disaster Assistance
* Find Government Benefits
* Apply for Government Jobs
* Find Vital Records
* Change Your Address
* Apply for Government Grants
* Contact Elected Officials
* Find Cheapest Gas Prices
* Shop Government Auctions
* Get or Renew a Passport
* Renew Your Driver's License
* Check Immigration Case Status
* Zip Code Lookup
* Estimate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs and Savings
More Online Services
Digital Inspiration - Software Reviews, Downloads, Microsoft Office, Google Adsense Tricks
Digital Inspiration - Software Reviews, Downloads, Microsoft Office, Google Adsense Tricks
17 October 2005
Interesting Firefox Extensions
Posted @ 10/17/2005 07:47:37 PM • Permalink • Listen to this article
Save to Del.icio.us • Furl • Email this • Leave a Comment
Download Sort - automatically send downloads to specific folders depending on the file extension.
downTHEMall - lets you download all the links contained in a webpage with a single click.
Minimize to Tray - minimize Windows versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, Calendar, Sunbird, Mozilla Suite, Seamonkey, and Nvu to the system tray.
Disable Targets For Downloads Prevents a new (blank) window from opening when you click links to download files.
17 October 2005
Interesting Firefox Extensions
Posted @ 10/17/2005 07:47:37 PM • Permalink • Listen to this article
Save to Del.icio.us • Furl • Email this • Leave a Comment
Download Sort - automatically send downloads to specific folders depending on the file extension.
downTHEMall - lets you download all the links contained in a webpage with a single click.
Minimize to Tray - minimize Windows versions of Firefox, Thunderbird, Calendar, Sunbird, Mozilla Suite, Seamonkey, and Nvu to the system tray.
Disable Targets For Downloads Prevents a new (blank) window from opening when you click links to download files.
Tool Sheets
Tool Sheets
Tool Sheets
These pages are designed to provide a brief summary of how a specific tool or technique can be applied to instructional use. Each sheet includes examples, variations and links to additional resources. There are 16 tool sheets in the database.
Tool Sheets
These pages are designed to provide a brief summary of how a specific tool or technique can be applied to instructional use. Each sheet includes examples, variations and links to additional resources. There are 16 tool sheets in the database.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Tech Support
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) Tech Support
How do I have a shared CSS menu system?
I love CSS. I would like to use CSS menus. I have seen several versions on the netover the last 12months (I currently use a javascript menu system). My biggest problem with these CSS menus is that you have to put the menu code into each HTML page as far as I can see). This means a menu change for a site must be updated in every page.
This seems to go against the idea that CSS can be used to change the look and feel of an entire web site by just chnaging the external style sheet. Do you know of a way of putting CSS menus information in an external file that can be linked or imported into the HTML?
How do I have a shared CSS menu system?
I love CSS. I would like to use CSS menus. I have seen several versions on the netover the last 12months (I currently use a javascript menu system). My biggest problem with these CSS menus is that you have to put the menu code into each HTML page as far as I can see). This means a menu change for a site must be updated in every page.
This seems to go against the idea that CSS can be used to change the look and feel of an entire web site by just chnaging the external style sheet. Do you know of a way of putting CSS menus information in an external file that can be linked or imported into the HTML?
Monday, October 17, 2005
CiteULike: A free online service to organise your academic papers
CiteULike: A free online service to organise your academic papers
All about CiteULike
Read all about it
CiteULike is a free service to help academics to share, store, and organise the academic papers they are reading. When you see a paper on the web that interests you, you can click one button and have it added to your personal library. CiteULike automatically extracts the citation details, so there's no need to type them in yourself. It all works from within your web browser. There's no need to install any special software.
Because your library is stored on the server, you can access it from any computer. You can share your library with others, and find out who is reading the same papers as you. In turn, this can help you discover literature which is relevant to your field but you may not have known about.
All about CiteULike
Read all about it
CiteULike is a free service to help academics to share, store, and organise the academic papers they are reading. When you see a paper on the web that interests you, you can click one button and have it added to your personal library. CiteULike automatically extracts the citation details, so there's no need to type them in yourself. It all works from within your web browser. There's no need to install any special software.
Because your library is stored on the server, you can access it from any computer. You can share your library with others, and find out who is reading the same papers as you. In turn, this can help you discover literature which is relevant to your field but you may not have known about.
Bellinger's Musings
Bellinger's Musings
System
A system is an entity which maintains its existence
through the mutual interaction of its parts.
The key emphasis here is one of "mutual interaction," in that something is occurring between the parts, over time, which maintains the system. A system is different than a heap or a collection, mostly.
Emergence
Associated with the idea of system is a principle called emergence. From the mutual interaction of the parts of a system there arise characteristics which can not be found as characteristic of any of the individual parts.
One has to study the system to get a true understanding of wetness. Studying the parts will not provide an appropriate understanding.
theWay of Systems * Feedback
System
A system is an entity which maintains its existence
through the mutual interaction of its parts.
The key emphasis here is one of "mutual interaction," in that something is occurring between the parts, over time, which maintains the system. A system is different than a heap or a collection, mostly.
Emergence
Associated with the idea of system is a principle called emergence. From the mutual interaction of the parts of a system there arise characteristics which can not be found as characteristic of any of the individual parts.
One has to study the system to get a true understanding of wetness. Studying the parts will not provide an appropriate understanding.
theWay of Systems * Feedback
DEVELOPING A COURSE SYLLABUS
DEVELOPING A COURSE SYLLABUS
Three strong beliefs associated with a course syllabus:
1. The syllabus is the key tangible evidence of planning from instructor to the world.
2. The planning manifested through the syllabus can reduce, before a class even meets, about half the work for teaching a course.
3. The syllabus serves as a communication device and contract to shift the responsibility for learning to the student.
A course syllabus can be justified from an administrative, accreditation, instructor, or student perspective. These are the main groups that can benefit from a complete, detailed, and precise organization of a course. These varied groups can all be satisfied with the same document, a course syllabus. Below are 17 possible functions of a syllabus.
1. Describing course content scope
2. Communicating course focus
3. Suggesting prerequisites
4. Detailing logistics
5. Identifying course goals
6. Sequencing/scheduling instruction
7. Identifying performance objectives
8. Constituting a contract
9. Identifying reference material
10. Providing modifications base
11. Motivating students
12. Permitting self monitoring
13. Facilitating optional learning activities
14. Establishing evaluation system
15. Advertising/promoting/recruiting clientele
16. Serving as an articulation tool
17. Meeting accreditation requirements
Three strong beliefs associated with a course syllabus:
1. The syllabus is the key tangible evidence of planning from instructor to the world.
2. The planning manifested through the syllabus can reduce, before a class even meets, about half the work for teaching a course.
3. The syllabus serves as a communication device and contract to shift the responsibility for learning to the student.
A course syllabus can be justified from an administrative, accreditation, instructor, or student perspective. These are the main groups that can benefit from a complete, detailed, and precise organization of a course. These varied groups can all be satisfied with the same document, a course syllabus. Below are 17 possible functions of a syllabus.
1. Describing course content scope
2. Communicating course focus
3. Suggesting prerequisites
4. Detailing logistics
5. Identifying course goals
6. Sequencing/scheduling instruction
7. Identifying performance objectives
8. Constituting a contract
9. Identifying reference material
10. Providing modifications base
11. Motivating students
12. Permitting self monitoring
13. Facilitating optional learning activities
14. Establishing evaluation system
15. Advertising/promoting/recruiting clientele
16. Serving as an articulation tool
17. Meeting accreditation requirements
Odyssey Learning Systems - Redefining e-Learning
Odyssey Learning Systems - Redefining e-Learning
Welcome to the Odyssey Knowledge Station!
Here you can find out about our extensive range of both academic and corporate training courseware, as well as our web-based employability and career development programs.
Our course offering includes both academic and corporate training courseware operating on the Nautikos™system, from pan-American and pan-Canadian core curriculum for schools, to basic remediation and training on topics ranging from basic computer skills to safety - accessed online or locally from your organization’s server.
We also offer web-based employability and career development programs through through our strategic alliance with WCG International. A breakthrough offering in Canada, these comprehensive e-Learning programs help users evaluate, develop and effectively market their skills, and encompasses a full range of tools that help individuals acquire the skills essential to enter, stay in and be successful in the workplace.
Welcome to the Odyssey Knowledge Station!
Here you can find out about our extensive range of both academic and corporate training courseware, as well as our web-based employability and career development programs.
Our course offering includes both academic and corporate training courseware operating on the Nautikos™system, from pan-American and pan-Canadian core curriculum for schools, to basic remediation and training on topics ranging from basic computer skills to safety - accessed online or locally from your organization’s server.
We also offer web-based employability and career development programs through through our strategic alliance with WCG International. A breakthrough offering in Canada, these comprehensive e-Learning programs help users evaluate, develop and effectively market their skills, and encompasses a full range of tools that help individuals acquire the skills essential to enter, stay in and be successful in the workplace.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Keywords for Web 2.0
Keywords for Web 2.0
Keywords for Web 2.0
Want to start a Web 2.0 company? Here's the keywords you need to sprinkle through your presentations:
* social
* tagging
* network
* collaboration
* user-generated content
* RSS
* API
* platform
I've heard or spoken to at least three different companies lately who do "social networking software" and all three meant something totally different by that term.
Keywords for Web 2.0
Want to start a Web 2.0 company? Here's the keywords you need to sprinkle through your presentations:
* social
* tagging
* network
* collaboration
* user-generated content
* RSS
* API
* platform
I've heard or spoken to at least three different companies lately who do "social networking software" and all three meant something totally different by that term.
the cluetrain manifesto
the cluetrain manifesto
95 Theses
Signers & Comments
1. Markets are conversations.
2. Markets consist of human beings, not demographic sectors.
3. Conversations among human beings sound human. They are conducted in a human voice.
4. Whether delivering information, opinions, perspectives, dissenting arguments or humorous asides, the human voice is typically open, natural, uncontrived.
5. People recognize each other as such from the sound of this voice.
6. The Internet is enabling conversations among human beings that were simply not possible in the era of mass media.
7. Hyperlinks subvert hierarchy.
95 Theses
Signers & Comments
1. Markets are conversations.
2. Markets consist of human beings, not demographic sectors.
3. Conversations among human beings sound human. They are conducted in a human voice.
4. Whether delivering information, opinions, perspectives, dissenting arguments or humorous asides, the human voice is typically open, natural, uncontrived.
5. People recognize each other as such from the sound of this voice.
6. The Internet is enabling conversations among human beings that were simply not possible in the era of mass media.
7. Hyperlinks subvert hierarchy.
Aggregators
Aggregators
These aggregators and newsreaders support RSS 2.0.
Aggie (.NET)
AmphetaDesk (Windows, Macintosh, Linux)
BlogLines (Server-based)
BottomFeeder (Windows, Macintosh, Unix)
EffNews RSS Reader (Windows)
FeedDemon (Windows)
FeedReader (Windows)
NetNewsWire (Macintosh)
NewsDesk (.NET)
NewsGator (.NET)
NewsIsFree (Server-based)
NewsMonster (Mozilla)
NewzCrawler (Windows)
nntp//rss (Java)
PocketFeed (PocketPC)
PopHeadlines (.NET)
Python Desktop Server (Python)
Radio UserLand (Windows, Macintosh)
RSS Bandit (.NET)
RSS NewsWatcher (Windows)
Sharp Reader (.NET)
Shrook (Macintosh)
SlashDock (Macintosh)
Straw (GNOME)
Syndirella (.NET)
VOX Lite (Windows)
ZOË (Macintosh)
These aggregators and newsreaders support RSS 2.0.
Aggie (.NET)
AmphetaDesk (Windows, Macintosh, Linux)
BlogLines (Server-based)
BottomFeeder (Windows, Macintosh, Unix)
EffNews RSS Reader (Windows)
FeedDemon (Windows)
FeedReader (Windows)
NetNewsWire (Macintosh)
NewsDesk (.NET)
NewsGator (.NET)
NewsIsFree (Server-based)
NewsMonster (Mozilla)
NewzCrawler (Windows)
nntp//rss (Java)
PocketFeed (PocketPC)
PopHeadlines (.NET)
Python Desktop Server (Python)
Radio UserLand (Windows, Macintosh)
RSS Bandit (.NET)
RSS NewsWatcher (Windows)
Sharp Reader (.NET)
Shrook (Macintosh)
SlashDock (Macintosh)
Straw (GNOME)
Syndirella (.NET)
VOX Lite (Windows)
ZOË (Macintosh)
Welcome | Creative Commons
Welcome | Creative Commons
Creative Commons offers a flexible range of protections and freedoms for authors and artists. We have built upon the "all rights reserved" of traditional copyright to create a voluntary "some rights reserved" copyright. We're a nonprofit. All of our tools are free.
Creative Commons offers a flexible range of protections and freedoms for authors and artists. We have built upon the "all rights reserved" of traditional copyright to create a voluntary "some rights reserved" copyright. We're a nonprofit. All of our tools are free.
EdGames
EdGames
Player Motivation Model in Online Gaming
Just found a website called The Daedalus Project: the psychology of mmorpgs. (mmorpgs: massively multiplayer online role-playing games)
It looks like it's probably quite interesting. The page I was looking at in particular has a Model of Player Motivations for mmorpgs. Looks like a factor analysis was done; 10 factors were identified which clustered into 3 high-level constructs: Achievement, Social, and Immersion.
While "learning" doesn't make the list of the 10 factors, many of the identified factors are most certainly important to consider in creating an educational game - or an online learning environment. Check it out.
Player Motivation Model in Online Gaming
Just found a website called The Daedalus Project: the psychology of mmorpgs. (mmorpgs: massively multiplayer online role-playing games)
It looks like it's probably quite interesting. The page I was looking at in particular has a Model of Player Motivations for mmorpgs. Looks like a factor analysis was done; 10 factors were identified which clustered into 3 high-level constructs: Achievement, Social, and Immersion.
While "learning" doesn't make the list of the 10 factors, many of the identified factors are most certainly important to consider in creating an educational game - or an online learning environment. Check it out.
Wired News: Quit Your Job to Blog, Blog, Blog
Wired News: Quit Your Job to Blog, Blog, Blog
"If the advertisers start influencing your content, it will show. People will point it out. The impact of that is that the readership and your credibility will fall," he said. "People value your voice, and your voice, even if it's biased, is not necessarily for sale."
"If the advertisers start influencing your content, it will show. People will point it out. The impact of that is that the readership and your credibility will fall," he said. "People value your voice, and your voice, even if it's biased, is not necessarily for sale."
PaidContent.org
PaidContent.org
The short statement, here, said: "We have not yet heard from the responsible employers of our members,but we look forward to a dialogue that ensures that our members are properly compensated for this exploitation of their work."
I am sure Apple and ABC figured out the legalities, but they certinaly didn't handle the PR outreach well. Says the story: The presidents of unions representing Hollywood writers and actors were lunching at a popular Beverly Hills restaurant on Wednesday when they saw a TV report about the deal...it was news to them.
The show of unity was unusual, coming from unions that are sometimes at odds over issues such as royalties from DVD sales, says the story.
Said ABC: "The guilds are our business partners, and we always welcome a dialogue with them on any business-related issue that affects their members," in a statement.
The short statement, here, said: "We have not yet heard from the responsible employers of our members,but we look forward to a dialogue that ensures that our members are properly compensated for this exploitation of their work."
I am sure Apple and ABC figured out the legalities, but they certinaly didn't handle the PR outreach well. Says the story: The presidents of unions representing Hollywood writers and actors were lunching at a popular Beverly Hills restaurant on Wednesday when they saw a TV report about the deal...it was news to them.
The show of unity was unusual, coming from unions that are sometimes at odds over issues such as royalties from DVD sales, says the story.
Said ABC: "The guilds are our business partners, and we always welcome a dialogue with them on any business-related issue that affects their members," in a statement.
Daring Fireball
Daring Fireball
Gone Gator
Which brings us to Brent Simmons, and last week’s announcement that NewsGator has purchased the rights to Ranchero Software, including NetNewsWire, and hired Simmons as a “product architect”, which means, more or less, that he’s been hired to keep working on NetNewsWire.
Gone Gator
Which brings us to Brent Simmons, and last week’s announcement that NewsGator has purchased the rights to Ranchero Software, including NetNewsWire, and hired Simmons as a “product architect”, which means, more or less, that he’s been hired to keep working on NetNewsWire.
Wired News: Quit Your Job to Blog, Blog, Blog
Wired News: Quit Your Job to Blog, Blog, Blog
As for earning a living, Kottke has a plan for that, too. His readers will support him. At least he hopes they will. Kottke does not intend to seek advertising revenue; he plans to depend solely on reader contributions.
On Tuesday, Kottke posted a letter asking for donations and a link readers can follow to make payments using PayPal and major credit cards. Whether they'll provide enough to support a single person on more than ramen noodles has yet to be determined.
As for earning a living, Kottke has a plan for that, too. His readers will support him. At least he hopes they will. Kottke does not intend to seek advertising revenue; he plans to depend solely on reader contributions.
On Tuesday, Kottke posted a letter asking for donations and a link readers can follow to make payments using PayPal and major credit cards. Whether they'll provide enough to support a single person on more than ramen noodles has yet to be determined.
Learning, Technology
Learning, Technology
Friday, April 08, 2005
SAT -> ICT?
The people who bring you the SAT, Educational Testing Service, are working on a test of your ICT abilities. Read a Wired article about it here. How would you do?
A couple hours later, I noticed that our very own Amanda has taken this very test and blogged about it. See what she had to say!
Friday, April 08, 2005
SAT -> ICT?
The people who bring you the SAT, Educational Testing Service, are working on a test of your ICT abilities. Read a Wired article about it here. How would you do?
A couple hours later, I noticed that our very own Amanda has taken this very test and blogged about it. See what she had to say!
Learning, Technology
Learning, Technology
Just when you were getting familiar with Wikipedia, here comes Cellphedia, a brand new service with hot prospects, already appearing in an article in Wired. Need to know some factoid? Text your question to one of several subject area groups through Cellphedia, and someone will send in an answer. Simple idea, but you know it (or something like it) will go big...
Just when you were getting familiar with Wikipedia, here comes Cellphedia, a brand new service with hot prospects, already appearing in an article in Wired. Need to know some factoid? Text your question to one of several subject area groups through Cellphedia, and someone will send in an answer. Simple idea, but you know it (or something like it) will go big...
Saturday, October 15, 2005
AEmeritus Relevant Training
AEmeritus Relevant Training
Quick Facts
* Australia has 2 million households connected with broadband-class Internet connection
* 25% of all households in Australia have broadband connections
* There are 40,000 new broadband connections each month
* Of the new connections, 40% are with Telstra, the partly government-owned telco
* ADSL is the most common broadband medium while cable is avaliable in some major cities and sattelite connections in regional areas.
Australia has taken to the Internet faster per capita than any other nation so far. The only hardwired network in the country is controlled by Telstra, a partially-owned government telco. The fourth term Howard government is pushing hard to sell Telstra.
Quick Facts
* Australia has 2 million households connected with broadband-class Internet connection
* 25% of all households in Australia have broadband connections
* There are 40,000 new broadband connections each month
* Of the new connections, 40% are with Telstra, the partly government-owned telco
* ADSL is the most common broadband medium while cable is avaliable in some major cities and sattelite connections in regional areas.
Australia has taken to the Internet faster per capita than any other nation so far. The only hardwired network in the country is controlled by Telstra, a partially-owned government telco. The fourth term Howard government is pushing hard to sell Telstra.
All blogs
All blogs
And again.
Written on May 19, 2005
Finally decided to update.
Had another foetal pig dissection yesterday. It was pretty much the worst one. Apart from the smell (foetal pig trademark)...well, it was not so pretty. I had pretty much taken all the guts out of the pig: stomach, part of a lung, small intestine, liver, gall bladder, pancreas...uh...not to mention we skinned it.
So yesterday, we went and cracked its skull to get at the brain. Oho it was so hard.
So I decided to disect via the eye. The skinning was super easy and so I underestimated the thickness of Piggy's skull. So I went around the eye and attempted to cut the skull with scissors (not the best idea). I went on to try the scalpel, ended up cutting into the mushy brain and ...yeah, got more than pissed.
And again.
Written on May 19, 2005
Finally decided to update.
Had another foetal pig dissection yesterday. It was pretty much the worst one. Apart from the smell (foetal pig trademark)...well, it was not so pretty. I had pretty much taken all the guts out of the pig: stomach, part of a lung, small intestine, liver, gall bladder, pancreas...uh...not to mention we skinned it.
So yesterday, we went and cracked its skull to get at the brain. Oho it was so hard.
So I decided to disect via the eye. The skinning was super easy and so I underestimated the thickness of Piggy's skull. So I went around the eye and attempted to cut the skull with scissors (not the best idea). I went on to try the scalpel, ended up cutting into the mushy brain and ...yeah, got more than pissed.
Broadband - Australia
Broadband - Australia
Summary
* Australia has 2 million households connected with broadband-class Internet connection
* 25% of all households in Australia have broadband connections
* There are 40,000 new broadband connections each month
* Of the new connections, 40% are with Telstra, the partly government-owned telco
* ADSL is the most common broadband medium while cable is avaliable in some major cities and sattelite connections in regional areas.
Summary
* Australia has 2 million households connected with broadband-class Internet connection
* 25% of all households in Australia have broadband connections
* There are 40,000 new broadband connections each month
* Of the new connections, 40% are with Telstra, the partly government-owned telco
* ADSL is the most common broadband medium while cable is avaliable in some major cities and sattelite connections in regional areas.
Broadband - Broadband
Broadband - Broadband
The Broadband Around The Planet Project.
We are building a “broadband profile” of the planet. What I would like to do is find contributors who are kind enough to write 250 words about the broadband situation in their country. In addition, I would love to get a list of:
1. Key Broadband Players
2. Main Access Technologies, like cable, or DSL
3. The price of bandwidth per megabit
4. Average Speeds available to consumers.
5. Anything else including links to some of the better blog posts about the “broadband situation” in that country.
The Broadband Around The Planet Project.
We are building a “broadband profile” of the planet. What I would like to do is find contributors who are kind enough to write 250 words about the broadband situation in their country. In addition, I would love to get a list of:
1. Key Broadband Players
2. Main Access Technologies, like cable, or DSL
3. The price of bandwidth per megabit
4. Average Speeds available to consumers.
5. Anything else including links to some of the better blog posts about the “broadband situation” in that country.
Plugging In
Plugging In
Beau Fly Jones
Gilbert Valdez
Jeri Nowakowski
Claudette Rasmussen
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
1995
EdTalk LogoCouncil for Educational Development and Research
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
EdTalk is published by the Council for
Educational Development and Research
2000 L Street, NW - Suite 601
Washington, DC 20036 - (202) 223-1593
Dena G. Stoner, Executive Director
Ullik Rouk, Editor
Dan Shore, Editorial Asst./Publications Designer
This project has been funded at least in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract numbers RP91002001 through RP91002010. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Beau Fly Jones
Gilbert Valdez
Jeri Nowakowski
Claudette Rasmussen
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
1995
EdTalk LogoCouncil for Educational Development and Research
North Central Regional Educational Laboratory
EdTalk is published by the Council for
Educational Development and Research
2000 L Street, NW - Suite 601
Washington, DC 20036 - (202) 223-1593
Dena G. Stoner, Executive Director
Ullik Rouk, Editor
Dan Shore, Editorial Asst./Publications Designer
This project has been funded at least in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education under contract numbers RP91002001 through RP91002010. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
CSS Vault » The Web's CSS Site
CSS Vault » The Web's CSS Site
About the CSS Vault
I needed a place where I could look at a list of sites that would inspire my creativity with CSS. I needed a site that linked to all the great CSS resources out there on the web. I couldn't find a site that combined those two elements, so I created one myself. This site is useful for me as a designer and I hope that it is useful for you whether you are a designer, developer, programmer, manager, or just a CSS advocate. Instead of showing off great sites to everyone, let's show off great sites that use CSS so we can inspire others to use the technology.
How do you pick the sites?
Well first they have to be done in CSS. Tables can only be used for tabular data. Second they just have to look good to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I do not expect every site that is posted to be liked by everyone or even anyone. Also do not expect a site to be posted just because you sent it in.
With the large amount of submissions I get daily and the increasing number of showcase sites, getting your site into the Vault will now be more challenging. I look for use of color, typography, whitespace, IA and how they all fit overall in the site's structure.
About the CSS Vault
I needed a place where I could look at a list of sites that would inspire my creativity with CSS. I needed a site that linked to all the great CSS resources out there on the web. I couldn't find a site that combined those two elements, so I created one myself. This site is useful for me as a designer and I hope that it is useful for you whether you are a designer, developer, programmer, manager, or just a CSS advocate. Instead of showing off great sites to everyone, let's show off great sites that use CSS so we can inspire others to use the technology.
How do you pick the sites?
Well first they have to be done in CSS. Tables can only be used for tabular data. Second they just have to look good to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder so I do not expect every site that is posted to be liked by everyone or even anyone. Also do not expect a site to be posted just because you sent it in.
With the large amount of submissions I get daily and the increasing number of showcase sites, getting your site into the Vault will now be more challenging. I look for use of color, typography, whitespace, IA and how they all fit overall in the site's structure.
KeywordDiscovery.com - Keyword Research Tool
KeywordDiscovery.com - Keyword Research Tool
KeywordDiscovery can tell you the search phrases people use to find products and services, as well as the search terms that drive traffic to your competitors.
You can take advantage of this information to:
* Optimize the content of your web pages and your meta tags
* Maximize your pay per click campaigns
* Take traffic away from your competitors
Features Overview
* Keyword Research
* Industry Keywords
* Spelling Mistake Research
* Seasonal Search Trends
* Related Keywords
* KEI Analysis
* Keyword Density Analysis
Subscribe
Priced at just $49.95 per month, KeywordDiscovery is the most advanced and affordable, Keyword Research tool available.
KeywordDiscovery can tell you the search phrases people use to find products and services, as well as the search terms that drive traffic to your competitors.
You can take advantage of this information to:
* Optimize the content of your web pages and your meta tags
* Maximize your pay per click campaigns
* Take traffic away from your competitors
Features Overview
* Keyword Research
* Industry Keywords
* Spelling Mistake Research
* Seasonal Search Trends
* Related Keywords
* KEI Analysis
* Keyword Density Analysis
Subscribe
Priced at just $49.95 per month, KeywordDiscovery is the most advanced and affordable, Keyword Research tool available.
Guide to Grammar and Writing
Guide to Grammar and Writing
Please note that the proper URL for this page is
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Please change your bookmarks accordingly. An URL-hyperlink without that "www" (which is what the all-too-fallible Yahoo search engine will give you, no matter how often I advise them of this change!) will no longer work.
Please note that the proper URL for this page is
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Please change your bookmarks accordingly. An URL-hyperlink without that "www" (which is what the all-too-fallible Yahoo search engine will give you, no matter how often I advise them of this change!) will no longer work.
Plain English Campaign: Free guides
Plain English Campaign: Free guides
Free guides
We have a series of free guides, which you can access from this page. These guides are our gift to the public as part of our campaigning.
Based on prices for similar publications, we have so far given away almost a million pounds' worth of free guides from this website!
Plain English Campaign owns the copyright on all of these guides. You are welcome to print out any of the guides or save them to disk for your own use. You may not photocopy any guide or pass on electronic copies without permission.
All but one of the guides are available as normal web pages. Some of the guides are also available in Adobe Acrobat (or 'PDF') format.
Free guides
We have a series of free guides, which you can access from this page. These guides are our gift to the public as part of our campaigning.
Based on prices for similar publications, we have so far given away almost a million pounds' worth of free guides from this website!
Plain English Campaign owns the copyright on all of these guides. You are welcome to print out any of the guides or save them to disk for your own use. You may not photocopy any guide or pass on electronic copies without permission.
All but one of the guides are available as normal web pages. Some of the guides are also available in Adobe Acrobat (or 'PDF') format.
Plain English Campaign: Free guides: The plain English guide to writing reports
Plain English Campaign: Free guides: The plain English guide to writing reports
The plain English guide to writing reports
When writing reports, make your audience's job as easy as possible. Use active verbs and short sentences and keep to the point, just as you would in any other kind of writing.
This guide covers the main stages of writing a report:
The plain English guide to writing reports
When writing reports, make your audience's job as easy as possible. Use active verbs and short sentences and keep to the point, just as you would in any other kind of writing.
This guide covers the main stages of writing a report:
10 Big Myths about copyright explained
10 Big Myths about copyright explained
10 Big Myths about copyright explained
An attempt to answer common myths about copyright seen on the net and cover issues related to copyright and USENET/Internet publication.
- by Brad Templeton
Note that this is an essay about copyright myths. It assumes you know at least what copyright is -- basically the legal exclusive right of the author of a creative work to control the copying of that work. If you didn't know that, check out my own brief introduction to copyright for more information. Feel free to link to this document, no need to ask me. Really, NO need to ask.
10 Big Myths about copyright explained
An attempt to answer common myths about copyright seen on the net and cover issues related to copyright and USENET/Internet publication.
- by Brad Templeton
Note that this is an essay about copyright myths. It assumes you know at least what copyright is -- basically the legal exclusive right of the author of a creative work to control the copying of that work. If you didn't know that, check out my own brief introduction to copyright for more information. Feel free to link to this document, no need to ask me. Really, NO need to ask.
U.S. Copyright Office - Frequently Asked Questions
U.S. Copyright Office - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright
The Copyright Office offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions about copyright, registration, and services of the Office. Click on a subject heading below to view questions and answers relating to your selection. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our website or from other sources. Should you have any further questions, please consult our Contact Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Copyright
The Copyright Office offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions about copyright, registration, and services of the Office. Click on a subject heading below to view questions and answers relating to your selection. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our website or from other sources. Should you have any further questions, please consult our Contact Us page.
Fair Use | Make Easy Money with Google
Fair Use | Make Easy Money with Google
Fair Use
How much can you use without permission?
In some legal systems — and it's important to note that the concept varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction — it's permissible to quote or otherwise use small portions of copyrighted works for scholarly or other restricted uses. This is referred to as "fair use". Be sure to read these documents on fair use before using material without asking the copyright holder for permission:
Fair Use
How much can you use without permission?
In some legal systems — and it's important to note that the concept varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction — it's permissible to quote or otherwise use small portions of copyrighted works for scholarly or other restricted uses. This is referred to as "fair use". Be sure to read these documents on fair use before using material without asking the copyright holder for permission:
Welcome to AdWords
Welcome to AdWords
Find buyers searching for what you sell.
Google AdWords ads connect you with new customers at the precise moment when they're looking for your products or services. The Google Network reaches more than 80% of Internet users.*
With Google AdWords you create your own ads, choose keywords to help us match your ads to your audience and pay only when someone clicks on them.
Find buyers searching for what you sell.
Google AdWords ads connect you with new customers at the precise moment when they're looking for your products or services. The Google Network reaches more than 80% of Internet users.*
With Google AdWords you create your own ads, choose keywords to help us match your ads to your audience and pay only when someone clicks on them.
The CSS Weblog - css.weblogsinc.com
The CSS Weblog - css.weblogsinc.com
Found around the network, it’s the Best of Weblogs, Inc.
Posted Oct 8, 2005, 6:00 AM ET by Weblogs, Inc. Staff
The Weblogs, Inc. network features over 100 independent, unfiltered bloggers producing over 1,000 blog posts a week across over 75 industry-leading blogs. Each week we ask our bloggers to choose their top posts, which we bring to you in one easy-to-read weekly post. You’ll find links to the hottest posts from the past week after the jump including an exploding snake, a new Gameboy Advance hack, and how to survive a run of bad luck.
Found around the network, it’s the Best of Weblogs, Inc.
Posted Oct 8, 2005, 6:00 AM ET by Weblogs, Inc. Staff
The Weblogs, Inc. network features over 100 independent, unfiltered bloggers producing over 1,000 blog posts a week across over 75 industry-leading blogs. Each week we ask our bloggers to choose their top posts, which we bring to you in one easy-to-read weekly post. You’ll find links to the hottest posts from the past week after the jump including an exploding snake, a new Gameboy Advance hack, and how to survive a run of bad luck.
Nvu - The Complete Web Authoring System for Linux, Macintosh and Windows
Nvu - The Complete Web Authoring System for Linux, Macintosh and Windows
Finally! A complete Web Authoring System for Linux Desktop users as well as Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users to rival programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver.
Nvu (pronounced N-view, for a "new view") makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML.
Finally! A complete Web Authoring System for Linux Desktop users as well as Microsoft Windows and Macintosh users to rival programs like FrontPage and Dreamweaver.
Nvu (pronounced N-view, for a "new view") makes managing a web site a snap. Now anyone can create web pages and manage a website with no technical expertise or knowledge of HTML.
TINSTAAFL
TINSTAAFL
Influential economist Alvin Hansen (d. 1975), who helped introduce Keynesian economic theory into American policy-making, was one of the designers of the Social Security system. He is usually cited as the originator of the acronym TINSTAAFL, for "There is no such thing as a free lunch."
Influential economist Alvin Hansen (d. 1975), who helped introduce Keynesian economic theory into American policy-making, was one of the designers of the Social Security system. He is usually cited as the originator of the acronym TINSTAAFL, for "There is no such thing as a free lunch."
GoogleRankings.com - Check Google™ page ranking
GoogleRankings.com - Check Google™ page ranking
Check the ranking of a web page in Google™
A free search engine optimization tool
Check the ranking of a web page in Google™
A free search engine optimization tool
Internet Usage World Stats - The Big Picture - Population Statistics
Internet Usage World Stats - The Big Picture - Population Statistics
An International website featuring up to date 2005 worldwide Internet Usage, the Population Statistics and Market Data, for over 233 countries and world regions. See the Big Picture here.
A useful resource for international market research, containing Internet statistics, broadband penetration, world population data and global trade information. Web site is updated frequently.
Site navigation and usability has been made easy with links at the bottom of the pages, content menus on the left hand side column of most pages, and active links to country maps, statistics, local directories, and population information.
Market research reports are also available.
Remember to always reload (refresh) web pages to get and see the latest updated statistics.
An International website featuring up to date 2005 worldwide Internet Usage, the Population Statistics and Market Data, for over 233 countries and world regions. See the Big Picture here.
A useful resource for international market research, containing Internet statistics, broadband penetration, world population data and global trade information. Web site is updated frequently.
Site navigation and usability has been made easy with links at the bottom of the pages, content menus on the left hand side column of most pages, and active links to country maps, statistics, local directories, and population information.
Market research reports are also available.
Remember to always reload (refresh) web pages to get and see the latest updated statistics.
About DAA | Democrats Abroad Australia
About DAA | Democrats Abroad Australia
About Democrats Abroad Australia
Democrats Abroad Australia is the official wing of America's Democratic Party for U.S. citizens living in Australia. We support programs and events for Americans living abroad, including:
* Supporting voter registration and absentee ballot requests for overseas Americans;
* Providing candidate information and news about U.S. elections;
* Hosting events and forums to promote public interest in good government, accountability, and civic responsibility; and
* Taking action to uphold America's Democratic principles, both here in Australia and at home in the USA.
About Democrats Abroad Australia
Democrats Abroad Australia is the official wing of America's Democratic Party for U.S. citizens living in Australia. We support programs and events for Americans living abroad, including:
* Supporting voter registration and absentee ballot requests for overseas Americans;
* Providing candidate information and news about U.S. elections;
* Hosting events and forums to promote public interest in good government, accountability, and civic responsibility; and
* Taking action to uphold America's Democratic principles, both here in Australia and at home in the USA.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
How to Boost Your AdSense Revenue
How to Boost Your AdSense Revenue
How to boost your AdSense revenue
Google's AdSense is a fascinating revenue-sharing opportunity for small, medium and large web sites.
Make money with AdSense
Some webmasters are designing brand new sites specifically for serving AdSense text ads. (It's against the AdSense rules to design a site purely for AdSense, so you'll want to include a few affiliate links or sell your own product, too.)
How to boost your AdSense revenue
Google's AdSense is a fascinating revenue-sharing opportunity for small, medium and large web sites.
Make money with AdSense
Some webmasters are designing brand new sites specifically for serving AdSense text ads. (It's against the AdSense rules to design a site purely for AdSense, so you'll want to include a few affiliate links or sell your own product, too.)
3 Tips to Increase a Website's Revenue From Google Adsense
Google Adsense is a program from Google that allows websites to generate revenue by hosting ads for Google on their websites. There are many things that can be done to increase the revenue generated from these ads. Three of the most important are to increase the traffic to the website, target better paying Adsense keyword related ads, and increase the frequency of clicks on the ads.
(PRWEB) October 6, 2005 -- The easiest way to increase traffic to any website is to create a lot of original and interesting content because it attracts people to the website. It makes them want to come back, and it also generates word of mouth referrals. The better the content and the more frequent the content is updated, the more likely a website is to attract higher visitors. Although there are many other search engine optimizations (SEO) techniques available, without a lot of interesting unique content visitors will simply not stay around and frequent a website. The website will not build up its visitor base and therefore it will have limited revenue...
Welcome to the MSDN Library
Welcome to the MSDN Library
Fundamental Microsoft Jet SQL for Access 2000
Acey James Bunch
Microsoft Corporation
February 2000
Applies To: Microsoft® Access 2000
Summary: This article discusses the basic mechanics of using Jet SQL to work with data in an Access 2000 database. It also delves into using SQL to create and alter a database's structure. If you're new to manipulating data with SQL in an Access database, this article is a great place to start. (21 printed pages)
Fundamental Microsoft Jet SQL for Access 2000
Acey James Bunch
Microsoft Corporation
February 2000
Applies To: Microsoft® Access 2000
Summary: This article discusses the basic mechanics of using Jet SQL to work with data in an Access 2000 database. It also delves into using SQL to create and alter a database's structure. If you're new to manipulating data with SQL in an Access database, this article is a great place to start. (21 printed pages)
Australian Flexible Learning Framework
Australian Flexible Learning Framework
Welcome to the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework (2005 Framework). Our website contains the latest e-learning news and developments, as well as links to our many products, resources and support networks.
Latest
Welcome to the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework (2005 Framework). Our website contains the latest e-learning news and developments, as well as links to our many products, resources and support networks.
Latest
Monday, October 10, 2005
Web Style Sheets
Web Style Sheets
What are style sheets?
Style sheets describe how documents are presented on screens, in print, or perhaps how they are pronounced. W3C has actively promoted the use of style sheets on the Web since the Consortium was founded in 1994. The Style Activity has produced several W3C Recommendations (CSS1, CSS2, XPath, XSLT). CSS especially is widely implemented in browsers.
What are style sheets?
Style sheets describe how documents are presented on screens, in print, or perhaps how they are pronounced. W3C has actively promoted the use of style sheets on the Web since the Consortium was founded in 1994. The Style Activity has produced several W3C Recommendations (CSS1, CSS2, XPath, XSLT). CSS especially is widely implemented in browsers.
Microsoft Excel 12
Microsoft Excel
Wrapping up new visualizations – icon sets
posted Sunday, October 09, 2005 9:46 PM by David Gainer
The final visualization that we added to Excel 12 has the working title “icon sets”. As the name implies, this feature allows users to put icons in cells based on the values of the cell. These are in some ways similar to data bars and colour scales, so much of what I have covered in previous posts (here and here) applies to icon sets as well. The key difference is that users can specify a number of categories for their data (between 3 and 5 categories), choose a set of icons that they want to appear in the cells for each category, and Excel determines the categorization of each cell relative to all cells in the selected range and draws the appropriate icon in the each of the cells. This is very effective when you are trying to annotate and present data in a way that is quickly readable and comprehensible.
Wrapping up new visualizations – icon sets
posted Sunday, October 09, 2005 9:46 PM by David Gainer
The final visualization that we added to Excel 12 has the working title “icon sets”. As the name implies, this feature allows users to put icons in cells based on the values of the cell. These are in some ways similar to data bars and colour scales, so much of what I have covered in previous posts (here and here) applies to icon sets as well. The key difference is that users can specify a number of categories for their data (between 3 and 5 categories), choose a set of icons that they want to appear in the cells for each category, and Excel determines the categorization of each cell relative to all cells in the selected range and draws the appropriate icon in the each of the cells. This is very effective when you are trying to annotate and present data in a way that is quickly readable and comprehensible.
Veoh Networks - Internet Television Peercasting Network
Veoh Networks - Internet Television Peercasting Network
Broadcast
Want to create your own TV show, or a whole TV channel? Veoh allows you to broadcast Full-Screen television shows to the world, free of charge, even if you get millions of viewers. Start broadcasting today, it's free and easy.
Broadcast
Want to create your own TV show, or a whole TV channel? Veoh allows you to broadcast Full-Screen television shows to the world, free of charge, even if you get millions of viewers. Start broadcasting today, it's free and easy.
Veoh Networks - Internet Television Peercasting Network
Veoh Networks - Internet Television Peercasting Network
Watch Veoh
Using Veoh's free software, you can watch Full-Screen Internet Television, with access to shows that you could never find on traditional television networks. No matter what your interest or taste, chances are that you will find what you're looking for on Veoh. Give it a try, it's completely free.
Watch Veoh
Using Veoh's free software, you can watch Full-Screen Internet Television, with access to shows that you could never find on traditional television networks. No matter what your interest or taste, chances are that you will find what you're looking for on Veoh. Give it a try, it's completely free.
Educational Weblogs: Alias ships Maya, MotionBuilder PLE
Educational Weblogs: Alias ships Maya, MotionBuilder PLE
Educational Weblogs
Disruptive Technology Resource for Educators using Weblogs, Blogware, Collaborative tools, RSS & Podcasting, web services and digital tools at home, school, university and community.
* DT Wiki
Wiki on Weblog, Wiki, RSS and Media Rich Aggregators, Pocasting and Videocasting creation software.
* EdBlogger Praxis Portal
Education Blog Examples
* Educational Weblogs - Home
The Home of the Educational Weblogs Portal Cluster
* Manila & Radio Portal
Manila and Radio Weblogs in Education and Resources
* Movable Type Portal
Movable Type in Education
* TypePad Portal
TypePad in Education
Educational Weblogs
Disruptive Technology Resource for Educators using Weblogs, Blogware, Collaborative tools, RSS & Podcasting, web services and digital tools at home, school, university and community.
* DT Wiki
Wiki on Weblog, Wiki, RSS and Media Rich Aggregators, Pocasting and Videocasting creation software.
* EdBlogger Praxis Portal
Education Blog Examples
* Educational Weblogs - Home
The Home of the Educational Weblogs Portal Cluster
* Manila & Radio Portal
Manila and Radio Weblogs in Education and Resources
* Movable Type Portal
Movable Type in Education
* TypePad Portal
TypePad in Education
Overview
Overview
1.0 Overview
InqScribe provides a flexible environment for annotating, transcribing, and analyzing digital media files.
InqScribe supports a wide range of audio and video formats. It is designed to streamline the process of annotation (as well as literal transcription) and allows the user to link comments to specific time points within the media itself.
Each InqScribe document links a specific media source -- a QuickTime file, a WAV file, a DV tape, or some other representation of a recorded event -- with a transcript created by the user.
The user can insert time codes -- representations of specific time points within the media -- into the transcript at any point. The time codes can either by entered manually, by typing a specific time, or automatically: the user can press a single key and InqScribe will automatically enter the current playback time.
1.0 Overview
InqScribe provides a flexible environment for annotating, transcribing, and analyzing digital media files.
InqScribe supports a wide range of audio and video formats. It is designed to streamline the process of annotation (as well as literal transcription) and allows the user to link comments to specific time points within the media itself.
Each InqScribe document links a specific media source -- a QuickTime file, a WAV file, a DV tape, or some other representation of a recorded event -- with a transcript created by the user.
The user can insert time codes -- representations of specific time points within the media -- into the transcript at any point. The time codes can either by entered manually, by typing a specific time, or automatically: the user can press a single key and InqScribe will automatically enter the current playback time.
InqScribe: Simplifying Transcription
InqScribe: Simplifying Transcription
A flexible environment to annotate, transcribe, analyze, and subtitle digital media files
A flexible environment to annotate, transcribe, analyze, and subtitle digital media files
JotSpot Live
JotSpot Live
Live, group note-taking.
Five people in a meeting? Take one set of notes instead of five
Live, group note-taking.
Five people in a meeting? Take one set of notes instead of five
Sunday, October 09, 2005
MoodleThemes - More CSS Charts
MoodleThemes - More CSS Charts
On this page we will put in CSS Charts for Moodle 1.5x page by page. The first chart is ready. Click the link below. Let us know if it suits your purpose..more charts coming..keep looking here.
On this page we will put in CSS Charts for Moodle 1.5x page by page. The first chart is ready. Click the link below. Let us know if it suits your purpose..more charts coming..keep looking here.
Here are a couple of good sites...
Here are a couple of good sites where you can begin your search for other sites:
http://www.merlot.org
A community dedicated to sharing and evaluating educational resources, simulations, and other materials
http://www.wikipedia.org
An online encyclopedia developed by thousands of volunteers
http://www.eoe.org
An online repository of Java learning objects submitted by educators from around the world
This list is by no means exhaustive. Simply using Google as a tool in your class would vastly expand the amount and variety of content available to your students.
http://www.merlot.org
A community dedicated to sharing and evaluating educational resources, simulations, and other materials
http://www.wikipedia.org
An online encyclopedia developed by thousands of volunteers
http://www.eoe.org
An online repository of Java learning objects submitted by educators from around the world
This list is by no means exhaustive. Simply using Google as a tool in your class would vastly expand the amount and variety of content available to your students.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning and Learning Organizations
Knowledge Management, Organizational Learning and Learning Organizations
The Knowledge Management Network tm
WWW Virtual Library on Knowledge Managementtm
Global Knowledge Management Community of Practice
The Knowledge Management Think Tank
The Knowledge Management Network tm
WWW Virtual Library on Knowledge Managementtm
Global Knowledge Management Community of Practice
The Knowledge Management Think Tank
Skinning Cats: More than One mode for e-learning
Skinning Cats: More than One mode for e-learning
Tutorials
Tutorials are one of the most ancient and commonly used modes of education. A good tutorial presents information and guidance, makes sure the learner has an opportunity to understand the instruction, and only then continues on to new information. Many tutorials basically consist of a linear presentation of content. When implemented poorly, a tutorial can become what is derisively referred to as "an electronic page-turner," or if web-based, a "scroller." This type of program presents content directly without giving the learner any more opportunity to interact other than to call for the next screen. When implemented properly, using the classic principles of instructional systems design, guided tutorials can be engaging and effective. The key to useful tutorials in e-learning are interactions that establish pace, clarify content, provide for practice and instill confidence.
Branching can greatly enhance the effectiveness of a tutorial, allowing it to operate in the way that a skilled teacher does. A question posed following an instructional moment can determine if the student has mastered the content. If mastery is not achieved, one branch is followed and another approach is provided to eliminate confusion. Only after mastery is achieved is the branch containing the next piece of information followed.
Simulations
Simulations are often used to recreate lifelike job situations. Realism is the key to successful simulations but not every element of a simulation has to be realistic in order for it to be instructionally valid. While hearing a telephone ring in the background of an office simulation adds to the depth of the user experience, being able to answer that phone and talk with a customer adds value to the user's learning experience.
The best example of a simulation is the complex flight simulator employed by pilots. More commonly encountered simulations are the scenarios deployed in training classrooms as role-playing exercises within the group.
Current technology enables students to interact with on-screen participants in non-linear, discovery-learning scenarios. Sales calls, customer service scenarios, computer repairs, surgery, and the full responsibility of running a business can all be simulated. Simulations of software functionality are particularly prolific and have well documented learner benefits. Cutting-edge programs now exist using virtual reality that enable students wearing goggles and sensor gloves to actually be immersed in a digitally created environment. The challenge to the trainer is to isolate the elements of a situation that can be controlled and must be mastered by the learner in reality and put the learner in control of these elements in the simulation. All the realism in the world cannot make a simulation a valuable learning tool without the elements of guidance, remediation, or feedback.
True simulations and simulation-based drill and practice exercises have in common the ability to reveal a learner's actions and reactions in a realistic, protected environment where time and distance are collapsed. In sales call simulations learners can try out various sales approaches without the jeopardy of awkward social situations.
Electronic Performance Support Systems
Electronic performance support systems (EPSSs) are created to give an individual the tool they need to perform a required task at the time they need it. A performance support system is in a way the opposite of a tutorial. Where a tutorial instructs the learner and then requires that the learner perform, a performance support system requires the learner to determine when they need assistance and then ask for the required guidance. The most ubiquitous example of a performance support system is the "Help" feature built into Microsoft's Office applications. A simple example of a non-e-learning performance support tool is an inventory checklist created for a grocery clerk.
A growing consensus in the industry is that e-learning should include imbedded support systems that provide instant guidance at the time and place of need. With the advent of Web-based training and the emergence of the hyperlink paradigm, the convergence of e-learning and electronic performance support systems is almost complete. Web-based tutorials can be completed independently as learning exercises for new users and yet be delivered as just-in-time chunks of information and interactive tools at the desktop.
The challenge of creating useful performance support systems obviously consists of determining what tools are needed by a population and providing those tools. In the context of e-learning, the further challenge is creating systems that allow an individual needing a tool to recognize that such a tool exists and then be able to use that tool.
Instructional Games
The inclusion of games has often been a hitch in getting management to agree to e-learning initiatives. Many learning theories contend, though, that games are essential to the learning exhibited by children and can be usefully extended into the realm of adult learning. Games can have great value, possibly greater value than any other mode of instruction, in reducing learner tension and increasing learner engagement. The reluctance toward employing games to teach is becoming less apparent as supervisors are educated in learning theory and many who have experience in gaming for educational purpose move into management roles.
Games in the style of TV game shows have long been used in the classroom to provide a fun and effective method for reinforcement and self-assessment. Instructional games are equally effective using the latest computer technologies. Games can run the gamut from simple speed and accuracy typing exercises to complex business simulators where a student might run an entire factory. Instructional games can also replicate classic, arcade, and game show styles such as tic-tac-toe, auto racing, and Jeopardy(TM).
The defining characteristic of instructional games is a set of goals or a competitor to provide motivation in addition to the learning. For maximum success, the motivational element of the game should run parallel to the overall motivation for the training. The game should have has instructional value aligned with the objectives of the overall course. There is little merit to using games as a reward for completing learning objectives exterior to the games themselves.
Tests, Record Keeping, and Guidance
Automated assessments are another commonly used facet of e-learning. When companies first adopt e-learning initiatives, testing and record-keeping systems are often accepted earlier than programs that integrate multiple training modes, due to their ease of implementation and their quickly recognizable returns.
Online tests can be used for self-assessment purposes, or can be computer graded and reported back to central administration. The explosion of enterprisewide networks now provides the power to assess thousands of individuals and track their progress against specific job competencies throughout their life within an organization. The latest and most sophisticated technology-based tests are tightly linked to learning objectives, which in turn can help create a completely personalized curriculum.
Combining the Modes
Maximum learner benefit can be typically achieved by combining several training modes in one project. The merit of each mode varies with training goals and some modes are ill suited to meet some needs. A solid and frequent model is to use tutorials to teach basic knowledge and concepts, use simulations for reinforcement and application of the knowledge (leading to skills), test or certify the comprehension, and finally provide an on-the-job performance support tool to aid in recall and application.
Tutorials
Tutorials are one of the most ancient and commonly used modes of education. A good tutorial presents information and guidance, makes sure the learner has an opportunity to understand the instruction, and only then continues on to new information. Many tutorials basically consist of a linear presentation of content. When implemented poorly, a tutorial can become what is derisively referred to as "an electronic page-turner," or if web-based, a "scroller." This type of program presents content directly without giving the learner any more opportunity to interact other than to call for the next screen. When implemented properly, using the classic principles of instructional systems design, guided tutorials can be engaging and effective. The key to useful tutorials in e-learning are interactions that establish pace, clarify content, provide for practice and instill confidence.
Branching can greatly enhance the effectiveness of a tutorial, allowing it to operate in the way that a skilled teacher does. A question posed following an instructional moment can determine if the student has mastered the content. If mastery is not achieved, one branch is followed and another approach is provided to eliminate confusion. Only after mastery is achieved is the branch containing the next piece of information followed.
Simulations
Simulations are often used to recreate lifelike job situations. Realism is the key to successful simulations but not every element of a simulation has to be realistic in order for it to be instructionally valid. While hearing a telephone ring in the background of an office simulation adds to the depth of the user experience, being able to answer that phone and talk with a customer adds value to the user's learning experience.
The best example of a simulation is the complex flight simulator employed by pilots. More commonly encountered simulations are the scenarios deployed in training classrooms as role-playing exercises within the group.
Current technology enables students to interact with on-screen participants in non-linear, discovery-learning scenarios. Sales calls, customer service scenarios, computer repairs, surgery, and the full responsibility of running a business can all be simulated. Simulations of software functionality are particularly prolific and have well documented learner benefits. Cutting-edge programs now exist using virtual reality that enable students wearing goggles and sensor gloves to actually be immersed in a digitally created environment. The challenge to the trainer is to isolate the elements of a situation that can be controlled and must be mastered by the learner in reality and put the learner in control of these elements in the simulation. All the realism in the world cannot make a simulation a valuable learning tool without the elements of guidance, remediation, or feedback.
True simulations and simulation-based drill and practice exercises have in common the ability to reveal a learner's actions and reactions in a realistic, protected environment where time and distance are collapsed. In sales call simulations learners can try out various sales approaches without the jeopardy of awkward social situations.
Electronic Performance Support Systems
Electronic performance support systems (EPSSs) are created to give an individual the tool they need to perform a required task at the time they need it. A performance support system is in a way the opposite of a tutorial. Where a tutorial instructs the learner and then requires that the learner perform, a performance support system requires the learner to determine when they need assistance and then ask for the required guidance. The most ubiquitous example of a performance support system is the "Help" feature built into Microsoft's Office applications. A simple example of a non-e-learning performance support tool is an inventory checklist created for a grocery clerk.
A growing consensus in the industry is that e-learning should include imbedded support systems that provide instant guidance at the time and place of need. With the advent of Web-based training and the emergence of the hyperlink paradigm, the convergence of e-learning and electronic performance support systems is almost complete. Web-based tutorials can be completed independently as learning exercises for new users and yet be delivered as just-in-time chunks of information and interactive tools at the desktop.
The challenge of creating useful performance support systems obviously consists of determining what tools are needed by a population and providing those tools. In the context of e-learning, the further challenge is creating systems that allow an individual needing a tool to recognize that such a tool exists and then be able to use that tool.
Instructional Games
The inclusion of games has often been a hitch in getting management to agree to e-learning initiatives. Many learning theories contend, though, that games are essential to the learning exhibited by children and can be usefully extended into the realm of adult learning. Games can have great value, possibly greater value than any other mode of instruction, in reducing learner tension and increasing learner engagement. The reluctance toward employing games to teach is becoming less apparent as supervisors are educated in learning theory and many who have experience in gaming for educational purpose move into management roles.
Games in the style of TV game shows have long been used in the classroom to provide a fun and effective method for reinforcement and self-assessment. Instructional games are equally effective using the latest computer technologies. Games can run the gamut from simple speed and accuracy typing exercises to complex business simulators where a student might run an entire factory. Instructional games can also replicate classic, arcade, and game show styles such as tic-tac-toe, auto racing, and Jeopardy(TM).
The defining characteristic of instructional games is a set of goals or a competitor to provide motivation in addition to the learning. For maximum success, the motivational element of the game should run parallel to the overall motivation for the training. The game should have has instructional value aligned with the objectives of the overall course. There is little merit to using games as a reward for completing learning objectives exterior to the games themselves.
Tests, Record Keeping, and Guidance
Automated assessments are another commonly used facet of e-learning. When companies first adopt e-learning initiatives, testing and record-keeping systems are often accepted earlier than programs that integrate multiple training modes, due to their ease of implementation and their quickly recognizable returns.
Online tests can be used for self-assessment purposes, or can be computer graded and reported back to central administration. The explosion of enterprisewide networks now provides the power to assess thousands of individuals and track their progress against specific job competencies throughout their life within an organization. The latest and most sophisticated technology-based tests are tightly linked to learning objectives, which in turn can help create a completely personalized curriculum.
Combining the Modes
Maximum learner benefit can be typically achieved by combining several training modes in one project. The merit of each mode varies with training goals and some modes are ill suited to meet some needs. A solid and frequent model is to use tutorials to teach basic knowledge and concepts, use simulations for reinforcement and application of the knowledge (leading to skills), test or certify the comprehension, and finally provide an on-the-job performance support tool to aid in recall and application.
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