"Armed with a bit of knowledge about what Twitter is all about, share your thoughts on this fast growing online phenomenon."
Maybe I missed something in the translation, because after reading the "About" stuff, I'm still not actually sure I do have any type of knowledge about what Twitter is all about. Actually, there was no translation. When I got the the home page, there were "tweets" scrolling up through the center of my screen. It was a foreign language and I had no idea who any of them were, or what any of them were talking about.
I searched something. I typed in "quilting". I randomly picked a person to further read what they were saying. I couldn't follow any thread of consistent conversation at all - and there was nothing to do with quilting beyond the sentence that my search found - "got two new piercings and am doing some quilting".
So my question back is "why?". And my next question is "what's the point?" I know what the "About" blurb says but honestly, that doesn't really answer those questions in a satisfactory manner either. If I thought that Facebook was narcissistic, this is even more so. And I am way too busy to be following anyone tweeting. I can't see that Twitter has any kind of life-enhancing quality about it whatsoever, and am at a loss to explain why it is so popular. It must be related to the mentality that makes people slow down and rubberneck whilst driving past a car crash.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
CPL 2.0 Library Thing
I had tried out the Google Bookshelves some weeks ago when the homework topic was Google Universe. Library Thing makes the Google Bookshelves look a bit like that box in the corner of the doctor's office - it is much more sophisticated.
After setting up my account I searched for the print book I am currently reading. It is called "The Grasshoper" by an Albertan man Joseph Lothian. It wasn't found on the initial search, even using the ISBN so I expanded the locations that were being searched. This book (or author) didn't appear at all, which I found odd considering I borrowed it from the library and I had to wait some time due to the holds prior to mine. So I manually added the book; filling in as many of the spaces I could. Later when I did a "site" search on "The Grasshopper", it still didn't show up, maybe it needs 24 hours?
Interestingly enough that search generated a list of 158 titles, mostly to do with the fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper". And within that list the title that stuck out was "The Grasshopper and the Ant and other La Fontaine Fables". Now maybe my memory is getting a little shaky in my old age, but I believe that particular moral tale is credited to Aesop, not La Fontaine. Which makes me wonder - how much of the information that is input to Library Thing, is double-checked? Is it credible? Or is it a case of reader beware.
The site was user friendly and easy to navigate. I appreciated that to set up an account I didn't have to give an astonishing amount of vague information - "as a security question in case you forget your password, tell us the name of the book your best man was sneakily reading under his coat after the church service and before the photos."
The amount of information on the site was truely overwhelming, (and what is "zeitgeist" anyway?) At what point does all this information stop being helpful or informative and just become a mass of words to wade through?
I did like the comparisons and other suggested reading. Sometimes I can't think what to read next (more, I don't know what I feel like reading next) and these lists will ensure I am never without a story by my side.
After setting up my account I searched for the print book I am currently reading. It is called "The Grasshoper" by an Albertan man Joseph Lothian. It wasn't found on the initial search, even using the ISBN so I expanded the locations that were being searched. This book (or author) didn't appear at all, which I found odd considering I borrowed it from the library and I had to wait some time due to the holds prior to mine. So I manually added the book; filling in as many of the spaces I could. Later when I did a "site" search on "The Grasshopper", it still didn't show up, maybe it needs 24 hours?
Interestingly enough that search generated a list of 158 titles, mostly to do with the fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper". And within that list the title that stuck out was "The Grasshopper and the Ant and other La Fontaine Fables". Now maybe my memory is getting a little shaky in my old age, but I believe that particular moral tale is credited to Aesop, not La Fontaine. Which makes me wonder - how much of the information that is input to Library Thing, is double-checked? Is it credible? Or is it a case of reader beware.
The site was user friendly and easy to navigate. I appreciated that to set up an account I didn't have to give an astonishing amount of vague information - "as a security question in case you forget your password, tell us the name of the book your best man was sneakily reading under his coat after the church service and before the photos."
The amount of information on the site was truely overwhelming, (and what is "zeitgeist" anyway?) At what point does all this information stop being helpful or informative and just become a mass of words to wade through?
I did like the comparisons and other suggested reading. Sometimes I can't think what to read next (more, I don't know what I feel like reading next) and these lists will ensure I am never without a story by my side.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
CPL 2.0 Online Productivity Tools
Calendars are very important to me! The idea of a calendar system that "makes my life easier" is very appealing - we have 7 hockey schedules in our house. Yes, you read that correctly SEVEN!
We currently use an Outlook calendar, that we sync between 2 computers and 2 Palm Pilots. Our Palms are getting towards the end of their lives now, so we are in the process of "interviewing" other systems as well as the updated Palm. We need a product that will talk to our Outlook calendar, as well as some type of portable device - and I don't really want to go the Blackberry route. I am quite happy to not be available to the world 24/7!
I found the Google calendar site was cluttered for a first time user. The "Overview" was informative, the "Take a Tour" just pointed to the "Overview" page. So in order to set a calendar up, I had to click back and forth through various links. This is obviously a diminishing problem, as the more familiar a user becomes with the product, the easier it is to use.
In order to sync the calendar with Outlook, I would have to download - yipee :-( a seperate product. While I was investgating that, I read the user comments - not good. Many people seemed to have experienced difficulty with the synchronization, some stated that it made a huge mess of their Outlook calendar. With our family's busy schedule, I can't afford to take that risk as we rely so heavily on the calendar.
From what I could see, the only portable device that I could use the Google calendar with, was a mobile phone, which would mean I would need to upgrade my phone and/or plan. Being a mostly-stay-at-home-Mum with a part time job means I have no need to be married to my phone. It isn't on all the time, and I have a pay-as-you-go 10 cents/min plan which currently suits me fine (I spend way less than $20/month) but isn't the most cost-effective way to check my calendar.
I'll answer both the questions this week.
1. No, I can't see online productivity tools replacing purchased products such as Microsoft Office. Computers are becoming more and more portable. A person can carry their own stuff around, I believe there is a diminishing need to access your document from multiple computers.
2. For a calendar product, I need a hybrid! A cross between the traditional and modern. I like to be able to paperclip my drycleaning receipt or my library date due slip to the appropriate page in a daytimer. I like the way a paper calendar allows for quick changes - no logging on or signing in required. I also like being able to turn around with flour or onion all over my hands and see the giant "week at a glance" calendar on the fridge. I like the amount of information I can store in my Outlook calendar - directions to a location, paragraphs "cut and pasted" from emails. And most importantly my husband and I can both make plans and arrangements and not worry about "double-booking" our family.
For any calendar system to work, the whole family has to buy in to it. For example, my husband refuses to write on a paper calendar, so the one posted on the fridge has turned into the "helper of the day" schedule - whose job is it to empty the dishwasher today?
I think the best productivity tool I could wish for, would be a personal secretary!
We currently use an Outlook calendar, that we sync between 2 computers and 2 Palm Pilots. Our Palms are getting towards the end of their lives now, so we are in the process of "interviewing" other systems as well as the updated Palm. We need a product that will talk to our Outlook calendar, as well as some type of portable device - and I don't really want to go the Blackberry route. I am quite happy to not be available to the world 24/7!
I found the Google calendar site was cluttered for a first time user. The "Overview" was informative, the "Take a Tour" just pointed to the "Overview" page. So in order to set a calendar up, I had to click back and forth through various links. This is obviously a diminishing problem, as the more familiar a user becomes with the product, the easier it is to use.
In order to sync the calendar with Outlook, I would have to download - yipee :-( a seperate product. While I was investgating that, I read the user comments - not good. Many people seemed to have experienced difficulty with the synchronization, some stated that it made a huge mess of their Outlook calendar. With our family's busy schedule, I can't afford to take that risk as we rely so heavily on the calendar.
From what I could see, the only portable device that I could use the Google calendar with, was a mobile phone, which would mean I would need to upgrade my phone and/or plan. Being a mostly-stay-at-home-Mum with a part time job means I have no need to be married to my phone. It isn't on all the time, and I have a pay-as-you-go 10 cents/min plan which currently suits me fine (I spend way less than $20/month) but isn't the most cost-effective way to check my calendar.
I'll answer both the questions this week.
1. No, I can't see online productivity tools replacing purchased products such as Microsoft Office. Computers are becoming more and more portable. A person can carry their own stuff around, I believe there is a diminishing need to access your document from multiple computers.
2. For a calendar product, I need a hybrid! A cross between the traditional and modern. I like to be able to paperclip my drycleaning receipt or my library date due slip to the appropriate page in a daytimer. I like the way a paper calendar allows for quick changes - no logging on or signing in required. I also like being able to turn around with flour or onion all over my hands and see the giant "week at a glance" calendar on the fridge. I like the amount of information I can store in my Outlook calendar - directions to a location, paragraphs "cut and pasted" from emails. And most importantly my husband and I can both make plans and arrangements and not worry about "double-booking" our family.
For any calendar system to work, the whole family has to buy in to it. For example, my husband refuses to write on a paper calendar, so the one posted on the fridge has turned into the "helper of the day" schedule - whose job is it to empty the dishwasher today?
I think the best productivity tool I could wish for, would be a personal secretary!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
CPL 2.0 YouTube and Flickr
The reflection question of the week was regarding the quality and entertainment value of YouTube and Flickr.
I had never tried Flickr before, I found it perfectly easy to use to search for pictures. I typed in "sunset" and up popped many sunset pictures. I typed in "quilts" and then had a slideshow scrolling across my screen. Fun I guess, but then I had to sit there and watch it when really I should have been vacuuming something!
I assume that once an image is posted to Flickr it is free from any copyrights and can be used in a power point, for example. I didn't try to use the pictures in any of my own applications, nor did I try and put my own pictures into Flickr - I barely know how to get them off the camera!
YouTube. Although I have met some people who use YouTube for video blogging, to me it has been only a form of entertainment in the past. However, I recently used it as a research tool.
I am a Grade 8 piano student and. I recently discovered errors in the Royal Conservatory study book. When I contacted Frederick Harris, the publisher of the books, the reply was "yes" there are errors "just download the correct version from our website". However, the only thing to download from their website is a catalogue of purchasable items. After emailing back and forth, and being told I probably just need to "scroll down a bit", I gave up on the publishing company.
Off to the music store, where I found the song ("Jane's Song" by Christopher Norton) in a different publication. I was able to confirm my suspicions regarding the print error and make the correction in my own book. Now I just needed a correct audio copy of the song. I copied the download code from the front of the Connections book, but was unable to make it work when I returned home.
Next step - YouTube. I searched for the song title and was able to pull up video of various people playing this piece. By watching and listening to these clips, I was able to confirm the key change that occurs in the middle of the printed version of this song, but is not played correctly in the purchased CD that accompanies the Conservatory book.
My piano teacher was able to make the download code work, but unfortunately the downloaded songs are "play along" pieces with different accompaniaments. So I am still lacking the "plain Jane's Song" to help me with my practice.
The Conservatory curriculum only changes every 5 - 7 years, and this is the new one. Surely when Frederick Harris reprints the books they will correct any errors. I have set the music store to work on this question, and as I'm not planning to take my exam until next year I have time to wait for the answer!
I had never tried Flickr before, I found it perfectly easy to use to search for pictures. I typed in "sunset" and up popped many sunset pictures. I typed in "quilts" and then had a slideshow scrolling across my screen. Fun I guess, but then I had to sit there and watch it when really I should have been vacuuming something!
I assume that once an image is posted to Flickr it is free from any copyrights and can be used in a power point, for example. I didn't try to use the pictures in any of my own applications, nor did I try and put my own pictures into Flickr - I barely know how to get them off the camera!
YouTube. Although I have met some people who use YouTube for video blogging, to me it has been only a form of entertainment in the past. However, I recently used it as a research tool.
I am a Grade 8 piano student and. I recently discovered errors in the Royal Conservatory study book. When I contacted Frederick Harris, the publisher of the books, the reply was "yes" there are errors "just download the correct version from our website". However, the only thing to download from their website is a catalogue of purchasable items. After emailing back and forth, and being told I probably just need to "scroll down a bit", I gave up on the publishing company.
Off to the music store, where I found the song ("Jane's Song" by Christopher Norton) in a different publication. I was able to confirm my suspicions regarding the print error and make the correction in my own book. Now I just needed a correct audio copy of the song. I copied the download code from the front of the Connections book, but was unable to make it work when I returned home.
Next step - YouTube. I searched for the song title and was able to pull up video of various people playing this piece. By watching and listening to these clips, I was able to confirm the key change that occurs in the middle of the printed version of this song, but is not played correctly in the purchased CD that accompanies the Conservatory book.
My piano teacher was able to make the download code work, but unfortunately the downloaded songs are "play along" pieces with different accompaniaments. So I am still lacking the "plain Jane's Song" to help me with my practice.
The Conservatory curriculum only changes every 5 - 7 years, and this is the new one. Surely when Frederick Harris reprints the books they will correct any errors. I have set the music store to work on this question, and as I'm not planning to take my exam until next year I have time to wait for the answer!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
CPL 2.0 - RSS Feeds
I didn't have too much trouble setting up the RSS feeds using a bloglines account, however I still have not managed to get the "notifier" working correctly. I ended up just ditching it, and putting a shortcut icon on my (computer at home) desktop that links straight into the logged-in bloglines account. Not very secure but fine with me given who uses that particular computer at home.
My preference would be to have an email arrive in my inbox at the same time each day, so I'm not sure if that's possible.
It is quite neat to be able to keep up to date with newspapers from "home" (New Zealand) but strange that the news was always one day ahead!
If not careful this too, could be an immense time waster. Do I really need to sit down and log on to a computer just to be given a new "word of the day?"
My preference would be to have an email arrive in my inbox at the same time each day, so I'm not sure if that's possible.
It is quite neat to be able to keep up to date with newspapers from "home" (New Zealand) but strange that the news was always one day ahead!
If not careful this too, could be an immense time waster. Do I really need to sit down and log on to a computer just to be given a new "word of the day?"
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
CPL 2.0 Google Universe
It's not a "time waster" my husband said, it's a "time consumer".
I had enjoyed poking around in the Google Universe, and before I knew it - a looooot of time had elapsed! I eventually settled on creating some Bookshelves using Google Books.
What do I Like?
Google Books seems to be about so much more than just the Bookshelves, but that is what I have played with most. It's neat how the list you create includes a cover picture and a small synopsis. Also, you can choose to share your Bookshelf with others if you like, or just keep it to yourself.
What do I Dislike?
It would be nice to be able to "drag" the books from one shelf to another. It would also be nice to be able to have a book on two different Bookshelves. For example I am currently reading "Dumb Witness" by Agatha Christie. I would like it to be in both the "Reading Now" shelf, and also the "Agatha Christie" shelf that I created.
Would I Recommend this Product?
I would recommend that any book lover play around with this product, and I will continue to "interview" it. However, keeping a "list of books I've read" for my own interest, I think that a simple Word document is the fastest and easiest recording method. The Bookshelves are a great way to share. Also as well as being a lover of books to read and peruse, I'm also a lover of blank books to write lists in. And journals made with fancy paper and beautiful covers that can be carried around and touched, with pages that turn.
Now, if Google made some type of recipe organising product I would be very happy!
I had enjoyed poking around in the Google Universe, and before I knew it - a looooot of time had elapsed! I eventually settled on creating some Bookshelves using Google Books.
What do I Like?
Google Books seems to be about so much more than just the Bookshelves, but that is what I have played with most. It's neat how the list you create includes a cover picture and a small synopsis. Also, you can choose to share your Bookshelf with others if you like, or just keep it to yourself.
What do I Dislike?
It would be nice to be able to "drag" the books from one shelf to another. It would also be nice to be able to have a book on two different Bookshelves. For example I am currently reading "Dumb Witness" by Agatha Christie. I would like it to be in both the "Reading Now" shelf, and also the "Agatha Christie" shelf that I created.
Would I Recommend this Product?
I would recommend that any book lover play around with this product, and I will continue to "interview" it. However, keeping a "list of books I've read" for my own interest, I think that a simple Word document is the fastest and easiest recording method. The Bookshelves are a great way to share. Also as well as being a lover of books to read and peruse, I'm also a lover of blank books to write lists in. And journals made with fancy paper and beautiful covers that can be carried around and touched, with pages that turn.
Now, if Google made some type of recipe organising product I would be very happy!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
CPL 2.0 Facebook
"Is Facebook useful or a time waster?"
I was quite amazed when I first set up my Facebook account - a whole screen of "suggested friends" were suddenly displayed. A little spooky to think that this "entity" has wormed its way into my address book or email list.
I told my 15 and 13 year old sons that they had to be my "friends". Quelle horreur! My 13 year old however, did eventually acquiese and promptly sent out a message to all his friends - "keep it clean guys, my Mum's on Facebook!" He took on the role of teacher and showed me all the important things such as how to use the emotional weather report.
It could be quite the time waster - using all the little applications. In fact I'm quite keen to set up a map showing the places I've been.
It could also be useful, as the following example shows.
I just wanted to have a few friends to begin with - no point in showing off how naiive I am to the entire world. I selected my younger brother (who lives in Australia) and sent him a friend request. This is a fellow who apparantly finds it difficult to write a letter, pick up a telephone or sign on and send an email. Within the hour he had "accepted" my request, and while I was having my lesson with my son, my brother initiated a conversation via the little chat thingy.
My brother said he likes Facebook because he can just read what people have been up to. I confirmed with my teacher, "So, people just write what they're having for dinner and what their plans are for tomorrow, and then others read it?"
"Yup" he said. "And then they can comment on it, if they want to."
So, people - your "friends", can keep in touch with you, without having to actually resort to having a conversation, or any sort of dialogue in fact! Hmmmm.
Well, if that's what it takes to "keep in touch" with my family, I guess I'll keep trying it out!
I was quite amazed when I first set up my Facebook account - a whole screen of "suggested friends" were suddenly displayed. A little spooky to think that this "entity" has wormed its way into my address book or email list.
I told my 15 and 13 year old sons that they had to be my "friends". Quelle horreur! My 13 year old however, did eventually acquiese and promptly sent out a message to all his friends - "keep it clean guys, my Mum's on Facebook!" He took on the role of teacher and showed me all the important things such as how to use the emotional weather report.
It could be quite the time waster - using all the little applications. In fact I'm quite keen to set up a map showing the places I've been.
It could also be useful, as the following example shows.
I just wanted to have a few friends to begin with - no point in showing off how naiive I am to the entire world. I selected my younger brother (who lives in Australia) and sent him a friend request. This is a fellow who apparantly finds it difficult to write a letter, pick up a telephone or sign on and send an email. Within the hour he had "accepted" my request, and while I was having my lesson with my son, my brother initiated a conversation via the little chat thingy.
My brother said he likes Facebook because he can just read what people have been up to. I confirmed with my teacher, "So, people just write what they're having for dinner and what their plans are for tomorrow, and then others read it?"
"Yup" he said. "And then they can comment on it, if they want to."
So, people - your "friends", can keep in touch with you, without having to actually resort to having a conversation, or any sort of dialogue in fact! Hmmmm.
Well, if that's what it takes to "keep in touch" with my family, I guess I'll keep trying it out!
In Praise of the ANZACs
This upcoming Sunday marks a special day for Australians and New Zealanders. Take a moment to read through the text of a speech I gave recently at Toastmasters. It was project number two from the Special Occasions manual, "Speaking in Praise".
In Praise of the ANZACs
At the beginning of November each year, red poppies begin to appear in the lapels of many of the people you meet in the street. Pop a coin in the box, and help yourself to a flower.
As you walked in to the library, did you notice the display of red books? Did you glance at the poppy theme and think “They’ve got the date wrong, Remembrance Day isn’t in April!”
The display is about remembering Vimy Ridge Day on April 9. April also holds another remembrance day, but in New Zealand and Australia, we don’t call it that.
April 25th is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915.
A joint force of Australians and New Zealanders had been assembled in Egypt, ready to join the allied campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula. The force was nameless. A 21 year old sergeant serving in NZ headquarters took the first letter from each of the words Australia New Zealand Army Corps – the ANZACs were born and the term was cemented in military history.
We come together on Anzac Day to pay tribute to and remember those who have served our countries during times of conflict and crisis, and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice.
To all Australians and New Zealanders Anzac Day is a tradition, paid for in blood and celebrated in our freedom. It is a day in which not only do we salute the Anzacs, but in paying tribute to them, we also take the opportunity to invigorate our national spirit and pride.
On April 25 1915, a group of volunteer Australian and New Zealand soldiers found themselves wading ashore before dawn at a small beach on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Many of these men were only teenagers, some as young as 16. All were anxious to prove their courage and national identity.
Over the eight months following the landing, those young Anzacs underwent a 'trial by ordeal'. In excess of 36,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers were killed or wounded at Gallipoli. New Zealand’s population was only around 1 million at that time and to lose nearly 3,000 young men was a human toll that set the country reeling.
But in those terrible battles, young Australians and New Zealanders earned a reputation for self-reliance, for mateship, and for courage.
One particularly legendary tale of the Anzac spirit, involves a young medic and his donkey.
He had enlisted simply as John Simpson and he, along with his donkey began carrying wounded Anzacs down the hill to the casualty clearing stations. He became respected and revered by the other Anzac soldiers.
In the time Simpson served there, the pair brought more than 300 wounded down the hill, seemingly invincible to the Turkish machine gun fire, snipers and shrapnel.
One of the most asked questions among the Anzac troops was: "Has that bloke with the donk stopped one yet?"
John Simpson Kirkpatrick (his real name) lasted 24 days at Gallipoli before he was killed by enemy guns. He was 22.
This story and other experiences at Gallipoli drew each nation together and established their national characters. The standards that they set and the Anzac spirit, have been handed down ever since to all the soldiers, sailors and airmen who followed them, from WWII to the present day Middle East peacekeeping operations. Over the past 95 years this spirit has, like a taper touched to tinder, sparked and flickered and flamed with a life of it’s own. “It” has become an almost tangible quality found in the hearts of all men and women who have fought and defended us against tyranny and oppression.
As New Zealand prepares to honour its war dead – those who were the Anzacs of the past, it is important that we should also honour those who are Anzacs of the future. The courageous and gallant men and women who have put their beliefs in a 'just and peaceful' world before their own self-interests and all too often, their lives.
I have stood on the beach at Anzac Cove in Turkey. I have stood there at sunrise, on the spot where thousands died, and a nation was born. I have stood there and felt the spirit of the Anzacs.
As you walked in to the library, did you notice the display of red books? Did you glance at the poppy theme and think “They’ve got the date wrong, Remembrance Day isn’t in April!”
The display is about remembering Vimy Ridge Day on April 9. April also holds another remembrance day, but in New Zealand and Australia, we don’t call it that.
April 25th is the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli, Turkey in 1915.
A joint force of Australians and New Zealanders had been assembled in Egypt, ready to join the allied campaign to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula. The force was nameless. A 21 year old sergeant serving in NZ headquarters took the first letter from each of the words Australia New Zealand Army Corps – the ANZACs were born and the term was cemented in military history.
We come together on Anzac Day to pay tribute to and remember those who have served our countries during times of conflict and crisis, and to reflect upon their selfless sacrifice.
To all Australians and New Zealanders Anzac Day is a tradition, paid for in blood and celebrated in our freedom. It is a day in which not only do we salute the Anzacs, but in paying tribute to them, we also take the opportunity to invigorate our national spirit and pride.
On April 25 1915, a group of volunteer Australian and New Zealand soldiers found themselves wading ashore before dawn at a small beach on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. Many of these men were only teenagers, some as young as 16. All were anxious to prove their courage and national identity.
Over the eight months following the landing, those young Anzacs underwent a 'trial by ordeal'. In excess of 36,000 Australian and New Zealand soldiers were killed or wounded at Gallipoli. New Zealand’s population was only around 1 million at that time and to lose nearly 3,000 young men was a human toll that set the country reeling.
But in those terrible battles, young Australians and New Zealanders earned a reputation for self-reliance, for mateship, and for courage.
One particularly legendary tale of the Anzac spirit, involves a young medic and his donkey.
He had enlisted simply as John Simpson and he, along with his donkey began carrying wounded Anzacs down the hill to the casualty clearing stations. He became respected and revered by the other Anzac soldiers.
In the time Simpson served there, the pair brought more than 300 wounded down the hill, seemingly invincible to the Turkish machine gun fire, snipers and shrapnel.
One of the most asked questions among the Anzac troops was: "Has that bloke with the donk stopped one yet?"
John Simpson Kirkpatrick (his real name) lasted 24 days at Gallipoli before he was killed by enemy guns. He was 22.
This story and other experiences at Gallipoli drew each nation together and established their national characters. The standards that they set and the Anzac spirit, have been handed down ever since to all the soldiers, sailors and airmen who followed them, from WWII to the present day Middle East peacekeeping operations. Over the past 95 years this spirit has, like a taper touched to tinder, sparked and flickered and flamed with a life of it’s own. “It” has become an almost tangible quality found in the hearts of all men and women who have fought and defended us against tyranny and oppression.
As New Zealand prepares to honour its war dead – those who were the Anzacs of the past, it is important that we should also honour those who are Anzacs of the future. The courageous and gallant men and women who have put their beliefs in a 'just and peaceful' world before their own self-interests and all too often, their lives.
I have stood on the beach at Anzac Cove in Turkey. I have stood there at sunrise, on the spot where thousands died, and a nation was born. I have stood there and felt the spirit of the Anzacs.
"This day of days again we keep -
In memory of those who sleep
Away beyond the quiet sea …
Away in far Gallipoli.
'Tis Anzac Day - 'tis Anzac Day …
Our soldier comrades far away,
They died in war - that we in peace
May live and love that war may cease".
(Unknown author)
In memory of those who sleep
Away beyond the quiet sea …
Away in far Gallipoli.
'Tis Anzac Day - 'tis Anzac Day …
Our soldier comrades far away,
They died in war - that we in peace
May live and love that war may cease".
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wikipedia CPL 2.0
I do enjoy Wikipedia and find it to be quite helpful in a couple of different ways, particularly with my children.
One aspect I've tried to highlight to them, is to not necessarily believe everything that they read on the internet. Hopefully seeing the ease with which these articles can be changed will help make cynics of them all.
I had not previously tried to do any editing, so this was fun as well as eye-opening. I tried a couple of subjects that I thought I knew a lot about, and was humbled by the obvious depth of knowledge of the contributors to date. I looked up another subject, this time it was very broad. Although there was nothing blatantly incorrect, I found the entire page so clumsily written that it really needed to be entirely done over. Also, anyone with some knowledge on the subject would be fine reading the entry, but I think any neophytes may become confused on some aspects, as to me, there seemed to be some information that while not actually wrong in a factual sense, I found to be misleading. At this point however, I began to second-guess myself and wondered if indeed I was the one whose knowledge was lacking! So, I didn't touch that entry. I did manage to find an entry where I was able to make some small grammatical corrections, and when I checked on it a few days later my changes were still there. I assume they passed muster with the Wiki-Police.
Another thing I like about Wikipedia is that it is fast to find "something" on "anything". Sometimes you "don't know what you don't know" and I have found Wikipedia to be a great starting point for further investigation.
As for finding an article that wasn't covered by Wikipedia, well, my 13 year old son said "write about our family, then I can tell my friends I'm on Wikipedia!". He was correct - nobody had covered our family in this expansive encyclopedia, and I think we'll leave it like that.
One aspect I've tried to highlight to them, is to not necessarily believe everything that they read on the internet. Hopefully seeing the ease with which these articles can be changed will help make cynics of them all.
I had not previously tried to do any editing, so this was fun as well as eye-opening. I tried a couple of subjects that I thought I knew a lot about, and was humbled by the obvious depth of knowledge of the contributors to date. I looked up another subject, this time it was very broad. Although there was nothing blatantly incorrect, I found the entire page so clumsily written that it really needed to be entirely done over. Also, anyone with some knowledge on the subject would be fine reading the entry, but I think any neophytes may become confused on some aspects, as to me, there seemed to be some information that while not actually wrong in a factual sense, I found to be misleading. At this point however, I began to second-guess myself and wondered if indeed I was the one whose knowledge was lacking! So, I didn't touch that entry. I did manage to find an entry where I was able to make some small grammatical corrections, and when I checked on it a few days later my changes were still there. I assume they passed muster with the Wiki-Police.
Another thing I like about Wikipedia is that it is fast to find "something" on "anything". Sometimes you "don't know what you don't know" and I have found Wikipedia to be a great starting point for further investigation.
As for finding an article that wasn't covered by Wikipedia, well, my 13 year old son said "write about our family, then I can tell my friends I'm on Wikipedia!". He was correct - nobody had covered our family in this expansive encyclopedia, and I think we'll leave it like that.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Delicious CPL 2.0
Life happens and before I know it I'm behind in my homework! I hope that catching up still "counts" - I'd love to win the Ipod!
Delicious is taking quite some time for me to get my head around. When I looked at the page with the Best Websites my first thought was "too much information!" I felt like I was drowning in virtual "white noise" - a massive jumble of words on a screen with no clear direction on where to start or what to do.
Author Richard Wurman says in his book Information Anxiety, that a weekday edition of the New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime back in 17th Century England. I think that the term "information anxiety" is a very apt description of what I am currently feeling. I think a good dose of Spring Cleaning and De-Cluttering would be good therapy. This reminds me of a speech I gave at my Toastmasters club a few years ago on that topic. I have included it here for your reading pleasure :-)
From Abba to Ultravox … the Art of Organizing
It’s nearly spring! I am painting and decorating my house, and I am excited to clean things up and clear out the junk. I started with my records. Who has heard of Abba? Most of you. They’re a pretty easy-listening type of group. I still like Abba, so I’m not getting rid of those records yet. Who has heard of Ultravox? Not so many. They’re not really of the easy-listening genre – but I still like them, so I’m not decluttering those records yet either.
Clutter is big business – there are scores of professional organisers, specialty storage products to purchase, articles in magazines and newspapers; HGTV even has a show dedicated to the cause.
Type “organizing” into the library catalog, and it will list more than 150 titles, Google the term “organizing clutter” - it will generate over 670,000 hits. Feng Shui, will get you well over 6 million
There are clubs for disorganised people to join and learn to become more orderly. There are even clutter therapists. And this isn’t a cute term for a professional organizer, who will come over and colour code your closet and straighten your undies, these are “lie-on-the-couch-and-tell-me-your-problems” types of therapists who are trying to do good in the world by helping the clutter afflicted.
At this time of the year we are bombarded with advertising urging us to spring clean and tidy up. Although the ad that reads “Cut the Clutter – our website has printable articles, checklists, calendars and tips!” is something of an oxymoron, one wonders if there is something in this latest “craze”. Why should we care if our living space or office resembles a war zone? Will our life and health improve with only 2 shades of lipstick?
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the average U.S. business person loses six weeks each year retrieving misplaced information from messy desks and files. At a salary of $75,000, that equals over $8,500 worth of time wasted, or 12.3% of total earnings. Another source put that loss in terms of the entire USA looking for lost articles and pegged it at about 9 million hours, and $150 million dollars - a day.
Research has shown that the number one irritant of American homes is clutter and a big contributor to the mess in our homes and offices is paper.
We all receive about 50K pieces of mail in our lifetime; one third of it is junk mail.
Author of the book “Information Anxiety”, Richard Wurman states that a week day edition of The New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime, back in 17th century England.
According to researcher and author Susan Hubbard, more new information has been produced within the last 30 years than in the previous 5,000.
Feng shui practitioners say clutter can make us physically and mentally sick. Medical experts agree that clutter can harbour dust, thus aggravating allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Not to mention the very real stress, frustration, confusion and discouragement involved with constantly tripping over “stuff”, running out of storage for our “stuff”, and not being able to find the “stuff” we need, when we need it.
Have I convinced you to clean up your act and hang up your coat? Where does a person start?
Remember earlier when I mentioned all the websites, books, products and professionals? They’re all different. There are similar recurring themes, but each one has tried to find it’s own tidy pigeon hole.
A few examples:
There is Flylady, a website that helps you split your big messy home into small manageable areas. You join this group for free and receive daily affirming emails – “yes, you CAN do it and have a better life, you just have to keep your sink shiny”.
There are more specialised websites such as “Organized Christmas.com”. Just print off the mountain of calendars and charts and you can have fun organising for Christmas. All year long.
There are books on office clutter, clothes and closet clutter, paper clutter, and children’s clutter. No, that’s not children themselves AS clutter, but more their acoutrements.
There is a public radio series about hoarding and clutter. You can pay and instantly download it in CD or MP3 formats, or, wait for it, order a paper transcript. Guests on the show include a specialist in the field of clinical hoarding and a neurobiologist who’s trying to pinpoint where in the brain this problem originates. Just as an aside, along that same train of thought is an entire website dedicated to the Psychological Profile Of Clutterers:
People who don’t pick up after themselves aren’t slobs, packrats or clutterbugs, they merely have psychological reasons for their cluttering, including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive or attention deficit disorders. You can find out all you need to know by attending one of their Clutterless Recovery Groups.
No matter what type of person you are, or how you learn, you too, can be calm, serene and stress-free, living in a picture perfect home with a few artfully arranged accessories.
If you’re a book lover, head to the library or the book shop
If you’re a list maker and a “checker-offer”, find a website and, shudder, print off a checklist
If you can afford it, hire a professional.
You can also turn on the television or radio, plug in the mp3 player, subscribe to a website or publication, join a group or go see your doctor.
So whether your taste runs to Abba, or to Ultravox, or something in between, there is an organizing strategy that will fit you and your new, tidy life.
Delicious is taking quite some time for me to get my head around. When I looked at the page with the Best Websites my first thought was "too much information!" I felt like I was drowning in virtual "white noise" - a massive jumble of words on a screen with no clear direction on where to start or what to do.
Author Richard Wurman says in his book Information Anxiety, that a weekday edition of the New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime back in 17th Century England. I think that the term "information anxiety" is a very apt description of what I am currently feeling. I think a good dose of Spring Cleaning and De-Cluttering would be good therapy. This reminds me of a speech I gave at my Toastmasters club a few years ago on that topic. I have included it here for your reading pleasure :-)
From Abba to Ultravox … the Art of Organizing
It’s nearly spring! I am painting and decorating my house, and I am excited to clean things up and clear out the junk. I started with my records. Who has heard of Abba? Most of you. They’re a pretty easy-listening type of group. I still like Abba, so I’m not getting rid of those records yet. Who has heard of Ultravox? Not so many. They’re not really of the easy-listening genre – but I still like them, so I’m not decluttering those records yet either.
Clutter is big business – there are scores of professional organisers, specialty storage products to purchase, articles in magazines and newspapers; HGTV even has a show dedicated to the cause.
Type “organizing” into the library catalog, and it will list more than 150 titles, Google the term “organizing clutter” - it will generate over 670,000 hits. Feng Shui, will get you well over 6 million
There are clubs for disorganised people to join and learn to become more orderly. There are even clutter therapists. And this isn’t a cute term for a professional organizer, who will come over and colour code your closet and straighten your undies, these are “lie-on-the-couch-and-tell-me-your-problems” types of therapists who are trying to do good in the world by helping the clutter afflicted.
At this time of the year we are bombarded with advertising urging us to spring clean and tidy up. Although the ad that reads “Cut the Clutter – our website has printable articles, checklists, calendars and tips!” is something of an oxymoron, one wonders if there is something in this latest “craze”. Why should we care if our living space or office resembles a war zone? Will our life and health improve with only 2 shades of lipstick?
The Wall Street Journal has reported that the average U.S. business person loses six weeks each year retrieving misplaced information from messy desks and files. At a salary of $75,000, that equals over $8,500 worth of time wasted, or 12.3% of total earnings. Another source put that loss in terms of the entire USA looking for lost articles and pegged it at about 9 million hours, and $150 million dollars - a day.
Research has shown that the number one irritant of American homes is clutter and a big contributor to the mess in our homes and offices is paper.
We all receive about 50K pieces of mail in our lifetime; one third of it is junk mail.
Author of the book “Information Anxiety”, Richard Wurman states that a week day edition of The New York Times contains more information than the average person was likely to come across in a lifetime, back in 17th century England.
According to researcher and author Susan Hubbard, more new information has been produced within the last 30 years than in the previous 5,000.
Feng shui practitioners say clutter can make us physically and mentally sick. Medical experts agree that clutter can harbour dust, thus aggravating allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments.
Not to mention the very real stress, frustration, confusion and discouragement involved with constantly tripping over “stuff”, running out of storage for our “stuff”, and not being able to find the “stuff” we need, when we need it.
Have I convinced you to clean up your act and hang up your coat? Where does a person start?
Remember earlier when I mentioned all the websites, books, products and professionals? They’re all different. There are similar recurring themes, but each one has tried to find it’s own tidy pigeon hole.
A few examples:
There is Flylady, a website that helps you split your big messy home into small manageable areas. You join this group for free and receive daily affirming emails – “yes, you CAN do it and have a better life, you just have to keep your sink shiny”.
There are more specialised websites such as “Organized Christmas.com”. Just print off the mountain of calendars and charts and you can have fun organising for Christmas. All year long.
There are books on office clutter, clothes and closet clutter, paper clutter, and children’s clutter. No, that’s not children themselves AS clutter, but more their acoutrements.
There is a public radio series about hoarding and clutter. You can pay and instantly download it in CD or MP3 formats, or, wait for it, order a paper transcript. Guests on the show include a specialist in the field of clinical hoarding and a neurobiologist who’s trying to pinpoint where in the brain this problem originates. Just as an aside, along that same train of thought is an entire website dedicated to the Psychological Profile Of Clutterers:
People who don’t pick up after themselves aren’t slobs, packrats or clutterbugs, they merely have psychological reasons for their cluttering, including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive or attention deficit disorders. You can find out all you need to know by attending one of their Clutterless Recovery Groups.
No matter what type of person you are, or how you learn, you too, can be calm, serene and stress-free, living in a picture perfect home with a few artfully arranged accessories.
If you’re a book lover, head to the library or the book shop
If you’re a list maker and a “checker-offer”, find a website and, shudder, print off a checklist
If you can afford it, hire a professional.
You can also turn on the television or radio, plug in the mp3 player, subscribe to a website or publication, join a group or go see your doctor.
So whether your taste runs to Abba, or to Ultravox, or something in between, there is an organizing strategy that will fit you and your new, tidy life.
So, to answer the reflection question of the week "How comfortable are you using Best Websites, after this practice?"
I'm really not comfortable at all, and may have missed the point (is there anything I can't find on Google?) but I am determined to keep playing and learning - and Spring Cleaning
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Yay Hockey's Done!
Last weekend's Easter tournament in Edmonton saw the end of community hockey for my four boys. My husband's social hockey is also done, as is my 15 year old's refereeing schedule. So that just leaves school hockey for my 13 year old.
What will I do with all my time?
I didn't attend the tournament in Edmonton, but instead stayed home and built Ikea furniture with Myrna to set up my sewing room into an amazing quilting den, complete with chaise, fridge and tv. With everything being white, it is the perfect backdrop for all the fabulous quilts that I will complete!
What will I do with all my time?
I didn't attend the tournament in Edmonton, but instead stayed home and built Ikea furniture with Myrna to set up my sewing room into an amazing quilting den, complete with chaise, fridge and tv. With everything being white, it is the perfect backdrop for all the fabulous quilts that I will complete!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hockey Happenings
The Snipers won their game last night, what a great way to finish the season. So down to six schedules, with my Novice and Midget players both starting tournaments this evening.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
CPL 2.0 Homework
- What do I hope to learn from CPL 2.0?
I hope to be able to achieve a level of technological literacy on par with my children.
- What aspect intrigues or scares me most?
I wonder sometimes, if technology is being used simply for its own sake. Just because we can, does that mean we should? Is it really more helpful for a teacher to post the day's homework on a blog, instead of asking the child to write it in an agenda? Each time I am told by a school, sports team or other organisation "the information is all online", it is like another weight has been added to my shoulders. I generally don't find the online "option" of school newsletters and the like to be timesaving, portable or convenient for me.
I hope to be able to achieve a level of technological literacy on par with my children.
- What aspect intrigues or scares me most?
I wonder sometimes, if technology is being used simply for its own sake. Just because we can, does that mean we should? Is it really more helpful for a teacher to post the day's homework on a blog, instead of asking the child to write it in an agenda? Each time I am told by a school, sports team or other organisation "the information is all online", it is like another weight has been added to my shoulders. I generally don't find the online "option" of school newsletters and the like to be timesaving, portable or convenient for me.
Hockey Happenings
Even though the regular season finished a while ago, all seven schedules at our house are still up and running. Tonight will be the last game for my Atom player as his team plays their final game of a tournament. Go Snipers!
Featured Recipe
My household consists of six mouths, five of them male. Food is really important! This recipe comes from my good friend Myrna. It freezes well.
Confetti Rice
2 T olive oil
1 1/4 C rice
2 cans beef consomme or chicken broth
3/4 C finely chopped celery
3/4 C finely chopped carrots
1/2 C minced green onion
1/2 C toasted sliced almonds
Heat oil in skillet; add rice. Stir until heated through but not browned. Add broth, bring to a boil, transfer to a casserole dish. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes. Stir in vegetables and nuts, bake an additional 15 minutes.
Vegan-ized Version
You can used condensed canned vegetable broth if you can find it, but I haven't been happy with the flavour. Another option is to use 3 cups of water and approximately 3 tablespoons of a no-meat boullion powder, we like "Blaney's Chicken-Like (or Beef-Like) Vegetarian Seasoning"
Confetti Rice
2 T olive oil
1 1/4 C rice
2 cans beef consomme or chicken broth
3/4 C finely chopped celery
3/4 C finely chopped carrots
1/2 C minced green onion
1/2 C toasted sliced almonds
Heat oil in skillet; add rice. Stir until heated through but not browned. Add broth, bring to a boil, transfer to a casserole dish. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes. Stir in vegetables and nuts, bake an additional 15 minutes.
Vegan-ized Version
You can used condensed canned vegetable broth if you can find it, but I haven't been happy with the flavour. Another option is to use 3 cups of water and approximately 3 tablespoons of a no-meat boullion powder, we like "Blaney's Chicken-Like (or Beef-Like) Vegetarian Seasoning"
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