tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67635907146955076272024-03-19T05:20:59.381-05:00Sigmunds 23 thingsA short summer blog for the 23 things on a stick.clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-29621693391152714452009-09-08T19:28:00.002-05:002009-09-08T19:32:18.241-05:00Thing 47.... EvalI really like doing this kind of assignment. However, I take so long to explore many of the otions that what should be a 20 min assignment has taken me 4 hours. Grrrrr.<div><br /></div><div>Additionally, I get totally pulled towards assignments that I find relavent to me and so spend a bunch of time on them and learn a lot playing with them....</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there are those sites that I find just plain, well, ummm... lets say "useless fun".</div><div><br /></div><div>Its not that they aren't worth mentioning, but adding a bubble to a photo is not really learning a lot about web 2.0 features that are out there. Fun? yes. Useful? questionable. Good to know they exist? yes.</div><div><br /></div><div>All and all good, but not as good as the first 23.</div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-69412898241034979852009-09-08T19:27:00.000-05:002009-09-08T19:28:21.517-05:00Thing 46..... WJMN... not for me<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ummm</span>.... SKIP Please. Not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">truly</span> relevant.<div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-78647356310595423562009-09-08T19:18:00.002-05:002009-09-08T19:26:47.240-05:00Thing 45....Cloud ComputingCloud computing has a lot of advantages:<div><ul><li>Far more secure</li><li>Always have access</li><li>Wont loose data</li><li>Cost is free or nominal</li></ul></div><div>However, until the technology catches up (and it is... but not yet). The power is not there yet. Google docs is great for a basic paper or other documents, but for doing a lot of editing and playing with margins, it is a pain in the butt. Most notably would be the comparision of Google to PPT. PPT just plain kicks Google into the trashcan... at least for now. </div><div><br /></div><div>I was weary to use at first and more and more I am using cloud computing for all kinds of tasks. What I am most interested in is to see where cloud computing will be in 2 years vs Microsoft Office. What more can Office offer that Google can't? That is the question and I think the question that has Microsoft shivering in their boots.</div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-35216677526673911322009-09-07T19:26:00.002-05:002009-09-07T19:40:22.038-05:00Thing 44... The EcononmyI hate to say this, but I have been to almost every site listed. I teach <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Government</span> and used to teach economics. Many of the videos and web sites are not new to me. However, I think many of them are wonderful and use them in my own classroom all the time.<div><br /></div><div>here are few <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">recommendations</span> from Claude:</div><div><a href="http://publicagenda.org/">Public Agenda:</a> This is a non-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">partisan</span>/bi-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">partisan</span> web site with more information about the hot 20 topics than you could hope to know. Not only is the information beyond fantastic but is is fully sited and backed up my multiple <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sources</span> thus giving the data credence.</div><div><br /></div><div>for a great exploration of the top 20 issues in our country click on "issues Guide". This will give you a drop down menue of many issues that will have you scowering the site of months to come.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://marketplace.publicradio.org/">Sound Money:</a> This to me is a no brainer. It is good solid info on the economy and on personal finance. It is readily available and has tools for all educators and citizens of America to use. this is a must follow web site.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-3012586188484195832009-09-07T19:02:00.003-05:002009-09-07T19:25:06.448-05:00Thing 44... Hulu or bustIronically, I was one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">original</span> 1000 subscribers to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hulu</span>. I only know this because I received an e-mail telling me this little <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tid</span>-bit.<div><br /></div><div>Anyway. I love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hulu</span> but there are numerous weaknesses to this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">style</span> of broadcasting that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hulu</span> has adapted to and is learning (as all rule breaking and future ideas do).</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the issues I have noticed about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Hulu</span> is that they will have the current season of a show but not seasons 1-3. Why? Those seasons are for sale on DVD.</div><div><br /></div><div>Or the converse is true... you can watch seasons 1-2 but none of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">subsequent</span> seasons. </div><div><br /></div><div>what system they use is dependent on how old the television show is</div><div><br /></div><div>example:</div><div><br /></div><div>Buffy the Vampire Slayer is part of the second method. You can watch seasons 1 and 2 but need to buy the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">DVD's</span> for the other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">seaons</span>. However is you are stuck on a currently aired show like "The Burn Notice", then you can't go back in seasons. You have to buy or rent the previous shows.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a few more obscure shows that you get the whole show.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is a different system for what film are on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Hulu</span>. No huge block busters, and other films are related to release date and/or popularity. I'm not sure of the formula yet, but I haven't really explored it. However there are some patterns.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like the T.V. shows, there are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">certain</span> producers or directors that are more willing to sign off their products to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Hulu</span> than others. Thus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Joss</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Weaton</span> is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">every where</span> and Stanley <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Kubric</span> is know-where.</div><div><br /></div><div>Already there has been a shift in television show writing. In the last three or so years the number-one show writers/producers has been HBO and Showtime. Why? They are no limited by the trite and trivial rules of the FCC. They can be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">truly</span> creative and since the station is not dependent on advertising for survival is it a more pure market of how successful the show is. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Hulu</span> will have a direct impact on this as the Big Three networks figure out how to bring talent and creativity back to their channels and away from reality tripe.</div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-61732518944484584672009-09-07T18:46:00.002-05:002009-09-07T19:01:24.738-05:00Thring 43.... Music Baby... Give me the MusicPerhaps you don't know this about me, but I am sort of a music junkie. According to iTunes, my library consists of 141Gig of songs that would take 70.2 days to play from beginning to end. The great thing about my library is that it is growing.<div><br /></div><div>Now one needs to be consious about sound quality, especially when compressing to mp3 which is a far inirior sound quality to "old technology". but it is easy and transportable. So I too listen when on the road. This, however, is not the place to go down the diatribe of sound quality. It is the place to talk about where I get my inspiration for music.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am an avid <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/">MPR</a> listener. Mostly the news, but then, <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/services/the_current/">The current</a>. I love music that pushes the boundries, is inventive and honest. I dispise with absolute totality 99.9% of those things that are country (there is always the exception). However, I love the challenge. Being pushed to a new level is so intreging. So I think Pandora is the best thing since.. since... well after the direct application internet ap... its next.</div><div><br /></div><div>I currently have 9 different "stations" on Pandora. What I like most is that my stations are really divirese:</div><div>Robyn Hitchcock</div><div>Talking Heads</div><div>Nick Cave</div><div>Louie XIV</div><div>etc.</div><div>But each station not only links to bands that I am familar with, but with new bands that I then begin to explore.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, although I see the value in this "Thing". It is not a new place for me to explore, it was more like a familiar place for me to relax in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Go Pandora!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-47415682142888058482009-09-04T13:52:00.002-05:002009-09-04T14:01:50.141-05:00Thing 41..... Arkan.. how to make order from disorder<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; "><p style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><a href="http://arktan.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Arktan</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> enables you to segment your aggregate digital activity by topics, mix, curate, share and re-publish it and discover your friends’ activity.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; ">There are lots of content aggregators as listed by "More things", but very few offer ways to easily segment your content into interest groups or channels. Arktan is designed to make it possible to aggregate not just your existing social media data and profiles (like bookmarking lists, photos and Twitter feeds), but to easily add that information from your friends into specific channels too.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; font-size: 12px; "><p style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What I really liked about Arkan is that I am able to add in my friends without forcing them to sign up for an account. If I want to follow some of my family’s Flickr accounts, Twitter updates and maybe some blog posts, I don’t want to have to rely on them to sign up for the service. That doesn’t mean they might not get added value from Arktan but it is nice that that isn’t a requirement.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Arktan is still evolving — there are some user interface inconsistencies and I had a difficult time adding some types of accounts — but I like where this is headed. There are so many services focused on content creation and aggregation, it’s nice to see a service designed for better organization and segmentation.</span></p></span></div></span><p></p></span>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-60177168149132887652009-09-04T13:06:00.002-05:002009-09-04T13:28:11.134-05:00Thing 40.... Mashups<div>I always thought of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mashups</span> as taking two <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">unrelated</span> issues and putting them together. For example, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Actor/Singer/Writer </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Fisher" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Miles Fisher</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> has created </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29d6RDSK1c" style="background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">a pitch-perfect American Psycho themed video</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> for his own take on the fantastic Talking Heads’ tune “This Must Be the Place”: In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">other words</span>, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mashup</span> of Talking Heads and the film American Psycho.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:7;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 48px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Then the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">embedded</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">vid</span> on More things talked about linking of any two issues. It made me start asking, how is this different then linking a Google map with any form of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">plottable</span> data?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure how sites like "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Timetube</span>" are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mashups</span>. It is cool, and I will use it as a resource, but not really a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">mashup</span>, as far as I can tell.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="dipity_embed" style="width:400px"><iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.dipity.com/timetube/YouTube_Videos_matching_query_talking_heads_4/embed_tl" style="border:1px solid #CCC;"></iframe><p style="margin:0;font-family:Arial,sans;font-size:13px;text-align:center"><a href="http://www.dipity.com/timetube/YouTube_Videos_matching_query_talking_heads_4">YouTube: Talking Heads</a> on <a href="http://www.dipity.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Dipity</span></a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Again, not really sure how adding "bubbles" to photos Or putting your flickr photos on a map is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">mashup</span>. I found the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">exercises</span> to be a bit off and not really bringing two <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">separate</span> and often <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">disparate</span> groups together. Isn't this really a repeat of Thing 32?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-56242802117102098642009-09-03T20:43:00.003-05:002009-09-03T20:52:44.075-05:00Thing 39....Digital Storytelling.. or not.The directions are to play with photos gain and put them in an album... which I did for a previous blog.<div><br /></div><div>but then it has you connect this with VoiceThreads. Although I would love to play more with voice threads. I am going to play with <a href="http://www.moonfruit.com/">Moonfruit</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.moonfruit.com/">Moonfruit</a> is a "design your webpage" app. It is free and far more indepth than any of its competitors.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am just beginning and don't really have a page developed... but over the next few weeks, as I play and learn, please feel free to take a peek and see what I have accomplished.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://claudesigmund.moonfruit.com/">see my page her</a>e :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway.. I decided to go this way because Erik Lowe (my teaching partner) want to do some differentiation with an assignment and instead of having kids make a video documentary, they could build an interactive webpage that documents their service.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I am learning how to use the program.</div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-73270654277651302012009-09-02T20:44:00.004-05:002009-09-02T21:01:38.044-05:00Thing 38... JING! $$$$I love Jing. I just never had the time to really utalize Jing. Now, I have all the incentive I need. With a new year of Moodle I need some instruction vids. Here is the first of four.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><object width="640" height="426"> <param name="movie" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/jingswfplayer.swf"> <param name="quality" value="high"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"> <param name="flashVars" value="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/FirstFrame.jpg&containerwidth=640&containerheight=426&loaderstyle=jing&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/Navigating_Moodle_2009.swf"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="scale" value="showall"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"> <param name="base" value="http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/"> <embed src="http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/jingswfplayer.swf" quality="high" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="640" height="426" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="thumb=http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/FirstFrame.jpg&containerwidth=640&containerheight=426&loaderstyle=jing&content=http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/Navigating_Moodle_2009.swf" allowfullscreen="true" base="http://content.screencast.com/users/claudesigmund/folders/Jing/media/d3afcfbd-8597-4e02-8400-11eacebbc4f5/" scale="showall"></embed> </object>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-73002291390454100802009-09-02T20:16:00.000-05:002009-09-02T20:17:00.148-05:00Thing 37..... Photos and whatnotI see no need to use Flickr when I can use Picasa. So here is what I set up using Picasa.<br /><br />I was in Oaxaca for the 6th time. When I arrived it was a few days after 100,000 protesters where physically removed from the streets and then the protesters came back into town with a vengence. It was quite a different experence than my other visits to Oaxaca.<br /><br />I hope you enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXX9YxgVa9VnzwPMV79URgviWBS2fo_v19kKvT0aZN3CZ7y0wkQjvznLY1bNsTWvtaemrZjakuvrttcYXLsn1oDCucZa8sP5pLS4RvaCeSN2YBzE9OfW-Qn4-1AZoIqPiX9gyXNk5EsUA/s1600-h/Oaxaca+2006.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDXX9YxgVa9VnzwPMV79URgviWBS2fo_v19kKvT0aZN3CZ7y0wkQjvznLY1bNsTWvtaemrZjakuvrttcYXLsn1oDCucZa8sP5pLS4RvaCeSN2YBzE9OfW-Qn4-1AZoIqPiX9gyXNk5EsUA/s320/Oaxaca+2006.jpg" border="0" /></a><div style='clear:both; text-align:NONE'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-44095060640155944232009-09-01T21:07:00.002-05:002009-09-01T21:09:41.512-05:00Thing 36... cartoons and other play thingsI was having a really good time playing with this one. It took me forever because I was playing.<div><br /></div><div>But here is a few samples of my pla... many I hope to use in the classroom:</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1090145/Our_Constitution" title="Wordle: Our Constitution"><img src="http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/1090145/Our_Constitution" alt="Wordle: Our Constitution" style="padding:4px;border:1px solid #ddd" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Made this on Strip Generator. Was Playing with ToonDoo but didn't have the time to make all the toons. A great site but too much to learn in this limited amount of time.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://static.stripgenerator.com/generated/anonymous/strip/2009/09/02/differentiate.png" alt="Differentiate" /></div><div>I had a great time with these and see a lot of class opportunities to use this, but don't have the time to play :(</div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-48905604887918864352009-09-01T19:54:00.002-05:002009-09-01T20:08:15.761-05:00Thing 35... Internet v reading material... or is it vs?I often hear the angry grumblings of people saying the internet is the death of reading. However there has been more published and more books/magazines read than ever.<div><br /></div><div>I found this exersize to be terribly fun and addicting.</div><div><br /></div><div>I knew about and often give reference to resources like <a href="http://www.shelfari.com/">Shelfari</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>This kind of post also had me thinking about the virtual books, books on your ireader or for portablility you Kindle or even your iphone. Perhaps I'm old fashioned, but I like a paper book. That doesn't mean that e-books are bad, I just don't enjoy them. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then the site had me explore some great websites like <a href="http://beta.booklamp.org/">Booklamp</a>! Wow! what a great web site! I also really liked, <a href="http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com/search">what should I read next</a>. These two sites are exactly what the book world needs the internet to do. They are creative and use the power of mass databasing and easy accsess to their advantage. </div><div><br /></div><div>Unfortunatly I now have 8 more books on my to read list. But thats not so bad, we have a library very close :)</div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-88225191893778407692009-08-31T20:44:00.003-05:002009-08-31T20:54:10.761-05:00Thing 34.... on-line answer sitesI found this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">exercise</span> to be a bit tedious. The sites listed are all sites that you hit when you do a general google search for:<div><br /></div><div>How to fix a broken pipe?</div><div>or</div><div>How do planes fly?</div><div>or</div><div>Whats the difference between an encephalopod, an insect and an arachnid?</div><div><br /></div><div>All good questions, all can be answered on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Internet</span> with ease.</div><div><br /></div><div>however, there are many questions that really need the help of another human.</div><div><br /></div><div>Such as:</div><div><br /></div><div>Needing to find diaries and city planner notes of Minneapolis in the 1880's</div><div><br /></div><div>looking for information when doing family histories/lineages</div><div><br /></div><div>etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Internet</span> is fantastic, but unless:</div><div>A. The form was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">originally</span> created electronically and then willing to be released</div><div>or</div><div>B. Someone took the time to scan or translate the paper copy to the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Internet</span></div><div><br /></div><div>the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Internet</span> is not always the best place to find all documents.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly and most importantly... there are some subjects that one does not have the vocabulary, enough understanding or the subject is far too complicated for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Internet</span>. The help of a reference librarian is a must at those time.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-65882607982886099592009-08-24T08:08:00.002-05:002009-08-24T08:38:46.964-05:00Thing 33... TravelAh travel,<div><br /></div><div>There really is nothing more glorious then stepping off an airplane... looking around and the air just smells different, the look of the architecture, clothing, people, language are all different. I find this to be one of the greatest feelings. If you are one of these people and "jet set" regularly there are great resources for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, one can not just jettison off to some foreign local at a moments notice. Perhaps you need a little help planing that trip, or perhaps you can't afford a vaccation and so you live vicariously through others. Either way the web is here to help.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a number of travel web sites to help plan your trip. Things like:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/">Trip Advisor</a></div><div><a href="http://www.travelpost.com/">Travel Post</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I am a much, much bigger fan of Travel Post. It not only has slightly better information, but it is a lot less advertizment filled and "quick hit the buy button" mentality. Besides, <a href="http://www.lonelyplanet.com/">Lonely Planet</a> links to Kayak (the owner of Travel Post). That has to account for something. And why was Lonely Planet not listed? Hmmm</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the Blogs, I think a few of them really stand out as fun and/or entertaining.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://mykugelhopf.ch/">MyKugelhopf</a></span></b> This is an extrememly well travled and well written individual. Not sure where their funding comes from to keep blog like this going, but that is quite a lifestyle choice. Great links to different types of travel opportunities like cooking classes, hiking, climbing, museums etc.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://crankyflier.com/">The Cranky Flyer</a></span></b> is really more about a ranting traveler who has a lot of insite on the travel industry and can give you some insite, but really its more about three issues:</div><div><ul><li>Raw entertainment </li><li>Core travel industry news (like busniness article news)</li><li>hints and tips thrown in here and there.</li></ul></div><div>I liked some of the other Blogs, but not that useful or intersting to me.</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span></div><div>A site I am surprised was not listed was <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Main_Page"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WIKI TRAVEL</span></b></a>. I would think they would have people log in and add to the site. Thus not only learn about travel, but also contribute and become part of the web 2.0 system.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-68853333781325316062009-08-20T16:55:00.000-05:002009-08-20T16:55:46.935-05:00Thing 32.... Google Maps and Mashables<div>Although I haven't made my own google map for publishing, if you go to "my maps" in google maps there are two that I follow and one that I have added info on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Bike Thefts in the Twin Citites</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103988928022527008370.000456bd17599ddb5123c&ll=44.970331,-93.228156&spn=0.061178,0.177025&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103988928022527008370.000456bd17599ddb5123c&ll=44.970331,-93.228156&spn=0.061178,0.177025&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Bike Thefts in Twin Cities</a> in a larger map</small></div><div><br /></div><div>Although highly incomplete, it does give a nice look at clustering and keeps you on top of what is happening and what to look out for.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Greenway assaults map</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108488614749743623836.0004599445b30de18c9d8&ll=44.930598,-93.314412&spn=0.076841,0.200465&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108488614749743623836.0004599445b30de18c9d8&ll=44.930598,-93.314412&spn=0.076841,0.200465&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Greenway Assaults Map</a> in a larger map</small></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not sure what I would make my google map about... origionally I would use google maps, but now there is</div><div><a href="http://cyclopath.org/">http://cyclopath.org/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Which is like googlemaps but exclusivly for biking. With road ratings for bikablility etc. Once you log in, you can customize the maps for your own needs as well. Very cool.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-34100767835484429642009-08-20T15:52:00.001-05:002009-08-20T16:01:25.186-05:00Thing 31.... More TwitterWhat I have learned about Twitter.<div><br /></div><div>1. IT is quite addicting.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. It requires a precision in communication. @rick_Bayless is a master. He gives full recipies in 140 characters.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Twitter is really easy to find like minded people... do a search for a term like "Bikes". Then find a post that looks interesting. Then click on their name to get a list of their most recent posts. If they look interesting.... Click "Follow"</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Once you find people that are interesting, look at who they are following and in no time flat you have quite a network going.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Twitter seems to be a great way for me to rapidly connect with people, get articles and current events on:</div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>A. Biking<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>B. Cooking<br /></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>C. Education<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>6. You have to watch what you say because other people are searching Twittersphere with key words just like you are. For example: I wrote a post about my having a panic attack because we just moved and I couldn't find my school keys. I received a series of twitter messages and some started following me and giving advice on how to deal with panic attacks.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. There are some webpages that you can sign up for and they automatically set you up to follow 10 or 20 twitter names. Well, the sex industry has locked on to this one with a vengence. I got 12 SPAM tweets in one day...Blech!</div><div><br /></div><div>8. I never thought I would like twitter the way I do like twitter, but now it is part of my daily life. for example, I just tweeted a guy at comcast for help... got help in 2 min rather than waiting on that insipid help line on the phone. </div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-51740420698451095072009-08-20T14:35:00.004-05:002009-08-20T15:11:19.323-05:00Thing 30.... RSS and Delicious<div>I love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">RSSing</span> (amazing that is now a word). However, I'm not sure I need Delicious. Its not that I don't like Delicious, because I do. Its just that I can use a google app that does the core of what Delicious does.... make a list of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">URL's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">accessible</span> from any computer.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>I have an organized list of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">RSS</span> feeds that I follow using Google Reader and I list of Blogs I follow far more closely by making a new tab on my iGoogle home page with my Blogs.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oLdZQM16TmKOKzWAYgzFF1qNFMWY11mI3FCzzAZ3kOd8xBV9vaJ7gf1qXOvAIazq_zhagi-x728Fol_j9ByDXYjCvZyP8h_JmoxWvkHdRNnMebeXX8H1Qx794S2pncWYEKvlK-OyFesu/s1600-h/desktop.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oLdZQM16TmKOKzWAYgzFF1qNFMWY11mI3FCzzAZ3kOd8xBV9vaJ7gf1qXOvAIazq_zhagi-x728Fol_j9ByDXYjCvZyP8h_JmoxWvkHdRNnMebeXX8H1Qx794S2pncWYEKvlK-OyFesu/s320/desktop.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372139646951188338" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Note the upper left corner is where my bookmarks are.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the far left (the grey/black) is where my tab for special Blogs I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">RSS</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Bottom left (below my twitter) is my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">RSS</span> reader.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although I can't do some of the social features of Delicious I can do most. And, If I have "friends" on iGoogle and can share them that way just as you can with Google Docs.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, I have explored Delicious, but I think I'll stick with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">convenience</span> rather than one more window, one more password and one more application to learn.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-32344618518511737392009-07-13T09:28:00.003-05:002009-07-13T10:06:48.175-05:00Thing 29... Google Tools<div style="text-align: center;">Having been a google tool user for many years and each year I take on one or more Google aps. I am kind of a Google junkie. I don't jump into these sorts of programs lightly or willingly. It has taken a long time and I am now about to admit that I have drunk the Google Koolaid.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, this is a bit of a numbing "Thing" to accomplish.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, I did jump to <a href="https://www.google.com/health/p/">GoogleHealth</a>. I have been noting a series of stories about keeping track of your own medical records above and beyond your health care providor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note the articles:</div><div><a href="http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/the_health_care_blog/2009/04/should-you-keep-your-own-medical-records.html">Health Care Blog</a></div><div><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/health/18patient.html">NY Times</a></div><div><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5711653&page=1">ABC News</a></div><div>etc. etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>So GoogleHealth seemed like a logical place to look. It is totally therough and I did put in some cursery information.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEh2qDUijzSQvw00tmwjKOulbHaA6uqymdtX7bTL7vhBcQlJ3YrvCUXnykmUWey2vUFRn5XqxxkN3ASQVWrtPnE_Yo4R6jwZszDRBW00VdAmuTCU0lLV8H9wYhqeT7Wjum8qlb0LujUHq/s400/google+health.bmp" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div>I have to admit, the site was super detailed. It loged everything from symptoms, then you could date and time the symptoms, medications (again with date, time and pharmacy) it even lists side effects and what the meds are for.</div><div><br /></div><div>You an upload images of EKG's, CATscans etc. Very impressive.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I got to thinking about this info is on another server? The big consperacy part of my brain became super active. Here is my debate:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. I'll guarantee you that the Google server is 1000x more dificult to get into and get info off of the machine than mine at home.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Do I trust all the people at Google that have access to their servers?</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I started to freak about the great conspiracy of Government involvemnt, or Synciates selling and/or using your health info in insidious ways every time you log in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then I calmed down and now I'm pretty sure that its a good idea... but I haven't swallowed the Koolaid on this one as hard as I thought.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-82575454108257815862009-07-07T10:18:00.003-05:002009-07-07T10:35:49.128-05:00Thing 28 custom home pages.<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div>This seems strange to be on "More things". This, I would have thought, would have been on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">original</span>. <div><br /></div><div>Although there are a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">customizable</span> homepages I (as are over 200 million others) are using iGoogle.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">In fact</span>, how did I get to this glorious blog of mine? A direct link though <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">iGoogle</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can set up your home page to do what ever you want and link to your most popular Blogs, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">web pages</span> and even add <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">widgets</span> to help make your day go smoother.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is an example of my iGoogle page: (click to enlarge)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MNJ0_DAzqGM/SlNplUemkJI/AAAAAAAAAf8/sj3TvTPKzlw/s200/print+screen.bmp" /> </div><div>Note that on the left hand side I have two tabs. One for "Home" that has my daily tools and the other tab is for "Blogs" all of which I have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">RSS</span> feed set up.</div><div><br /></div><div>On my Home page I have my twitter widget, my Google Calendar that has multiple <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">sub calendars</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Claude</span>, Claude and Sara [both <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sara</span> and I have full access] my game calendar my school calendar that syncs with my school outlook and Sara's calendar (that I can see but not change)</div><div><br /></div><div>I also have a second <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">category</span> of Calendars for school, for checking out computer labs etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>You will also note a task bar, weather, news and of course an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">IM</span> chat window so you and your friends and colleagues can stay in touch.</div><div><br /></div><div>I love <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">custom</span> home pages, but this is not very new. Perhaps the use of different widgets, but he concept has been around for 8 plus years.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-13206109475949106572009-07-07T09:53:00.005-05:002009-07-07T10:17:21.707-05:00Thing 27. Twitter, I have been twitterfied @heldringIf I were to post about Twitter a year ago, I would rant and rant about the stupidity of this medium. It had a ton of use for a few specific situations and/or people, but the common person? Come on.... What a stupid program. A waste. (see <a href="http://sigmunds23.blogspot.com/2008/07/thing-20-social-networks.html">Thing 20</a> and <a href="http://sigmunds23.blogspot.com/2008/08/thing-21-beyond-myspace.html">Thing 21</a> )<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>However, in March Julie Magie (a teacher a Valley View) sent me an email wondering what my Twitter page was. I figured if Julie was Twittering than I need a page.</div><div><br /></div><div>Well now its 5 months later 214 updates later, 37 followers later and being followed by 57 others.</div><div><br /></div><div>Twitter can totally destroy your time, but because I have been very diligent about who I follow, I have been getting great info about cooking, teaching and technology. Finding out who other people follow is a great way to follow quality tweets.</div><div><br /></div><div>Often tweets are basic updates to peoples lives. Public posts for the world to hear. Sort of like hearing a person talking on their cell phone when they are standing next to you... but if you also followed the person they are talking to on twitter it would be like a three way call.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have recieved more quality links to news, technology and teaching pages than I ever thought possable. They key is to remember that Twitter is not a contest as to how many people can I get to follow or how many can I follow but choose wisly and you will not be disapointed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remember, if you follow someone and they turn out to be a dud (give them about 40 or so tweets) then "unfollow". </div><div><br /></div><div>If you start Tweeting, and you want to know how to get more followers and to be more successful using twitter. Here is the ultimate guidbook for twitter: <a href="http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/">http://mashable.com/guidebook/twitter/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>(ps, you can also follow mashable on twitter)</div><div><br /></div><div>So, start tweeting and follow me @heldring</div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-39613944611739882902009-07-07T09:45:00.002-05:002009-07-07T09:52:31.779-05:00Thing 26... Ning is dingyIf I remember properly(and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">successfully</span> reminded from reading Thing 26 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">instructions</span>) . We played with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ning</span> in the first 23 things on a stick and quite frankly I hate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ning</span>. How is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ning</span> different than any other Social network? The difference being:<div><br /></div><div>1. You can't access it from our school (ding)</div><div>2. It has a terrible user interface (ding)</div><div>3. It is meant to be exclusive to people with shared ideas... hello, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">that's</span> why social networking started <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">inthe</span> first place (ding)</div><div>4. How many social networks do you need to be a part of? I use Twitter, Linked in, instant message etc. Add in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">facebook</span> users/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Myspace</span> users <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ect</span>. and what is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">purpose of</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ning</span>? One more time suck.</div><div><br /></div><div>I disliked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ning</span> so much I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Unregistered</span> myself from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Ning</span></div><div><br /></div><div>so, no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Ning</span> for me. (ding)</div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-17194562263913656842009-07-07T09:32:00.003-05:002009-07-07T09:43:12.520-05:00Thing 25 tool kits....The widgets are really getting me down. They used to work so well and now its like trying to push a washing machine through a mail slot to get the widget to stay and not error on you.<div><br /></div><div>Additionally, I was playing with Google tools and there is an option that when you write in Google Docs that what you write will automatically update your Blog on Blogger. So I started playing with that. It worked great, if I wanted to update the wrong blog. I have multiple blogs on Blogger and even though I tell Docs to update "Sigmunds 23 Things" it doesn't :(</div><div><br /></div><div>However, it does work well for my default blog and thus I can't complain too much. Makes things much easier that way.</div><div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MNJ0_DAzqGM/SlNeAT8mqqI/AAAAAAAAAf0/QgL-MFg9jBk/s200/untitled.bmp" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355727741321128610" /></div><div>I was able to imbed the google calendar into on of my other blogs.</div><div><br /></div><div>Before I get off my rant... my one of my other pet peeves with Blogger is that that when you go to insert a vid or pic it always defaults to the top of the blog and not contained within the blog. So you have to manually drag the image to where you want it.</div><div><br /></div><div>My immage to the left is case and point.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway. My frustration has led me to playing with a website called. <a href="http://www.moonfruit.com/">http://www.moonfruit.com/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>got a heads up from Kathy Schrock on Twitter. So far I like it a lot, but I need to redo the page. I was waffling between a professional page or a personal page and the page looks just goofy. But soon, soon I will have a personal web page up. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-61937976741011369202009-06-25T09:14:00.002-05:002009-06-25T09:18:35.956-05:00Thing 24still playing around. My guess is that it will take a while for me to be happy. Getting some of the widgets to hold has been a bit annoying.<div><br /></div><div>I am also playing around with HTML to manipulate the margins etc. Man, HTML is not intuative to thickheaded people like me. Maybe because I'm really bad at language HTML doesn't come naturally.</div><div><br /></div><div>On another Blogger page I have, I link to a Google Calendar so my friends can see the schedule of when we are getting together. That works really well but it was a pain in the keaster to get up and running.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll keep modifying but I think I'm going on to step 25 at the same time. This "thing" looks like an on-going project.</div><div><br /></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6763590714695507627.post-37728494077272443592009-06-23T09:32:00.002-05:002009-06-23T09:39:50.189-05:00not thing 23 just news... or is is it?The microcosim that is my world is finally slowing down. With birthdays, family events, housing sales and the end of school this is the first time I've had to just sit. Wow. Summer really does start at the solstace. :)<div><br /></div><div>Anyway. I'm getting back into this blog for the new 23 and thought I would share some nerdy news.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not sure if your a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Face book</a> or a <a href="http://www.myspace.com/">My space</a> fan. If you do Myspace then look out... Major cuts and thinning of the ologopoly that is social blogging/journaling/networking.</div><div><br /></div><div>My space is going to have some trouble....</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; "><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; ">Last week, <a href="http://mashable.com/2009/06/16/myspace-layoffs/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(64, 158, 211); ">MySpace trimmed 30 percent of its staff</a> in the US as the social network looks to become a more “efficient and nimble team-oriented company.” Apparently that goal also includes massive cutbacks abroad, as the company announced this morning that it is trimming a whopping 2/3rds of its international staff.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; "><span class="blippr-nobr" style="white-space: nowrap; ">MySpace<span class="blippr-nobr" style="white-space: nowrap; "><a href="http://www.blippr.com/apps/336652-MySpace" target="_blank" rel="http://www.blippr.com/apps/336652-MySpace.whtml" class="blippr-inline-smiley blippr-inline-smiley-03" style="text-decoration: none !important; color: rgb(64, 158, 211); width: 12px; "><img class="wp-smiley" src="http://static1.blippr.com/images/inline-face_03.png?1237094634" alt="MySpace" style="border-top-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; padding-top: 1px !important; padding-right: 1px !important; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 1px !important; display: inline !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 4px !important; vertical-align: middle; border-top-style: solid !important; border-right-style: solid !important; border-bottom-style: solid !important; border-left-style: solid !important; border-top-color: rgb(201, 214, 221) !important; border-right-color: rgb(201, 214, 221) !important; border-bottom-color: rgb(201, 214, 221) !important; border-left-color: rgb(201, 214, 221) !important; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); background-position: initial initial; " /></a></span></span> will eliminate 300 of its 450 staff members outside the US, as well as close “at least 4” of its international offices. Although the social network remains a big player overseas, today’s news comes as no surprise, as much like in the US, MySpace has <a href="http://mashable.com/2009/04/15/facebook-europe-2/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(64, 158, 211); ">fallen behind Facebook</a> in most other countries.<br /><span id="more-128915"></span><br />For its part, MySpace blames the cut backs on the organization having become too bloated under its past leadership. CEO Owen Van Natta said in a statement:</p><blockquote style="margin-top: 12px; margin-right: 40px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 40px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; ">“With roughly half of MySpace’s total user base coming from outside the U.S., maintaining productive and efficient operations in our international markets is important to users worldwide and our immediate financial strength.”</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; ">“As we conducted our review of the company, it was clear that internationally, just as in the U.S., MySpace’s staffing had become too big and cumbersome to be sustainable in current market conditions. Today’s proposed changes are designed to transform and refine our international growth strategy.”</p></blockquote><p style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: justify; ">While that sounds like the typical reasoning for a layoff, as anyone who follows the numbers knows, the truth of the matter is that the staff only became too large because the social network started shrinking. Layoffs will help get costs more in line with reduced revenue, but for the site to save itself, it needs to define what exactly is going to “transform” it back into a winner. And that remains far from clear.</p></span></div>clasigmundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07743778434551464982noreply@blogger.com0