Wednesday, December 31, 2003

The New York Times: Multimedia/Photos.
The New York Times Multimedia Page is becoming a very nice diary of the times we live. Many audio slideshows are available, including today, 2003 the Year in Pictures.

Of course the year was dominated by one story: the demise of an awful era, documented here as Sadaam Hussein, the Iraqi Tyrant, and the beginning of a new.

May we have the Memory and strength in the New Year to pursue peace,
Ed

Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Apple's Tablet Computer Might Finally Be That Link Between Your PC and TV PBS | I, Cringely
This fascinating navigation through Ultra-Wide Band wireless (802.15.3), Steve Jobs' mind, Motorolla's foundry, and your living room, points to a high-bandwidth-media inspired, takeoff of tablet PCs.

These wonderful devices ultimately will be students' windows on new media history. It's inspiring to hear someone predict an explosive adoption.

Monday, December 29, 2003

Slashdot | Open eBook Forum Courts Controversy Over Formats
Along the Open Source road, a lot of thoughts here on the state of e-books.
The Free/Libre/Open Source Software Survey for 2003
This second major survey of free/open source software devvelopers looks at the backgrounds, emplyment, motivations, etc. of 1600 developers from around the world. Together with the earlier, more euro-centric study, provides some interesting insights as to why people contribute to open source.

Sunday, December 28, 2003

Strunk, William, Jr. 1918. The Elements of Style
Of all things, Strunk's Element's of Style is online! I know that you, dear reader, would never willingly be caught without your dog-eared copy of Stunk and White's later edition; yet avalanches happen. Caught with only your laptop, you can still review the invocation to omit needless words and use the active voice.

Saturday, December 20, 2003

Alumni Online Library
When you're researching, don't forget your local libraries! This OSU page has many resources anyone can use. With a alumni ID, you're good to use subscription services like the various EBSCO databases. I've used my public library-just key in your library card number.

Tuesday, December 16, 2003

Welcome to Franklins Lab!
Fantastic educational app. Only the fuels part has history - of oil and coal. But play with the rest anyway to get ideas (make sure you power the toaster long enough to get toast!).

Sunday, December 14, 2003

CHARLES DICKENS QUIZ
Remember when Regis and the Millionaire show were unstoppable? Here's a Flash version of the game. Topic: Charles Dickens.
Some Timelines
For your analysis and consideration...
Australia's Prime Ministers - Timeline
A different approach to a timeline.

Old Parliment House
A more conventional timeline, with some sound bites.

The First World War Timeline

Dickens' Timeline Page

Ancient Civilizations : Timeline of the WorldA Thinkquest project.

Timeline of Buddhist History: Major Events

Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Yeah, but do they cheat on the survey?
Two recent studies report that the number of high school students who cheat is now at 75%.

But I thought it was just a corporate ethics scandal!

Tuesday, December 09, 2003

BBC NEWS | World | Americas | The moment JFK was shot
There are probably many more of these. This may be BBC's evening coverage, though it might be a later compilation.

There's also a current video on Kennedy. JFK: Legend and Leader. 30 minutes ; in 6 sections.

Monday, December 08, 2003

'Bonnie Prince Charlie' Animation BBC History
Animated map and some sound of the life and travels of Charles Edward Stuart.

Friday, December 05, 2003

Participation in Remedial Education, Remedial Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions in Fall 2000
In this amazing report we discover that 42% of freshman at public two year colleges must take remedial training in reading, writing, or math!!

I can assure you that I needed remedial training in History (never got it). My writing couldn't have been considered college level either, but I was actually advance placed. What are high schools doing with the time?

Thursday, December 04, 2003

Monday, December 01, 2003

Computer illogic / Despite great promise, technology is dumbing down the classroom
Todd Openherimer writes in the San francisco Chronicle on the shortcomings of computers in our schools. A great reminder that we have a lot of work ahead: the list of woes is long. This was discussed on Slashdot.