"Speaking Books" Promote Health in South Africa

Long a favorite of children learning how to read, "talking books" are being used to help disseminate important health information to populations of varying reading skills.

In South Africa, the South African Depression and Anxiety Group has developed a series of such books through Books of Hope. These short books are produced in multiple languages and address such topics as HIV, malaria, diabetes and suicide prevention, and are being distributed to that country's rural and disadvantaged communities. By pushing buttons, the reader can listen to the content as well as read it.

Source: Springwise

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[TIPS] - Exploring language and Google Reader

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5541690

 

This is an excellent series about language. Sometimes it's what is NOT said that says the most. Very interesting.

 

- - - Bonus - - -

http://www.google.com/reader

 

This is Google's version of an RSS aggregator - like bloglines.com. I don't know, I tried it, but I still prefer bloglines. See what you think.

 

- - mailinglist in testing - - -

My mailing list IS ready but we're testing it now to make sure that it works correctly. Next week, for sure!

 

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IT Consulting and Finding Your Way to the Sweet Spot from Micro Businesses

If you are starting out in the IT consulting industry, you will start to wonder how to move your focus from micros small businesses to the sweet spot. The following questions and tips will help you determine what your prospects will be looking for as IT consulting sweet spot clients and how you can improve your skills:

1. How much time should I spend improving my skills? Your time should be balanced. If you have the skills to work with micro, you might not have those required to work with sweet spot clients. Spend approximately 75% of your time over a couple months on IT consulting business development and about 25% of the time on improving technical skills.

2. Which skills should be your focus? Get a not-for-resale copy of Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 and learn about it by installing it on an extra system. This process will help you get into sweet spot IT consulting, as will working in the same way with Novell Small Business Suite.

3. Start simple. You will be able to qualify sweet spot clients before going out on IT consulting sales calls or writing proposals. Going through the process of qualifying and researching prospects will help you figure out if you have the right skills. The smaller sweet spot clients with 10, 15 or 20 seats will have less complicated needs than those with 2 or 3 servers and many locations.

THE SWEET SPOT TRANSITION

Start working with micro small businesses as part of your IT consulting growth and gain confidence by getting references and building your business and knowledge. Some larger micro businesses will probably need the skills you will need to get to the sweet spot as they outgrow peer-to-peer and other simple solutions, so you can practice your sophisticated work on them before making the transition.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

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[TIPS] - StainedGlass Collage and a correction

Do you have digital pictures? Do you have a Flickr account, maybe? Either way you'll love this fun and easy to use mashup that lets you make collages out of your pictures. Here's the website:  http://www.stainedglasscollage.com/ Want to see a sample? Well, as luck would have it, I've got one. Can you guess what the images are? :-)  http://www.stainedglasscollage.com/ext-view.jspx?id=ub7w40tf

 

- - - Correction - - -

A correction to yesterday's late tip about the K12 Online Conference. Once again Groupwise messed up the URL for some reason.  Some of you were able to see the mistake and correct it. The correct URL for that online conference is: http://k12onlineconference.org/ The conference is free, it's online, and it's purpose is ... well, here:

 

The "K12 Online Conference" is for teachers, administrators and educators around the world interested in the use of Web 2.0 tools in classrooms and professional practice! This year's conference is scheduled to be held over two weeks, Oct. 23-27 and Oct. 30- Nov. 3 and will include a preconference keynote. The conference theme is "Unleashing the Potential." 

 

- - - Coming Soon - - -

I thought it was going to be today, but someday soon you'll see a link here that you'll click to generate an email that will subscribe you to the NEW tips list coming from a real mailing list (listserv software). You'll have two options. First, you can subscribe to the email list and get the tips in your email. Or, you can always just subscribe to the tipline blog (http://tipline.blogspot.com) and get the tips in your aggregator.

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Mimio Interactive

Mimio Interactive is truly a revolutionary piece of hardware that can really transform the the way teachers instruct in the classroom. The mimio Xi, is a small bar that is affixed to a standard whiteboard. In conjunction with a computer, projector and the mimioStudio software that comes with the mimio Interactive you can turn any standard whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard with all of the functionality that one would expect from a dedicated interactive whiteboard. Using state of the art technology you are able to bring in digital pictures, control your PowerPoint presentation, and design activites in front of the class using the very intuitive mimioStudio software. Using the stylus as a mouse teachers can digitally write their notes within the mimio Studio notebook and save them for future use. At the end of the class period it is easy to print out the notes and distribute them to the students that need them. Better yet you can bring in picture backgrounds and clip art from the gallery's within mimioStudio to build exciting and rich lessons. Imagine being able to project on the screen the Periodic Table and then have students come up and highlight all of the noble gases with the mimio Mouse stylus. With mimioStudio, teachers can annotate the web site by highlighting and using the digital pens which are automatically saved to the Markup file within mimioStudio. It is a great way to save the information and review it for another time. All of the individual pages within mimioStudio are saved and teachers can quickly jump around the pages by going into the Thumbnail view. Simply double clicking on the thumbnail will bring you to the page. mimio Mimio Interactive allows teacher to create highly interactive lessons to engage students in the learning process. Teachers can also link websites from within the Mimio Studio notebook and be out on the web in seconds. mimio Interactive is available for Windows and Mac OS X. If you are looking for a way to transform your teaching in the classroom then you owe it to yourself to take a look at mimio Interactive-you will be amazed by its features, price and functionality.

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Posted in: caine,friedlander,interactive,mimio,mimioStudio,Xi

[TIPS] - Bonus - K12Online Conference

You can use the following as an annoucement!

www.k12onlineconference.org

Announcing the first annual "K12 Online 2006? convention for teachers, administrators and educators around the world interested in the use of Web 2.0 tools in classrooms and professional practice. This year's conference is scheduled to be held over two weeks, Oct. 23-27 and Oct. 30- Nov. 3 with the theme "Unleashing the Potential." The K12 Online 2006 blog has just gone live.

On the conference blog you will also find the web form we will be using for the submission of proposals. Everyone is encouraged to submit a proposal. More details are on the conference blog: www.k12onlineconference.org. The blog will be updated regularly with everything you need to know about the conference.

Tags: k12online, k12online06

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[TIPS] - techLEARNING.com article on keeping kids safe online (and a bonus)

http://www.techlearning.com/content/epubs/8e6

You'll have to create an account here to read the entire article, but once you do you can download the pdf file of this article and many more. Very nice, I think. No spam, either.

 

- - BONUS - -

Still using IE for your web browsing? Here's another article about yet another flaw in IE that could compromise your computer: http://snipurl.com/xe4y

 

Or, get Firefox here: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/ 

- - -

Almost ready to put these tips on a mailing list of their own. Watch for the notice soon.

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Here comes the Cheetah!

There has been a lot of controversy in the newsgroup comp.databases.informix about some press release/interview from IBM, talking about the next release of IBM Informix Dynamic Server.

The news popped up at CRN, and the discussion talked about a mysterious new feature called "record level locking". No one could understand what this is... It seems to be row level locking, but we all know IDS has this since its beginning. Some insiders, like Madison Pruet and Christine Normille said that this could be one of several features:

1. Last commited concurrency
2. Label based access control (LBAC)
3. Optimistic concurrency

And what are these anyway, we may wonder...? Well, apparently all these are new features of the upcoming version or versions. As we all understand, even if some features are planned for a specific release, as the project deadline arrives some of them may have to be postponed, due to issues in the developing/testing cycle. But let's analyze these three features...

Last committed concurrency:
- As we know, we have four isolation levels currently in IDS. Dirty read, Committed read, Cursor stability and Repeatable read. The most uses are probably Dirty read and Committed read (the default for logging databases). We also know the implications of both of these levels. In dirty read mode we won't block or get errors when reading a row that it's being updated by other session, but the payback is that we will read "uncommitted data", that may well be rolled back or may be inconsistent.
In committed read we only access committed and consistent data but we will stop or wait whenever we need to read a row that is being updated.
So, the "last committed concurrency" will be another isolation level with the following behavior: Whenever we hit a locked row, we will read (without blocking) the previous image. A perfectly committed and consistent image, although possibly this data will change immediately. As many may know this is apparently very similar to what Oracle and Postgres do (the well known "writers don't block readers"). Nice... to use it we'll probably only have to issue some SET ISOLATION LEVEL TO LAST COMMITTED.... command

Label based access control (LBAC):
- This seems another interesting feature... but there isn't much info about it for now. Currently we can GRANT/REVOKE privileges to allow users to access certain columns. What this will provide is a mechanism of allowing access based on certain conditions. e.g.: we might restrict access to data from the user department, or for users of a specific region. The way to do this seems a bit complex, and I don't have any information on how IDS will implement it. If you're curious you can check a tutorial for DB2. I'd say the IDS implementation should be very similar.

Optimistic concurrency:
- This is another feature without much info around it. By definition optimistic concurrency is a method of controlling concurrent access to data based on the idea that most accesses (transactions) don't conflict with each other. As such, a session that wants to update a row won't lock it. At commit time the system will check that the row hasn't changed from the beginning of the transaction. If it has, the commit can't be done... This will work, and will be much more efficient that the normal lock mechanism if the assumption (the transactions won't conflict) is true. If it's false, it will perform worse than the locking mechanism, and will cause much more applications problems


Given this brief explanation about the talked about new features we can wonder if and when this will appear on the product, and what more is yet to come. There are no answers, or put in another way, no one can give any answers at this time, although the answers exist. Like any other software vendor, IBM can't and obviously won't compromise on new functionalities that may have to be delayed. But whether these and many other planned features will appear on the next version (code name cheetah) or only in the second yet to come version, or in some intermediate releases, one think is clear: IBM is putting a lot of developing resources behind IDS, and I can't see any reasons to fear about the future of the product. Ever since acquisition, customers have been worried (mainly because of FUD coming from the competitors), and watching every move from IBM. And one thing is obvious: Every IDS version that came out from IBM included significant improvements and a bunch of new features (9.4 and 10.00). By "significant" I mean features that implicate some structural changes and big code changes.

If you want to take a look at the discussion on the comp.databases.informix newsgroup and you don't have easy access to a news server/software you can check the posts on Google groups.

I really hope to get back to this subject on Cheetah new features. And by the way, "cheetah" is the fastest running animal on earth... It's fast, because every part of its body is adapted in some way to help it run faster... That's how an RDBMS should be built :)

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[TIPS] - everystockphoto.com - and eternal sunsets

http://www.everystockphoto.com/

- - - snip - - -

everystockphoto.com is a search engine for creative commons photos, located in Vancouver, BC. We aim to be a community for designers, developers, photographers and other media publishers who want better, easier access to license-specific media on the web.

- - - -

And here's a bonus for every one of you who enjoys a sunset. This page: http://www.eternalsunset.net/more.php has links to cameras around the world that will show you sunset, almost at any time during the day. Not quite, but close. There's also a map at the bottom of the page that shows the areas of the earth in daylight and in darkness. Notice the shape of the two areas? What's coming up soon?

 

Does that remind you of the clock at nist (http://nist.time.gov/timezone.cgi?UTC/s/2/java) that we talked about last year? How many of you will be doing that with your students again this year? Take a screenshot (Alt-PrintScreen) of that page once a week and post it on your bulletin board. Watch the seasons change as the maps change.

----

P.S.

The new mailing list is almost ready. Watch this space for details of how you can subscribe.

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Why did I create this?

Why did I create this?

Well, there are several reasons... None of them is good enough alone, but here they are:

1. The only blog I've found about Informix seems empty
2. I've been involved with Informix technology for several years and I think the Informix community although enthusiastic is a bit invisible
3. I have some subjects about which I'd like to write a bit...
4. ...

So, I hope to be able to create some interesting content here. I will obviously avoid repeating content that you can find in several resources like tech articles, DeveloperWorks etc.

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Marketing Tests: Don't Make a Commitment Without an Initial Sample

Marketing tests are crucial to your marketing strategy. At the beginning phase of your business, your budget will be incredibly tight, and saving money will become important. Marketing tests can tell you whether you should pursue a specific sales avenue or explore other options.

No matter how great a specific marketing strategy seems on the surface, it isn’t always the best for you. Marketing tests performed on small samples of prospects can help you avoid over-spending and bring you closer to discovering the most effective marketing campaigns.

The following ideas will help you with marketing tests:

1. When you are thinking of using direct mail, rent a marketing list in small installments. One of the biggest mistakes new business owners make when not using marketing tests is renting thousands of names before even determining if the list will help them.

2. Print out very few marketing materials rather than thousands of fliers or postcards and then conduct marketing tests. You can better track whether your targets are throwing your materials away.

3. When conducting marketing tests, track leads by the source of marketing materials. Tell them you are in the midst of marketing tests and ask them detailed questions about how they heard about you. Then determine what percentage of interest is coming from each marketing activity. Your marketing tests will show you what campaigns are working.

Marketing tests can help you make the right choices about marketing strategies before you waste huge amounts of money on large campaigns. If you don’t perform marketing tests in the beginning and throughout the life of your business, you could spend a great deal of time and money on strategies that don’t work and also not arrive at the perfect marketing strategy for you.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

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[TIPS] - Colleges warning about social networking sites

I'm a big advocate of the use of blogs in education, if you haven't guessed. I think the blog tool can be used for GREAT things in the classrooms. Sadly, however, sites like My Space and Xanga, and Live Journal have given blogs a major black eye. But that's like saying that car accidents are giving automobiles a black eye. The tool is still a good one, but people use it poorly.

 

Take this article, for example: http://snipurl.com/x3xy . Colleges are warning their incoming freshmen about the public nature of blogs. People have been fired for what they say in their blogs. Others have been denied jobs, or, as you'll read, entire sports programs have been suspended due to blog postings.

 

Let's EDUCATE the kids about blogs. How many of your students do you think would cringe if they thought that their parents were reading their My Space blogs? For that matter, do you know how to find out if YOUR child has a My Space blog? Check this article: http://www.komando.com/tips/index.aspx?id=807

 

It's nothing to be cavalier about, for sure. It's serious business.

 

But, the blog tool is STILL a good tool. The ax is a great tool, too - in SPITE of Lizzie Borden. :-)

- - -

Coming soon... a REAL Tips listserv. For several reasons I'm going to be moving this tips list onto a real listserv. When it's ready I'll include a link in this email and all you'll have to do is click the link and send the resulting email message from the address where you wish to receive the tips. Watch for it.

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IT Consulting Business Start-Up: The Strength of Client Relationships

At the beginning of the life of your IT consulting business, you may miss some details and make some of the common mistakes others have made before you. If you start out moonlighting, having your own IT consulting business can sound so appealing that you may not plan appropriately as you transition into full-time IT consulting.

ARE YOUR CLIENTS STEADY?

Not everyone is capable of running a full-time IT consulting business. There are two common mistakes professionals make with new IT consulting businesses: taking on clients that can never become steady; bothering to continue relationships with non-steady clients.

You should only be seeking steady clients when starting your IT consulting business, and finding these individuals is actually not as difficult as you might expect.

STEADINESS IS KEY

Steady work will make or break your IT consulting business. When you are moonlighting, you look for clients that need you about one or two nights per month and one or two Saturdays and Sundays on the phone in between these meetings. A client situation such as this one could bring you $800 to $1200 monthly. When qualifying steady clients, look for someone that can afford at least $500 per month on a regular basis.

If you find yourself moonlighting with clients that don’t have at least a $500 a month need or the ability to pay that much, you will find the transition to full-time IT consulting nearly impossible.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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[TIPS] - a wiki example

Want to see an example of a wiki used with a class? This one is for a class that's studying the Scopes Monkey Trial. It appears that the teacher set up the front page and the students are filling in the other pages. What do you think?

 

http://smithitw.pbwiki.com/

 

- - - CONGRATULATIONS! - - -

Congratulations goes out to the districts in our IU who received the Classrooms For the Future grants.

Big Springs, Camp Hill, Shippensburg, Lower Dauphin, and West Shore. The laptops are coming. Will YOU be ready for them? 

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Videoconferencing with Skype

Skype has become an indispensable tool for me in the work that I do. Skype is available for just about every platform and allows members to speak to one another using voice over internet protocol from your computer with a standard microphone. Membership is free and between now and the end of the year you can call landlines and cell phones in the US for free from Skype. Setting things up is fast just download the software from Skype. Once downloaded register your name and you should be off and running. This past summer Skype added the ability to make video phone calls from your computer using inexpensive webcams and this week they released a new beta for the Macintosh that allows Mac users to use their iSight cameras for video calls. Skype users can now video conference with anyone who has an account and it no longer matters if you are running Mac OSX or Windows. Try it out and let me know what your think? Think about the professional development opportunities and reaching out outside your school district for expertise.

I just recently did a quick video call with a friend of mine from Crick Software while she was doing a training in Florida. It was great being able to share with the group how I am using Clicker 5 in the work that I am doing. Thanks Deb!

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Writely

If you are looking for a creative way to write using the Internet take a look at Writely.com. Within your browser you will have access to a word processor and a collaborative tool that will allow you to share your documents with others that you designate. Take a look at Writely and let me know what you think.

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[TIPS] - Net Family News - kid-tech news for parents

http://www.netfamilynews.org/nl060915.html

This links to where you can choose to subscribe to a newsletter chuck full of articles dealing with Internet safety. Parents, get this one so you know where the dangers are. It's nothing to be cavalier about, for sure.

 

Teachers with Moodle classes - you can subscribe to the RSS feed for this newsletter using this link: http://netfamilynews.org/newsletter.xml Just paste it into the Manage My Feeds section in your Moodle class to have those news items brought right into your class.

 

Oh, teachers... ever heard of http://stu.dicio.us/ ? Can you get to it at school? Check it out. Maybe you'll want to get this one blocked. Here's what the site says about itself:

 

- - - snip - -

 Studicious is a service created for students, by students.

Our goal is to break down as many barriers as possible towards what should be the objective of all educational institutions: the free flow of information.

Sharing notes is not cheating. Everyone should have every advantage possible in increasing individual knowledge.

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[TIPS] - Video Mash-Up

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2006/08/01/VI2006080100794.html

Mashups are when two sites combine their resources to produce a third product. This isn't really a mashup. but it IS clever. The Washington Post has produced a short video of a reporter asking certain questions. The goal of the viewer is to find other clips and edit them into this video to produce a (hopefully) funny result. While they may want you to use real footage, this might be a good project for your class.

 

(This was the tip I didn't get to send yesterday)

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The E.G.O. Project (Electronic Graphic Organizers): Active vs. Passive Graphic Organizers

The E.G.O. Project (Electronic Graphic Organizers): Active vs. Passive Graphic Organizers

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Audioblogging

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Assistive Technology Video

Some educators are rather surprised when viewing my video: Assistive Technology: A Way to Differentiate Instruction for Students with Disabilities that assistive technology needs to be considered for students with high incidence disabilities. In the video I had the opportunity to capture teachers, administrators and students as they are using assistive technology and its importance in their school day. You will find the testimonials to be very moving and learn why these technologies are so important.

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"Talking" Surveillance Cameras Scold Bad Behavior

Big Brother is not only watching you... he's publicly reprimanding you, too.

Residents of cities in the US and Europe have gotten used to surveillance videocameras that allow law enforcement to watch the streets. But in Middlesbrough in the UK, cameras are now fitted with loudspeakers through which control room operators can scold people for anything from littering to fighting.

Says camera manager Jack Bonner, "It is one hell of a deterrent. It's one thing to know that there are CCTV cameras about, but it's quite another when they loudly point out what you have just done wrong. Most people are so ashamed and embarrassed at being caught they quickly slink off without further trouble." Bonner notes that operators are instructed to address people politely.

Naturally, the cameras are controversial, with those who argue that they are no substitute for police on the beat, and those who worry about the psychological effects on a populace that is not only being watched constantly, but also publicly judged and corrected.

Source: Daily Mail

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Restaurant Touchscreen Ordering a Hit With Patrons

Bytes, a new cafe in the UK town of Canterbury (of Chaucer fame), is making a name for itself with its high-tech ordering system. Each table is equipped with a 15-inch touchscreen, from which patrons can place their orders.

Aside from helping Bytes save money on wait staff and menu printing, the touchscreens allow the restaurant to build a database of customer preferences, and to change items and prices on the fly. The touchscreens also double as game consoles, keeping the kids occupied.

So far, patron response to the touchscreens is overwhelmingly positive, and the owner is already considering opening a second location. As long as customers respond just as enthusiastically to the food, Bytes appears to have a bright future.

Source: SelfServiceWorld

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[TIPS] - Net Family News and Moodle story

http://www.netfamilynews.org/nl060915.html

This may be a newsletter that you'll want to subscribe to. What is Net Family News? "A nonprofit public service providing a forum and "kid-tech news" for parents and educators in more than 50 countries. The forum is 24/7; news is weekly via email and podcast and daily via blog and RSS feed. " Check it out. If you've got kids at home then this is something you're going to WANT to have.

 

Here is the RSS feed: http://netfamilynews.org/newsletter.xml I've added it to the front page of Moodle, too.

 

Oh, and speaking of Moodle, check out this story that was posted in the Moodle forums:

- - -

This is our first year of committed Moodle usage at a high school in Texas. With over 100 faculty and staff and about 1000 students we are averaging over a quarter of a million hits per day. All of the teachers have a Moodle presence.

Last night as I walked out to our home football game, with a custom-made shirt with MOODLE written across it a chant grew in the stands. The chant was "MOO-DLE, MOO-DLE". The student's cross their middle figures to make an "M" during the chant. I am waiting for the next chant to develop "We've got Moodle yes we do, we've got Moodle how 'bout you?". It is exciting to see so many Moodle fans!

 

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Review of InspireData

Take a look at a new and very interesting application called InspireData from the Inpsiration Company that was released this summer. For the full review go to LD Resources

Enjoy

Brian

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Posted in: inspiration. math,inspiredata,science

Contingency Plans Can Help You Plan for the Unexpected

You need contingency plans to succeed in your first year of business. A contingency plan will help you calmly handle any unexpected surprises that come your way. Even if you do excellent research and plan diligently, you will always find good and bad surprises when starting a business.

Your contingency plan should include a list of anything, good or bad, that would affect your business if it happened. Think about the following items when creating a thorough contingency plan:

1. Consider your chosen niche. If your niche dries out, you will need a contingency plan to support your business.

2. If you have problems finding people to work for you within the labor market, you will need to have a contingency plan to help you get work done.

3. What is your comfort level with ASP software? If clients don’t need your specific services, you should make the ability to get into other service markets part of your contingency plan.

4. Alliances between competitors should be on your radar at all times and you should have a clear contingency plan if there are mergers or other partnerships that happen within your industry that might threaten your success.

A really complete contingency plan will have 15-20 possibilities on it that might affect your profitability. Items on your contingency plan will be forces beyond your control that require your reaction. Make sure your contingency plan includes just one year of time, but revise it often to stay in business.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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A Virtual Big-Screen Theatre for Video iPods

If the idea of watching movies and videos on the (very) small screen of the video iPod doesn't appeal to you, consider iWear from Icuity. The 4-oz. "videoshades" produce a high-resolution virtual 44-inch screen... all without undue wear on the iPod battery life. The iWear currently retails for about $300.

Source: LiveScience

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[TIPS] - Wanna work a wiki ?

:-)

 

I've set up a wiki page at the wikispaces site that I mentioned last time. I know that many of you just aren't brave enough yet to create one of your own, so here's a chance to work with one. http://jgates513.wikispaces.com/

 

So far this is open to the public, but if the spammers find it I will have to force users to enroll and then log in to edit.

 

This will be easy and (hopefully) fun. It'll be basic - unless one of you brave souls wants to try to add an image somewhere, that is. Here's how it works. This is a place to go to share links to your favorite sites. On the front page and in the side navigation area I've got links for Math, Science, etc, etc. Click on the one for your subject area. When you get to your page, click the Edit This Page button just above the text area. Now you can edit that page.

 

If I've missed it and you don't want to be filed under Misc then please add it. Just type the word and then put double brackets around it, like this: [[Homework Help]]  That will automatically be turned into a link when you save the page.

 

To link to a site, type the name of the sight, say, "Math Forum" (without the quotes), and then click the Hyperlink icon in the editor toolbar. It's the globe on the left. A dialog box appears. Click the radio button next to External Link, and then paste in your link in that field. Oh, remove the http:// part as it's already  selected for you in that dropdown box. This sounds harder than it is, as it's often more difficult to talk about something than it is to do it, right? You can see my help page here: http://jgates513.wikispaces.com/My+Help

 

The goal here is to give you a non-threatening place to learn to work a wiki. If we get some good links out it all the better. They may turn into Tips one day. :-)

 

OK. Click the link above and give it a try. The first ten people to make an entry WIN!

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Kissinger Warns of a "War of Civilizations"

Instead of being at odds over Middle East policy, the US and Europe must unite to prevent a possible "war of civilizations" between the Western and Muslim worlds, according to former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

In an op-ed piece in the Washington Post, Kissinger wrote: "A common Atlantic policy backed by moderate Arab states must become a top priority, no matter how pessimistic previous experience with such projects leaves one," referring to disagreements over the war in Iraq.

"The debate sparked by the Iraq war over American rashness vs. European escapism is dwarfed by what the world now faces," he continued. "Both sides of the Atlantic should put their best minds together on how to deal with the common danger of a wider war merging into a war of civilizations against the background of a nuclear-armed Middle East."

Kissinger argued that the coming challenge for the West is to come to terms with transnational groups such as Al Qaeda and Hezbollah, which are gaining power in the Mideast, typically at the expense of struggling democracies in the region.

UPDATE: Dr. Kissinger's comments have taken on even more prescience as a result of the recent controversy over Pope Benedict's comments about Islam. The more radical Muslim groups are rejecting the pope's apology, and some observers are becoming concerned that Catholic groups and landmarks could be targets of terror attacks.

Source: AFP

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[TIPS] - wikispaces and Day 5 - the final installment

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth mentioning again, I think. http://www.wikispaces.com is a place to go to get your own wiki at no cost. Go ahead, give it a try. Foreign language teachers, start a wiki for your students where they may only speak/write that language. English Literature teachers, start one about the books you're reading. Social studies teachers, start one about the Revolutionary War or the Lewis and Clark expedition, etc. Let the kids add links and descriptions and images. I KNOW you'll be pleased with the results.

Audio files of this series are available here: http://odeo.com/channel/57888/view (They're not in top-down order, so play according to Day titles)

- - - Day 5 - The Final Installment of Nothing Important Happened Today - - -

I’ve re-read the postings from the past few days, and I’m getting that pit in my stomach again. Our kids aren’t hungry! Worse, many of our TEACHERS aren’t hungry, either. What will historians say about this time in our history 50 or 100 years from now? “They were fat and happy, pompous, and complacent. How could they have missed what was happening all around them?” Move over, King George.

According to this article (http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2004/03/29/focus1.html ), “This year, online enrollment for U.S. degree-granting schools represents 14 percent of all enrollments, up from less than 6 percent in 2000, a compound annual growth rate of 33 percent, according to research company IDC.” Humph! It goes on to say that 16 million people are seeking degrees online – 16 million and one, to be more precise. I started after MY online degree through Bloomsburg after that article was written. :-) Another article claims, “This fall, 2,700 charter schools are in operation across the nation, serving more than a half-million students.” And, according to this article (http://www.uscharterschools.org/cs/n/view/cs_bmsg/3912 ), “Pennsylvania now has 11 cyber charter schools, with more than 10,000 students enrolled statewide, an increase of nearly 50 percent from last year.”

Why are they leaving us? What are they looking for?

Could it be relevance? Could it be, perhaps, that they want to be able to use the tools that they are growing up with in order to study, gather information, collaborate, publish, and learn? Could it be that they’re finding the public schools to be so far behind the ball when it comes to even KNOWING about those tools that the schools have become irrelevant? David Warlick, in his “2 cents worth” blog, wrote, “Never before has a generation been so well prepared to enter the Industrial age.” *Pause for laughter* *Another pause for reflection and panic*

We’ve GOT to start using the tools that they know and use elsewhere or we WILL become irrelevant. We – the TEACHERS – MUST get hungry. We MUST seek professional development opportunities that will provide us with the skills and tools we need. We MUST take them seriously. I’ve been in too many sessions with teacher/prisoners who were there only because they HAD to be there, but NOTHING was going to make them learn anything. You know what I mean. WE must get hungry and we must make our kids get hungry, too …

… before it’s too late.

I’m offering classes – many of them evening classes – on the new web tools like Moodle, wikis, blogs (don’t panic!), and on the Web 2.0 tools in general. I’ll show you how to use RSS feeds to gather and share information with your students. I’ll show you ways that you can use the web as a publishing platform for your students and how to set up collaboration sites, and where to take notes and much more. I DO hope you’ll sign up for some of them. There is SO VERY much at stake here, and another powerpoint isn’t going to save it.

Thank you for indulging me these past few days. I’ll leave today with this blog/diary entry, “Yes, something VERY important IS happening today and we MUST heed it before it’s too late.”

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Thought-Controlled "Bionic Arms"

Researchers at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have developed prosthetic arms that are controlled by electrical signals from the brain. The artificial limbs recreate the subtle motions of actual arms, and allows for a greater level of control than traditional prostheses.

Whereas a human arm is capable of 22 discrete movements, this new generation of artificial arms is capable of four -- rotating the upper arm, bending the elbow, rotate the wrist and closing of the hand.

Jesse Sullivan, who lost both arms in an electrical utility accident, and Claudia Mitchell, who lost her left arm in a motorcycle crash, are using these artificial arms to perform everyday tasks. DARPA expects to be able to offer these arms to wounded veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source: CNN.com

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Convenience Stores Without Employees

It might be the ultimate in outsourcing -- convenience stores that employ no human workers at all. Get & Go Express stores dispense food, beverages, basic health items such as aspirin, and DVDs. Between their lack of employees and small size (minimizing real estate requirements), Get & Go stores' profit margins are nearly double those of typical convenience stores.

Customers appear to be embracing the stores, which are essentially clusters of vending machines, for their convenience and reasonable prices. One category of items that Get & Go stores doesn't sell, however, are products that can only be sold to adults, such as tobacco and alcohol. But founder Jeff Parsons is working to automate age verification, and is also seeking unique products to sell through Get & Go stores.

Considering the success of Get & Go stores, it's little wonder that other retailers are exploring "employee-free" stores as a business model. Meanwhile, Parsons is busy franchising Get & Go stores, which offer low startup costs and minimal maintenance in addition to low overhead.

Source: KioskMarketplace.com

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Are You a Generalist or Are You in a Niche Market?

Niche markets are a good way for you to build a marketing strategy through targeted groups of clients. However, often consultants think about specializing in a specific product or service when imagining niche markets. Niche markets don’t only mean one-product or one-service specialties, but also targeting a specific industry of client type.

GENERALIST WITHIN A NICHE MARKET

Niche market and generalist, while seemingly opposite entities can actually work together. You should not attempt to please everyone, but you can focus on providing generalized services to a certain type of client. Being part of a niche market and being a generalist are two complimentary strategies when you market yourself as the main contact for a very targeted client group.

Don’t invest a lot of money at the beginning in certifications, tests and preparation. You need to instead focus on cultivating contacts that will pay you. If you already have a specialized skill set, don’t set your mind on a narrow niche market until you know how well you can do within that market.

As time progresses you will notice that paying clients have things in common, so you will be able to prepare for a very specific set of needs. These needs will be the key to you discovering your ideal niche market. The key is to get clients first, then look for trends that will lead to opportunities for niche markets.

Creating a very specific niche market is not always the best way to grow your computer consulting business. If you define your niche market through your clients rather than through your services you will give yourself a better chance of creating a strong client base and evolving the appropriate and more profitable niche market for you.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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[TIPS] - Drawspace and Day 4

http://www.drawspace.com/

Did you ever want to be able to draw better than you do? This site is for you - and for your favorite art teacher. You must register, but it's free. If you've got a "throw-away" email address use it to register. I haven't been registered long enough to know if I get spam from it. I don't think so, though. Choose from Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced lessons. Very nice.

- - - Nothing Important Happened Today - Day 4 of 5- - -

So far we've got... well, I don't want to think about what we've got so far. Do you? Let's just say that we're not quite as happy as we were three days ago. Let's talk about some cool stuff that's going on. Sorta take our minds off of this race.

Google processes about 7.5 Billion queries per month according to this article: http://battellemedia.com/archives/002093.php Weeeeeeeee-yoooooooooo! That's a lot of people asking a lot of questions, don't you think? And that's just ONE search engine.

A quiet revolution has been happening online over the past few years. Some call it Web 2.0. Others eschew the label and still others reject it all together. But, what they're talking about is the change in the web from that of a medium to that of a platform. (Huh?) It went from just a place where you went to get information to the place where you go to publish YOUR information. Blogs, for example. According to the blogherald there are over 100 MILLION blogs - and growing. They could be personal journal/blogs, or they could be informational, like the google sightseeing or the gearth blogs. Granted, many kids are using their blogs in very unsafe ways, but they are being published.

Social bookmarking is another phenomenon that is changing the way people gather or find information. Tagging. I save a bookmark to the site (like del.icio.us, or furl.net, for example) and I tag it with keywords to help categorize it. Now, anytime that someone goes to that site and looks for sites tagged with any of those keywords they'll see MY bookmark, as well. Plus, I can subscribe to, say, the science tag and then anytime anyone posts something and tags it with the word science I'll find out about it. (Thanks to those who have used the for:jgates513 tag!!)

Flickr.com is a great website for sharing pictures. My favorite story of the power of flickr was told by Will Richardson at NECC. His 7 yr old daughter had to write a recipe book about the weather for her teacher. What ingredients go into Summer, Spring, etc. She used her crayons to draw the pictures and write out her ingredients. Her dad then helped her to scan and post her images to flickr. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/wrichard/sets/96435/) Some time later the daughter was admiring her pictures at flickr and noticed that there were about 1100 visitors - people who had seen her pictures. She asked her dad what that it meant and when he told her she paused a while, then said, "I'm going to write a book." That tool so motivated her to think that SHE could put her picture story online and people would read it. How cool is that? Of course, the DOPA act will prevent schools from accessing flickr, but don't worry, the rest of the (hungry) world can - and we're teaching 'em how to make powerpoints. Don't worry about it.

Wikis are web pages that anyone (registered users only) can edit. Wikipedia is the best known, and if you didn't listen to that speech by Jimmy Wales I encourage you to do so. What if you could give YOUR students a web page that either starts off blank or maybe it starts off with a few paragraphs from you in which you set the stage for this unit of study, and you allow the kids to edit it as they see fit? WHAT? Let THEM edit it? Am I CRAZY?

Not at all. I'll BET that if you set up a wiki for your classes, and you commented positively on the growth of the wiki from time to time in your classes, you'd find that the kids would be writing about your content and posting links to great websites and linking to each other's posts and creating this "Web" of information the likes of which you've NEVER seen before. And you'll find those quiet kids who never contribute in class are suddenly making links, too. I can recall one 8th grader who rarely spoke up in Social Studies class, but who was the mischievous computer kid. I KNOW that he would have been the type to make a wiki page about something (on the topic) and he'd show off a bit by making his links a little fancier or he'd find out how to add an image before anyone else, etc. He would start to bloom! Yes, it's possible that someone could get in there and trash someone else's work. But, it's also possible to restore it AND to determine who it was who trashed it so you can change his password for a while so he can't get in. In the meantime, the kids are talking and writing about your content.

All over the world, kids and adults are using technology to share thoughts and ideas, and to collect the thoughts and ideas of others, yet in many schools in America we're not able to do that. We're not able to use the very tools that the (hungry) honor students in China and India and soon to be the kids in the underdeveloped nations are using. What's happening?

Tomorrow I'll share more about some of this very cool stuff, plus examine what's happening to the way kids are getting educated in general. But for today, I'll close with my blog/journal entry, "Yes, it appears that SOMETHING important IS happening today."

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Ideas for Direct Mail and IT Marketing

Whether your IT marketing plan is to do a letter, a flyer mailer, a large postcard or a simple standard postcard, you need your headline to be eye-catching. The message of your direct mailing also needs to be stunning and communicate your purpose and address the needs of the targets of your mailing.

IT MARKETING IS ABOUT BENEFITS

You need to speak to the niche of your target audience and emphasize the benefits to members. You need to communicate how your computer consulting company can provide real benefits for clients, such as value and return on investments. If you can communicate this idea from the very beginning, you will captivate their attention and get them interested in hearing the rest of what you have to offer in your direct mailing item.

You may get target clients to request a free tape, report, consultation or free needs analysis, but you have to know their needs before you can tap into what message will make them want to ask for more information.

IT MARKETING: POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS ARE IMPORTANT

Your direct mail pieces should be very focused on benefits and not on yourself and your company. You need to speak about customers and their specific problems and not how impressive your services are. Potential customers will not care about your certifications or your vendor partners. Many will not even know anything about specific products or companies in the IT industry.

Because potential customers care about their own problems and what can do to solve it, you need to focus on benefits in your advertisement. If you are unsure, get a third-party who is objective to give you feedback before sending out your direct mailing.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

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Sales Cycles: What is the Appropriate Length for You?

Sales cycles can be different for different small businesses, but as a small business owner, you need to know the revenue of your clients during a 12-month period. You also will need to know how long it takes you to earn revenue from the beginning of the sales cycle.

Your sales cycle begins as soon as you get a lead and is not over until the person gives you the first amount of money for the deposit. The sales cycle is the culmination of the hard work you invest when you change a relationship into a paying customer from a mere lead.

You should estimate your complete sales cycle as soon as you start your consulting business. You need to determine how long each average lead will take to travel through the sales cycle. Consider the following elements:

1. How long does a qualification stage take?

2. How long does it take to set up an initial appointment?

3. How long does research take pre-sales call?

4. How long does the sales call take?

5. How many weeks does it take to get from the sales call into the deep analysis and the proposal?

6. What is your follow-up time in the sales cycle?

Also think about the funds you will need for each portion of the sales cycle and what you need to do to turn leads into clients that will pay you.

If you know the general time of your sales cycle, you will have tackled a great deal of the business planning process. You will not know for certain the amount of time each part of the sales cycle will take, but you will at least have a good estimate of the total time you will need to spend.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

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[TIPS] - Top 50 Coolest sties and Day 3

Time's 50 coolest websites: http://www.time.com/time/2006/50coolest/index.html How many do YOU use?

 

- - - -  Nothing Important Happened Today - Day 3 - - -

Let's see, so far. they've got more (hungry) honor students than we've got (fat and happy) students. The number of new computers each year world wide will triple - and will be going to the (hungry) children in underdeveloped countries. http://snipurl.com/wcim (And, the top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 didn't exist in 2004. Fine.

 

Here's a sobering quiz question that I saw presented by the former Gov of Maine (originator of their one-to-one laptop program) and also in Karl's presentation. If you didn't download and watch his powerpoint yet, this will be fun. Ready?

 

Name this country:
It's the richest in the world.
It's got the largest military
It's the center of world business.
It's got the strongest education system.
It's the world center for innovation and invention. (Got a clue, yet?)
It's currency is the world's standard of value. (You're on to it, now, eh?)
And, it's got the highest standard of living. (BINGO!)

 

Think you know it? Yep, the correct answer is. ENGLAND. In 1900.

 

What happened? For that matter, what happened to the great Roman Empire, or the Persian Empire, or the Mongoleans or the Aztecs? Well, nothing lasts forever, right? But, that won't happen to us, though. We're. well. fat and happy - and we're teaching them how to make powerpoints! Relax.

 

Why do the great heavyweight boxers or the top ranked football teams lose to opponents with much less skill? Could it be because those opponents are hungrier? Were the stronger players just too complacent? As Thomas Friedman said regarding this race we're in, they're not racing us to the bottom.

 

Gotta go for today. That's enough to think about. But, my blog entry. sorry ... my journal entry for today reads, "Well, MAYBE something important is happening today."

 

Oh, here's the link to Karl's slideshow. http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2006/08/did-you-know.html It's his blog, so you may not be able to find this excellent resource from school. When you do, download both the sound file and the powerpoint and then run the powerpoint to get the full effect. The first few slides focus on his district.



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Cisco Encourages Solution Providers to Specialize in Security

Executives from Cisco state that they’d like to see solution providers start to move into new, more daring areas. Cisco announced it would be encouraging a group of partners and solution providers to change their business to specialize in security in order to address the need for new and sophisticated security solutions. Cisco and Microsoft are also both trying to get security partners to start using network access control solutions run by their technologies.

The new solution providers security program, “Master Security” specialization will be the first in a line of new high level badges for partners and solution providers that want to root themselves in very specialized technology. This new announcement comes on the heels of last week’s announcement of plans to ensure that network access control technologies from Microsoft and Cisco will not work together, presenting increased consulting opportunities for channel partners.

Many solution providers are excited about going after this new Master Security specialization, stating the importance of specialization in the quest to improve their position within the marketplace and fully realize their unique “brand.” The new specialization offered by Cisco will help set partners apart from the rest that have worked hard to get involved in security and encourage new partners to get more involved. Because the process of certification is arduous, not every partner will be able to or want to complete it.

Requirements for the Master Security portion of the new solution providers program will be revealed later today, with the requirements for the enhanced “Master Unified Communications” badge announced within the next 30-45 days. There will also be more badge opportunities coming out that focus in areas including wireless and data center technologies, but they are currently being evaluated.

Qualifying for Master Security requires solution providers to hold Cisco’s Advanced Security badge and a few industry-recognized Cisco and non-Cisco certifications. Partners must also pass an on-site validation of expertise by an impartial auditor and have as many as five reference accounts to prove sophisticated skills. Master-level partners will get discounts on security products similar to those Gold partners get, cash back in Cisco’s Value Incentive Program rebate initiative and a mention on Cisco’s online partner locator tool.

Created By: Computer Consulting Kit

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Computer Consultants Track Security Breaches as Business Technology Grows

As technology expands at a fast pace, many business owners, security managers and computer consultants for companies are noticing major issues with computer system security. Dishonest employees find it easier to break into sensitive information leaking through cell phones, wireless laptops and networked printers along with person-to-person meetings. As information and communication shift over to digital, security leaks are becoming harder to prevent but much easier for security experts and computer consultants to track.

In June of this year, 50 executives at major firm Merrill Lynch were surveyed to determine major security concerns. Of those surveyed, 52 percent stated that leaks of confidential information was the number one concern followed by viruses and hackers. Because these concerns exist across industries, corporations are employing the help of trained computer consultants to implement high-tech tools into their networks and daily business lives. In fact, 50 percent of the 526 companies surveyed by the American Management Association last year stated that they stored and scanned workers’ computer files and 55 percent admitted they reviewed e-mails.

These practices of high-tech security tracking have raised some legal and ethical concerns within the business community. California’s attorney general has stated that laws may have been broken when investigators hired computer consultants from Hewlett-Packard Co. to trace leaks about confidential boardroom discussions when they pretended to be reporters and directors in order to get personal phone records. Hewlett-Packard claims they were unaware of how the records were obtained, but is not the first company or group of computer consultants to use extreme measures to try to trace and stop leaks at their source. Apple Computers fired and filed suit against workers that were thought to be leaking information, and has been known to sue independent websites. As far back as 1991, Proctor & Gamble Co. went after a grand jury in order to get telephone records that would help the company weed out a Wall Street Journal reporter’s sources.

It is legal for companies to go to reasonable lengths to monitor corporate telephone records, computer and e-mail attached to corporate accounts, but many computer consultants continue to assert that too much monitoring can destroy trust within companies.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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[TIPS] - Goodsearch and Part 2

This article: http://snipurl.com/l602 explains why this website: http://www.goodsearch.com/ may be just what your school needs - an EASY way to make money. Every time you search from this site (search powered by Yahoo!) revenue is generated for the school that you have specified. Thanks to Deb E. for sharing that one. :-)

Oh, and thank you to those who have used the for:jgates513 tag in del.icio.us to share some websites with me. They'll become tips soon, too.

- - - - And Now, Part 2 of "Nothing Important Happened Today" - - -

Yesterday we learned that we're outnumbered by the people in China and India, and we didn't even factor in the rest of the world. Remember , "They've got more (hungry) honor students than we've got (fat and happy) students?" And did I mention that China will be the number one English speaking Nation soon?

Yes, well. so what?

Something else to consider: There are roughly 49 million computers shipped out each year world wide. But, according to Nicholas Negroponte, founder of the $100 laptop initiative, he will send between 50 and 100 million computers to (hungry) children world wide in the first year alone. The global competition will instantly heat up. Listen to his TED conference speech here: http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=n_negroponte

And another point from Karl Fisch's presentation, according to a former Secretary of Education, "The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 didn't exist in 2004." Whoa! How are we to prepare our kids for jobs that don't even yet exist? Well, Governor Rendell is trying to put a computer on each of the desks of the major subject areas all across PA. That should help, right? But, what will we do with those computers? I've got it! More powerpoints! Yesssss! That should do it. (Whew!) OK... next issue.

That's enough for one day. All is well with the world. My diary entry still reads, "Nothing important is happening today."

- - -

If you read my blog (http://tipline.blogspot.com) you'll notice that I'm including the podcast (audio file) of this entry at the bottom of the post, thanks to Odeo.com.

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Using Testimonials as Part of IT Marketing

Testimonials can really help sell your services in IT marketing. This article explores how you can use testimonials to enhance and grow your business.

CREDIBILITY AND TESTIMONIALS

In order for testimonials to appear credible and believable, they have to be real and have a real first name, last name, job title company name and city and state attached to them at a bare minimum. Your prospective client will know when seeing this information available that you are serious about your consulting business.

Prospective customers will believe other clients more than your own claims. Good words from third parties without a direct interest in your business will be more trustworthy than your own IT marketing and sales items.

TESTIMONIALS: BASIC STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Your testimonials should zone in on benefits of your business and should be written on client letterhead. Testimonials need to tell prospects how your company has helped over a length of time, discussing investment returns, reliability and dependability of your service and your response time. Additionally they need to talk about how you are there in case of emergency, understand their specific business needs and fit within their budget and time requirements.

GETTING TESTIMONIALS AND IT MARKETING

You may wonder how you can get clients to give you testimonials. The best way is to complete the following process:

1. Interview clients and guide them through very specific questions.

2. Send them pre-drafted testimonials and e-mail it, asking them to simply review, edit and approve them and put them on company letterhead.

3. Give them five or six bullet points set up as a survey, as a suggestion for points to include in testimonials.

4. Take clients to breakfast and conduct an interview. Take notes and type up a testimonial based on the conversation, the simply have them review the materials and put it on their letterhead with a signature.

The key to getting good IT marketing testimonials is to make the process as easy as possible for clients.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101

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Computer Consulting and Information Overload

One of the biggest issues in computer consulting is information overload, because you will probably have technological information flying at you constantly from many different places. With overwhelming amounts of new technology, you may find it difficult to weed out the important facts and figures.

Because many of your clients are small businesses, they will be lagging behind on the latest technology, and much of your information overload will not concern them. You can focus on business development needs rather than keeping up with a majority of your clients.

GUILTY PARTIES WITH INFORMATION OVERLOAD

Most of the excessive information you will get from print magazines. You shouldn’t pay attention to about 90 percent of your print magazine subscriptions for three to six months at a time, because your hours are precious.

Instead of reading magazines, go out to two or more networking events. The time spent will be similar, and networking events could help you find two $1,000 a month clients. Plus, networking events will not cause information overload.

SOLUTIONS FOR INFORMATION OVERLOAD

To decrease information overload, only subscribe to two print magazines. Most of what you will need to know to keep abreast of the latest technology and important items in small business consulting can be found in CRN and VAR Business. CRN is a weekly online free subscription based in the U.S., but available in other markets. VAR Business comes out on a bi-weekly basis.

Browsing through these publications for no more than half an hour a week will almost completely get rid of information overload. These publications are good at filtering and tie in advancements to development and business.

Because of the extreme amount of technology information coming out constantly, information overload can be hard to take. Limit your subscriptions and the material you read to cut off information overload at its source.

Blogged By: Joshua Feinberg

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[TIPS] - Solar system model, and Part 1 of 5

We've all either made or have seen one of those Styrofoam ball solar system models of the planets (we had NINE - what were we thinking?) but those models really do justice to the vastness of the solar system, right? Well, how about a true-to-scale model? The scale is 1:93,000,000 and it's the project of Aroostook County in Maine. Check it out: http://www.umpi.maine.edu/info/nmms/solar/index.htm

-----

Today is perhaps an unfortunate day to begin ANYTHING with the title "Nothing Important Happened Today", but do understand that there is no connection between this and 9-11-01. This is part 1 of 5. For the next few days, if you aren't interested reading it, you can of course stop with the tip at the top.

- - -

Nothing Important Happened Today

One of my favorite stories from History class (and there weren't many, as I recall) had to do with King George III and his diary entry on July 4, 1776. It said only, "Nothing important happened today."

Oh, really?

In fact, EVERYTHING changed that day. Forever! How could he POSSIBLY have been so blind to the facts around him to have missed what was happening? In retrospect that comment makes him appear to be arrogant, pompous, and every bit the fool. He and his countrymen were fat and happy, and quite complacent while at the same time there were people in the world who were restless, hungry, and who wanted more. They wanted what HE had!

Lately, I've been reading books like, "The World is Flat", "Collapes: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed", and watching excellent presentations on this topic and I've got this pit in my stomach over the fear that America is fat, happy, and complacent while the rest of the world is hungry and wanting more. So let's take a look. Here are some frightening facts that I found in an excellent powerpoint by Karl Fisch. (I'll post the link later this week. I don't want you peeking.)

Karl says. If you're one in a million, in the United States there are 300 just like you. In India there are 1100 just like you, and in China there are 1300 just like you. He also says, "The top 25% of the people in China with the highest IQ's is greater than the population of North America! And in India it's the top 28%." Continuing, "Translation for teachers: They've got more honor students than we've got students." And, I would add, THEY ARE HUNGRY!!! They want what WE have. As Thomas Friedman ("The World Is Flat") put it, "My parents used to tell me, 'Eat all your vegetables; there are children in China who are starving.' Now I tell my children, 'Do all your homework; there are children in China who want your job! And in a flat world they CAN GET IT!'" YIKES!

We'll take a breather here. Just time enough for my diary entry for today. Let's see. Nope. Nothing important is happening today.

To have this read to you - just because I can make it happen, click the play button below.

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Posted in: nothing_important

Virtual IT: ITera, Inc. Presents Comprehensive Managed Services

On Wednesday, virtual IT company iTera, Inc., of Salt Lake City, specializing in disaster recovery solutions announced it will join forces with SafeData, LLC in order to compliment its already full array of managed-service solutions. Currently the virtual IT company offers the award winning product Echo(2) High Availability software for the IBM i5.

President and CEO of the company Dan NeVille stated that with the addition of SafeData, iTera will now be able to present a subscription-based service that can maintain each part of the i5 platform. The new offer will feature a combination of iTera’s Echo(2) software, IBM i5 server technology and a $30 million data center. Also included are monitoring services, monthly management, reports and other elements.

The following benefits will be available to customers:

No capital outlay

Switch readiness that is available all the time

Lower cost of ownership

24 hour per day, 7 days per week Virtual IT staff

Replication network efficiency and monitoring

Regular audits and management reporting capabilities

Role swaps as part of the contract

Top of the line carrier class data center

Simplified terms and conditions.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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Systems Integrators Note September 11th Effect on Security Market

Ever since the catastrophic event of 9/11, systems integrators and other technology specialists have been reexamining IT security. During the Cold War, Canada’s National Optics Institute was responsible for developing a system that could detect approaching enemy tanks or fighter jets. However, after the fall of the Soviet Union, these types of threats were less imminent and the technology was put away for future use.

In 2003, an entrepreneur named Eric Bergeron toured the Institute, inspired by the events of 9/11 and the security threats they raised for systems integrators and others in the IT field. His thought was based on the idea that now security has extended beyond just looking for planes in the sky and now is focused on luggage and other issues that require technology, such as X-rays to examine. Inspired by cold war ideas, Bergeron began the X-ray analysis company based in Quebec, Optosecurity. Bergeron hopes to grow this company into a new way to track and implement homeland security, which has become a huge industry since 9/11.

According to experts, the past five years have actually produced few technological security developments despite insistence by authorities that work was being done, though the market has billions of dollars from U.S. and international governments. In 2007, domestic security spending is expected to reach $58 billion, up from $16.8 billion in 2001 by all U.S. federal agencies. A lot of this money is attached to defense contractors and systems integrators that have long history working with the government and the ability to deal with very sizable projects, including companies like Unisys with a $1 billion contract assigned to set up cell phones, websites and other networks for airport security.

But even the small companies are trying to get in on the security market and are finding themselves doing well. Optosecurity is in the early stages of development with only preliminary funding for test work that will be performed by systems integrators. Optosecurity’s technology is licensed by the Canadian Institute and attaches to X-ray machines to automatically point out weapons and other dangerous items.

However, there is still a long way to go for many of these start-up systems integrators working with security technology in terms of funding. And many experts, Bergeron included, say that there will never be a technology that can detect 100 percent of the problems. Therefore, the post-9/11 vigilance will continue for a long time, leaving the market open for entrepreneurial companies and those looking to continuously perfect existing security technologies.

Added By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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Computer Business Intel Announces Job Cuts

Computer business Intel, the largest global maker of microchips announced on Thursday a large number of job cuts according to the Financial Times. The reason for the major job cuts among its 100,000 employees is due to a fall of 56 percent in the second quarter of net profit. This loss can be directly attributed to the fact that the company cut prices in order to compete with fellow computer business AMD.

Around employees of computer business Intel lost jobs under a new global layoff plan. In just Malaysia, a newspaper noted that up to 2,000 workers at Intel would be offered the opportunity for voluntary layoffs. While some of these employees had already received offers, the official announcement came Tuesday.

When the entire worldwide layoff plan has been executed fully, the cuts could total up to 20,000. Analysts of the computer business stated that the company is in the process of adding greater efficiency to its organization and will report on the progress within the third quarter.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101 Professional Kit

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In the Computer Consulting Industry, Homework is Essential

In the computer consulting industry, you have to be very careful with vendors that ask them to tell you what exactly your company does. You should provide these vendors with a brief explanation of the methodology and mission of your computer consulting business so he/she can figure out if you will fit in with a specific business plan. Focus on proactivity by knowing what the company you might be working with is doing so you can best tell them how you can help them fulfill their needs.

RESEARCH IS ESSENTIAL TO COMPUTER CONSULTING

Be prepared to spend about 30 to 40 minutes on homework to find out about a prospect before the meeting. Researching a potential client increases the likelihood you will complete a sale quickly, either in the first meeting or just a week or so afterwards. A prospect has to believe in your credibility and knowledge in order to sign on for computer consulting services. Prospects also want you to care about their specific business problems.

Research is simple. Go to the Google search engine and type in the name or phone number of a prospect or an address and you will be able to find a great deal of information.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR COMPUTER CONSULTING CLIENTS?

Before your initial meeting you need to have the following information about prospects: a complete profile of what their business is about; information about their industries; the number of locations of businesses; how long the prospects have been in business.

RECENT NEWS

You will probably find local newspaper articles about a client in the process of research, either in Google or the online version of the local newspaper. Look up anything that will give you background information and company details so you know what these people do before you ever set foot in their office.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

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[TIPS] - Water on the Web and a Nettrekker tip

http://waterontheweb.org/
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Water on the Web (WOW) helps college and high school students understand and solve real-world environmental problems using advanced technology.

WOW is a complete package containing two sets of curricula, data from many lakes and rivers nationwide, extensive online primers, data interpretation and Geographic Information System Tools, and additional supporting materials.
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Bonus:

When you log into your Nettrekker account you'll find a button called "Open Read Aloud" above and to the right of where you enter your keywords for searching. Click it to Open that feature. Then, just highlight a paragraph or sentence or even a word and wait a few seconds while it loads. Wow!- it reads that text to you!

 

Know any students who could use that feature?

 

Don't have a Nettrekker account yet? Ask your Tech Director for the information - or email me.

*** still waiting for someone to tag a del.icio.us site with "for:jgates513" - who will be the first? ***

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[TIPS] - 3-d software available, plus fun veggies

http://www.contentparadise.com/us/user/home.php

Tomorrow is the last day to download - at NO cost - Poser 5. It's a 3d graphics program that, admittedly isn't for everyone, but is very cool for those who do that sort of thing. But don't delay - get it today! :-)

Now, for fun, how would you like to grow novelty vegetables?

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For growing novelty vegetables, these 1/8" thick, clear plastic forms are very effective. Just fix a mold over a growing vegetable, and the vegetable will conform to the shape of the mold.

Available in the form of an elf for shaping eggplant, melon, pumpkin, and squash, or the "pickle pair", corncob or heart (makes heart-shaped cross sections when sliced) for use with cucumber, zucchini and summer squash.

http://snipurl.com/w25w

P.S.

For some reason, names are being dropped from my group addresses. So, if you hear someone say that they're not getting my tips any longer have them email me and I'll add them again.

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Computer Consulting: The Importance of Proving Ground Projects -- Test the Waters

Proving ground projects can be a great way to test a potential computer consulting client relationship, and are in fact absolutely critical before you sign any long-term contracts.

WHAT ARE PROVING GROUND PROJECTS?

The definition of proving ground projects is the initial projects completed by computer consulting firms with customers that are not yet clients or steady clients. During proving ground projects, consultants are working to show the customer that they are knowledgeable, dependable and easy-to-work with and can provide valuable services. On the flip side, proving ground projects help customers prove to consultants that they have the right attitude and expectations, a compatible personality and are willing to pay for services at the going rate.

BE MINDFUL DURING PROVING GROUND PROJECTS

If things go well during the process of carrying out computer consulting proving ground projects, you will be on your way to steady clients. However, many times you may get lax about interviewing the client when trying to complete proving ground projects well, and you could end up missing some warning signs that lead to a bad client. Warning signs include the following signals: clients change their minds often; clients are late for meetings; clients verbally abuse their own employees; clients don’t think the rules are meant for them.

The key to computer consulting proving ground projects is not to rush into a new relationship with a client until you have fully assessed the situation. Proving ground projects provide both sides of the equation with the right expectations.

Blogged By: Computer Consulting 101

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Which Computer Skills are Competitors Sporting?

Computer skills are a critical part of any virtual IT business, but determining which ones you’ll need can be challenging.

NETWORKING PLATFORMS

Most successful competitors of yours with good sweet spot clients know these networking platforms; Microsoft Small Business Server (SBS); Novell Small Business Suite or Novell NetWare Linux; Mac OS.

Some larger companies with more than a few employees will steer towards the higher market end, starting at 25 to 50 PCs and then taking on larger small businesses with 50 to 100 systems or small mid-sized companies with 100 to 500 systems. However, those involved with these larger companies will need more sophisticated skills than you will.

OTHER COMPUTER SKILLS OF LARGER COMPETITORS

Larger competitors typically will have deeper computer skills in the following areas: Network Attached Storage (NAS); Storage Attached Networks (SANs); more complicated security solutions; CheckPoint firewalls; Citrix Terminal Solutions; More sophisticated Wi-Fi solutions; managed hardware.

High-level certifications are not necessary until you think about becoming a real IT manager at a larger small business.

WHAT COMPUTER SKILLS DO YOU NEED?

If you’re working with sweet spot small businesses with ten to 50 PCs, you simply need virtual IT staff with one or two entry-level certifications and in the process of working towards an MCSE or something comparable.

IT’S ABOUT SOLVING PROBLEMS

Your clients will usually value your problem-solving skills more than your computer skills. They will be more interested in your knowing about their business industries and how you can incorporate IT into their world.

Added By: Joshua Feinberg

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[TIPS] - Gore's Ted speech, and a fun mashup

No matter WHAT you think of the man as a polititian, Al Gore's speech is funny and it's thought provoking. Science teachers especially will appreciate this speech given at the TED conference (I've GOTTA get there someday!) about his "An Inconvenient Truth" research. This is the link to stream it: http://www.ted.com/tedtalks/tedtalksplayer.cfm?key=al_gore and this is the link to download it: http://ted.streamguys.net/ted_gore_al_2006.zip This would be an excellent video to watch and then ask your students to write a blog or journal entry about it. They should also try to verify the facts as presented to see what they come up with, etc. Here's the accompanying website: http://www.climatecrisis.net/ Science teachers - this one's for you.

 

Now for the fun mashup. A mashup is when you take data from one website (in this case Google Maps) and mash it together with your own stuff. There are MANY examples, but this one is just for fun - and so may be blocked at school: http://www.isoma.net/games/goggles.html 

 

This creator even lets you use your hometown as the flight area. See the link at the top.

 

 

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