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Tuesday, January 6, 2009
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    • DigitalP: 05 Jan 09 6 January, 2009
      This week a look ahead to the digital trends in entertainment for the new year including a novel idea as some of South Africa's finest writers produce brand new literature for mobile phones. And something else to Marvel at - connectivity for cartoons as comic books cross to the net, as well as the latest gadgets e.g. 3D TV on display at the Consumer El […]

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    • Free Software Comes of Age 6 January, 2009
      This guest post was written by V Scott Ellis of Blackbox Technologies, a business that helps companies to maximize their web presence.  If you have WordPress knowledge and are interested in writing a post for WordPress Hacks, please contact us. For years free & open-source software has gotten a bad wrap, though sometimes deservedly so. Many [...]
      V Scott Ellis

  • annotation of search information

    First, choose the best three sources found in the previous task.
    Using whatever software or tool you think appropriate, record the following information about those sites:

    • URL
    • author
    • institution
    • blurb/ summary / screen shot (this can be a direct copy of an appropriate abstract or introductory paragraph on the site: but make sure you record and reference it as such)

    Again, using any useful software you have downloaded, or utilising your existing software, record this information on your computer in the way that you think will be most useful to you in terms of preparing for your third assignment (that is, in terms of how easy you will find it to access, retrieve, understand, contextualise and recall why you saved it - and with what!).

    * LOG ENTRY:
    Record this information in your learning log, and also detail how you saved this information, what software you used and why. (Allen, n.d.)

    The previous task was a search of our choosing. Mine was a query for “winter dreaming” film screening and the best 3 sources are as follows:

      • http://www.eucalyptproductions.com/winterdreaming
      • Stephen Curtain
      • Eucalypt Productions

      • Screenshot from
        http://eucalyptproductions.com/winterdreaming

        This page is self-promoting the debut of Winter Dreaming, a film by Stephen Curtain. It includes a preview, a film synopsis, cast and crew summary, and a list of screening dates and venues for 2008. Also listed are target audiences and several potential purposes for usage of the film as an educational resource. The author, cameraman, and producer has a swag of credentials including various photographic and editorial jobs for the BBC, ABC, Australian Geographic, The Age, Wild and Rock magazines. He has works in the fragile environs of Antarctica and around the world, and as an environmental - outdoor education teacher.
        http://www.connotea.org/article/e54e62c1196ecacfae6e518224af6d8a

      • http://www.fallscreek.com.au/telemarkfestivalgreatsuccess
      • unidentified author
      • Falls Creek Resort Management

      • Screenshot from
        fallscreek.com.au/telemarkfestivalgreatsuccess

        This commercial website caters to Australian snow enthusiasts. Telemark is the form of free-heel skiing promoted annually at the festival. This report from the latest news on the mountain, has no author listed, but photo credits go to festival organiser, Justin Hams. The article starts with a sales motive, then an overview of a successful festival, mentions the interest in the screening of Winter Dreaming (which was over 3 years in the making) before moving on to details of the racing results.
        http://www.connotea.org/article/0cf6e4e2bce4ea7478e9e821943ce3ed

      • http://www.mountbawbaw.com.au/index.php?option=com_events&task=view_detail&agid=37&Itemid=19
      • unidentified author
      • Mt Baw Baw

      • Screenshot from
        mountbawbaw.com.au

        This is a dedicated calendar event page for the Winter Dreaming screening. Full details of the event time, location and admission are specified, along with a contact email address for further information. Both this and the Falls Creek website are supporting the Keep Winter Cool initiative and both have an environment page. Although it is also a commercial snow resort, Mt Baw Baw’s website includes a Green Visitor page and more than a cursory splash on it’s environmental information. That being said, both the resort web pages fail to make the connection between the film screening advertisement and the initiative they are all supporting.
        http://www.connotea.org/article/0c7ab70ac4a9bf7c0003687beb1dc437

    I like CiteULike but my search query isn’t exactly an academic paper. That’s why I used Connotea instead to store all these annotations. It can easily grab the HTML title based on the input URL. Connotea is simple and straightforward, even if the interface could be updated to web 2.0 standard.

    Posted in Education, Photo and Video, Sport and Recreation, Technology with tags , 1 Comment »

    on the road

    Bolivia's dangerous roadIf like Jack Burton, danger is your middle name, then try some of these world famous most dangerous roads. On the other hand if you want a more laid back Australian pace, then rent a car and drive our famous Great Ocean Road.

    A word of warning for all tourists thinking December is summer and it should be bikini weather 24/7 - sometimes you will need more warm dry clothing. And another thing, apparently the windscreen wipers and indicators are on the other side of the steering wheel in England. The question is though: Why? Answer: I’m not sure, but it certainly has been amusing during both today’s trip and yesterday when we were visiting Phillip Island.


    to see the penguins on Vimeo

    Using the tourists in town as a good excuse, I can’t recall whether I have or haven’t ever experienced this amazing journey myself. With Hong, Kate, Gill and myself cruising in the rental, we soon joined up with Boyun, Chi-he, Orapin and Chris.

    First stop was the Erskine Falls, a lovely little spot just 8 kilometres off the main road. Beware: You’ll need more than the best Korean shoes to escape the disturbed trees.

    The morning’s weather was shite. However it did improve as the day wore on. I had the B52s in my head as we cruised down the highway. Down on the beach front there’s nothing to do but jump! The random pick of sites I thoroughly recommend include:

    No longer is it embarrassing to have my friends from overseas proclaim they have completed several laps of the Great Ocean Road when I couldn’t tell if I’d been or not. Whatever you do, make the opportunity. Don’t miss Australia’s world famous Great Ocean Road.

    Posted in Environment, Sport and Recreation, Travel with tags No Comments »

    strike bowling

    Strike (City) logoAt the Strike Bowling Bar for $7 you get a game and free French fries. That’s cheap! - but at about 6:30pm last night we had to make a booking for a 2-hour wait… It seems we aren’t the only ones who like Tight Ass Tuesday!

    At the nearby Oxford Scholar Hotel (despite my protest of how terrible it has become) a few friends gathered for a couple of ales and to catch up on gossip. It wasn’t long before we returned underground for some lane and gutter action.


    bowling at Strike on Vimeo

    Thanks to all our friends who came along: Fujio, Takeshi and Takako, Boyun and Yasue, Chris, Helen, Mark and Jin. There certainly was a strong Japanese and Korean contingent from the CELTA course gang to make it a great fun night. Until next time, Cheers.

    Posted in English, Events, Sport and Recreation with tags No Comments »