Hi,
Does anyone know where I can find cheap colour photocopying service in the Halifax area? I went to Kinkos to photocopy our one page double-sided colour newsletters, and it cost over $1 for each one. There must be a cheaper way!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Breaking the System
I read this great article on Wired today, http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/01/ff_lottery/. If you have a chance to read the article you will learn some very interesting things about the world. Firstly, there are systems behind everything. Secondly, there are some very smart people who bother to take the time to figure out the systems. And finally, the people who invent and run the systems do not generally react to the problems.
Now, I'm not about to go and teach a class about breaking the lottery system, but I think that it brings out an important part of technology that many people seem to ignore.
Take a movie, for example, Live Free or Die Hard (2007). In this movie, the idea is that "hackers" in a mobile workstation (a semi), have the ability to hack the world and create a "firestorm". In this movie, these hackers are made out to be these shady characters who operate exclusively in DOS, and access non-Internet-linked systems from their laptops.
But what if it didn't take these computer gods to break the system. I think we must consider the possibility that the are people such as the topic of that article who have that capability, and could pull off some incredible technological feats if given the opportunity.
Food for though, I think!
Wintery Wednesday
This week we're having a little break from challenges. They'll start up again next week.
Challenge winners last week were Lyndsay and Shona, whose submissions will be combined for our CAPvertisement. Congratulations!
Here's something kind of fun from a site called Wordle, I put together with the text from our blog.
Basically you just enter your web address, and the site compiles a neat-looking word cloud of the most used words on your site. (And you can remove whichever ones you choose - our biggest word was actually 'like' haha).
Enjoy the rest of your week, and let us know what's going on at your sites!
Challenge winners last week were Lyndsay and Shona, whose submissions will be combined for our CAPvertisement. Congratulations!
Here's something kind of fun from a site called Wordle, I put together with the text from our blog.
Basically you just enter your web address, and the site compiles a neat-looking word cloud of the most used words on your site. (And you can remove whichever ones you choose - our biggest word was actually 'like' haha).
Enjoy the rest of your week, and let us know what's going on at your sites!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Glossary of Computer Terms (Beginners Manual)
I've been working on a glossary of computer terms I've compiled for C@P site users, edited from different sites online (including my favourite, urbandictionary). I'd like to add on to it but I had to upload it to a PDF so it won't take edits. :( Comments are appreciated nonetheless.
Here is the link: (9 page PDF) https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5LZejoHGP7gNWExOWNkMDItYWNkYy00NDI0LWE4MGEtMGE1ODllNTczNDc0&hl=en
Here is the link: (9 page PDF) https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B5LZejoHGP7gNWExOWNkMDItYWNkYy00NDI0LWE4MGEtMGE1ODllNTczNDc0&hl=en
It explains the following terms: | ||||
| INTERNET TERMS 404 Error Address Bar Banner Ad Bounce BCC Blog CC Broadband Dial-up Domain Name Download Emoticons Firewall Flash Home page Hyperlink Hypertext IM IP Address Listserv MySpace Mirror Netiquette Outbox Search Engine Social Networking Spam Streaming VoIP Web 2.0 Web Host Web Page Web Master Wiki | HARDWARE TERMS CPU DVD Flash Drive Hard Drive Laser Printer Media Operating System Shift Key Smartphone System Requirements USB Web Cam FILE FORMATS BMP GIF JPEG MP3 RTF ZIP | TECHNICAL TERMS Analog Bluetooth Boolean Burn Caps Lock CMYK Podcast Refresh Right click Multimedia Recycle Bin Undo Word Processor FUN STUFF Internest Smatphone Shuffle Paper GPS Cyber Hoarding | ||
Monday, February 7, 2011
Capvertisement
Here is my script submission for orientation this week!
Objectives
To demonstrate how generations that didn’t necessarily grow up with computers are still able to learn and be part of a social community.
Materials
A C@P site/group of computers
Button up shirts, suspenders, a cane, trousers, grey wig, glasses
Cast Members
3 or 4 young people
3 or 4 seniors (or young person dressed as a senior)
Scene 1
A group of young people are all crowed around computers at a local C@P site. They are laughing and having a good time. Then a senior walks in, looking scared. One of the young people sees the scared senior and asks if they need any help. The senior asks if the computers are here for everyone. They say, of course! All the young people welcome the senior over to the group. They sit him or her down and show them how to use the computer.
Scene 2
The next scene cuts to a group of seniors socializing and having fun with computers. They are all happy and put their hands in the air and yell “yay!”
Objectives
To demonstrate how generations that didn’t necessarily grow up with computers are still able to learn and be part of a social community.
Materials
A C@P site/group of computers
Button up shirts, suspenders, a cane, trousers, grey wig, glasses
Cast Members
3 or 4 young people
3 or 4 seniors (or young person dressed as a senior)
Scene 1
A group of young people are all crowed around computers at a local C@P site. They are laughing and having a good time. Then a senior walks in, looking scared. One of the young people sees the scared senior and asks if they need any help. The senior asks if the computers are here for everyone. They say, of course! All the young people welcome the senior over to the group. They sit him or her down and show them how to use the computer.
Scene 2
The next scene cuts to a group of seniors socializing and having fun with computers. They are all happy and put their hands in the air and yell “yay!”
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
A 'Feel-Good' Success Story
Here’s a feel-good story to end off the week. I’ve shared this story on Cognitive Edge but I just had to share it with everyone else because it is very inspiring!
There is a lady who I’ve been training who is legally blind. By that I mean she can still see somewhat, but her vision is getting worse every day. She came to me because she wanted to learn how to use email to keep in touch with her grandchildren. We met and I started explaining to her what an email address is and the components of one. By this point I could tell by the look on her face that she was entirely lost; she looked frightened by what I just explained to her. Further probing told me that the closest thing to a computer she has ever used was a typewriter. I realized then that we needed to back up and start from the bare basics. As she was a very proficient piano player when she was younger I explained to her that before we can learn a song, we need to learn where the notes are; a comparison I made between email and using the mouse and keyboard.
I proceeded to start with the basics when we ran out of time. I gave her a handout to take home that would cover all the basics we were going to learn in the future and she was so determined to learn how to use computers that she said she was going to study that handout at home and practice everyday in hopes that she would impress me next time. The next time we met she was indeed better at using computers. She even explained to me what a desktop was when we didn’t even go over it! I told her we would learn to use the keyboard and to my surprise she proceeded to read off every letter on the first line off the top of her head; apparently she used the typewriter a lot when she was in the workforce.
She still has a long way to go before we come back to email but her drive is very inspiring. She is losing her vision more and more everyday and has a very hard time seeing the screen and keys, but that does not hold her back one bit. She is currently in the process of having a computer installed in her home that will allow it to ‘speak’ to her. I was afraid she was going to cry from being overwhelmed the first time we met but by learning things one step at a time she is now much more confident in her abilities and this technology is not so abstract to her anymore.
Completely Unrelated
Okay, you're right, this isn't a C@P initiative but...it's amazing!
Check out this article:http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100505/full/465026a.html
Check out this article:http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100505/full/465026a.html
Challenge 2.7 response - c@p public service announcement
Hey!
Okay, here is my "idea" - I was looking at the media/marketing section on the nscap site and took some of the text from the brochure into the PSA. I thought it would be neat to use google maps/earth and zoom in on the different locations, so that's why I started that google map of all the regional C@P sites.
I downloaded this light little app called "camtasia" that records the screen so it can record a zoom-in of the map. I also used this online site called prezi.com that lets you make good-looking slideshows, so i screen recorded a slideshow and then added all of this together in iMovie.
The rough product looks like this:
The final version would be better cropped with a smoother transition.
EDIT: Apparently there is already a google earth map of the c@p sites here (needs google earth plug-in) This will save me a lot of work! (Thanks, Dan)
Okay, here is my "idea" - I was looking at the media/marketing section on the nscap site and took some of the text from the brochure into the PSA. I thought it would be neat to use google maps/earth and zoom in on the different locations, so that's why I started that google map of all the regional C@P sites.
I downloaded this light little app called "camtasia" that records the screen so it can record a zoom-in of the map. I also used this online site called prezi.com that lets you make good-looking slideshows, so i screen recorded a slideshow and then added all of this together in iMovie.
The rough product looks like this:
The final version would be better cropped with a smoother transition.
EDIT: Apparently there is already a google earth map of the c@p sites here (needs google earth plug-in) This will save me a lot of work! (Thanks, Dan)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Halifax C@P sites in Google Maps
This is a map of public access sites in the Halifax area. Let me know if I forgot yours (or just edit it on your own.)
View C@P sites in Halifax in a larger map
You may have to click the link in red for it to make sense.
View C@P sites in Halifax in a larger map
You may have to click the link in red for it to make sense.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
"Reconnect:" A Local Documentary (HD) Preview
I noticed that the preview for new documentary featuring stories from C@P sites is now out.
Through stories from nine community access (C@P) sites in the Halifax region, this documentary explores digital divides and the value and ever-changing potential of community access to the Internet and information technology.
Director: ARIELLA PAHLKE Producers BARBARA ALLEN DAN ROBICHAUD ARIELLA PAHLKE Writers BARBARA ALLEN ARIELLA PAHLKE Editor ARIELLA PAHLKE Narration BARBARA ALLEN Post Production Facilities THE CENTER FOR ARTS TAPES Camera CHRISTOPHER J. MURPHY Additional Camera LOUIS BOUDREAU, ARIELLA PAHKLE Sound Recordist ARAM KOUYOUMDJIAN, LIS VAN BERKEL Sound Editor LUKAS PEARSE Online Editor LUCKAS CARDONA
Produced by the Halifax Regional C@P Association with the participation of NS Department of Economic Development and KAREN PARUSEL Director, Nova Scotia Community Access Program
Filmed on location in Nova Scotia in Halifax, Moser River, Terence Bay, Sheet Harbour, Jeddore, Tantallon, and Lake Echo. Featuring Halifax Podcamp 2010 Moser River C@P Site Resource Opportunities Centre Sheet Harbour C@P Site Tantallon Library Lake Echo C@P Site Saint Georges YouthNet Spencer House Nova Scotia Public Archives Veith House
© HALIFAX REGIONAL C@P ASSOCIATION 2010
Through stories from nine community access (C@P) sites in the Halifax region, this documentary explores digital divides and the value and ever-changing potential of community access to the Internet and information technology.
Director: ARIELLA PAHLKE Producers BARBARA ALLEN DAN ROBICHAUD ARIELLA PAHLKE Writers BARBARA ALLEN ARIELLA PAHLKE Editor ARIELLA PAHLKE Narration BARBARA ALLEN Post Production Facilities THE CENTER FOR ARTS TAPES Camera CHRISTOPHER J. MURPHY Additional Camera LOUIS BOUDREAU, ARIELLA PAHKLE Sound Recordist ARAM KOUYOUMDJIAN, LIS VAN BERKEL Sound Editor LUKAS PEARSE Online Editor LUCKAS CARDONA
Produced by the Halifax Regional C@P Association with the participation of NS Department of Economic Development and KAREN PARUSEL Director, Nova Scotia Community Access Program
Filmed on location in Nova Scotia in Halifax, Moser River, Terence Bay, Sheet Harbour, Jeddore, Tantallon, and Lake Echo. Featuring Halifax Podcamp 2010 Moser River C@P Site Resource Opportunities Centre Sheet Harbour C@P Site Tantallon Library Lake Echo C@P Site Saint Georges YouthNet Spencer House Nova Scotia Public Archives Veith House
© HALIFAX REGIONAL C@P ASSOCIATION 2010
Challenge # 2.7: CAP-mercial
Well hello again, it's time for another weekly challenge!
But first, a big announcement! Congratulations to Laura, from Veith House! Your wonderful entry in the previous challenge has won your site a Flip-Cam to have and to hold (and use)! Arrangements will be made ASAP. Can't wait to see what Veith House is able to do with it - be sure to share with us here!
Thank you also to Matt and Lyndsay, who contributed! Your ideas for using the camera were A+ and we will have to see what we can do to make them happen as well! Lyndsay, your post actually reminded me of something I found and shared with the Interns in the Summer: "The Art of Analog Computing"
So, on to this week's Challenge! As you all know, Orientation Day is coming up on the 12th! One of our goals for this day is to make *at least* one group video to post on our YouTube account.
The idea is to do a little PSA or 'commercial' for the services CAP offers! This is opportunity for something both creative and funny!
Your challenge is to formulate an idea for the basic theme/characters/concept/props needed, etc. of the video! I will put a script together for us based on the winning submission, and we will produce it on the 12th!
Compose your idea how you please - just make sure it's uber creative and fun! Lights, Camera, CAPtion!
(The uses for the word CAP as filler are just endless..the joke will never get old to me...hahaha)
But first, a big announcement! Congratulations to Laura, from Veith House! Your wonderful entry in the previous challenge has won your site a Flip-Cam to have and to hold (and use)! Arrangements will be made ASAP. Can't wait to see what Veith House is able to do with it - be sure to share with us here!
Thank you also to Matt and Lyndsay, who contributed! Your ideas for using the camera were A+ and we will have to see what we can do to make them happen as well! Lyndsay, your post actually reminded me of something I found and shared with the Interns in the Summer: "The Art of Analog Computing"
So, on to this week's Challenge! As you all know, Orientation Day is coming up on the 12th! One of our goals for this day is to make *at least* one group video to post on our YouTube account.
The idea is to do a little PSA or 'commercial' for the services CAP offers! This is opportunity for something both creative and funny!
Your challenge is to formulate an idea for the basic theme/characters/concept/props needed, etc. of the video! I will put a script together for us based on the winning submission, and we will produce it on the 12th!
Compose your idea how you please - just make sure it's uber creative and fun! Lights, Camera, CAPtion!
(The uses for the word CAP as filler are just endless..the joke will never get old to me...hahaha)
From the Vaults: Silly 18th Century Names
Reading today's Hollywood gossip sites and magazines, I often find myself groaning at the, ermmm...unique? names that celebrities pick out for their children. Apple, Sunday, Ocean, Blanket (really MJ?), Audio...the list could go on and on. I had always thought that this was a fairly modern phenomenon. My recent forays into the land records at Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management, however, suggests that this trend for creative names has a VERY long history.
Take, for example, Mr. B. Goold, who lived in Hants County Nova Scotia in 1784. He petitioned the government to give a grant of land to his daughter, Gratiana Wilhemina Heneretta Zephalinda Sophia Goold (Nova Scotia Archives and Records Managemt, RG 20 "A" Vol. 4). What a mouthful! The poor clerk who had to repeatedly write out this name on the land documents appears to have agreed with me, often shortening the name to G.W.H.Z.S. Goold. I don't blame him.
Silly name #2 comes from the County of Sunbury, in modern day New Brunswick. Beamsley Glazier, a Lieutenant Colonel, was granted 1000 acres of prime real estate (Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management, RG 20 "A" Vol. 4). Beamsley! I love it
The final example of historic Nova Scotia silly names comes to us from the Dill family, also of Hants County. Brothers John, David, and...Mungo Dill, received a hefty chunk of land along the road to Windsor (Nova Scotia Archives and Records Management, RG 20 "A" Vol. 3A).
Of course, not every 18th century parent was so creative. After reading about many Williams, Johns, James', and Edwards, coming across these names always gives me a bit of a chuckle. Who knows, today's celebrities may be taking their baby-naming cues from a long history of unique and creative Nova Scotian parents!
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