Monday, September 24, 2007

Mind-Mapping

I'm in the process of doing research for my HUGE Net Neutrality term paper in my Cyberspace and Democracy paper, and after days and days of searching, with about 10 different browser windows open at the same time, and about 20 tabs in each, i'm realizing that i now need to start making sense of everything that i have found.

So my first step was to mind map it. I work on a laptop, as well as a tablet pc. so there are a few options. i have Freemind on my tablet, but i wanted to see if there was something a bit more interactive. and i found it.

Its called PersonalBrain from www.thebrain.com. and you should definately check it out. Its mind mapping with a Kick. I've been using it for an hour and i'm in love.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

freehand riding















Its amazing... you can feel the motion in this photograph

freehand riding
Originally uploaded by Hughes500


I have started learning about photography (as a hobby) recently, and am discovering just how much beyond pointing and shooting it really is. take the above photo. the right combination of settings (shutter, aperture, DOF, etc) can result in amazing photos. there's so much to learn, and i'm eventually going to take a course, but getting a photo just right can be so gratifying.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Crafty Little Buggers - Re Scammers and Spammers

The internet is still in its infancy, and yet, the spammers and the scammers are getting genius real quick. They're like super little genetically enhanced child prodigies in the WWW world.

But they're secretly the Children of the Corn.

I'm pretty good at spotting a scam. basic rules apply. Never give out personal information. and critically analyze everything. Case in point Good Grades Now, or www.goodgradesnow.com. See below.



This looks like a legitimate site. on first view. when you look into it a little further, little things start to occur to you. first of all, the overuse of Quotes that sound intellectual. the second thing that you realize, is that with everything that they say, they don't really say anything. plus, under contact information, they're no phone number, just a fax. oh, they try to compensate for this in the email that they forward. and that too sounds legit. they're something about your resume being forwarded (by the assistant of course, b/c that somehow makes it sound more authentic) to the director and how your education qualifies you for becoming a tutor, etc etc.

and for a split second, i considered that it might be real. the thing is though, if someone already has your resume, they're not going to ask you to go on their site and provide your personal information in an online form. the point is this: there are a lot of questions to ask when being confronted by this kind of situation. and, in the end, if there's the littlest voice in your head that says "This doesn't seem right somehow", listen to it.

Monday, September 03, 2007

End of Democracy?

I've started compiling research for my essay on net neutrality and democracy. lots of informatin- oh my god. glad i started early. i'll need all of october to write it. here's another great video i found. copy and embed it into your own blog to spread the word, cause, especially in Canada, i know a lot of ppl who don't know anything about Net Neutrality.

So, do what you can to spread the word.


Save the Internet | Rock the Vote

this video comes from Four Eyed Monsters.

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