Web Analytics -- Request for Input

Downrightnow display at 10 Sept 2011 15:49

Cloud Service Status Site

Where has Scholars Portal Search Gone?

Starting August 5th an improvement is coming to the library search box!

Data Centre Renovation... Follow the Progress!

eCities -- IEEE Computer June2011

25 Worst Passwords of 2011 -- From CBC

Submitted by Mardster on November 24, 2011 - 10:56am

CBC has a story about the 25 worst passwords for 2011. Not sure why there needs to be a time dimension, but nonetheless, something useful for checking your own environment's security, and for advising your colleagues.

The list is located at:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/11/22/technology-worst-passwor...

But here they are:

password, 123456, 12345678, qwerty, abc123, monkey, 1234567, letmein, trustno1, dragon, baseball, 111111, iloveyou, master, sunshine, ashley, bailey, passw0rd, shadow, 123123, 654321, superman, qazwsx, michael, football

The Elusive One Version of the Truth

Submitted by Mardster on November 23, 2011 - 10:32am

There's a good editorial on the 7 November issue of InformationWeek entitled, The Elusive One Version of the Truth.

I like the article because it addresses the issues we face in obtaining accuracy from our information sources. It's particularly difficult when many use alternatives -- other systems, their own spreadsheets -- to provide input on a consolidated report for example. The author, Chris Murphy, quotes one of my favourite sources, Jeanne Ross from MIT's Sloan School's Center for Information Systems Research -- "Just declare it", she says.

No Comment

Submitted by Mardster on November 22, 2011 - 4:33pm

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/11/apple-to-become-pc-le...

I do find the related article below this article a bit disconcerting:

"Apple posts a disappointing $6.6-billion profit"

We should have such problems. Sad part is the effect the stock market "pundits" can bring upon an innovative firm because they miss an arbitrary target set by people who contribute nothing to the capability of a company. Sorry for the editorial.

Move into Space -- Now -- Another Vegan Cat Issue

Submitted by Mardster on November 21, 2011 - 9:05pm

Stephen Hawking, noting humanity's focus on the meaningless while our biosphere collapses, or before aliens come and devour us, calls for humanity to start moving out into space asap.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57328198-71/stephen-hawking-colonize-s...

Petri Dish Meat -- Another Vegan Cats Component

Submitted by Mardster on November 15, 2011 - 9:35am

See this article on petri dish meat from Maastricht.
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Petri+dish+meat+coming+dinner+table/570...

The issues:
- amount of energy to produce meat
- reallocation of food quality grains to feed cows to feed people
- the ethics of industrialised animal production and slaughter
- the global warming effect of mass meat production
- negative health effects

Petri-dish meat could help to resolve so many of the environmental and ethical issues.

Interesting research and outcomes.

Good Resource: Internet Evolution

Submitted by Mardster on October 26, 2011 - 11:24am

Internet Evolution is a community/resource/education site that I've been using lately. Lots of Webinars on useful topics. I'm looking at a calendar of Business Analytics seminars (online) these days.

Have a look at:
http://www.internetevolution.com/

Let us know what you think.

ECAR Report on Qualities of Good Presentations

Submitted by Mardster on October 18, 2011 - 9:23am

Here's a good reference study on what to do to make a good presentation.

It's available to all members of the community via the Educause Web site. Log on to the Educause website and search for:

Situational Qualities Exhibited by Exceptional Presenters.

Call me if you need assistance in getting the document.

Marden

Google and Pearson and an Open eLearning Platform

Submitted by Mardster on October 18, 2011 - 9:15am

Richard Katz, formerly of Educause, put out a thought-provoking video a few years back named Edu@2020.

It was premised on a confluence of happenings in business, education and technology that would lead to a mass consolidation of learning vehicles and a major, earth-shattering change in the position of universities in this new world (utopian or dystopian? -- you choose).

The projected milestones included:
- Google scanning all books and the general digitising of all published knowledge
- Blackboard buying up all their LMS competition
- Sakai building a solid base of schools

Another Vegan Cats Article about Education's Future

Submitted by Mardster on October 3, 2011 - 9:49pm

Just like a storm, first the leaves flutter, wild animals and birds know something is up and scurry to protect themselves, the winds pick up, and then the storm hits. Vegan Cat people recognise the signs and react accordingly, even when no one else is paying attention. See: Noah in Genesis.

Also, check out this article in the NY Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/opinion/the-university-of-wherever.htm...

Feed your cat some lettuce tonight. : )

Your thoughts?

Asymmetry of Street Crossing

Submitted by Mardster on September 15, 2011 - 10:38am

I was crossing Queen's Park to get back from Vic today. At Queen's Park Circle a crowd of people were waiting on the park side, and I was on the other. A cab was heading towards our point on the circle.

I considered crossing, but with 4 kids, decided that the 30 second delay was worth taking. A person on the other side decided to cross and ended up causing the cab to have to stop.

Think about focal points in reasoning, and the potential for bad outcomes when the focal point is perceived irrationally.