The editors of webopedia.com have put together a technology terminology source to help us keep up. They have researched before including terms from experts, publications, standards oranizations, and other sources. Words can be searched or browsed by category. The "Did You Know" section is a tech topic guide, with entries like "TechTerms That Are Strange But true" (a smurf is not just a little blue creature). The Quick Reference area explains how email works, lists computer certifications, and provides text message abbreviations if you are not there yet. MTFBWU.
Source: Carolyn Sosnowski, an information specialist for the Special Library Organization (SLA).
Friday, May 19, 2006
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
No States Meet Federal Goal
Not a single state will have a ''highly" qualified teacher in every core class this school year as promised by President Bush's education law. Nine states, along with the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, face penalties. The four-year-old No Child Left Behind law says teachers must have a bachelor's degree, a state license, and proven competency in every subject they teach by this year.
Source: Boston Globe May 13
Source: Boston Globe May 13
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Yahoo's New Look Today
Yahoo Inc unveils a new look for its web site today. Yahoo hasn't overhauled the page since 2004. The new page includes more interactive features that reduce the need to go to other pages to find weather, check email, listen to music or check traffic conditions. The new page is initially available in the U.S. at http://www.yahoo.com/preview.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Source: The Wall Street Journal
New and Recommended Articles
”Clean Sweep”
Entrepreneur June
Clear the clutter and get a fresh start with expert advice for streamlining, organizing, and sprucing up your workplace, your schedule, and you filing systems.
“Spying on Your Calls”
Newsweek May 22
Big Brother knows whom you call. Is that legal and will it help catch the bad guys? And is the state listening in other ways? There are hints that the government has been fishing the Internet—cover article on NSA and our phone calls.
“Setting Limits”
Early Childhood Today April
Some children, like my youngest granddaughter, try to control others—even me. This article suggests ways to help the child who demands that others follow her lead.
“What’s Wrong with the Da Vinci Code?”
U.S. News & World Report May 22
Yes, it is this weekend that the movie comes to a theater near you. This cover story discusses about the most controversial of the book’s depictions.
“Engineering Life”
Scientific American June
New techniques that make genetically engineering a cell as routine as designing a new microchip are about to revolutionize biotechnology—another cover story.
All of these articles are available in the library.
Entrepreneur June
Clear the clutter and get a fresh start with expert advice for streamlining, organizing, and sprucing up your workplace, your schedule, and you filing systems.
“Spying on Your Calls”
Newsweek May 22
Big Brother knows whom you call. Is that legal and will it help catch the bad guys? And is the state listening in other ways? There are hints that the government has been fishing the Internet—cover article on NSA and our phone calls.
“Setting Limits”
Early Childhood Today April
Some children, like my youngest granddaughter, try to control others—even me. This article suggests ways to help the child who demands that others follow her lead.
“What’s Wrong with the Da Vinci Code?”
U.S. News & World Report May 22
Yes, it is this weekend that the movie comes to a theater near you. This cover story discusses about the most controversial of the book’s depictions.
“Engineering Life”
Scientific American June
New techniques that make genetically engineering a cell as routine as designing a new microchip are about to revolutionize biotechnology—another cover story.
All of these articles are available in the library.
More Journal Free Trials
Education Journals--Access ends June 30.
Education, Citizenship and Social Justice-Access ends December 31
Psychiatry journals
History journals--Access ends May 31
Higher Education journals--Access end June 30
Management and Organizational History--Access ends December 31
Youth Justice--Free trial ends June 14
If you are interested in any of these free trials of Sage publications, contact the librarian.
mnowlan@goodwin.edu
Education, Citizenship and Social Justice-Access ends December 31
Psychiatry journals
History journals--Access ends May 31
Higher Education journals--Access end June 30
Management and Organizational History--Access ends December 31
Youth Justice--Free trial ends June 14
If you are interested in any of these free trials of Sage publications, contact the librarian.
mnowlan@goodwin.edu
Free Journal
Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis brings students the most recent and relevant findings on thrombotic bleeding and vascular disorders. This journal offers comprehensive coverage of clinical trials, studies on etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of thrombohemorrhagic disorders, pharmacological agents, laboratory diagnostic procedures, and patient management plans. It is currently free until the end of August, including the archives.
New Book: Question of Character
"Author Joseph L. Badaracco Jr. thinks that future business leaders can learn something from literature's classics. In his book, Questions of Character: Illuminating the Heart of Leadership Through Literature, he argues that certain literature 'lets us watch leaders as they think, worry, hope, hesitate, commit, exult, regret, and reflect... These books draw us into leaders' worlds, put us in their shoes, and at times let us share their experiences.'"
"With that in mind, Badaracco presents eight challenges that can test a leader's character, and eight works through which to examine these hurdles: Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, Allan Gurganus' story "Blessed Assurance," F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Love of the Last Tycoon, Joseph Conrad's story "The Secret Sharer," Louis Auchincloss' I Come as a Thief, Robert Bolt's play A Man for All Seasons and Sophocles' play Antigone." This book might be of interest for business and sociology classes, to name a few possibilities.
Badaracco is a professor at the Harvard Business School. He teaches courses in strategy and business ethics.
Source: quoted directly from National Public Radio website.
"With that in mind, Badaracco presents eight challenges that can test a leader's character, and eight works through which to examine these hurdles: Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, Chinua Achebe's novel Things Fall Apart, Allan Gurganus' story "Blessed Assurance," F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Love of the Last Tycoon, Joseph Conrad's story "The Secret Sharer," Louis Auchincloss' I Come as a Thief, Robert Bolt's play A Man for All Seasons and Sophocles' play Antigone." This book might be of interest for business and sociology classes, to name a few possibilities.
Badaracco is a professor at the Harvard Business School. He teaches courses in strategy and business ethics.
Source: quoted directly from National Public Radio website.
Thomas Register Online
In case you missed it, Thomas Register is now online. Once upon a time, Thomas Register was a green and red-orange multi-volume set that was the most comprehensive resource for industrial information, products, and services. Now it still is the most comprehensive resource but it is freely available online at Thomasnet.com. You can still browse by categories. You can download CAD drawings, find worldwide industrial information, get quotes and financing information, access current product news, and more.
Breaking Through a Crowded Field
"With more than 3,000 colleges in the United States still competing for a part of the population that is projected to begin declining by the end of the decade — traditional high-school graduates — institutions are increasingly embracing more-aggressive marketing strategies in order to survive.
For them, marketing is not only about new logos, pithy tag lines, and expensive advertising campaigns. Rather, it is a disciplined way for a college to focus on what makes it different from the competition and to consistently communicate that message to alumni, donors, parents, prospective students, and even legislators."
The article by Erin Strout tells how three colleges use marketing to change an image, reach students, and engage alumni.
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education May 19
For them, marketing is not only about new logos, pithy tag lines, and expensive advertising campaigns. Rather, it is a disciplined way for a college to focus on what makes it different from the competition and to consistently communicate that message to alumni, donors, parents, prospective students, and even legislators."
The article by Erin Strout tells how three colleges use marketing to change an image, reach students, and engage alumni.
Source: The Chronicle of Higher Education May 19
Monday, May 15, 2006
Next Generation Textbooks
With textbooks and other forms of scholarship moving to electronic formats, schools are turning to a surprising array of innovative tools. Check out the surprising technology that is being employed by Central Florida Community College, Valencia Community College, West Chester University, Indiana University, and the University of Virginia. A number of individual resources are taking the place of textbooks for particular fields. But is the rush to replace textbooks our future or our folly?
Source:
Book Smarts" Campus Technology May 2006
Source:
Book Smarts" Campus Technology May 2006
Friday, May 12, 2006
Seamless Switch
"Boise State University could be a poster child of sorts for the virtues of VoIP, or voice-over-Internet protocol. In 2000, when Boise State switched from its analog telephone service to VoIP, the transition was seamless enough that many professors never knew about the change. And officials estimate that they saved about $900,000 by embracing Internet telephony instead of updating their traditional land lines."
Source: The Idaho Statesman
Source: The Idaho Statesman
Missing College-tuition Deduction From Tax Bill
"Federal tax legislation that was passed on Wednesday by the House of Representatives does not include an extension of the college-tuition deduction or other provisions of interest to higher education. Congressional Republicans have promised that the tax bill, which is projected to cost $69-billion over 10 years, will be followed by a second, "trailer" bill that will include the popular tuition credit. That and many other items were bumped so that the original bill would not cost the federal government more than $70-billion in tax revenue.
Senate Democrats blasted the tax bill, arguing that the tuition deduction had been axed to make room for tax breaks for oil companies. Republicans denied the charge. The timing and likelihood of the second bill remain unclear. If it is introduced, it may also contain an extension, perhaps of one year, for corporate grants and contributions to basic university research. Other likely provisions include efforts to crack down on abuse by charities, and those new rules, if adopted, could affect university foundations. "
Source: Chronicle of Higher Education
Senate Democrats blasted the tax bill, arguing that the tuition deduction had been axed to make room for tax breaks for oil companies. Republicans denied the charge. The timing and likelihood of the second bill remain unclear. If it is introduced, it may also contain an extension, perhaps of one year, for corporate grants and contributions to basic university research. Other likely provisions include efforts to crack down on abuse by charities, and those new rules, if adopted, could affect university foundations. "
Source: Chronicle of Higher Education
Controlling the Internet
Can it survive as an uncensored global network?
"Governments and corporations are increasingly concerned about political and economic threats posed by a freewheeling, global Internet. Many experts warn the [ldquo]Net[rdquo] may fragment into [ldquo]walled gardens[rdquo] that block users' freedom to communicate and innovate. In the U.S., telephone and cable companies already have won the right to block competing Internet service providers like Earthlink from using their high-speed broadband lines. Now advocates for an open Internet worry that broadband providers will use their market power to slow or block access to controversial Web sites or competing businesses like Internet telephone. The activists want Congress to require the companies to treat all Internet content the same. Abroad, more nations are expanding broadband access for economic reasons, even as they crack down on citizens who access controversial material or express dissenting opinions via the Net. In the face of such turmoil, civic groups worldwide are seeking new forms of governance to keep the Internet secure and uncensored." CQ Researcher is available online to the Goodwin Community (user name and password required).
Source: CQ Researcher
"Governments and corporations are increasingly concerned about political and economic threats posed by a freewheeling, global Internet. Many experts warn the [ldquo]Net[rdquo] may fragment into [ldquo]walled gardens[rdquo] that block users' freedom to communicate and innovate. In the U.S., telephone and cable companies already have won the right to block competing Internet service providers like Earthlink from using their high-speed broadband lines. Now advocates for an open Internet worry that broadband providers will use their market power to slow or block access to controversial Web sites or competing businesses like Internet telephone. The activists want Congress to require the companies to treat all Internet content the same. Abroad, more nations are expanding broadband access for economic reasons, even as they crack down on citizens who access controversial material or express dissenting opinions via the Net. In the face of such turmoil, civic groups worldwide are seeking new forms of governance to keep the Internet secure and uncensored." CQ Researcher is available online to the Goodwin Community (user name and password required).
Source: CQ Researcher
Thursday, May 11, 2006
National Endangered Species Day
Today America celebrates Endangered Species Day, the first-ever national celebration of our country's commitment to protecting our unique wildlife. "The goal of Endangered Species Day", according to the Sierra Club, "is to educate people about the importance of protecting our rare, threatened, and endangered animal and plant species, and to highlight the everyday actions that can be taken to help safeguard them."
"The day is also a day to step back and recognize all the great achievements of the Endangered Species Act," says Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. "The fish, wildlife and plants that we celebrate today have teetered at the brink of extinction but found the road to recovery thanks to these important protections."
Source: Sierra Club
"The day is also a day to step back and recognize all the great achievements of the Endangered Species Act," says Carl Pope, Sierra Club Executive Director. "The fish, wildlife and plants that we celebrate today have teetered at the brink of extinction but found the road to recovery thanks to these important protections."
Source: Sierra Club
Inventive Startups
Business 2.0 reporters recently reviewed a number of inventive startups. Here are just a few of them. BrighTex Photonics is developing a scanner that can show where your face is suffering invisible UV damage and wrinkles. Global Homes International is slashing the cost of prefab homes, while Ambarella is preparing chips that will bring high-definition TV to all kinds of gadgets, not just flat-screen TVs. Most important for future Goodwin students , there's Project Inkwell, a consortium backed by Intel, Microsoft, and Sandisk, and others, which is introducing a $300 laptop for students. Business 2.0 magazine is available in the library.
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Internet Addresses: Going, Going...
"All possible Internet addresses available using the current Internet system will be used up by 2012, according to analysts at Frost & Sullivan, a consulting firm. The current Internet system, called Internet Protocol version 4 (or IPv4) allows for about 4.3 billion addresses, and about one third of those are already in use. Many colleges and other businesses are beginning a switch to a newer system, IPv6, which will make way for billions more addresses. "
Source: Information Week
Source: Information Week
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Connecticut Outdoor Treasures
Only a gallon of gas or so away is the Connecticut portion of the Metacomet-Mattabesett Trail traversing about 101 miles of mountain summits, forested glades, vernal pools, lakes, streams, and waterfalls--including some of the most rugged and diverse landscapes in southern New England. The Mattabesett Trail wanders from River Road in Middletown to the Berlin Turnpike. The Metacomet Trail follows the traprock ridge from the hanging Hills of Meriden to the Massachusetts border.
The bedrock of the Metacomet range is a produce of volcanic eruptions when the African and American continental plates pulled apart during the Triassic and Jurassic Periods. Some of the remains of these eruptions are considered globally rare. The Metacomet Range is one of the best places in the world (outside of Hawaii and Iceland), and the only area on the eastern seaboard with a developed trail system, to view a broad array of well-preserved volcanic and sedimentary features. It is also on the blue-blazed trails of the Metacomet Range that one can see the remains of one of the 19th century pest houses where those afflicted with smallpox were sent to die.
Source: Connecticut Walk Book and Metacomet-Mattabesett Trail Natural Resource Assessment. Maps of the trails are available in the library.
The bedrock of the Metacomet range is a produce of volcanic eruptions when the African and American continental plates pulled apart during the Triassic and Jurassic Periods. Some of the remains of these eruptions are considered globally rare. The Metacomet Range is one of the best places in the world (outside of Hawaii and Iceland), and the only area on the eastern seaboard with a developed trail system, to view a broad array of well-preserved volcanic and sedimentary features. It is also on the blue-blazed trails of the Metacomet Range that one can see the remains of one of the 19th century pest houses where those afflicted with smallpox were sent to die.
Source: Connecticut Walk Book and Metacomet-Mattabesett Trail Natural Resource Assessment. Maps of the trails are available in the library.
Start Running
From The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century by Thomas L. Friedman comes this African proverb translated into Mandarin and posted in an auto parts manufacturing plant in China:
"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.
It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up.
It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle.
When the sun comes up, you better start running.
I don't know who is the lion and who is the gazelle, but I do know this: Ever since the Chinese joined the WTO, both they and the rest of the world have had to run faster and faster."
Several copies of this book are available in the Goodwin Library--very interesing reading!
Source: The World is Flat
"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up.
It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up.
It knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death.
It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle.
When the sun comes up, you better start running.
I don't know who is the lion and who is the gazelle, but I do know this: Ever since the Chinese joined the WTO, both they and the rest of the world have had to run faster and faster."
Several copies of this book are available in the Goodwin Library--very interesing reading!
Source: The World is Flat
Monday, May 08, 2006
Have You Used Wikipedia?
Here is an encyclopedia that you can write and edit!
"Wikipedia is an international Web-based free content encyclopedia. It exists as a wiki, a type of website that allows visitors to edit its content; the word Wikipedia itself is a portmanteau of wiki and encyclopedia. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers, allowing most articles to be changed by anyone with access to a computer, web browser and Internet connection."
Source: Wikipedia site
"Wikipedia is an international Web-based free content encyclopedia. It exists as a wiki, a type of website that allows visitors to edit its content; the word Wikipedia itself is a portmanteau of wiki and encyclopedia. Wikipedia is written collaboratively by volunteers, allowing most articles to be changed by anyone with access to a computer, web browser and Internet connection."
Source: Wikipedia site
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