Reprisal of the QR Code

I'm working with my local bicycling club, the Illinois Valley Wheelmn, and Board and finding that I'm helping to bring a mobile smartphone perspective.  We have an excellent web site, newsletter, and advertising opportunities.  I recently suggested adding in a QR Code to which I received the response: What is that and why would we want it?  Below is the best brief answer I could give that was directly relevant.  I hope you find my reprisal of the QR Code equally useful.

Long URLs -> Short URLs

Many times, a URL (or URI) is too long to safely or easily include in an email, instant message, or text message.  If you're a mobile user like me, you don't like to type in long URLs on a tiny keyboard.  Even if you're not a mobile user, you've noticed that sometimes a forwarded email ends up breaking a long URL link.  To avoid these problems, you can use a URL shortener.  There are many URL shorteners out there.  Popular ones include tinyurl.com, bit.ly, and goo.gl, among others.  These sites make long URLs into short URLs that point to the same place.  

For example:

I wish to share a long Google Map URL such as:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=peoria,+il&aq=&sll=40.722283,-89.591789&sspn=0.199571,0.308647&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Peoria,+Illinois&ll=40.694175,-89.589043&spn=0.199655,0.308647&z=12 

I would choose to shorten it.  I go to http://goo.gl and paste that long URL into the top box and it returns a short one to me:

http://goo.gl/zwfDJ

Test both of these URLs.  Notice that they go to the same place.  This will work every time.

Now, our (truly wonderful) IVW web site already has a great, short URL: http://www.ivwheelmn.org/  There is no need for a URL shortener.  However, Goo.gl offers an additional bonus feature of their URL shortener: a QR Code generator.

What is a QR Code?

You can read the full Wikipedia entry if you'd like, but essentially a QR Code is a 2-dimensional code able to be scanned by camera phones and barcode readers.  (See attached QR Code for the IVW web site.)  They've been around for quite some time.  If you start to look for them in the corners of magazine pages, advertisements, posters, fliers, etc. you'll notice them.  QR codes contain different kinds of information and can be used to start some kind of action, such as going to a particular web site.  

Scanning or Capturing a QR Code

Many mobile smartphones have free software you can download and use to "scan" or "capture" a QR Code.  Doing that then allows your phone to go directly to the desired web site.  It's terribly convenient for mobile users because it removes the barrier of typing in a URL which is prone to mistakes given the small form factor of mobile devices and less-than-ideal keyboards (if any).  If you have a smartphone and want to download a free QR Code scanner, I suggest going to your phone's marketplace or App store and searching for "QR Code scanner" and select the most downloaded or highest-rated free software available.  I use "ShopSavvy" on my Android phone because it also lets me do live price comparisons between stores and online retailers.

Goo.gl + ".qr"

Overall, using Goo.gl and appending ".qr" to the resulting short URL is slick, easy, and can be done for anything from anywhere.  For smartphone users like myself, it's a timesaver and makes me 100% more likely to follow-through to a web site.  If the QR Code is digitally displayed on my phone, I just press on the QR code itself; if I see a QR code on a store poster, in a magazine, or in a newspaper, I use my phone's camera to scan it and it automatically directs me to the website on my phone.  

Illinois Valley Wheelm'n
http://www.ivwheelmn.org/

Recap

The reason I created a Goo.gl short URL for IVW was so we could use the subsequently generated QR Code: http://goo.gl/zwfDJ.qr in future advertisements, publications, and more.  We should always use the full IVW web site URL (http://www.ivwheelmn.org/) when directing others to the IVW web site.  Why?  Because it's a great web site with a great URL and renders very well on my mobile phone.  In general, the only QR Code you (or anyone in our group) really needs for inclusion into newsletters, fliers, mailers, advertisements, etc. are these two (they are the same):

The QR Code: http://goo.gl/YqQuT.qr 
1. Attached is the above QR code saved as a PNG file.

Please let me know if anyone else has any questions.  Have a happy Valentine's Day!

A New Way to Lecture (Using Web 2.0 for Student Engagement and Interactivity)

I stumbled across an online booklet discussing Web 2.0 alternatives to traditional lectures. It's called "A New Way to Lecture: Using Web 2.0 to Create Interactive Lecture With Your Students" and I think it's worth a look.

Open publication - Free publishing

The future of things to come ...

There are times when I'm terrified of what the future brings (i.e., implanted RFIDs such as Mikey Sklar), and then there are times I can hardly wait for it to arrive. For this latter case, it's very impressive to see what Cuidado Grupo Santander, Madrid has established within their bank walls. I can't help but feel a little bit like we're looking at our realization of iRobot, but without all the rebellious creepiness (so far) ...

Come on, Google Docs! Be more like EtherPad!

Loving the EtherPad cloud computing software. I even have my own pad at http://etherpad.com/amsdiane. I only wish Google had done this first ...

Pros: Free, easy to use, intuitive, easy to add others,
Cons: no deletion, non-public use requires fee/person.

Motivating Non-Sci. Students Using Sakai-based Strategies.

Lafuze & Newbrough
The science of the brain and addiction can be very difficult to understand due to the complex concepts & language. Her goal was to share the science concepts of brains & addictions, but in a way that would be non-threatening. This course has been taught online for the lst 10 years averaging between 30-50 students per course.

Placement of the mainly used tools is placed within the site info area. (This is similar to VT practice where we encourage faculty to use that space to provide a "roadmap" to students, letting them know what tools & when they wil be used.) She provides a link from that main page to a recorded message directed at the students, introducing them to the content, context, and the important people of the course.

She has "the Holodeck" which is the Forums tool, but creatively designed in a way to allow students to interact with historical people (e.g., Marie Curie). (Aside: Man, this instructor completely rocks! She has a Star Trek "What is the Holodeck" video, complete w/short clips from the classic 60's series & everything!) Within the Forums, she invites her students to engage with each other & discussions within based on topics. Guests also partake bringing knowledge of chemistry & chemistry & biology

-- I apologize for typos or errors. This was sent from my mobile phone. -- Amber D. Evans

Need to generate or create a Word Cloud?

A quick Google search for "word cloud generator" or "create word cloud" will produce varying results of free online word or tag cloud makers. I personally think the best of these is Wordle.net. Wordle allows you to quickly create a visual representation of keywords and their frequency. The below is one I generated from my own Curriculum Vitae or CV [PDF]:

Re-Post: 24 Killer Portable Apps For Your USB Flash Drive

Article: http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/09/02/24-killer-portable-apps-for-your-usb-flash-drive/

This article by Lee Mathews covers the gamut of useful little applications to take with you. Some of the topics and applications suggested are from the categories: Encryption, Web and Internet, Peer-to-Peer, Maintenance and Support, Multimedia, Document Handlers, File Management, and Portable Launchers.

Zunavision - like PIP, but it's Video-in-Video

This is very cool: http://zunavision.stanford.edu/index.php

You can now place a video that will play inside another video. Oh, yeah. That is cool.

Real-Life Grad Classes in Second Life

This came across the radar in SL. This would be of great interest if you are interested in using SL for teaching or learning purposes.

The Dept. of Educational Technology at BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY will offer a 15 week, 3 credit, graduate course on "Social Network Learning in Virtual Worlds " starting August 25, 2008.

Syllabus: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=dfzrcdcd_18238v9rhfw&hl=en_GB

*****************
COURSE INFORMATION

EDTECH 597: Social Network Learning in Virtual Worlds

3 credits

Course fees: $1,044 regardless of location
Instructor: Ann Jeffery (MissAnnie Ducatillon) & Salli DiBartolo (Sunshine Sparrow)
Internet course, requires weekly attendance at live synchronous session on PDT 1-3

Register at http://edtech.boisestate.edu or contact Jerry Foster at jfoster@boisestate.edu, 208-426-1966 to assist you with registration.

Description: Social Networking is a growing field of expertise, and has much to offer virtual world teachers wishing to explore new ways of communicating and collaborating both in-world and out-of-world. This graduate level course will explore collaborative and emergent pedagogies related to the use of social networks in virtual world teaching. Participants will gain hands-on experience with a variety social networking tools, create a community-based resource, and have an opportunity to become part of the emerging network of virtual world educators.

System requirements: http://secondlife.com/corporate/sysreqs.php

It is recommended that participants have at least 10-20 hours of prior participation in Second Life before the course begins.

Prerequisite skills include:
* Use of camera controls
* Ability to fly, walk, and teleport
* Knowledge of communication tools (IM and chat)
* Basic building skills (create prims, add textures and content)
* Basic inventory management (can find items, wear clothing, make a notecard)

For more information, contact Ann Jeffery at annjeffery@u.boisestate.edu

Good talking point: Can New Media be Taught in Schools? (Should it?)

Read it "Can New Media Be Taught in Schools?" at http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/can_new_media_be_taught_in_schools.php

Erik Bushey shared a Google Reader item with me from the ReadWriteWeb site. It poses the question should students be taught and tested new media (aka, Web 2.0) software and skills? If nothing else, this is a good topic and discussion starter for faculty and teachers from all walks of life. What do you think?

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Exclusive: Meez Finally Launches Virtual World

Exclusive: Meez Finally Launches Virtual World

http://mashable.com/2008/06/18/meez-virtal-worl/

I'm not surprised. Second Life couldn't have the market share all of the time ... and it's nice to know that it's going to be more than hands typing on an invisible keyboard ...

"Meez users have been requesting a virtual world in which their custom avatars can roam around and become more social with each other for some time, and now they finally have what they’ve always wanted. Meez Nation is the brand new virtual world made just for Meez avatars. [...] Unlike most other virtual worlds that have grown out of an avatar-creation and sharing site, Meez has layered in a good deal of functionality, activity and interaction for the avatars. For instance, there’s chat capabilities in every virtual room, and similar to an IM chat client that converts the characters “;” and “)” into Meez avatars will act out certain commands that you type into the chat window. Type in “rofl” and your Meez avatar will roll on the floor laughing."

Second Life Blogs & News

Here are a few Second Life Blogs and News sites:

• New Media Campus Observer
• New World Notes
• NMC Virtual Worlds
• Official Linden Blog
• Rez Nation
• Second Life Insider
• Second Life Library 2.0
• Second Opinion Newsletter

When and If Virtual Worlds Collide

http://www.massively.com/2008/06/14/the-daily-grind-should-mmogs-and-virtual-worlds-be-separate/

The Daily Grind: Should MMOGs and virtual worlds be separate?
Friday held the Social Gaming Summit, a meeting of the luminaries of the various virtual worlds -- Gaia Online, Neopets, and IMVU to name a very few -- in San Francisco. This blogger was on hand for several of the panels, and came away with a deeper understanding of where the demarcation between massively multiplayer online game and virtual world was drawn. On the virtual world side, developers are beginning to incorporate more and more elements of what would normally be considered MMO-only features, like quests and leveling up ...

How to Stop Checking Email on the Evenings and Weekends

How to Stop Checking Email on the Evenings and Weekends
http://lifehacker.com/357666/how-to-stop-checking-email-on-the-evenings-and-weekends

I need to start doing this. Maybe my boss would be willing to do this, or at least address point #4 (Hint, hint.)

And I'm going to incorporate the good autoresponders to support my new action: http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2008/02/21/the-best-and-worst-autoresponders-of-2007/

Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook

Of extreme interest today is the fact that Google has finally come out with MS Outlook syncronization--for FREE. It only supports you main Google Calendar, but it will sync one way or two ways if you want it to.

Other useful tidbits:

Microsoft Outlook Tip: Access Google Calendar Directly From Outlook
Very useful if you're looking to integrate the Google Calendar directly into the Outlook suite. It's not a sync, but it's an additional page or item in your list.

OggSync
A yearly pay-for service (~$30) will literally do all of the syncronization between MS Outlook 2003 and 2007 and any/all of your Google Calendars as you like. The setup is easy, and the service is worth shelling out the measly $30 for, although the free version will sync up to 3 days back and 3 days ahead. You can choose to sync one-way (either Google-->Outlook or Outlook-->Google) or two-ways. You can also select how often it will happen. There are only two drawbacks: Outlook will need to be open and running OggSync to complete the sync tasks, and if your Google Account password happens to have an ampersand (&) in it, the OggSync login screen in the configuration screens WILL FAIL. (Be sure that your Google Account password does not have an ampersand (&) in it and everything will go smoothly.) Truly a great product for those of us who have to coordinate multiple calendaring accounts and devices.

FixMyMovie - Upload, Fix, and Share Your Movies Instantly

Fix Your Grainy, Dark, Low Resolution Videos for Free--High-Tech Video Enhancement Service for Cameraphones, Digital Cameras, and Webcams

If cell phone videos suck because they are dark and grainy, FixMyMovie aims to solve that problem; however, FixMyMovie cannot solve poor directorship--that's still your problem.

In truth, this site and service completely blows me away. It's one of many "new" applications coming out that allow a person to do instant video editing from the comfort of a cell phone, laptop, or any place s/he has a live internet connection (i.e., "internet anywhere = anytime, anywhere applications").

Another software-and-website combination (that I've mentioned before) is Worth1000.com. They offer A.viary.com which is a similar approach and service focusing on Adobe Photoshop-like image and photo editing. Check these both out. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

video collaboration, e-meeting and web conferencing on the Internet

video collaboration, e-meeting and web conferencing on the Internet

Google bought this company back in April of 2007. I wonder if/when it will be going somewhere ...

Wired Campus: Project Aims to Build Online Classroom With Latest Web 2.0 Features - Chronicle.com

Wired Campus: Project Aims to Build Online Classroom With Latest Web 2.0 Features - Chronicle.com

The Chronicle of Higher Education: The Wired Campus noted that Howard Rheingold has won a grant in the Digital Media and Learning Competition to put all of the social-collaborative community tools (aka, Web 2.0) together in the classroom.

As Howard Rheingold commented back, "For those interested in a more complete description of the project, which includes the toolset, curricula (syllabi and teaching notes), resource repository (started here), video documentation and instructional material (in the vein of the first several entries), and the community of practitioners: the text of the award application."

Trendalyzer's Other "Like" Tools

RSOE EDIS - Emergency and Disaster Havaria Information Service - AlertMap: http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?lang=eng

Rich Internet Applications for Language Learning: http://clear.msu.edu/teaching/online/ria/ RIAs are web pages with multimedia interactivity embedded into them. CLEAR's RIA can be created with no programming at all.

Interactive Map: http://www.cer.jhu.edu/index.cfm?pageID=351 The Interactive Map Tool is loosely based on a map metaphor, but isn’t bound to just creating maps. It allows the user to create a hierarchical structure of informational pages that can be nested. Nested pages can include anything from plain images to video and audio files, all with accompanying description text. The sites created in the Interactive Map Tool helps students understand the connections between concepts and spatial context in a way unlike any other. The Interactive Map Tool is loosely based on a map metaphor, but isn’t bound to just creating maps. It allows the user to create a hierarchical structure of informational pages that can be nested. Nested pages can include anything from plain images to video and audio files, all with accompanying description text. The sites created in the Interactive Map Tool helps students understand the connections between concepts and spatial context in a way unlike any other.

MIIM Project: http://maps.umn.edu/ Open Source Web Mapping in K-16 Education. MIIM is a web-based application that introduces K-12 and post-secondary students to principles of geography and GIS. MIIM makes use of several open-source projects, including Mapbender, MapServer, and PostgreSQL.

Tracing the Visitor's Eye: http://www.girardin.org/fabien/tracing/ So far the investigation of spatio-temporal patterns of people mainly rendered a quantitative understanding of the city. In our study, we intend to leverage implicit spatio-temporal data (i.e. latitude, longitude and timestamp) with the richness of people-generated information. Our approach is to consider that uploading, tagging and disclosing the location of a photo can be interpreted as an act of communication rather than a pure implicit history of physical presence. For this purpose, we retrieved from Flickr, large amounts of photo taken by thousands of users in the world’s most photographed cities. Based on the time, explicit location and people’s description of their photos, we design geovisualizations. They reveal patterns of tourists and citizens consuming a city, such as the flow of people between city attractions (see figures below), the monuments areas of influence or what is happening with day/night and working/weekend periodicity.

Simple small business software, collaboration, CRM: 37signals

Simple small business software, collaboration, CRM: 37signals

I want this. All of 37signals products, really. Basecamp for project management and collaboration; Highrise for client relations management; Backpack to organize and store it all in; Campfire to chat it all up with others (did I mention it's iPhone compatible?); and throw in Ta-da List and Whiteboard (collaborative writing) and I'd die happy. It's everything Google, but prettier and likely a bit more functional (since it's mostly a for-pay service).

Sweet, though.