Huckabee and Saudi Arabia

I try not to get political on this blog, but seeing that I am a Democrat and writing to support the comments of a Repuiblican I thought it would be OK just this once.Having just read the FANTASTIC book “Three Cups of Tea” this comment from Mike Huckabee really hit home:

“Every time we put our credit card in the gas pump, we’re paying so that the Saudis get rich — filthy, obscenely rich, and that money then ends up going to funding madrassas,” schools “that train the terrorists,” said Huckabee. “America has allowed itself to become enslaved to Saudi oil. It’s absurd. It’s embarrassing.”  Huckabee said “I would make the United States energy independent within 10 years and tell the Saudis they can keep their oil just like they can keep their sand, that we won’t need either one of them.”

Go get ’em Mike!  The full CNN article can be read HERE. 

Google Docs as my new Blog Editor!?

This is a test to see if I can use my Google Docs account as a way to post to my WordPress blog. This is only a test! I am using the “Publish to Blog” feature in Google Docs.

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This didn’t post originally….I am now in WordPress trying to publish. No publish button….lets try saving it and giving it a category and see what happens…

Leopard upgrade

Overall…not bad!

Spaces…OK, Time Machine….not earth shattering for a laptop, 3D dock…..ho hum, Spotlight….FAST!

Best part is the overall speed of the system.   Everything is much snappier.  Overall…..happy I upgraded.

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OpenOffice.org and Google Docs….the missing link

A free extension is now available to better connect OpenOffice docs and Google Docs.  After the extension is installed, one-click will upload your current OpenOffice doc into your Google Docs account.  I need to test more the specifics such as sharing and publishing within Google Docs, but this seems to be yet another nail in the coffin of the  MS Office monopoly.

More info

Link to extension

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gOS: Interesting but not intuitive

After reading about gOS and the $200 machines it comes on now selling at Walmart, I had to try it for myself.  I downloaded the torrent, fired up Azureus, burned the DVD, and tried it on my Dell 610.

Notes:

• gOS is a custom version of Ubuntu with close Google integration (hence the g in gOS)
• Instead of installed apps, much of the functionality is based around one-click access to Google’s suite fo web-services
• Frees and open source OS

First impressions:

• Clean interface
• Not very intuitive
• Couldn’t remove mounted drives from desktop
• Unusual implementation of an OS X type doc (Apps on one side minimized apps/docs on the other)

Thoughts:

• I love the integration of web apps and installed apps in the OS.
• I think the GUI is to different from XP, KDE, Gnome, and not enough like OS X
• Everything feels v1.0 because it is v1.0….I will save any more time playing with this distro for v2.0

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Asus Eee PC…second impressions….

I have now been using the Eee for  3-4 days now and contineu to be very impressed.  I am impressed espically from the view point that we can and should be putting this machine in the hands of students.  I do have some first generation gripes:

• Software installation:  I can only install what Asus allows me to install.  The point of running a FOSS system is to have open access to many, many apps.  The only way around this is to install extensions/add-ons in FireFox (which works very well).
• Wireless networking:  I can connect fine each time, but that is the problem.  Each time I restart or sleep/wake the computer I must manually re-connect to my open wireless network.
• Flaky BIOS: I tried to install the latest BIOS upgrade.  Once restarted I couldn;t use the built in scratchpad.  Another restart seemed to remove the BIOS update and return scratcpad control to me
• Trackpad button:  It is great that it is one button with two sides(right and left click), however, the button is way to stiff.
• Easy GUi only….I want full control of the Linux environment or at least the choice of one or the other.

And some praise:

• I am writing this connected to a Samsung Syncmaster monitor and a usb keyboard and mouse.  This a a wonderful way to use the laptop as a full-fledged workstation.  Only problem is that I have to keep the lid open on the laptop.  if not the machine sleeps.
• Just tested a basic headset with mic…worked great connected via 1/8 male for both.  USB adpater didn’t work at all.  Easier/cheaper to find the working 1/8 male!

Overall…when this thing gets to $300, I will recommend it to EVERY parent!

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Asus Eee PC…first impressions

I have just opened my Eee PC and I have to say I am loving this little thing.  The keyboard is a little small and the bios upgrade killed the scratch pad.  But yanking the battery and restarting seemed to do the trick.  I am hoping more bios upgrades are on there way.

I am writing this post using the ScribeFire add-on for FF.  Can’t wait to try this thing with a big monitor and usb keyboard and mouse.  I am also looking forward to getting this in the hands of some students.  Keyboard probably won’t be as much of a problem.

I purchased this for $400 dollars.  IF this gets to $350 or even $300 (which I am sure it will shortly) how can I not get this in the hands of students next year!?

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Educational Technology “Certifications”

It would appear to me that it is only a matter of time before my current job (Director of Technology for a public school district in Connecticut) becomes a certified position.  Not necessarily in the traditional sense of certification such as teaching and administrative certifications, but as in school districts wanting directors of technology that are certified in education and in technology.

We have been waiting for the state department of education in Connecticut to create a certified Director of Technology position/program.  My hunch is that we will continue to wait for sometime.  However, public school districts in Connecticut (and I am sure in other states as well) are not waiting.  Many of them are posting job openings that require certifications in technology and education.  Often it is not specific as to what the exact certifications must be but they must be an educational certification and a separate technology certification.

Gone are the days of a teacher with a proclivity to use technology in his/her classroom sufficient preparation to take on the growing demands and importance of educational technology leadership in a school district.  Who will guide the ship towards 21st century skills and knowledge?  We must have formal training programs (and eventually a state sponsored certification) that help produce the educational technology leaders our students need and must have to be productive citizens of a “flat” world. 

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