Michigan Water Pollution

One of my students, Alex, focused on Michigan Water Pollution as he developed his Glog for our Environmental Life Science research.

This is an area of personal concern for this environmental science enthusiast. His evidence of focus on his topic makes this interactive poster quite useful. I would direct you to his inclusion of leftover medicines in the water systems which is an overlooked, yet extremely detrimental water contamination problem.

Teachers could share this Glog as an example for students or as a teaching tool. As always, I would recommend that you cite this blog in your work.

Hackers Target Wrong Guy

This couple probably represents the majority of computer users, and this news clip shows what can happen if you don't protect your router, as well as your computer.
What angers me about this whole situtation is that this gives ammunition to those who want to control the internet and create LEVELS for those who can afford it...the level will be very protected.
I also never understood how a public entity can sue people for negative press.

clipped from blog.wired.com Anonymous Hackers Track Saboteur, Find and Punish the Wrong Guy - UPDATED By Ryan Singel January 29, 2008 | 7:59:26 PMCategories: Hacks and Cracks Anti-Scientology agitators have repeatedly harassed and threatened violence against a 59-year-old PG&E worker and his wife, who were mistakenly flagged as pro-Scientology hackers. John Lawson, who lives in Stockton, California with his wife Julia, began receiving threatening phone calls around 2 a.m. Saturday morning. He didn't know why until THREAT LEVEL explained that a hacking group calling itself the g00ns (goons spelled with zeros, not goons with the letter o) posted his home address, phone number and cell numbers, as well as Julia's Social Security number, online. The obscene and threatening calls have continued through Tuesday, according to Lawson. "I don't even really know how to use a computer," Lawson said. On Monday, he got a call that seemed to originate from the Virgin Islands. The caller threatened to kill him.

External Hard Drives: Delicate Need Not Apply

Since I have a tablet notebook, I need to have removable devices that are easy to install, use and disconnect. So began the quest for a durable, yet economical external hard drive.

When I decided to add external data storage to my computer systems, I didn't realize how many were delicate devices that may not withstand movement of any kind. I needed a workhorse, a data storage unit that could be moved frequently without breaking. I found just such a workhorse, a sturdy, easy-to-use, dependable, external hard drive made by Western Digital, called "My Book".

I researched hard drives at CNET, and I discovered that all hard drives in the My Book series are highly rated. I ended up with the 320GB My Book Essential Edition.

This external hard drive is fantastic. I bought this one from Sam's Wholesale Club for $129.00 in July of 2007. While there were other cheaper hard drives. this one was sturdy, fast and dependable.

Now, the price of this hard drive has decreased. It would be an even better deal.

To hook up this hard drive, I plugged it into the electrical outlet, then into my APC USB Port Dock and that was it. My computer found the device and started it up. SUCCESS!

Each time I turn my computer on, the "My Book" hard drive comes on, and this external hard drive shuts down when I shut down the computer. Some people mentioned problems with that in the reviews, but I haven't had any trouble. The manufacturer's instructions did have directions for how to overcome that issue, if you have it.

I was so happy to move my data to an external source. I have moved most of my archived pictures and documents that I don't need when I travel with my Tablet notebook.

The MyBook external data storage device is so efficient. I don't even notice. It is on and ready to save data effectively every time. To me that is the ultimate test of any gadget.

Tech - Gadget: New to Whom?

Not all new gadgets are appropriate for everyone. ...
Not all new gadgets are appropriate for everyone. OK! We all know that, but it never hurts to "....say it to me one more time!"

While my teenage daughter and I are ready for some type of PDA or Iphone, our rural area makes it almost impossibly impractical. We know that will change. In the meantime, we have bumped our cell phone capabilities up a notch to the Samsung Sync level.

After spending days at CNET, ATT, and Samsung websites, she and I decided to order three Syncs. We have decided that we will upgrade to texting, messaging, twittering, and image sending. Then we will set back and wait for our area to increase WiFi coverage or data access on a family plan.

I have owned a tablet PC for almost four years now, so I know how handy portable, yet powerful gadgets can be. I love the integrated WiFi, the writing to text converter and other hardware and software tools too numerous to mention.

At the end of the past century, one of my friends used to tell me we were on the leading edge of technology in our teaching and our area of the state. She was right, BUT being a pioneer can get very lonely. If some troubles crop up, you have to solve them yourself. Sometimes the problems were so serious, it might shut down clusters of equipment. This lead us to rename our dubious status as being on the "Bleeding Ledge". This was a grand learning experience and a character builder.

Since then, I have become more relaxed with problems, ALMOST welcoming. You know they are inevitable, but, with persistence and adaptability, you can usually solve them.
So, the Samsung Sync may not be the latest trend, but it is out there towards the edge of the trends in gadgets.