Group items tagged

Alternate reality games (ARGs) weave together real-world artifacts with clues and puzzles hidden virtually any place, such as websites, libraries, museums, stores, signs, recorded telephone messages, movies, television programs, or printed materials. ARGs are not computer or video games, but electronic devices are frequently used to access clues. Players can meet and talk with characters in the narrative and use resources like postal mail, e-mail, the web, or the public library to find hints, clues, and various pieces of the puzzle. ARGs open doors into the future of students' professional lives, where they will be expected to solve complex problems by taking necessary raw materials from multiple resources, thinking critically and analytically, and putting their individual skills, interests, and abilities at the disposal of a group dedicated to a common goal.

This article discusses the impact Google has on the environment with how much CO2 it emits.  Google is now trying to find alternatives to be more environmentally efficient. 

Second Life in Education users are up at arms over the fact that Linden Lab has now decided that http://sleducation.wikispaces.com infringes on their SL trademark (which has been registered for 9 days.) In my opinion this will push more people to options like Open Sim (we love Reaction Grid for ours.) You would think that they would have read the case studies on the mistakes of Microsoft when they "gave up" their monopoly when they got greedy and cornered the market. In this environment, people WILL make alternatives and this is not a group of people (the educators in SL) you want to be mad at you. These are the people who teach others how to do things, for goodness sakes - every company should wish for an army of free volunteers like Linden has. Big mistake, Linden. Big mistake, but one that perhaps it will take years to see. I have seen educators who I have NEVER, I mean NEVER been angry at Linden angry.

Important happening on October 1st about Second LIfe and education

Open source microblogging platform intended to be an alternative to Twitter. Looks like schools or businesses could install this for internal use. Somefascinating applications.

Posted by Michael Krantz, Google Blog Team Q: What do zippers, baby oil, brassieres and trampolines have in common? A: No, the answer isn't that they're all part of the setup for a highly inappropriate joke. In fact, the above list (along with thermos, cellophane, escalator, elevator, dry ice and many more) are all words that fell victim to those products' very success and, as they became more and more popular, slipped from trademarked status into common usage. Will "Google" manage to avoid this fate? This year has brought a spate of news stories about the word's addition to the Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English dictionaries, an honor that's simultaneously highly flattering and faintly unsettling. Consider, for example, this passage from a New York Times story published last May: "Jim sent a message introducing himself and asking, 'Do you want to make a movie?'" Mr. Fry recalled in a telephone interview from his home in Buda, Tex. 'So we Googled him, he passed the test, and T called him. That was in March 1996; we spent the summer coming up with the story, and we pitched it that fall.'" Now, since Larry and Sergey didn't actually launch Google until 1998, Mr. Fry's usage of 'Google' is as distressing to our trademark lawyers as it is thrilling to our marketing folks. So, lest our name go the way of the elevators and escalators of yesteryear, we thought it was time we offered this quick semantic primer. A trademark is a word, name, symbol or device that identifies a particular company's products or services. Google is a trademark identifying Google Inc. and our search technology and services. While we're pleased that so many people think of us when they think of searching the web, let's face it, we do have a brand to protect, so we'd like to make clear that you should please only use "Google" when you're actually referring to Google Inc. and our services. Here are some hopefully helpful examples. Usage: 'Google' as noun referring to, well, us.

Excellent music player that I enjoy using.

songbird is an open source audio player and a way that many are finding and sharing mp3's - it has done a nice job of being a very respectable alternative to itunes.

This channel is focused on Internet TV (AKA Internet Television, Web TV, Online TV, etc…). Internet TV is essentially television content streamed and distributed via the Internet. Here we will cover news, trends, and general information about Internet TV technology. Stay informed with the latest in Internet television - including up-to-date news information on Google TV, Apple TV, Roku, Boxee, Netflix, Hulu and other emerging alternatives to traditional cable & broadcast television. Source: Internet TV & Web TV: News and Trends for Internet Television http://www.reelseo.com/video/internet-tv/#ixzz1bLTMzUxe ©2008-2011 ReelSEO.com Online Video Guide

"Mobile technology is exactly what the name implies - technology that is portable. Examples of mobile IT devices include: laptop and netbook computers palmtop computers or personal digital assistants mobile phones and 'smart phones' global positioning system (GPS) devices wireless debit/credit card payment terminals Mobile devices can be enabled to use a variety of communications technologies such as: wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) - a type of wireless local area network technology Bluetooth - connects mobile devices wirelessly 'third generation' (3G), global system for mobile communications (GSM) and general packet radio service (GPRS) data services - data networking services for mobile phones dial-up services - data networking services using modems and telephone lines virtual private networks - secure access to a private network It is therefore possible to network the mobile device to a home office or the internet while travelling. Benefits Mobile computing can improve the service you offer your customers. For example, when meeting with customers you could access your customer relationship management system - over the internet - allowing you to update customer details whilst away from the office. Alternatively, you can enable customers to pay for services or goods without having to go to the till. For example, by using a wireless payment terminal diners can pay for their meal without leaving their table. More powerful solutions can link you directly into the office network while working off site, for instance to access your database or accounting systems. For example, you could: set up a new customer's account check prices and stock availability place an order online This leads to great flexibility in working - for example, enabling home working, or working while travelling. Increasingly, networking 'hot spots' are being provided in public areas that allow connection back to the office network or the internet.

gives examples of what types of products are mobile and the networks that they work on.

Shambles in Japan suggests this platform as an alternative to Elluminate.