Techfoot Short Takes

Nov 12

Off to class. Copyright is big topic of discussion tonight. http://ping.fm/d3sWj

Trying to reconstruct old php script to extract 94 lines of text from 34,000 line file. I know it worked before.

Sep 26

Online Research Community

Interesting example of an attempt to create a system that enhances scientists’ awareness for the purposes of helping them discover and make connections with potential collaborators.

But why the flash interface?

Jul 31

NMC Media Survey

Interesting information on use of new media in a wide range of institutions.

Jul 25

Don't Name Your Kid Null

Interesting Tidbit on Blackboard Grade Center

We ran into this issue yesterday evening, and I wanted to bring this to the attention of the list incase it happens to anyone else. For anyone running Blackboard 8, currently a student with first or last name of “Null” will cause the Grade Center to become inaccessible, until the name is changed.

It’s a fun little issue that was great to track down, so keep that in mind if you run into anything similar…..I verified we have no one named Zilch, Zip, Zero, Nada, Naught, Invalid, or Bupkis. :-)

Jul 1

Video: Twitter in Plain English | Common Craft - Explanations In Plain English

The Common Craft folks do their thing by explaining how Twitter works. “Twitter brought her closer to people who meant something to her 140 characters at a time.”

Jun 26

And I thought that the reason I couldn’t understand those lyrics was that I was getting old and my hearing was going….

Jun 8

How to Remember Your Password

Internationally renowned security technologist and author. “Simply, people can no longer remember passwords good enough to reliably defend against dictionary attacks, and are much more secure if they choose a password too complicated to remember and then write it down. We’re all good at securing small pieces of paper. I recommend that people write their passwords down on a small piece of paper, and keep it with their other valuable small pieces of paper: in their wallet.”

Mar 2

Botanicalls Twitter DIY

Botanicalls Twitter answers the question: What’s up with your plant? It offers a connection to your leafy pal via online Twitter status updates that reach you anywhere in the world. When your plant needs water, it will post to let you know, and send its thanks when you show it love.

Jan 24

One Third of Princeton Students Buy Mac

The percentage of Apple users on campus continues to grow.