Freeware applications...

In the world of intelligence overload there are lots of things you can obtain for free. It's something to do with sharing. A value we try to instill in everyone who isn't a born capitalist.

There are lots of sites for you to search for open source software.

http://sourceforge.net/

http://www.opensourcewindows.org/

http://www.opensourcemac.org/

I have been using Gimp since last year when we were told similar stuff in the web course I was doing then. It is the GNU Image Manipulation Programme, designed to be used with photos and to create text boxes. I found it a little difficult at first but then I'm not the most computer savvy person on the planet. For the simple stuff like reducing photos, manipulating them or writing some text over the top after a few attempts I found it a reasonable system to use. I don't like the separate boxes for opening the picture and the tools, but then it might have been updated since I last looked!

Gimp

Week 8 -

Sign an e-petition. I figured saving something was worth signing up for...

Save Eumundi

Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site.

I have nothing to say. I must be the least opinionated person in the world!

What is Barak Obama up to today?

Obama blogs!


Find out who your local, state and federal representatives are:

I might be in the x-generation category but I don't follow politics. I had to vote for the first time ever this year! That was well avoided on my part I think.

Local: Dr Alex Douglas

State: Anna Bligh (Always makes me giggle and think of Captain Bligh)

(And the fact that I am putting up a video of his grave should in no way reflect upon my feelings about she who rules in any way what so ever...)

Federal: Stuart Robert. Fadden. ( I have a great publicity shot of him on my fridge with all the emergency numbers you could ever need. Pity when there is an emergency the last place you think to look for help is the fridge!)


Look up the Queensland or Australian hansard to find the last time your local member spoke in parliament.
HUH? The what. Hansard? Who really knows what all this stuff means. I have watched parliament, its like a circus on steroids with undiscovered species of animals. I'm guessing that when he spoke he probably didn't actually say anything anyway...

Let your local member know what you think about their last speech.

How about I do that right here...In a few short well thought out words.

"Say something, anything, make a point. In fact speak up! I CANT HEAR YOU! Oh, you don't have anything productive to say? Help, we need someone to run the country. Any suggestions?"

3 Short Films

As a medium for exposing new short films, or anything creative for that matter, the internet must have been every budding film directors dream come true. The internet makes the possibility of distribution of the short film format accessible on a massive scale with a very tiny cost per view ratio.


I chose this first short animated film for a few reasons. The first one is that I am a kiwi...don't say it I know it's patriotic and completely commendable on my part! With over 23.5 million views on youtube since June 2006 it has obviously appealed to a much greater audience than just all of the ex-patriot kiwis out there. It is simple, the story line is clear and leaves you with your own end interpretation. To feel the wind in your face, even if it is only once.




This second film speaks volumes about itself and about our opinions.
(I was also impressed this week to see it shown at the lecture!)




I liked the idea of this third film because it relates a bit more closely to my degree. The idea of a story being born without and ending, which all writers fear. I can relate whole heartedly to that interpretation of the difficulty of being creative...

The generatorblog has a heap of ideas for sites you can do things on. From making puddles of vomit to putting your own design on a t-shirt.

Tiltshift

This application was fun and simple. I think it might take a little bit more practice to master the use of the blurring effect but on a simplicity scale it was very easy to use.

If you are into fashion or perhaps want to see what other peoples idea of fashion is this site is for you...Polyvore. You get to mix and match outfits, celebrity pictures handbags and my favourite shopping item...shoes!

I looked at both of the art portal listings, but I'm not sure I get it! Art is that way I suppose...

Emergency and Disaster Information Services (EDIS) For anything you could ever want to know about natural disasters the world over...

I'm really glad that this volcano is miles from Tokyo where I will be going in about a weeks time...

I have no idea why you would want to test the speed of the computer? If it's being slow and annoying I take a coffee break...

I would recommend testing your reaction time instead. This involves sheep and a tranquilizer dart, and it's addictive.

Me on the Net and Firsts of Me

A search for my name at personas media comes up with this...

It could not be much further from the truth as I am the least sportiest sports person with inadequate ball handling skills and the ability to only trip over my own feet whilst running...

Following is a map of all the places I have done something for the first time...


View Places I did something for the first time in a larger map