Harper's "accountability"

A report has just come out that slams Harper's new proposed "openness" legislation. What the legislation will do is actually slam the door shut tighter on access to government. In fact, Gomery would not be possible under this proposed legistlation, because the journalist would have had their request quashed. Open government, indeed.

John Reid, the Information Commissioner says, "No previous government [...] has put forward a more retrograde and dangerous set of proposals to change the Access to Information Act."

Ask me if I'm surprised! Harper is looking more like Dubya all the time.

Derek Hotel

On I lighter note, I found that this upscale hotel in Houston offers trips in the Derekmobile. Cool!

Harper's bungle

I was interviewed by CBC yesterday on the Harper mismanagement of access to arrival ceremonies of slain
soldiers. Let's not forget Bush did the same thing; the media had to use a Freedom of Information Act request to get photos. I think this is a that Harper, like Bush, only wants his website press releases to be the "news". Where's the commitment to "accountability" when the media is muzzled? We've started with Emerson and it's getting worse.

It's also interesting that the Tories, usually seen as being staunch military supporters, are refusing to lower the flag on Parliament Hill. According to a Vancouver radio station poll, 2-1 are voting that the flag should be lowered. Why the announcement? It is because the human cost is becoming too great -- now 15 -- and Canadians will start asking tough questions?

Getting my phone to do new things

I've been experimenting with a data cable to get photos and new ringtones into my phone.

Configuring the cable was a bit tricky, but it works great now.

Then, formatting pictures for the phone wasn't too bad, although I found that after using Irfanview to resize, I had to use Paint to load/resave to get the phone to "see" the photo.

Finally ringtones. First, I found that my 2125i Nokia uses MIDI. I tried moving a few files on to the phone. It kept saying "the file is too large", but after removing some file manipulation, there was success!

Simpler MIDI compositions work best, although I am working with a MIDI sequencer called Jazz++ to try to shoehorn new tones into SP-MIDI format. I'm very happy it's open source! So yes, I'm finally into the ringtone craze! The sounds of Knight Rider and Ms. PacMan are revived, along with Brick, one of my favourite tunes.

I'm also trying ConvertRingtones, an online conversion tool. This site works great! Now I have Stephen's last night in town.

Iqaluit goes wireless!

Here are some examples where the North is using technology.

Iqaluit is one of the first communities in Canada where you can access free wireless. Nunavut also now offers high-speed Internet access through QINIQ in all its communities. In Whitehorse, cellular phone service is being offered though Ice Wireless, a Yukon provider, with service to other communities planned in the near future.

Back home

Well, I returned to Whitehorse this afternoon, and had a great time at the conference!

I learned a lot, met old friends, made new contacts, and was very heartened by all the passion and energy at the conference. It was very good.

I didn't have much of a chance to update the blog much, but stay tuned for more soon.

BCLA Pre-Conference Day

Here in Vancouver now at the first meeting. Podcasting (WordOfTheYear, 2005).

Resource list @ bclacast.blogspot.com.

I made this blog live while I was at the meeting, since I was sitting in front of the computer. I've heard comments by email that this live log should be cleaned up, so I've done some editing and left the mechanics of podcasting out.

What’s a podcast?

Media (usually in MP3 format) available on demand, for any user who has found and set up a subscription to it. It’s on demand, because it's downloadable to a portable media device, usually automated by subscription and RSS. Blogs

How are podcasts being used?
They are already being used for instruction ie: lectures, cooking, languages, music, corp. training.

What’s the potential audience?
There are now more than 55 million MP3 players out there, and many more devices that can play MP3 files.

Why should we use podcasts @ the library?
1) another medium
2) increases profile
3) voice - connection
4) print-disabled friendly
5) media shift - we’re seeing a shift to small groups publishing content

Here are some ideas for podcasting:
1) Promote library services/events
2) Book reviews
3) Storytelling
4) Author readings / guests
5) Community events / campus meetings
6) Panel discussions
7) Bibliographic instruction
Consider as new trend--
8) Reviews / Comments by users/patrons – patron-generated content

Some rules to consider (despite the fact there are no formal rules):
1) Use a consistent format – like radio programs, podcast audiences like to hear a consistent production
2) Produce only when there's content – don’t slavishing follow a schedule
3) Respect the users who subscribe to your feed – produce quality content

A large caveat: Providing podcasts for download can take up a lot of network resources
1) Consider bandwidth -- balance sound quality with file size
2) Bandwidth costs money! Consider bandwidth and impact on institution
3) May want to consider a hosted solution with a free service, especially if IT resources are limited

Interesting questions that came out of the discussion -- could libraries serve as a mirror for podcasts of interest? Set up a page of podcasts of interest? Have live pages that pushed content of interest to its users? Providing podcasting reference -- push list of podcast feeds to user groups?

After the presentation/discussion we talked about how to create a podcast and tried out some tools, all at http://bclacast.blogspot.com/.

Many thanks to Will for the presentation!

Thoughts not so joyful today

Nicolas Burns speaking on behalf of the US said today, ""We are going to act to deny Iran nuclear weapons capability," according to AFP. Bush is also quoted as saying: "All options are on the table."


I shudder to think that the US would ponder going nuclear, but if one pauses to consider the many forays using depleted uranium weapons, and tests of so-called "bunker buster" weapons, then it follows that a nuclear strike could follow.

Let's pray for peace and wisdom!

Easter Monday

A good day to hunker down and relax. Got a busy week coming up!

Holy Saturday

It continued to snow and I had to shovel another 2 inches of snow of the driveway!

After a couple of frantic hours late last night, I've started on a Google-hosted website, and started out here in Blogger.

I just found that the United Church of Canada is seeking to engage people who are 30-45. Being a part of this group, I was intrigued by the initiative.

I also found an interesting place online for Uniteds to chat. I found one April Fool's Day posting was very, very provocative.

Good Friday, 2006

Two inches of snow today, Good Friday! Just when I was going to get the BBQ set up! And I heard that it was 22C+ in Ontario??!? And this the big beginning of the RV season. I'm just grateful I made it to church this morning for a moving Good Friday service.

This first day of the long weekend was spent with renovations and reorgainization. It's very satisfying to improve the living environment.

Welcome to my world!

HI there....here's my first stab at blogging, in all its angst-ridden, tedious glory.

Enjoy the posts!