Taking the Summer Off

I'm going to be taking this summer off from Web 2.0 stuff, including this blog.

I've come to the point were my interest in Web 2.0 technologies is becoming detrimental to other aspects of my life, particularly that part about finishing my degree. Therefore, I'm going to take the summer off to focus on making the most of my indoor time and maximize my outdoor time.

Have a wonderful summer. I'll see you again some time in late August or early September.

Dan

In Korea, a Boot Camp Cure for Web Obsession - New York Times

In Korea, a Boot Camp Cure for Web Obsession - New York Times

This is awesome, but I think that it would be great for all kids. Get out and do fun activities. This isn't treatment, it's camp!

Now, I don't want to be too glib about this. I agree that it's a serious issues and the participants here are extreme cases that need extreme interventions. This might be a good way to break them down and build them up, but it's not going to help them to live is a society of computers, where every basic task they have to complete is mediated by a computer (and likely the Internet).

From the picture here, it's pretty obvious that this is not in Seoul. I'd love to see grass in Seoul :) That's the biggest problem with this approach. When they go back to the city, what should they do?

These kids (at least those in K-12) have to time to go hiking, though the mountains surround Seoul. They are scheduled to within an inch of their lives. The "Internet" here mostly refers to games that they play after those scheduled times (mostly at night) and usually take away from their sleep time. There's no time to do anything that is more than a short distance from home.

I suggest a program that gives them alternatives that can be done given those boundaries (because those boundaries aren't going to be taken down any time soon). Both outdoor and indoor activities, both group and individual activities. If this can be done, it's more likely to last.

This program is just another hagwon (private institute program) that promises cures and provides only temporary relief of symptoms. When they get back to their real lives, they'll head straight to their computers to post their pictures, update their mini-homepys (Cyworld home page), and let their friend know exactly what they've been up to in hours of chat conversations.

Fear, secrecy kept 1950 Korea mass killings hidden - washingtonpost.com

Fear, secrecy kept 1950 Korea mass killings hidden - washingtonpost.com

This is one of those things that seems so obvious, but I have never heard it mentioned in my time in Korea (though there seems to be a considerable amount a work being done my the Truth and Reconciliation Committee). Regardless of where the war is, people are killed, both civilian and military. War movies are made on the callous actions of a few (or a even a policy) in laying judgment on their captives.

I really do hope that Korea acknowledges this and works to give a voice to the victims and their families. As is too often the case, people not directly affected just want the nastiness to go away and not interfere with their righteous few of their history and brethren. I hope this is one of those times where this urge is overcome.

Change of Title/Scope

Hi folks,

For anyone who still follows this nearly dead blog I wanted to leave a note on the changes that I'm going to make.  I started this blog years ago as a place to discuss language learning and technology.  This role has shifted to my IUCALL blog (which will soon change names as well) leaving this blog as a general repository for miscellaneous stuff.

It's time to just redo this site and use it for the kind of miscellaneous postings that I didn't have a place for previously.  I'm going use this as more of a personal site to document the junk in my life that few people will be interested in: restaurants, days out with the family, and so forth.  Since I happen to live in Seoul, you might be interested in that part of it.  So, soon to come.  More pictures, videos, and write-ups of my daily life in Seoul.

Dan

Design Coding Rap

Thanks to Open Thinking & Digital Pedagogy for point me to this. Just great.

Study says many studies suck / Research shows we are far too drunk on stupid studies that tell us what research shows

Study says many studies suck / Research shows we are far too drunk on stupid studies that tell us what research shows

If he thinks that medical studies are inane, he should take a look at a journal in education :)

All English Classes to Be In English. Really. : Korea Beat

All English Classes to Be In English. Really.

I'm becoming a big fan of Korea Beat. These are the timely articles that you just don't get in the Korean English dailies.

I've heard rumors of the Lee Myung-bak's transition team proposing that high school Science and Math classes by 2010. That is just insane. These guys are just talking crazy after being locked in a room for a couple weeks brainstorming wonderful policy moves. However, I haven't seen this printed yet, so I don't really believe it (yet).

The proposal detailed in this post, namely that English teachers will have to teach in English and students will be required to take tests focused more on communication than grammar knowledge, seems reasonable. Can you imagine having a language teacher who couldn't communicate passably (note I don't say well) in the target language? This is certainly the case with many English teachers in Korea. It is my impression that the numbers are greatest in the elementary schools and decrease in middle schools and then again in high schools.

I understand being afraid of change and, thus, the resistance from some teachers (noted in the article). However, I also think that the good of the student must come before the good of the teacher. If you don't know your topic well enough to teach it, you should either learn it or change your teaching responsibilities.

Regardless of what I think here, though. History shows that many of these suggested changes never make it to the policy stage and of those that do, few last. Just think about it. By the time it is enacted and the grace period ends, this presidency will be nearly over. No re-election for Korean presidents. The political will and juice just won't be great enough to make it last.

Dan

Scarcity of Native English Speakers Drives Up Salaries : Korea Beat

Scarcity of Native English Speakers Drives Up Salaries

My feelings on this article (thanks to Korea Beat for the translation) are mixed. My first reaction was, "GOOD". I love higher salaries :) However, after reading it I have other concerns.

These requirements are going to drive away qualified teachers who can go elsewhere, which leaves more unqualified folks who are willing to wait to get in. Though I am in favor of reform, let's face it, most of these regulations won't stop 99% of the undesirables. These new regulations are futile, because most pedophiles haven't been caught, most recreational drug users can stop for a couple weeks to beat the test, and the interviewers will have no clue what to look for (I guarantee that they have had NO training for this). I think that the drug test and background checks are reasonable, but provide another way to interview it if has to be done. The goal should be a system that enables people to come a month after signing a contract. This is best for the workers and for the hagwons.

Another problem is that this might keep bad teachers at their jobs. With easier access to teachers, owners could release bad teachers and bring someone else in with little extra cost. Now, these same teachers are more likely to keep their jobs no matter what their behavior (we've all heard the horror stories, right?).

Though there are certainly problems, a shortage might be a silver lining. A "native" teacher shortage could fuel change initiatives. Better training for Korean English teachers is a great start. I've met middle school English teachers who couldn't even communicate with me. My Korea was as good as their English, which is really, really bad.

Check out the article for more specifics.

Dan

YouTube - Did You Know 2.0

YouTube - Did You Know 2.0

I'm likely behind on promoting this video, but better late than never. It isn't a new message, but it's a great new way to present the message.

What is the message, you ask? It's that our approach to education (and policies across the board) need to change in order to compete in the 21st Century. Education needs to stay ahead of the change instead of consistently lagging behind.

We, as a global society, need to consider not only how our physical neighbors will fare in this change, but how the rest of the increasingly connected world will as well. I'm weaving in my personal interpretation here, but I have a feeling that the producers would agree.

Enjoy.



Dan

YouTube - People in Order (correct version)

YouTube - People in Order (correct version)

This is a fun video. While not easy, this is the type of video that your students could do and learn quite a lot from.



Dan

Google Earth | Santa Tracker 2006

Google Earth | Santa Tracker 2006

Track Santa in the 21st Century :)

Technology key to stopping piracy - CNN.com

Technology key to stopping piracy - CNN.com

When are they going to learn? Technology won't stop anything. It is just going to drive more of a black economy. This is a war (not of the cold variety) that pits software/media companies against their potential customers. Dare I compare the US approach in Iraq to this mess. Throwing a bunch of soldiers at a problem only results in pushback.

Making it better for people to go the legal route than the illegal route is the only way to combat this problem for companies. I actually think that Microsoft is doing this, which isn't mentioned in the article. They offer easier rollouts of updates and access to bonus applications (i.e., PhotoStory 3) for authentic versions of their software. This value-added approach is how you bring customers into the fold. Not by going to war with them.

I have one of those Genuine Advantage stories that show how honest customers are hurt by these technological fixes. Just the other day I started up an old laptop that I hadn't used in a few months. Upon starting the computer I received a message that I could be the victim of software fraud. Oh, my! I'm a victim. The only thing that I am a victim of is an inept technological DRM fix.

That computer has an educational version of XP that was bought at my university bookstore as part of a legitimate Microsoft deal with the school. Not to mention the fact that the computer itself has another XP license that came with the system (no system disk, so it was easier to load the educational copy). Now, I get a message at startup, that I have to click through, saying that I don't have a Genuine copy. While it's not big deal because I'm giving it to my brother-in-law who needs to load it with a Korean OS, it frustrates me to no end that my legal copy is now flagged as being not Genuine and, is thus, of no use to me any longer.

These technological methods are anti-consumer. While they make it more difficult for pirates to do business, they also make it more difficult for honest consumers to do business as well. Anyone who thinks that there is a technological fix for the piracy problem is an idiot. Sorry, can't pull my punches on this one.

Dan

YouTube - real choctaw stickball

YouTube - real choctaw stickball

This is really an amazing video. I simply didn't know that it was played any more. This is the sport that lacrosse grew out of.

If you don't have time to watch this, just think about lacrosse mixed with a gang fight with everyone armed with sticks :)

Taming Baby Rage: Why Are Some Kids So Angry?: Scientific American

Taming Baby Rage: Why Are Some Kids So Angry?: Scientific American

At least this makes more sense than, "the darn video games made my boy kill" protests. Saying that video games or other media cause people to commit violence is simply not supportable. All of the studies that I've seen merely correlate violent media with acts of violence (and they don't even do this well). All that says is that people who are violent like violent media. Anyone with an ounce of research savvy can tell you that this means very little. Correlation and causation are very different, with the latter being very difficult to substantiate.

So, before you start bad mouthing the media, it might be a good idea to think about parenting, genetics, or other explanations that also correlate with violent behavior.

Be careful of the band wagon.

Dan

OUseful Info: How to Build Your Own Facebook App

OUseful Info: How to Build Your Own Facebook App

I can't believe that Facebook doesn't make it easier to embed widgets on your profile, but with a little elbow grease, you can make your own Facebook apps.

There are some great suggestions in this posting, with the most intriguing on being Popfly's tie in.

Dan

Why I bought the Radiohead album

R A D I O H E A D

Before today, I hadn't bought an album (DVD, CD, tape, record, 8-track, etc.) for the last 5 years and now that I think about it, it might have been more like 9 years ago--when I bought Radiohead's OK COMPUTER. Don't go jumping to conclusions based on this confession. I haven't been illegally downloading music either.

I had a large 200+ CD collection prior to the MP3 revolution. I ripped those years ago and now they are packed away in my parents attic. Maybe I'll put them out at family occasions in 20 years for laughs. However, that CD collection gave me a sizable MP3 collection, though it wasn't growing with the times.

Around the year 2000, I stopped buying CDs altogether. At that time, I discovered the growing number of online radio stations. It was at that point, when I gave up on "owning" music. I could legally and guiltlessly listen to just about any music that I wanted to: new, old, those that I know well and those that I'm discovering for the first time.

At that time, I had no MP3 player and everywhere that I was on a computer, I had an Internet connection. With that in mind, why buy? Times have changed though. I got my own MP3 player a little more than a year ago and I'm hooked. I primarily listen to podcasts, but I also like to flip through my music collection (most of which fits on the player) occasionally. Internet radio no longer serves my purposes.

However, I still refused to buy MP3's online. The DRM (digital rights management) got in the way of my moving files around to multiple computers and even multiple MP3 players (I use one just for the family stereo--mostly children's songs these days). When I first got onto iTunes, I was excited to buy music. I tested the waters with one of their free downloads and it took me a while to figure out how to get the damned thing on my player. DRM got in the way. I decided not to buy anything from iTunes, though I had (and still have) a $15 gift card collecting dust on my desk.

With iTunes now selling un-DRM'ed tracks, I might venture back. The problem is that I still see iTunes as part of the problem. Their proprietary files and services are walling me in and restricting my ability to interact with the content. This is not just true of music, but video and podcasts as well. Not to mention that the iTunes store is really a hulking mess of software that eats my memory and takes forever to complete tasks in (and I won't even mention the awful library functions---oops, I just did).

This is where I finally get to the new Radiohead album In Rainbows (linked to in the title). There has been plenty about this in the media (at least tech-media), but you might not have seen too much about it. They are a popular group with a very large fan-base and they decided to forgo the music companies and even the might iTunes store and sell their album on their site WITHOUT DRM. This isn't so surprising, but what is is that they let the buyer choose their price. Buyer could choose to pay nothing for the album (45p processing fee though). I really hope that this is the direction that media will be going in. I'd even be in favor of sliding scales depending on sales volume (low demand, low price; high demand high price).

So, did I buy the album because I wanted another folder on my computer full of music? NO. I bought the album because I want to support the movement. Actually, I probably paid too much, though a lot less than an (legal) album in Korea.

Now, I want to address the recent "controversy" over the possible reasons for releasing and the quality of the album. MTV news (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1571737/20071011/radiohead.jhtml) reports that people are upset because of the 160 kbps bit rate. Give me a break! iTunes is at 128kbps and sells songs for much more than you can potentially buy them here. Even with their new DRM-free songs at 256kbps, what's really the difference? I haven't owned speakers bigger than those next to my computer for years. Might I hear the difference otherwise, possibly, but all of my listening in either on my computer, MP3 player, or in a car.....NO DIFFERENCE!

The article also bring up possible statements by their management saying that this was a way of helping them sell CD's....GREAT! Good for them. I love the effort. I hope they sell lots. However, they never would have sold one to me had it not been for this move.

Overall it's good for the fans and good for the industry as a whole (maybe not the big guys--change or die fellas)

By-the-way, I just finished listening to the album near the end of this post. It's really good as a whole. If I were to buy it song by song, I probably would have only taken 3 or 4 of them. With that in mind, maybe 2-3 pounds would be a good price to pay.

Dan

YouTube survey

SurveyShare YouTube Survey

Hi all. This is a survey that Curt Bonk is conducting on the use of YouTube in education/training. It's a quick (10 min) survey that includes watching 1 short education/tech-related video. Go help him and fill it out.

You can help me too. If you refer someone, you get some free time in the pro account for SurveyShare, so drop my email address in there (danielcraig@hotmail.com).

Dan

Teleport? No. Telecopy? Yes.

Beam me up: Just how close are we to teleportation? - CNN.com

Come on! This is just too cool.

I've heard rumblings of this experiments for a while, but this is the first article that I've seen with a good explanation for what's going on.

I have humble dreams of being teleported from Seoul to Chicago for birthday parties and anniversaries. This would give a new meaning to weekend getaways!

Unfortunately, this is not necessarily teleportation; it's more like telecopying. None-the-less, it's still very cool. At a minimum, just think of telecopying basic compounds from earth to bases on other planets or even from areas with to those without. Water in the Sahara anyone?

Read the article.

Dan

The New Rules Of Technology VC

The New Rules Of Technology VC

This isn't what I normally post on, but I find myself more and more interested in what it takes to launch a startup these days. The barriers to development and overhead seem to be crashing down. What is to stop someone with a good idea and a couple thousand bucks from running with an idea? Even if you can't code, outsource it. Heck, even college students are making a couple extra bucks coding. Just snag a couple outside some computer science class and make an offer they can't refuse.

According to this post, that's essentially what VC firms are finding out too. The competition has increased because lower investment requirements have enabled smaller funds to change the rules.

I bet there are thousands of folks out there who could get some site or service off the ground with just $20-30K. Seems like it could pay off better that the multi-million dollar crap tosses of old.

Dan

Guess-the-Google

guess-the-google

VERY fun game that takes results from Google images and makes you guess the word. The time limit to too short for English learners.

I only got a little over 200 my first time out. It's a tough game. Give it a try.

Learn to Speak Korean videos

Learn to Speak Korean

Here are a collection of videos from a series called "Learn to Speak Korean". This site has what seems to be season 1. After working through these, I might have to look into seasons 2 & 3 as well.

I really like video language lessons. I just find them so much more memorable and easy to follow. I just wish that I could get these on my iPod (easily). They would be nice to watch on the road.

Here is an example. I have to warn you that you need the Divx plug in to see this. Lesson 1 is good for basic greetings.



Dan

The REAL Superman suit

Photos: Tech visions of future from NextFest | CNET News.com

I thought that this was SOOO cool. There's a lot of neat tech at NextFest, but this is one that caught my eye. This suit by D30 Labs is made of a material that hardens on impact. Their market is now with motorcycle garb, but with a nod to police and the military.

Just think, though, in the near future children wearing coats made from this material. It would make playing king of the hill much more interesting.

Dan

Vintage Sesame Street - Rubber Duckie (Ernie)

YouTube - Vintage Sesame Street - Rubber Duckie (Ernie)

An absolute classic. Who could ever forget Ernie singing the Rubber Ducky song?



Dan

American Experience | Chicago: City of the Century

American Experience | Chicago: City of the Century

I feel a little bad about adding non-tech, non-education materials here. I've been using this site as more of a repository for everything that I don't add to the IUCALL blog.

However, this could certainly be a good resource to use in the classroom, including the teacher resources that come with the site. I always like to point to materials about my hometown. As a teacher in a foreign land, I find that it helps learners to identify we me as more than just an American. As most of us, I can not just my nationality; I also have regional, religious, professional, and even familial aspects of my identity.

Dan

Fan death - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fan death - Wikipedia

I rallied against the belief in fan death for a long time, but, for the most part, I have stopped pushing the issue. However, I am constantly surprised that even doctors and medical researchers hold this belief.

Still, I try to listen to all reasonable explanations, of which the hypothermia hypothesis seems the most reasonable.

Here's quick video about fan death



Dan

How to be the Perfect Girlfriend

YouTube - How to be the Perfect Girlfriend

This is a pretty funny video.



Dan

The Art of selling by Alec Baldwin - Video

5min - The Art of selling by Alec Baldwin - Video

Ok. This has nothing to do with technology or language learning, but I just came across this video clip and I had to post it. It's one of my favorite scenes from Glengarry Glen Ross. While some people in sales may not like what he has to say, it hits the nail on the head.

Take a look



Dan

Lemon Tree video

This was one of my favorite songs once upon a time. I'd never seen the video though.



Dan

Great phishing mail I just had to share

I recently received the old "The IRS wants to give you money" scam in my inbox. Usually, I just delete these things without thinking, but I took a closer look at this one.

I've posted the email below, but I want to point out some things first.

1. Note the first URL. This actually points to an image on the IRS site. This can help to assure even some savvy users that this might be legit. The first thing that I look for is a valid URL (not the link text, but the underlying URL). This one is legit. However, it is just a picture.
2. Now just look at the text. It doesn't seem all that strange, but it should make you think a little. Doesn't it sound too conversational for the IRS? IRS and government communications are usually rather dry sounding. Not to mention, they don't sign letters, "Internal Revenue Service".
3. Last, but surely not least, is the link to apply for your refund. I may be wrong, but given the current climate in Washington D.C., I don't think that they are going to name their server "tehran". Even if they did, how likely is it that the IRS's server is in Iran? The best thing is that these guys didn't even try to cover it up with misleading link text.
   

I'd suggest that you NOT follow this link. You never know what nasty stuff they have on the site. I just thought that it was a classic phishing email and that you had to see it.

---------------------------------------------------------

http://www.irs.gov/irs/cda/common/images/irslogo.gif
After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $109.30. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it.

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To access the form for your tax refund, please click here http://www.tehran.agri-jahad.ir:84/irs.htm

Regards,
Internal Revenue Service

© Copyright 2007, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A..
ZCQMILQUUYYRJWNFBOLVPPVZNBWECCCWXNZUCR


----------------------------------------------------------

A N I M O T O: the end of slideshows

A N I M O T O: the end of slideshows

This is a pretty cool application. It turns your photos into an exciting video, complete with a large selection of music (pretty good music). 30-second clips are free, but longer ones will cost. The free clips will allow 15 pictures or more with warnings that extras may be cut off.

Here is my sample



Dan