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Love these. LOVE these!
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26 September 2009 in DailyLinks | Permalink | Comments (0)
25 September 2009 in DailyLinks | Permalink | Comments (0)
Just got a note about a recently released Canadians and Technology survey from TELUS/Ipsos Reid.
Some findings ..
It should be no surprise that young Canadians are using the Internet. But that they are proficient at it by age seven, and use it as much as 1-5 hours a day - wow. I wonder how radically different it is being 7 these days than when I was 7 (back in '76).
Some other bits about kids and parents:
These surveys always have interesting gender and geographic breakdowns.
Gender-wise ...
Geographically speaking ...
PVR Use and Getting Quality Time
Love Connection - Cellphones
The survey was released by TELUS and Ipsos Reid. TELUS partnered Barry Wellman, S.D. Clark Professor of Sociology at the University of Toronto (specializing in community sociology, the Internet, human-computer interaction and social structure, as manifested in social networks in communities and organizations) and Kathy Buckworth, mother of four and author of the BlackBerry Diaries.
There's a great piece by Gillian Shaw in the Vancouver Sun that covers a few more of the findings. One of my fav things in the piece is this quote from Wellman:
"Canadian families have moved from being groups to being social networks. Each family member goes about their separate agendas, but links up at night and by new media throughout the day. Their lives have expanded beyond homes and neighbourhoods."
This sentiment is seen (though not conclusively) in the study data. Reflecting on technology and its role in the family, Canadians say that technology not only helps their family stay organized but that it helps to improve relationships. Most (83%) of the 36% Canadians who ‘strongly agree’ that technology helps keep their family organized also say that the Internet has improved their connection with family and friends. One in three (35%) Canadians say that technology has made their family feel closer together. Conversely, just 7% say the opposite. Similarly, two in three (66%) ‘agree’ (12% strongly/54% somewhat) that technology helps them stay connected to friends and family.
I'm delighted that we're starting to see more stories and examples of technology being a positive force rather than the isolating bug-a-boo that has all of us living in basements in our PJ's and feasting on Cheetos.
Photo Credit: Wesley Fryer
25 September 2009 in Canadian, Technology & the Internet | Permalink | Comments (4)
22 September 2009 in DailyLinks | Permalink | Comments (0)
21 September 2009 in DailyLinks | Permalink | Comments (0)
19 September 2009 in DailyLinks | Permalink | Comments (1)
I recently conducted some field research on the best laptop bags for journalists (thanks to a request from Benét Wilson, Managing Editor for Business Aviation). I published the full piece over on funchico, but I thought I would highlight the four journalist sub-species I discovered in my field research:
Journalist Maximus, or the “I carry everything with me at all times” journalist. These folks were likely Boy (or Girl) Scouts and want to always be prepared – so they bring all their reporting tools with them. And the best bags for these folks: backpacks.
The second type of journalist I identified is at the opposite end of the scale as the Journalist Maximus – it’s the Journalist Simplicus. The JS doesn’t want to carry a lot of gear (or if they do, it’s small gear – netbook, point and shoot camera, iphone) and needs to move quickly. Plus the JS likes to have easy quick access to their tools – no taking off a backpack and digging around. The bag is preferred to be worn across the front of the body. This sub-species includes the rare variant the Journalist Retroicus.
The third type of journalist I encountered in my field study is perhaps the most complex of journalists – Journalist Impatiens Paranoicus. This sub-species is generally a traveler – roaming to far-flung, exotic locales to ply their trade. Consequently, their tolerance for waiting in line, particularly at airport security checks is low. Plus, they’re inherently suspicious. This is what makes them good journalists, but it also makes them edgy in the lineup as well – worrying about their laptop and other gear. The solution – checkpoint friendly laptop bags that speed up time through the line and keep a laptop protected the whole time.
Finally, there is the most unpredictable and flighty of all journalists sub-species – the Journalist Fashionista. She (fieldnote: typically, though not exclusively, this species is female) wants it all. Capacity for all her gear, comfort in the carrying and style in the look. She wants to fit in on the pages of Vogue yet write for Newsweek. Fortunately, there are a few designers that can meet the JF’s needs.
The field guide includes about a dozen different laptop bags - if you're looking for a new one, you might find it useful.
14 September 2009 in Laptop Bags, Reviews | Permalink | Comments (0)
I thought today would be a good day to share an announcement I received about the True Patriot Love Foundation - an organization that provides support and relief to members of the Canadian Military and their families. The TPL Foundation is holding their annual Tribute Dinner in November, a benefit that supports the Canadian Military Families Fund.
For the Tribute Dinner, True Patriot Love is seeking the participation of 100 Canadian Artists to transform military helmets resembling those worn in combat, into works of art. The helmets, designed and donated by the artists, will be part of a silent auction at the Tribute Dinner. A symbol of protection and Canadians’ hope to keep soldiers safe, the helmets are a timeless and important tribute to the unparalleled sacrifices of our military and their families, and will represent an expression of Canadian artists’ vision of celebration.
Any artist interested in contributing by painting a helmet can contact Stacey Mores (stacey.mores [at] fusemg.com) for more information.
You can follow the True Patriot Love Foundation on Twitter as @TPLFoundation and connect with them on Facebook.
11 September 2009 in Canadian | Permalink | Comments (0)
I use Typepad as my blogging platform. I've been using it for four years now. For the most part, I've been pleased with the improvements they have made to the service over the time I've been a customer. And I think they try to add value beyond the blogging platform itself by activities such as hosting free webinars and starting an ad program for Typepad bloggers.
It's their push on advertising that caught my attention. I saw this little graphic on my dashboard the other day.
[If you have your graphics turned off, it reads "Are you a serious blogger? Prove it. Put ads on your blog to get paid for your hard work and give it a more professional look."]
Are ads on a blog the hallmark of a "professional look"?
We run ads on OneDegree.ca - because that is a for-profit venture. I also run ads on funchico.com - some Google AdSense and some affiliate banners. I also have some on our Gay Wedding site (to try to recoup some of our wedding costs ;) .
There was a time I had ads on here on MNIK. Mainly for a lark. I never thought they would earn serious money (funchico and the wedding site combined have earned 77 cents this year through Google AdSense). And I had no real control over them (or possibly just no idea on how to place them well). So I took them off.
But the idea that they (or any ads) would make my site look more professional never occurred to me.
Rob recently added AdSense ads to his blog - in order to experiment with them. And Darren added AdSense ads a while ago, to his sub-pages and his "project sites". Neither of them used the argument that they wanted their sites to appear "more professional".
Are ads the hallmark of blogger professionalism? Do ads a "serious blogger" make?
After I started this post, I saw this new graphic also touting their advertising program ...
It's kinda funny. But also seems to go against the principles of The Generous Web and Whuffie that are the backbone of so much of what is good that happens in the blogosphere. Now, I certainly think that bloggers should make money from their blogs. I guess I just find this particular ad so ... icky. Just me?
Regardless, I am still very interested by the assumption raised by the first Typepad tout - do ads on your blog make you look more professional?
09 September 2009 in Blogs and Blogging | Permalink | Comments (3)
September is really the new year for me - not January. Perhaps it's too many years of purchasing school supplies (mmmm ... shiny new binders). So, when I wanted to refresh my blog, I decided to do it for the fall.
I am thrilled (THRILLED!!) that my friend, Shannon Chiarenza (she's @ShannonC73 on Twitter), did a custom illustrated header and footer for MNIK. Shannon is a triple threat - she does web design, is smart about the online space (her piece on why people won't follow you on Twitter is very popular) and is starting to focus more on illustration with an upcoming fall launch of a kid's book that she illustrated.
I wanted a different look than what I had before and the illustrated design that Shannon created is definitely different. I'm hoping it will inspire me to write more regularly.
So, if you're reading this in the feed or email, please take a swing by to see Shannon's great illustration!
08 September 2009 in Blogs and Blogging, Design, Self-Referential | Permalink | Comments (7)
Header & Footer Illustration by Shannon Chiraenza | Icons by ProductiveDreams.com
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