“It’s Christmas already”, by Solocomedia

Ciao 🙂

Below, singing “The Way You Make Me Feel” and “Man In The Mirror” at the 1988 Grammys. Amazing!

Wherever you are, if you’re anywhere at all, here’s my most sincere and heartfelt applause.

I love you, Jacko!

Trivialities aside, the real reason for this post is simply to link to a blog entry by Francis Lee, which I found really interesting as a round-up of open-source alternatives to proprietary software. Here it is:

https://softwarehowtos.blogspot.com/2008/12/top-50-proprietary-programs.html

You’ll surely find 95% of what you need day-to-day there (Moodle included, of course). And don’t forget that in times of crisis (yes, we’re definitely in one) you’ve got to watch every penny, and open-source licences… they’re free, dash it all!

So there you go, happy OpenSource 2009 to everyone, ciao, Eloy Lafuente (stronk7)

THE ALZHEIMER’S VISUAL TEST

Count every “F” in the following text:

FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE
SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI
FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH
THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS

How many did you find?

Wrong, it has SIX – for certain. Read it again!

How many have you found now?

Seriously, go back and try to find all SIX before moving on!

The reason for this is explained below:

The brain can’t process the word “OF”.

Incredible, isn’t it? Take another look.

Those who managed to count all SIX “F”s on the first try are geniuses.

SPINNING WOMAN

Look at this woman spinning, and if you think she’s spinning clockwise, the right side of your brain is working. If you think she’s spinning anticlockwise, it’s the left side of your brain that’s working. And if you manage to see her spinning in both directions… you’ve got an IQ of 160 or better.

Amazing, ciao, stronk7 🙂

So, straight away, yours truly dives in for a bit of a look at the specs of what promises to be the content-interchange format of the future — no less!

And as I work through it, an unpleasant aftertaste starts creeping in on yours humbly. This looks familiar, so does this, but hang on, this (and more) could already be done with the Content Packaging specs. Blimey, and they’re using the old version of Question & Test Interoperability… and only a subset of the LOM metadata (basically the mapped DC fields).

Ah, but here come the new features! Don’t miss them, here they are, namely:

1. Compatibility with SCORM 2004 (my favourite standard).
2. A new content type that allows forums to be created (absolutely a-m-a-z-i-n-g).
3. The IMS Common Cartridge Authorization Web Service (a bodge job so publishers can authorise their own packages to be played).

And all this, mind you, after two long years of drafting the specs.

All of it, of course, wrapped in a whole load of proclamations, benefits, and even a world-spanning alliance (the Common Cartridge Alliance) with the slogan “FREE the CONTENT”, in big, bold capital letters.

Naturally, part of that alliance is made up of the big commercial e-learning players and, of course, the giant publishing mammoths. And upon payment of a “symbolic” sum, you can (must) become a member of the select alliance. And I say “must” for one simple and curious reason: if you’re not, you get access to practically nothing. No examples, no tests, no implementation details, nothing. Just a 114-page PDF (plus another 21 pages for the authorisation system spec mentioned earlier), thoroughly cryptic and of little use. Though, for a few dollars more, IMS does offer to validate your packages and certify they’re correct (another money-spinner).

And it’s supposed to be an open standard, one we should all embrace (something IMS itself ought to be particularly keen on). And it’s also supposed to be useful for the learning process, blast it!

Anyway, to sum up — as they say — here are a few initial impressions:

1. Plenty of commercial interest, little pedagogical interest.
2. Based on well-known specs, but limited ones.
3. Reduces the whole learning process to content, quizzes and forums. Far too simplistic.
4. A total lack of resources, examples, tests… for implementing it.
5. Money-spinner after money-spinner (how many people live off the money IMS/GLC generates?)
6. The authorisation system is, quite simply, a nuisance that completely invalidates the slogan (“free the content”).

Anyway, all this is just the fruit of my efforts over the past week, reading through the hundred-odd pages of specifications, and largely brought on by my inability to find any more “practical” information about said specifications. I’m sure things will evolve for the better, and at worst, it might end up being a more or less decent spec for importing / exporting some content and quizzes to / from my beloved Moodle.

We’ll see how the story ends… for now I still much prefer Moodle’s own backup format as a content standard (and for whatever else), ha ha.

Ciao, stronk7 🙂

A TEACHER’S JOB DESCRIPTION

Spot cavities, hearing problems, flat feet, personality issues, emotional gaps… and when you get home with little squatters in your hair… lice!!

Play mum and dad to kids starved of affection, without having the right to be affected by it yourself. Take Enrique to get patched up and leave the rest of the class unattended. Hold a thousand and one meetings to explain to parents and pupils that the administration won’t be sending a substitute.

Go on school trips or field trips, work 24 hours a day for free, be responsible for everything that happens and, on top of that, pay for your own kids’ babysitter.

Teach across different levels, have 200 pupils, know every one of them (first and last names), motivate them and guide them.

Make, restore, laminate… the classroom materials.

Do your research, plan your lessons, prepare the materials, keep up with new textbooks, hold meetings with families, and, at night, mark exams and homework.

Coordinate with the other cycles, levels and departments.

Want to keep your training up to date during school hours, and end up having to do it in your free time, out of your own pocket.

Work as a substitute for 15 days in early years education in Fuenteovejuna, 1 month in Osasuna, 3 months in the special-needs classroom in Villacarrillo, and the rest of the time teaching English in Motril.

Know IT, psychology, art, building maintenance, typing, minute-taking, school records, how to clean the mimeograph machine, fix the photocopier, unclog the toilet, and fill out all the assignment paperwork…

On top of that, add having to act as a psychologist for the parents, listening to their relationship problems, divorces, infidelities, abuse, alcoholism, etc.

All without having the right to have problems of your own, because as everyone knows, teachers are always happy — problems are for other people.

What’s more, teachers generally shouldn’t expect thanks or recognition for all their work — being a parent-psychologist-carer-nurse-educator… doesn’t deserve a ’thank you’, since that’s what we’re paid for, and above all, that’s what we have… holidays… lots of holidays!!

Nor should we forget the threats from parents, the insults and even the physical attacks… well, not just from parents, from some of the kids too, all without having any right to defend yourself.

And God forbid you ever do…

And… even so, we love our profession!

HAPPY DAY TO EVERYONE, AND ESPECIALLY TO YOU IF YOU’RE A TEACHER!

Ciao, stronk7 🙂

I’m sure it won’t be to the taste of purists and connoisseurs — it doesn’t aim to be. What I can guarantee is that it’s absolutely delicious.

So, without further ado, here’s the recipe.

MEASURES (for 4 or 5 people, generous, seconds guaranteed)

A cup, glass or container of 1/4 litre.

INGREDIENTS

1. 2.5 measures of rice.
2. 1.5 kg of cuttlefish or squid (they shrink to half once cleaned).
3. 0.5 kg of peeled prawns.
4. 1.0 kg of mussels.
5. 1/4 kg of Seville olives.
6. 1 onion (approx. 150 g).
7. 3 heads of peeled garlic.
8. 1 sprig of parsley.
9. Jarred red pepper.
10. Saffron-colour-and-flavour food colouring.
11. Salt.
12. 0.3 l of olive oil.
13. 1 glass of cognac or brandy.
14. 5.5 measures of water (the water needed for this paella is exactly double the amount of rice plus 10%, i.e.: 2.5 measures × 2 = 5 measures, plus 10% = 5.5 measures).

PRE-COOKED STEWS (best made the day before)

1. Cuttlefish or squid: Once washed and cleaned, keeping only the edible part, cut into similar, medium-sized pieces (2-3 cm).
2. Onion: Chop into small pieces (0.5 cm).
3. Preparing the above: Put the oil in a pot and, once hot, add the chopped onion. Stir and, before it starts to brown, add the cuttlefish or squid. As soon as it starts to boil, pour in the glass of cognac or brandy. Keep it boiling, stirring and adding a little water if it dries out. A pinch of salt is optional. Keep stewing for 1 to 2 hours. Set it all aside.

1. Mussels: Clean the outside, pull off the beards, and wash.
2. Preparing the above: Put a little oil in a pot (2-3 tablespoons) and sauté the finely chopped garlic and parsley, then add the mussels, stirring them a few times, adding 1 tablespoon of the food colouring. They’ll be ready in 3 minutes. Discard the shells and keep only the meat and the broth (this broth counts towards the paella’s water measure).

PREPARATION (40 minutes before eating)

1. Put the cuttlefish or squid into the paella pan, all of it (sauce and everything).
2. Once it starts boiling, add the rice and, over a lively flame, sauté for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.
3. Heat up the water (part of it being the broth saved earlier) and, once it’s about to boil, add it to the paella pan. The rice should end up covered in water. From this point on, it’s very important not to stir.
4. Sprinkle with food colouring, to taste.
5. Add salt, without stirring, to taste.
6. Keep an even flame under the paella pan and, if needed, move the pan itself (without stirring the contents) so the heat reaches everywhere and it boils evenly.
7. Add the raw prawns, spreading them across the pan, then the olives, the mussels and, finally, the strips or pieces of jarred red pepper.
8. If it dries out too much, add a little water.
9. It’ll be ready in 20 minutes. Cover with a cloth and let it rest for 15 minutes.

Enjoy your meal!

Ciao, stronk7 🙂

And, without a doubt, June 14th, 2007 has been one of those days for yours truly, definitely.

Long live June 14th, 2007!

At first, neither group had much to do with the other; each evolved, as best it could, in the skills it was best suited for.

But one day, when no one expected it, a bond formed (I won’t be the one to call it love) between the two worlds. One of the world’s leading apple-trees, mister “Jobs”, hit it off famously with mister “Ellison”, the foremost exponent of the oraclers.

From this union sprang a series of gadgets, gizmos and inventions that, over the years, allowed the whole apple community to get along with the oracle community, establishing an interesting symbiosis, whereby the creative apple-trees developed new techniques and tools leaning on the sobriety and emotional stability of the oraclers.

And this was a lovely story of collaboration that, with the odd small crack, held up over the years, letting both communities grow and improve, each keeping the best of itself while making the most of the other’s virtues when needed.

But, as no joy lasts a thousand years, lo and behold the apple-trees suddenly decided to make a notable change to their most intimate concepts and beliefs (though, in fairness, the change wasn’t so sudden, and given their friendship with the oraclers, the latter were duly informed of how far-reaching the changes would be).

Changes that, while significant, were carried out really cleverly, leaving their relationships with other communities practically untouched. Only one small adjustment was essential, on the part of the all-powerful oracler community, for the lovely friendship story to continue — one that had produced such good results in recent years.

But, for reasons unknown, the oraclers decided not to make that tiny adjustment. Nearly two years after being warned and informed, they still haven’t moved a muscle. And it’s a shame, because the apple-trees, tired of waiting so long for a kind response from their dear friends, are starting to look for alternatives that can provide what, until recently, the oraclers supplied entirely satisfactorily.

Funnily enough, everything suggests the apple-trees will manage to find that alternative to the oraclers (there are several communities that can provide the required sobriety and stability). The oraclers, however, won’t have it so easy finding another community capable of generating the impressive creative synergies that are the apple-trees’ own.

We’ll see what happens in the coming months… I’ll keep you posted. This eternal optimist trusts both communities will walk hand in hand again in the near future.

Moral / recommendation: if you’re one of the apple-trees, or an oracler, and you’d like both communities to keep moving forward together, it’s simple. Just leave your thoughts on what we’re all missing out on, and what we can do to fix it, at:

https://forums.oracle.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=481059

Ciao, stronk7 🙂

Good for them!

Here come the links:

1. Dell: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/314124_dellfolo03.html
2. Lenovo: https://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2003996,00.asp
3. Acer: https://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2006/07/list-of-companies-selling-computers.html
4. Apple: https://www.apple.com/macosx/
5. Sun: https://www.sun.com/desktop/index.jsp
6. IBM: https://www-304.ibm.com/jct01004c/systems/support/opsystems.html
7. A list: https://lxer.com/module/db/index.php?dbn=14
8. Another list: https://www.linux.org/vendor/system/index.html

Some folks at Redmond should start worrying about their retirement if they’ve got more than 10 years left before it. Trends are trends… just saying.

Ciao, stronk7 🙂

With a clear educational purpose, it aims to be a faithful diary of one of the most controversial and thrilling personalities on the world stage: “Me”.

I hope the information you find on these pages proves useful in getting to know a little more about the incredible life of this character, whose actions and words repeatedly and decisively shake the future of the Universe: “Me”.

The photo accompanying this post has nothing to do with it, but it’s nice, so it stays. 😄

I hope the effort was worth it and that this site marks a milestone in all of your attitudes toward this wonderful world we happen to share.

With clearly manipulative intent, and striving to be as subjective, biased, reckless and thoughtless as humanly possible, this humble, modest and insincere “blogger” takes his leave until next time. I hope to be on the right path toward achieving such glorious goals.

What an experience, what a marvel, to think that this and other thoughts will become part of all of you!!

(in case there’s some clueless soul who still hasn’t caught on to this site’s aims and tone, here come the customary smilies, just to leave no doubt whatsoever)

😄 😛 🙂 😉 😄 😛 🙂 😉 😄 😛 🙂 😉 😄 😛 🙂 😉 😄 😛

Ciao, stronk7 🙂

Those fingers that, day after day, unhurried but unpausing, are capable of advancing humanity through their, often anonymous and selfless, efforts.

Such power, such skill, what a luxury to have twenty fingers. Let’s make the most of them. It’s quite the responsibility!

• Name: Eloy Lafuente
• Nick: stronk7
• Location: Lardero (La Rioja)
• Country: Spain
• Age: old enough
• Job: UR (University of La Rioja)
• Profile: Computer scientist
• Team: Osasuna (gotta own up to it)
• Hobbies: Reading (whatever it is), guitar (Spanish), five-a-side football, Free Software (any of it), Moodle (round the clock) and family (doing fine, thanks).

“¿Angurumapo simba, mcheza nani?”

Links of interest

• moodle.org
• dialnet.unirioja.es