NorthStarNerd.Org

Wordle Me ... Wordle You!

I've noticed a reasonable amount of buzz around the net about Wordle. I decided I needed to check out this phenomenon ... and I find Wordle is addicting, but more importantly it can help you see relationships in your words. In short, Wordle lets you take any text or web site and get a graphical representation of the word relationships. I find I like Wordle's which are mainly horizontal, and somewhat circular.

I've created two Wordle's for your review. The first is my LinkedIn profile; the second is this blog. I challenge everyone to Wordle your resume or LinkedIn profile; you might not be emphasizing what you think you are! Make certain you click upon each Wordle for an expanded view. In this instance, a picture is worth a thousand words! Creat your own Wordle via this link.
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Adobe eLearning

Ever have the need to know how to do something in Adobe Acrobat, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop and a host of other tools? Then link to Adobe's Video Center for free, high quality eLearning / simulations. In order to insure crisp graphics, make certain you put your browser into the full screen mode with at least 1024x768 screen resolution. Given the inclusion of Dreamweaver and Flash, I will add the content to the Engineering Learning Wiki engineering design tools and software sections.

Audio Search of YouTube Video Content

Google Labs has quietly rolled out a new search capability which allows one to search the audio content of YouTube videos. Right now they are only indexing political content ... thus if you want to see what Obama or McCain ... or any other politican is saying about the proposed federal bailout ... try a search on "federal reserve".

This could be huge if expanded to other content. If you only think of YouTube as a provider of whimsical video, then you are missing the boat. See my prior post on using Google Video or YouTube as a research tool, or check out my own YouTube channel. My Northstar Nerd Channel will give you just a taste of some of the high quality content available via YouTube.

A Distinguished Engineering Search Query

Early this week, Joyce Benik of SortFix, contacted me via this blog. She recommended that the Northstar Nerd should take a look at their new search engine ... you know ... better kind of mouse trap and all that kind of nonsense. While Google will remain my main search bookmark, I was pleasantly surprised with my SoftFix results and they are now part of my search tools. Let me explain the process (and give you some screen shots):

• Using the SortFix User Interface ... you enter your Google keywords
• SortFix runs your query, but suggests additional terms and keywords

Now ... I know what you're thinking. Doesn't Google already provided suggested alternative searches? While the answer to that question is yes, the SortFix graphical UI simplified the ability to make decisions on modifying my Google search query.

• Look at my initial query ...
  •  keywords: engineering, lecture, video
• In my second query ... some improvement
  • suggested keyword added: series 
• In my final query ... dramatically improved results
  • swapped suggested keyword: distinguised for series

I had not realized how prevalent the use of the word "distinguised" was when it comes to describing online engineering lectures. Here are just a few of the results which I need to assimiliate for addition to the Engineering Learning Wiki (research seminars section) are:

• Carnegie Mellon Computer Science Lecture Series
• Nokia's Distinguished Lectures on Cyber Physical Systems
• Society of Petroleum Engineers Distinguished Lecture Series

All of these lecture series are provided in the clear via web streaming without charge. I guess I should never agree to present unless it is part of a "distinguised" lecture series. However, this nerd has never been classified in that manner! Here are the promised search screenshots. Click upon any image for an expanded view.

   

The Price of the Printer

I normally steer away from politics in this blog, but as the USA considers the most massive financial bailout since FDR's New Deal, I invite you to consider what happened in two financial markets yesterday: (see Google Finance)

• The price of oil rose over $25

• The price of a Euro rose from $1.45 to $1.48

In other words, investors know that the only way to pay for the proposed bailout is to run the printing presses at the US Mint. Your savings and purchasing power fell yesterday. As we head towards the November elections, support your favorite candidates, but make them find real ways to "pay" for any new programs. Money does not grow on trees; the United States just prints it (Econ 101).