NorthStarNerd.Org

Meet Me In St. Louis (or FaceBook)

What's your social network? ... mine's changing. Over the past two months I've been surprised to watch how Facebook has moved from the college realm to the business world. Over the past three years, I was the one and only "pre-2000" Dartmouth college graduate on Facebook. Yes, this ancient 1978 graduate was on Facebook.  It was a neat way to communicate with my children ... and they did not mind Dad posting on their Wall.

A couple of months back, I read without much interest that Facebook was opening itself up to corporations. Given a significant number of large corporate firewalls blocked Facebook, I did not think there would be much uptake.  I was wrong! (read Wikipedia's Facebook article)

In the past few weeks (expand thumbnail images), I've been invited and joined two active networks:

• Screencasting
• Social Networking for the Enterprise

Unlike LinkedIn questions, where basically all you see are consultants who like "to see themselves talk", the Facebook discussions are actually intelligent discourses on a subject. In both of these instances, the networks were started by corporate bloggers, Michael Gannotti (Microsoft) and Betsy Weber (TechSmith).

My only complaint ... the lack of RSS discussion feeds (voiced to Facebook). Finally, I was extremely surprised to learn that an extremely large, but rather inactive network existed for my own company.
.
 

The New Yorker "Gets It"

When so many "old line" media sites / publishers don't understand the web based revolution, it's refreshing to see the venerable New Yorker, not only "gets it", but their web service actually expands upon their print version. Whether you want to read or listen to the commentary (subscribe via RSS), or just look and laugh at the cartoons, a visit to their web site is in order. My thanks to Open Culture, which opened my eyes!

You may even view cartoons for the digital age. Here's my favorite:

• Blogging ... in the new age!

JavaScript ... From A to Z

Programming content for the web often involves JavaScript, and thanks to Yahoo! and Douglas Crockford there are some great online (and free) programming courses.  Even if you're not a JavaScript programmer it might be useful to link to Yahoo! User Interface Blog and monitor their YUI Theater Posts.

Thus, without further adieu:

JavaScript Programming Language

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Slides

Advanced JavaScript

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Slides

An Inconvenient API: The Theory of DOM
(Browser Document Object Module)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Slides

Much of the content for this post I discovered via Peteris Krumins blog. In addition, I have added the JavaScript classes to my Google Co-op courses search engines.

NanoHub - Online Simulation

I've not posted much in the way of "hard" engineering content recently.  It's time to rectify that over the next few days.  NanoHub is an excellant resource which I discovered via Peteris Krumins blog. Although some resources at NanoHub require a free registraion, it is worth the effort. The examples I've linked are in the clear without the need of a registration. Make certain you visit NanoHub, as these are just three examples out of hundreds.

• NanoTech 101 - undergraduate level Nanoelectronics lecture series
• NanoTech 501 - graduate / professional level Nanoelectronics lecture series

Here is just one example of a Nano webinar ... many, many more exist.

• MatLab Dos and Don'ts

"Matlab is widely used for simulations but is believed to be unsuitable for complex projects and to produce slow-running software tools. The presentation argues that blind copying of methods typical of C and Fortran is responsible for such inefficiencies. It teaches how to avoid these mistakes and to improve the run time and usability of codes by using unique Matlab mothods. Tools for optimizing the code and good software practices are also discussed."

I have added various NanoHub resources to both my webinar and courses search engines.
.

How Your Computer's Mouse Really Works!

If you wish to learn something about technology, and how your mouse really works, click here. Move your mouse around to run the test. You will get the best test results if your speakers are turned on. Don't forget to "click" during your test. (access a free online Harvard course on understanding your computer)
.