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Get a life

I have been avoiding SecondLife as hard as I can.  I know it has the potential to suck away my first life.  I had an avatar but had never downloaded the software.  But today at the e-network meeting, Jane succeeded in enticing us into SecondLife.   I have to confess that I spent most of my time tinkering with my appearance.  At one point I managed to lose my top completely - a little embarrasing - but I am now fully clothed again.

There was an interesting discussion about the educational potential of SecondLife.  I have no doubts about the educational value of virtual worlds (in fact, I teach a module called "Learning with Virtual Worlds") including immersive environments like SecondLife.  I'm not sure about SecondLife itself, though.  This is mainly because of the commercial basis of the environment.  When I was looking for virtual clothes my search brought up a variety of 'adult' sites and groups; this was with the "show mature content" box unchecked, even.  Although I will be using it with MA students next semester, I think it would be difficult to take <18 learners into SecondLife unless the teacher can corrall them into a restricted area.

 I'm looking for a boat in SecondLife now.  Can anyone tell me how to get one?

Secondlife

Secondlife avatar

Thinking Mac

My Father is staying and brought his laptop so that I could add some software.  Struggling to connect the machine to the wireless network (it has a secret 'wireless button') this flew across my mind "I wish this was as easy as the MacBook".  I hope this is not the beginning of a descent into MacSmuggery.

byte

Byte dinghy at DSC

Gee, thanks John

My colleague, the recently promoted Professor-to-be John Monaghan introduced me to a simple but addictive game called LineRider (open the link at your own risk). Could be useful in the 'simulations and modelling' unit of the MA ICT in Education.  If it isn't then I don't have an excuse for playing the game when I have other work to do.

crayfish

shady tree

Camper van

God's own county

Spent the weekend staying with a friend in her camper van which, by a strange coincidence, has just returned from John O'Groats.  We stayed at a campsite in a village which I refer to as Apple-tree-wick.  Locals apparently call it something with significantly fewer syllables  such as Appick or Attrick.

We had a long walk on Saturday, stopping for lunch under a shady tree. 

Walking back along the river I snapped this crayfish - teased out of the water by a small boy with a stick.

With its wildlife, wonderful countryside and unpronouncable placenames, Yorkshire has so much to offer.

Return of the pond

Here's something that hasn't been seen for almost a year: boats on Doe Park Reservoir.  I tried to embed the video as you can on Blogger but couldn't work out how to do it on elgg.  To see how this post should look and for more about the story, take a look at Reservoir Blogs.

Barney comes home

I've been away a few times recently and really felt that lack of a laptop. I’ve never been a laptop user; in fact, I once had one and gave it away because I never used it. But I decided I need one now so I went out (stayed in my office actually) and bought a little MacBook. That’s right, MacBook. I’ve always had PCs before. But, but, but… it’s a very pretty piece of kit and very light. It’s only A4 size and has its own wetsuit. Colleagues have told me that ownership of a Mac will transform my life. In fact, one said: “Life will become intoxicating: amazingly scented and richly, though subtly coloured. Golden sandals will adorn your feet and wherever you walk, flowers will bloom, birds will warble. You will remain forever youthful and those you meet will reflect in their smiles the rainbow colours of your radiance.” I think he may have been exaggerating a little, though.

Oompa

The other week, when I went to collect my son from band practice I commented that the 'big pom-pommy' instruments looked like fun to play.  This week, when I went to pick him up, the band leader came out with a bass tuba and said, "So how would you like to have a go". It was much easier than I expected and I managed five notes.  The band gives free lessons so now I'm  learning the Eb tuba to play in the 'learner band'!  What have I done?