If You Need a Little Inspiration/Mental Stimulation

Ed · Post by Ed » Tue May 20, 2008 9:57 am

If you're feeling blah, try listening to one of these TED talks. Any one of them will give you something to think (write) about.

From the homepage:
"The annual conference now brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes). "

Link to talks:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks

I just watched the talk by Jill Bolte Taylor, a neuro-anatomist who talks about her own experience with stroke. But there are many more worth recommending.

Enjoy.
Ed

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:29 pm

I highly recommend the Bumptop talk
[url]http://www.bumptop.com/#TEDVideo[/url]

My husband and I completely drooled over that video, and I could see that interface working great for computers that are more about user interfacing than working. For example, touchscreen menus at drive thrus, or an interactive learning apparatus in a classroom or lecture hall.

Plus, it is true that no matter how advanced this little clamshell I type on gets, I still one of those people with tons of icons on my desktop I am forever moving around etc. And yes, my desk is always messy.

Always Smiling,
EAW

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed May 21, 2008 5:32 am

I will definitely check it out. Also - for those who like Amy Tan, she gives a great talk about creativity.

Watching these videos is almost like being at university - except the lectures are shorter . . . and free.

Ed

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed May 21, 2008 6:06 am

P.S. - I must say I admire you for being such a tech geek!

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Wed May 21, 2008 7:40 am

Awww shucks.... I'm in to a bunch of different things, not just tech stuff. Honestly, I became more involved in technological concepts thanks to my husband. I abhor paint ball, but I can enjoy learning about new things in open source and gadgets. Likewise, he doesn't enjoy discussing fan fiction or watching reality TV, but he enjoys going to museums and cultural events with me. It's just our common ground

I recently attended a social event between the Charleston Linux Users Group and the Digital Corridor, and man at times did I feel like I was in over my head! But, then again, I started talking about SEO and funnel paragraphs, and other members got blearry eyed. I even spoke about the problem of companies investing so much in upgrading hardware and software, yet forget to upgrade the human using the computer!

I think our group is going to look into supporting an effort in providing recycled computer systems from area companies, load open source operating systems, and donate them to groups of people who need computers but can't obtain them otherwise. We also discussed working on an education program for teaching various distributions of Linux, and figuring out ways we can work more with the technology companies in the area.

There are pictures http://blog.cybersprocket.com/2008/05/1 ... omment-314. I'm the one in red, and my husband is next to me in blue. Many photos all you can see is the back of my head LOL.

Always Smiling,
Elizabeth

Note: I tried to add a link, but it appears I don't have permission to post BBCode, ugh it looks so ugly LOL.

Ed · Post by Ed » Wed May 21, 2008 7:57 am

Okay - sorry to seem like I have a one-track mind, but I think you would benefit from the TED talk by Hector Ruiz from AMD. He talks about preparing underserved communities for making technology more accessible to their immediate areas. He seemed to take a lot of flack in the comments section, but you might find it interesting.

Uh-huh. I see what you guys are doing there. Trying to hack into the Pentagon.

Ed

Elizabeth Ann West · Post by **Elizabeth Ann West** » Wed May 21, 2008 9:35 am

LOL.... the only way I could hack into the pentagon is if I used charm and a smile on the guards at the front door....

Always Smiling,
EAW