Magic Satchel, Inc. » open source

From Web Worker Daily: The Value of a Mentor

Kim — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:12:02 +0000

Interesting thing about mentor-types, in my experience. They are more than willing to share knowledge and experience merely because it moves them. While the position of consultant is necessary and worthy, the experienced entrepreneur who enlightens the young upstart is an amazing resource. I’ve learned things through various means, but no lessons were as practical, useful and comprehensive as those I learned working alongside or consulting with those who had been where I was and moved forward. Even the knowledge gleaned in off-hand comments about what doesn’t work (don’t bother with that, what a waste of time!) has come back to help me personally time and time again.

A not-too-far in the past co-worker used to admonish me sometimes for my tendency to sort things out alone, always reminding me ask the question. But sometimes it is that simple, and everyone starting out should think about adding a few seasoned contacts to their address book or Twitter feed.

If you don’t already have such a network, don’t despair. The great thing about the Internet these days is that you have unprecedented access to experts in your field, and chances are good that you’ll find some who are generous enough to share. You may find the info you need just by reading their blogs, but you can also establish relationships with these virtual strangers by subscribing to their blogs and actively participating in the conversation.

via WebWorkerDaily » Archive Web Work 101: New Web Worker? Who’s Got Your Back? «.

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Design on the Fly: Raven

Kim — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:07:29 +0000

I came across this nifty browser based tool via a CNET review and was instantly intrigued. I wholly adore Inkscape, but when you’re not at your own computer (or, as mentioned, if you use a Netbook) Raven is a handy alternative to bang out some quick graphics. I’m really looking forward to trying it, and it’s probably good for Inkscape beginners to play around with before they commit to installing a new program.

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Tools of the trade: Netbooks?

Kim — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 01:49:07 +0000

Ever since I first laid eyes on a white Asus netbook earlier this year, I fell in love with the concept of using a smaller laptop in exchange for fuss-free travel.

Me too. While my beloved white iBook is fantastic when it works, it breaks when you look at it funny and feels like a brick in my bag. I’ve been back and forth with Netbooks because of the tiny screen, but I’m more and more convinced I need one of these things sooner rather than later.

Further selling points for me are that so many Netbooks run on Linux (I wish more laptops would come customizable with that option) and they come in a rainbow of colors you can match to your wardrobe palette. Sweet.

Click the link below to read a quick rundown on which common netbooks sport which features.

An Introduction To Popular Netbooks.

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Virtual Valentine’s Day ‘09

Kim — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:30:35 +0000

Your Virtual Assistant is on moderated assisting duty whilst I spend a long weekend celebrating Virtual Valentine’s Day.

I don’t want you to get bored, so please:

Make a baby with anyone via VW;

Stay hype on the stimulus situation and just say no to coffer looting!

Become an expert on Artisinal Ice Cream.

Add some steampunk cred to your desktop with these cool icons!

And bring chapstick.

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Open-Source University

Kim — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:56:39 +0000

Brilliant! Plans are underway to open the first free, online university for people across the globe. While rigid academics might balk at the idea, the fact remains that post-secondary education is and will remain out of reach for the vast majority of people who need it most. From the article:

An Israeli entrepreneur with decades of experience in international education plans to start the first global, tuition-free Internet university, a nonprofit venture he has named the University of the People.

“The idea is to take social networking and apply it to academia,” said the entrepreneur, Shai Reshef, founder of several Internet-based educational businesses.

“The open-source courseware is there, from universities that have put their courses online, available to the public, free,” Mr. Reshef said. “We know that online peer-to-peer teaching works. Putting it all together, we can make a free university for students all over the world, anyone who speaks English and has an Internet connection.”

via Israeli Entrepreneur Plans a Free Global University That Will Be Online Only – NYTimes.com.

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Google makes the PC obsolete? Really?

Kim — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:55:45 +0000

Really. Following on from the superior e-mail service and awesome MS Office killer GDocs, Google is now after your hard drive. Especially for those of us in the virtual service business, this is very, very cool.

The long-rumoured GDrive is expected to be launched this year, according to the technology news website TG Daily, which described it as “the most anticipated Google product so far”. It is seen as a paradigm shift away from Microsoft’s Windows operating system, which runs inside most of the world’s computers, in favour of “cloud computing”, where the processing and storage is done thousands of miles away in remote data centres.

Home and business users are increasingly turning to web-based services, usually free, ranging from email (such as Hotmail and Gmail) and digital photo storage (such as Flickr and Picasa) to more applications for documents and spreadsheets (such as Google Apps). The loss of a laptop or crash of a hard drive does not jeopardise the data because it is regularly saved in “the cloud” and can be accessed via the web from any machine.

The GDrive would follow this logic to its conclusion by shifting the contents of a user’s hard drive to the Google servers. The PC would be a simpler, cheaper device acting as a portal to the web, perhaps via an adaptation of Google’s operating system for mobile phones, Android. Users would think of their computer as software rather than hardware.

via Google plans to make PCs history | Technology | The Observer.

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Organize your Inspiration with Polyvore

Kim — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:31:54 +0000

Polyvore is a site that can suck hours from you with its sheer possibility. Above and beyond the fun of compiling infinite cool outfits is a neat little quick and dirty tool for short and long term planning.

Personally, I’ve used it to visualize a room before I change it around or decorate. I’ve also used it to create ideal rooms and workspaces as an incentive or as a tool to clarify inspiration. Use it to make a visual for your most important short and long term goals- a position, a place… and of course, what you’ll be wearing. Polyvore can also be used to pull together visual elements for a presentation, much like a sketchpad or collaged storyboard. (Click the pic to try it out!)

Polyvore.com

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Tutorial: Inkscape for Beginners

Kim — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:05:04 +0000

Inkscape has been invaluable to me personally and professionally. This video is a great beginner’s how-to, with a bonus explanation of the benefits of open source software.

YouTube – how to use inkscape.

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