Thursday, May 19, 2005

Google's New Personalized Homepage [Slashdot:] 10:29:06 PM      Google It!.

Imagining the World: The Case for Non-Rendered Virtuality - the Role Play Simulation Model. A 'rendered' virtual environment is one in which the scene is generated dynamically by the computer, such as in Doom or Quake or in flight simulators. The author's argument in this paper is that rendering in educational games detracts from a focus on pedagogy and is, moreover, unnecessary. An equal suspension of belief and immersion into the experience can be obtained through static, non-rendered, environments - "For the same reason that the book is more often better than the movie, leaving room for imaginative elaboration rather than providing ready-made 3D imaging better enhances the illusion of cognitive presence in role-play simulations." Note that this paper is stored at a temporary URL. By Roni Linser and Albert Ip, May 18, 2005 [Refer][Research][Reflect] [OLDaily] 10:26:52 PM      Google It!.

Choosing Open Source Solutions. Good article on the deployment of open source software in the university environment. I like the response to the question about the biggist problem with open source technology: "The main drawback is that open source software is usually free at the point of acquisition. While that might sound like it ought to be a benefit, it can be very confusing for institutions accustomed to paying an annual licence fee for software." Funny. By Christina Smart, JISC, May 17, 2005 [Refer][Research][Reflect] [OLDaily] 10:25:13 PM      Google It!.

Yahoo! Groups : Podcasting-Education [Edubloggers Links Feed] 10:23:46 PM      Google It!.

Patient-specific stem cell first. South Korean scientists create the first human embryonic stem cells designed to match patients. [BBC News | Science/Nature | UK Edition] 10:22:38 PM      Google It!.

Internet Phone Services Told to Offer 911 Emergency Calls. Companies that deliver telephone service over the Internet must provide their customers with 911 emergency service, the Federal Communications Commission ruled. By By MATT RICHTEL. [NYT > Technology] 10:21:35 PM      Google It!.