Category: Technology

Kickstarter… Geek Nirvana, Teaching Opportunity?

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Bruce

I know I’ve spoken about Kickstarter before, as a geek, it is a really cool way to support other geeks. Kickstarter is a way that “crowdsourcing” is being used to fund various projects that might otherwise not see the light of day. Many projects have educational value or can be used as demonstration pieces, especially in a STEM environment where engineering & design are an important part of the curriculum. Since each funding level has different rewards I have attempted to pick levels of funding that provided resources for my classroom. Since I started funding projects over a year ago I decided I would share a list of the projects I have supported for use in my classroom & school.  Some I’m still waiting on pieces arriving, but you need to give geeks time to create (you know, like this comic strip).  Check out some of these and some local projects.

Graphic Novel Library:

Films/Video:

Video Games:

Engineering & Science:

All work & no play makes Jack a dull boy… so here are some projects I’ve funded just because I thought they were cool:

*not successfully funded, yet. But as of this post there’s still time.

doodling…

Posted on October 8, 2011 by Bruce

A colleague sent me a link to a TED talk about the power of doodling-

something I have been aware of for years (see any notebook from any class, workshop, or lecture I have attended). but today I decided to settle back and do some refining of my characters. I’ve also considered adding a few to the cast as I expand stories.

While fiddling around with pencil and paper I did this little doodle that I felt was good enough to finish and post. I originally had Cecil holding a Newton (I still have one- it still works) but decided that would be a bit obscure. I then thought about a different caption- “with great power, comes great responsibility, and a black mock turtleneck.”

letting my mind wander with a pencil can be a dangerous thing.

 

Just playing- oh I pre ordered my iPhone 4S this morning… since my iPhone 3, while it still works, has seen better days.

 

From one Geek to Another…

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Bruce

As has been posted more times tonight than I care to repeat Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, has passed away. For me I started with an Apple II in middle school. My first computer that I could claim as mine was a Mac… purchased months after the release in 1984. “On January 24th Apple will Introduce ‘Macintosh’ and you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.’”

While it seems cheesy, it was an amazing turn of events in 1984, no computer did anything like what a Mac did.  It cost $2,495 when released… my choice as a high schooler was- European vacation, car, or Mac… I chose Mac (I’m a geek).
I still have the original commercial from the Super Bowl (heck, I still have my original Mac) I’ve joked about it, but I am an Apple zombie… I have never understood those who think Windows is a superior system. To me, it has never worked well. I recall my first training as a teacher on an IBM machine. It seemed archaic, and when it froze I was befuddled. The trainer looked at me said “just push ctrl+alt+del” like it was something you always did… I lost everything I had worked on and commented “In five years of using a Mac I have never lost anything or had the computer freeze- why did we but these things?” Here is Steve Jobs’ Philosophy something to think about and words to live by.

Today’s comic will be posted tomorrow… sorry long day.

Thank You for your Support

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Bruce

Being a school teacher I therefore, according to many politicians, have more disposable income than many Fortune 500 CEOs. Don’t even ask about how much I bring in as a webcartoonist, Bill Gates asks me for loans.  While I don’t have a lot to give I have discovered a cool spot to invest in some really creative projects- Kickstarter.  Someday I might set up a My Geek Odyssey project, but right now I’m having fun supporting cool ideas.  If you’ve seen Sue and my “Dick Tracy Radio Watches” that was a Kickstarter project.  I’ve also supported a couple comic projects.  They way it works is- you donate funds and if the project reaches its’ goal you pay.  The level you support the project determines your reward.

I’ve supported projects that have given me: watchbands, warm beverage heaters, desktop trebuchets and comic project or two.  The most recent projects I’ve supported are dealing with all-ages comics.  If you are interested in supporting any of these enjoy!

Comic Book Diner: Fun & Funny Graphic Novel Boxed Set –  Ending Mid-June asking for $10,000 (still needs funding)

The New Brighton Archeological Society Book 2 – Ending at the end of May asking for $6,000 (already fully funded)

So more cool comics for my classroom!  I have tried (and failed) getting a donorschoose project funded for my classroom, I may have to try again, they have some great projects there also.  Oh, Sue likes Kiva which gives micro-loans in third-world countries.

Then again you could also vote for the Dr. Who Cache Series at Where’s the TARDIS? (blatant plug).

Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear…

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Bruce

When I was a kid I would watch match classic films from the golden age of Science Fiction. Things like “Earth vs. The Flying Saucers” & stuff like that. I remember coming home from school and turning on the TV- after I had finished my homework 😉 and one of our local stations would have a weekly theme- Science Fiction, Abbott & Costello, The Marx Brothers, Westerns, etc. If I didn’t like the theme, I could always watch cartoons on another channel. So what about the video above? For those younger readers while George Lucas admits he was inspired by the classic movie serials… this was not one of them. I received a link to this from an old friend & knew I should post it for those who may not have seen it.

I tend to post things on Facebook and then forget to post here- “doh!” So look for more posts in the future from me, and I’ll even post a comic tomorrow (something new & different!). This week has just been fatiguing (reminder word for my students) with lots of kids sick and I just hope I’ve dodged the bullet- but I don’t think I’m that quick.

I Love Updates!

Posted on November 2, 2010 by Bruce

I just did a “quick” and “simple” update for the site and once again lost everything for a few seconds… Why can’t my set up stick so I don’t have to keep telling WordPress where to find my comics? People wonder why I haven’t moved from the basic ComicPress set up… this is why!  I still have a lot to learn.  The crazy thing is I’ve done this enough times (after needing to call for help the first time- Thanks again Don) that I know some of the glitches I need to check out, but it still gets really annoying… One of these days I’m going to do a comic about this- Wait, I don’t have tomorrow’s drawn yet! No, you’d expect that wouldn’t you? I’ll need to save this for when you least expect it then- Wham! Ooktron comes back and… I’ll be quiet now- but soon, I won’t have to be… bwahahahaha!

iPad Review – Still cool after all these weeks

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Bruce

I was reading Unshelved iPad review and realized that I haven’t chimed in on the iPad since I picked it up a few weeks ago. I’ll try to keep this short.  “coolest piece of technology I have seen in… well, coolest piece of technology I have seen, ever.

  • I have a 64GB iPad 3G-  I waited until the 3G model came out so I wouldn’t be tethered to a wifi hotspot. I purchased the Apple iPad case, the card reader and the VGA out cable.  I also ended up purchasing another charger since it nice to have one at school and one at home- although it does charge through the iPhone car charger.
  • I bought it to replace my laptop on trips and with its size and weight it will do that easily. Although I’m still trying to decide if there is a way I could do this comic on it.
  • I purchased a number of apps to play around with including “Brushes” which I love- it turns the iPad into a sketchbook.
  • Reading on it couldn’t be a nicer experience, both books & comics one nice thing is I can read in bed without having the light on to bother Sue.

There are somethings that need to be worked out:

  • Since this is new technology there are some bugs when surfing… I never realized how many site have little bits of Flash or need to be translated into a touch environment instead of a mouse.  This comes up when I’m trying to scroll down a list on a site like Facebook… I end up scrolling the page not the pop-up list.  The same issue with Flicker and managing my photos  no “click & drag.”
  • It should have come with a cloth of some kind (like the iMac & iPhone) since I tend to have to clean the screen- I never realized how much junk is on my fingertips.
  • the VGA out cable seems to only work with keynote though I haven’t tested it extensively, it would be nice if I could display my screen through a projector especially when teaching.
  • picking nits- while the keyboard is fine size wise, the layout of some things is taking a bit of time to get used to.  The placement of some keys (shift for example) is in the wrong place so I end up typing numbers or symbols… I’ll get used to it.

Do I regret my purchase?  No, I’d do it again in a heartbeat… Sue already wants to steal mine (and has for one day), fortunately for me her birthday is coming up.

I agree that the iPad is really the next big thing… it will change the face of personal computing.  It is perfect for those folks out there who aren’t “power users” and just want to check their email, read a book, and go online.  Like one of Apple’s early taglines for the mac “The computer for the rest of us.” With the iWork suite of programs it even makes it great as a mobile office in a snap.  My parents should get one- except I’m not sure what Flash games my mother still plays, besides that it should meet there needs.

Again, the coolest piece of technology out there… I can’t wait to see what will happen with version 2 or with the next (first) OS update.

Wow- New Toys!

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Bruce

So yesterday there was a speech given that uplifted spirits and in my opinion will shape the future. Yes, Steve Jobs announced a new product. Oh, the president did give the State of the Union address, but…

A bit of history… my first computer was an Apple II+ which I shared with my brother.  In 1984, my parents decided that I needed a computer for college.  So I looked  at an IBM PC Jr. thinking I needed a “computer.”  The salesman turned me towards this new thing called a Macintosh.  I thought it was so cool, especially- having a cassette to guide me through using this thing called a “mouse.”  That 128kb Mac got me through college, and sold me on the Mac.  I am definitely opinionated when it comes to computers- even having worked in an “anti-Apple” environment for almost 20 years.  So Apple introduces the iPad.  People don’t get it and I think… “wow.”

See my parents are interesting beasts.  My dad is under the impression that the top of line is what he needs no matter what.  I have seen them buy computers that they don’t need.  So I see the iPad as a perfect device for people like my parents.  those people who only use computers to check email, Facebook, and use the Internet.  They don’t need much else.  This fits-  Sue and I are thinking about getting these as replacements for our 5 year old laptops.  I’m interested in seeing an iPad up close and mostly seeing how this will change the playing field… like the iPod & iPhone.  Yes, yes there are things that need work, but then again I am a Mac Zombie and I can’t wait to see My Geek Odyssey on an iPad.