Computer says NO?

The Computer Services helpdesk is located in the Library. 

Computer Helpdesk Opening Times 
Monday to Thursday                                Friday 
        10.30-11.00                                              10.30-11.00

       14.00-14.30                                             10.30-11.00
       17.30-18.00                                             16.30-17.00

      

When was the last time you searched the web without using Google?

After years at the top of the search engine pile, Google has become synonymous with the internet istelf. Its ease of use and its wide range of functions have made it a household name. For many people, Google is the only search engine and the only means to find information online.

There are however hundreds of other search engines out there, many of which are equal or better than Google.

Google can be regarded as a ‘catch-all’ search engine that aims to cater for most information needs, and this broad scope is largely the reason for its popularity. But because of the way Google searches the web and the way it displays its results, there is a risk that users miss out on a lot of valuable information.

The problem is that Google conducts its searches by associating relevance with popularity. This is not always ideal; popularity of an online resource does not necessarily mean it is the most suitable source of information or that it will be relevant to all user’s particular needs.

Searching the web using different search engines will inevitably provide different results right across the board; search results shown in one engine might not always show up in another. Try it for yourself: see how much results vary between search engines (e.g  Google vs Yahoo!  or Bing! vs Ask). Thus, it makes sense to use multiple search engines in your information seeking.

Some search engines are subject specific, tailor made to a specific information need. Others simply conduct their searches differently to Google, placing less emphasis on popularity and more on relevance.

Check out these search engines as alternatives to Google, you may be surprised what you’re missing out on!

http://thecomputerboss.com/2009/08/over-50-google-alternatives/

Have you seen the Peters Map?

The Peters Map is an interesting new(ish) look at the map of the world.  Created this century, it portrays more accurate information about the actual size of various land masses.

Which is bigger, Greenland or China? With the traditional Mercator map (circa 1569, and still in use in many schoolrooms and boardrooms today), Greenland and China look the same size. But in reality China is almost 4 times larger! In response to such discrepancies, Dr. Arno Peters created a new world map that dramatically improves the accuracy of how we see the Earth.

 

Mercator's projection (created at a time when navigators were sailing on the oceans in wooden ships, powered by the wind, and navigating by the stars) was particularly useful because straight lines on his projection were lines of constant compass bearing. Today the Mercator projection still remains useful for navigational purposes and is referred to by seafarers and airline pilots.

The Mercator is also a "conformal" map projection. This means that it shows shapes pretty much the way they appear on the globe. The mapmaker's dilemma is that you cannot show both shape and size accurately. If you want a true shape for the land masses you will necessarily sacrifice proportionality, i.e., the relative sizes will be distorted.

Read more about the Peters Map here.

Is the pen mightier than the phone?

Today is National Handwriting Day!
So, can anything tempt you away from writing with your keyboard - a freshly-sharpened pencil maybe?  Or a felt-tip pen?  As more and more of us replace jotters with apps, Kevin Purdy asks whether The Pen is Mightier than the phone?  Does the handwritten word inspire more creativity in us?  Or are laptops and smart phones simply a better way of communicating?

Presentations: communicate better

Are you giving a presentation next semester?  How do you feel about speaking in front of a group of people?  Public speaking can be daunting for alot of people, but here are a few hints that may help you feel better prepared and less nervous.

Know your topic: it is important to be familiar with the topic of your presentation so that you can feel confident to speak about it and answer questions.  Reading your slides, or reading from notes, is not very engaging for the audience.  Use your slides to state your core points but tell your audience about any supporting information or examples.  They could read your slides at home; if people have turned up at your presentation it is because they want to hear what you have to say!

Rehearse: as well as knowing your topic, it is very helpful to know how you sound before you stand in front of an audience.  Even if it feels odd, practice your speech aloud.  Consider how you appear to an audience: are you shy and mumbling or are you confident and clear?  Time yourself to ensure that you can fit the whole presentation into the time allowed.  Rushing the end of your presentation, or running over-time, makes a poor impression.

Know the environment: always turn up early to ensure that the room is organised in the way you want it to be.  Ensure your laptop/USB/projector works in that room; if you need sound, ensure that there are speakers.  Solve any technical difficulties before your audience arrive.

Need some storage space?

Are u in the habit of losing your USB memory stick? Maybe you are concerned about your memory sticks reliability or perhaps you just need to back up documents you have stored on it. Windows Skydrive may be the solution for you!

Users of this Free application are provided with 25 GB of storage space which allows for uploading documents with ease, and for accessing them anytime, anywhere - without the need for a memory stick.

To start using it, simply follow the link below, click the 'Get SkyDrive' button and sign up for a Windows Live ID.

http://explore.live.com/skydrive

Once you are set up, you'll never need a memory stick again!

Happy Thesaurus Day!

Want to avoid repetition in your writing?  Repetition of the same words can be repetitively  annoying!  Use the thesaurus to find synonyms (words that mean the same thing) such as duplication or reiteration.

Nice descriptions are fine, but some words – like “nice” – are overused.  When you write, consider what it is that you want to communicate and choose words that evoke your message.  When you say that something/someone is "nice", do you mean that they are pleasant or appealing or beautiful or friendly or honourable…?

Finally, a thesaurus can also be a good way to find antonyms (or opposites).  For instance, if you know you want to describe something as being the opposite of “jealous”, you can use the thesaurus to find antonyms such as trusting, contented, kindly, well-disposed…   

You can find a thesaurus in the library (in the shelves nearest the library desk at REF 423) or online, e.g.   http://www.synonyms.net.