Geek Interest

Review: Joby Gorillapod Original

I'm always on the look out for new gadgets and technology that will make daily activities easier. Having already picked up the fantastic Hama 61 tripod some weeks ago I thought I had everything that I needed in terms of a tripod for Kodak Zi8 usage. However as good as the Hama is, it is somewhat inadequate for indoor desk filming which is something I very much want to do. I could work around it but why would I when the fantastic Joby Gorillapod Original provides me with the perfect solution. ...
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Mahara 1.2 E-Portfolios Beginners Guide

I have already discussed Mahara and the wonderful range of features it offers in an earlier post on the blog and have received some inquiries regarding it's implementation. While the initial setup process is fairly straightforward I can appreciate for those not technically minded or with the same knowledge and experience with computers as myself it may prove more of a challenge. Indeed although the basic setup and usage of the platform is fairly intuitive, Mahara provides a wealth of features an...
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GeekCaster Podcast Episode 11

This week on the show I talk about Sony getting things on track & my growing admiration for what their game platforms offer, I talk about Heavy Rain, Moodle & Mahara, Halo Legends & some ideas for future shows. This week's show contains information about a competition, the full details for which will appear on the blog later tonight. As always please feel free to leave a comment : )
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Heavy Week

Student exams have provided me with a brief opportunity to update the blog while I normally would have to wait until much later this evening. I just wanted to announce to the world in a statement of utter joy that my copy of Heavy Rain was dispatched this morning, with any luck it shall be residing in my PS3 tomorrow evening!! To say that I am excited would be something of an understatement, I honestly consider Heavy Rain to be the most significant game released in my life time. I'm not alone...
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Heavy Rain Launch Week

Heavy Rain is a game I have been looking forward to for over five years now. It's one of the main reasons I invested in a PS3 and will be in my opinion a game that changes the video game landscape forever. That's quite a bold statement and it's not one I make likely out of fanboy admiration. I have enjoyed playing video games for over twenty years, have been formally educated in their creation and have taught subject matter relevant to their design - I consider myself well informed. Although I h...
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I love Japanese Culture

I love everything about Japanese culture, here are a few reasons why : ) [flashvideo filename=wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Kirsten_Japan.flv /]
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Review: Moodle 1.9 Teaching Techniques

Recently I was lucky enough to get my hands on a review copy of Moodle 1.9 Teaching Techniques distributed by the wonderful people at Packt Publishing. I have long been an advocate of Moodle and indeed of all things open source, so I must complement Packt Publishing on the excellent job they do in providing educational material on a wealth of open source software. I have ordered several e-books from them over the past few months, with each delivered quickly and securely, while saving me money by...
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Mahara

My involvement with education over the past number of years has spawned an intrinsic fascination with educational technology. Not only has my career required exploration of the field to support my teaching but I have become passionate about the use of technology & software to enhance the learning process. Nothing frustrates me more than educators who refuse to embrace the wealth of resources available to them, often for free, and remain stagnant in established, antiquated. out dated & re...
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US TV For Me!!

I really enjoy a good drama, not the type that life flings my way just about each and every day, I'm talking more of the type I can lose myself in while lying in bed. There's nothing like chilling out in front of the TV with an ice cold drink and some quality TV to take your mind of the stresses of everyday existence. While there are some great locally produced shows, the BBC in particular offer some great ways to pass an evening, I find particular enjoyment in TV that originates from the US. So...
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Imagine Fx

I have been lecturing in digital media applications for almost ten years now, in that time I have aimed to provide my students with the best resources and learning materials possible to aid them in their studies. It hasn't always been easy, quite often I have found myself scouring the Internet at 2.00am looking for examples to showcase a particular technique or process - it's all very well illustrating how things are done in a software application but with so many disciplines and techniques out ...
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DJ Shadow: Entroducing & Premeptive Strike

Some things get better with age, your favourite but battered comfy chair, lying on in bed, good wine and great music. It's been nearly ten years since I first discovered DJ Shadow; late one night listening to some alternative music radio broadcast. It was love at first listen; the funky fresh drum beats, scratchy mixing and quaint samples were unique, exciting and captivating. There's no particular reason for revisiting his work right now, despite reaching the level of mastery with his initial r...
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Hama 61 Tripod

To provide a more professional look to any video or images that I capture with my new Kodak Zi8 I thought it best to invest in a decent tripod. Even though the Zi8 has EIS (Electronic Image Stabilisation) it still is no match for a properly rigged camera placement on a tripod. While wanting a professional setup I was only prepared to pay what I considered an affordable amount - tripods can cost thousands of pounds and while they may bring added bang for buck at that price point, fundamentally so...
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