K D.

Music playlists streamed direct to you. Free!

Great selection of music play lists. Just make a selection of anything from 1940s hits of the year to current play lists of different musical genres, and bingo, you've got a 'best of' selection streaming to your computer.

Hundreds of play lists, (year / artist / type, etc.) a little advertising and works well.

Just hope it's legal. So far, I'm happy!

www.upchucky.org

Studying French? Verb conjugations a pain in the rear? Check this out!

Nice and simple site to help you with French verb conjugations.

Just tap in the verb, up comes all the information you need – indicative, subjunctive, conditional, imperative, infinitive and participle – and all forms in all tenses.

Brilliant!

http://www.conjugation-fr.com/

Excellent Basic French Language Training

There are quite a few free lessons on the webiste, but for the princely sum of $10 you get access to their whole language learning website – French, German, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew…. Not a bad deal!

The lessons are well planned, well laid out and user friendly. It is designed for beginners through to what I'd guess is high school / secondary school level.

Complete the course and you will be able to survive fairly comfortably in French speaking countries, buy tickets, go shopping, visit restaurants, ask directions, book hotel rooms, and have basic simple conversations with the locals.

If you want to conduct complex business, study literature or read heavyweight newspapers, you will need something more advanced.

For brushing up on basic schoolboy / schoolgirl French or supporting your kids if they find their teacher's language teaching skills less than convincing, it's ideal.

Très bien. Five stars from me!

http://www.tresbienfrench.com/

Wow! A computer for $25?

These guys think they have done it – plug their USB based chip into a screen or TV and a keyboard and you will have a basic computer. They hope this will help train a new generation of young computer literate DIY programmers and give computer access to the millions of people who cannot afford current products. Well worth watching.

I wonder what the techies on Site Jabber make of it?

For me (non-techie, I just drive the things) - amazing!

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

Bereavement Counselling for Kids. Great organisation.

For 19 years Winston's Wish has been helping kids facing the trauma of grieving for a dead parent, grandparent or sibling. In Britain every year 22,000 school age children suffer the death of a parent. Specialist counselling definitely helps - understanding the range of emotions that the child will be going through – grief, loss, anger, rage, guilt, relief…

The charity aims to help children directly, but also advises other family members, carers and teachers on the difficult task of helping kids cope with life after the death of a close family member.

It's British, but the sensible and realistic advice on the site is good for anywhere in the world.

Gold star.

http://www.winstonswish.org.uk

Alex - One of my favourite cartoons.

Alex, the cynical, rude, selfish, manipulating, wealth and status obsessed banker, grew out of Thatcher's 1980s boom years on the line of Gordon Gekko – 'Greed is Good'. He is offset by his friend and colleague Clive, long-suffering wife Penny, son Christopher and many other cleverly drawn characters.

The cartoons, produced by the collaborative duo of Charles Peattie and Russell Taylor poke sharp points into the inanities and hypocrisy of big business and banking in particular. The twists are usually funny, the many characters often recognizable and the storyline usually up to date and relevant.

If you've missed the rise of Alex from its life at the Daily News in 1987 to the Independent and finally to the Daily Telegraph in 1992 (still its current home) you can get the back story and character resumes from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_(comic_strip)

Love it. http://www.alexcartoon.com/

Fraternal Order of Eagles – People Helping People

I came across these people when searching for 'Friends of the Earth'!
I'd never heard of them but they seem like nice folk… I'd be interested if anyone has heard different?

Founded in Seattle in 1898. 1. 1 million members world wide split into male and female groups or 'aeries'. Main activity seems to be US based.

They describe themselves as 'an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope.'

They claim 7 past US Presidents as members, and donate more than $100 million a year to local charities. 100% of monies raised are given out in grants. That IS impressive. And $100 million for good causes is big bucks.

4 stars?

http://www.foe.com

Women in Black. For Justice. Against War.

I saw a line of a dozen middle-aged women, all dressed in black, standing silently in a town centre, information placards strung around their necks, as part of a moving vigil against the war in Afghanistan. Somehow it made a more powerful impact than the usual chanting rent-a-crowd demonstrations that are a more familiar backdrop to weekends in the city.

I looked online to find out a bit more.

"Women in Black… is a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence. As women experiencing these things in different ways in different regions of the world, we support each other's movements. An important focus is challenging the militarist policies of our own governments. We are not an organisation, but a means of communicating and a formula for action."

The group has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. It won the UN Millennium Peace Prize.

There are now WiB groups around the world – USA, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Asia – all campaigning against violence. The international website www.womeninblack.org will link to your national or regional group.

"A feminist perspective… Women in Black groups do not have an agreed constitution - our perspective is clear from our actions and words. We have a feminist understanding that male violence against women in domestic life and in war are related. Women experience a continuum of gendered violence, generated and sustained in masculine cultures.

Women in Black attempt to resist all forms of violence. WiB includes women of many ethnic and national backgrounds, co-operating across these (and other) differences in the interests of justice and peace. We also recognise that when people are oppressed as an ethnic or national group they may need to organize resistance in that name. We work for a world where difference does not mean inequality, oppression or exclusion."

From my own perspective, I don't necessarily agree with each and every stance they take. Sadly, I don't think that the world can yet live without a military option.

Certain interventions and wars have definitely saved civilian lives and helped remove oppressive regimes. Sadly, others have just added to the world's problems.

However, if groups like WiB help make populations and politicians think more carefully and consider long term implications, task limitation and exit strategies before making the choice of armed intervention then that has to be a good thing.

As recent and past history shows – it is much easier to start a war than finish it, and for all the brave words from politicians and pontificating journalists at the start – it is the civilian and military casualties who will face a lifetime of pain and suffering at the end.

Good group. Worthy cause.

International Anti Internet Fraud Group - Four Stars

Good forums, good news feeds, good advice pages – very interesting. Also has an international team, working with different languages, attacking internet fraud and scammers around the world. They look like good people... Worth checking out.

http://www.fraudwatchers.org

Scambuster Weekly Newsletter Free!

Set up by two dedicated American anti-scammers, Audri and Jim Lanford, www.scambusters.org issues a weekly newsletter on internet fraud and other scams targeting modern consumers. At the time of writing (March 2011) they are on issue number 140. Subscription is FREE. It is more general information and advice than Site Jabber, which obviously focuses on individual websites. However, I think most Site Jabber readers would be interested.

Scambuster.org gives links to various news stories on consumer fraud, rundowns on how frauds are set up, updates and advice on common scams and frauds.
The website is pretty well laid out and the links are clear and easy to find.
Run by a very small team, it is funded by click through ads, special offers and donations - can't blame them for that – it's expensive to run a big site and even a small team costs money to work full time. (Site Jabber has a cleaner, better designed website in my opinion – but does not have the clutter of ads as it has external funding.)

Scambusters have been featured in a whole host of media. (See http://www.scambusters.org/press.html)

Like Site Jabber, Scambusters shows how just a team of a few good people can help make a difference in the fight against internet crime and other frauds. Kudos.

Four stars.

Prezi - Business, Student, Academic Presentations Online

Need to do a business or academic presentation? Want something that is better and easier to navigate around than boring old PowerPoint? That has lots of extra features – zooming, drawing, etc?

The Prezi Online presentation system knocks the socks off PowerPoint. Dreamed up by some clever Hungarians, Prezi takes business and student presentation up a league – and it is pretty easy to learn. And it's FREE. Microsoft must be very pissed off. Very, very clever. 4 stars! www.prezi.com

I wondered how to explain it, went to Wikipedia and can't really come up with a better description so here is theirs:

"Prezi is a web-based presentation application and storytelling tool that uses a single canvas instead of traditional slides. Text, images, videos and other presentation objects are placed on the infinite canvas and grouped together in frames. The canvas allows users to create non-linear presentations, where users can zoom in and out of a visual map.[1] A path through different objects and frames can be defined, representing the order of the information to be presented. The presentation can be developed in a browser window, then downloaded so that an Internet connection is not needed when showing the presentation.

Prezi uses the freemium model. Customers who use the free Prezi Public license must publish their work on the Prezi site. Customers who pay for a Prezi Enjoy or Prezi Pro license can create and share private Prezis. Prezi also offers a special education license for students and educators."

Thank you Wiki - nice write up! Thank you Prezi - great system!

Global People Power! Add your name do some good. Change something for the better!

You know when you read something in the news and think 'I wish someone would DO something about that' or 'That's outrageous I really ought to write to my representative / MP / senator or whatever' but somehow, you usually never get around to actually doing it?

Well, the Avaaz Organisation utilises the power of the internet to highlight just those issues and bring the views of millions of Avaaz members to governments, authorities, organisations and businesses around the world.

The multi-lingual website www.Avaaz.org shows current campaigns and highlights where they claim to have made a difference.

When an issue comes to the fore they will email you and ask for your signature on a combined petition which will then be sent to where it will have most effect.

It's a neat idea and Avaaz now has more than 7.3 million participants.

I have signed up for several petitions on causes that I feel riled about but do not go along with each and every cause Avaaz supports. It does sometimes feel like 'Rent-a Crowd' but I think the positive effects out-weigh the negatives.

7.3 million is a lot of people to have on your case few institutions can ignore numbers like that. Good idea, Avaaz well done!

Foundation for a Drug Free World (FDFW) Drug Abuse Education and Support

Support for all people worried about drug abuse in families, community and work place.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World is a non-profit public benefit corporation that empowers youth and adults with factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug-free.

No one, especially a young person, likes to be lectured about what he or she can or cannot do. The FDFW provides the facts that empower youth to choose not to take drugs in the first place. The 'Truth About Drugs' campaign consists of activities that they can join which popularize drug-free living. These activities are simple, effective and can involve people of all ages.

Through a worldwide network of volunteers, 56 million educational handouts have been distributed, tens of thousands of drug awareness events have been held in some 120 countries and Truth About Drugs public service announcements have been aired on 275 television stations. These materials and activities have helped people around the world learn about the destructive side effects of drugs and thereby make the decision for themselves to not use them.

The Foundation provides information you need to start a Truth About Drugs education and prevention activity in your area.

Every 12 seconds a schoolchild in the USA begins to experiment with drugs.

Materials are available in 20 languages – and are sent all over world, free of charge. Drugs are not a national problem. They are a global problem and the FDFW supports counter-drug education all over the world.

The FDFW focused programmes cover 12 commonly used groups of drugs – including illegal drugs, prescription drug abuse and alcohol.

Education packs include teaching assignments, materials for students, teachers and parents

Law enforcement agencies are supported with materials

All materials are free of charge – the FDFW is government and business supported.
25 million books have been distributed around the world, along with countless leaflets and posters.

Information and interviews with addicts, reformed addicts, medical staff, law enforcement staff and families – how drugs have impacted their lives, their health and their safety.

I suggest that anyone worried about drug abuse by a family member or friend, or anyone concerned about drug abuse in a school or institution should get one of the information packs, and make sure that local community support staff are also aware of these free anti-drug resources.

Pass on the website details to anyone who might be helped! Four stars.

http://www.drugfreeworld.org

Click through to order booklets, downloads and support packages.

And, while on the subject of drugs, below is a link to a series of comparison pictures of methamphetamine users – see the huge differences from their first arrest photo to a subsequent arrest photo, sometimes months, sometimes years apart. The pictures might make people think twice before dabbling in drugs. It's not a pretty future…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthpicturegalleries/*******/From-Drugs-to-Mugs-Shocking-before-and-after-images-show-the-cost-of-drug-addiction.html

The Science Museum (London)

Founded in 1857, the Science Museum is a wonderful day or half day out in London, with or without kids. If it's raining or cold take the tube (subway) to South Kensington (on the District, Circle and Piccadilly lines) and walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the museum. The museum is funded by the government and visits are free apart from some special exhibitions for which an entry fee may be charged. Opening times and current exhibitions are detailed on the website.

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.

The Science Museum is great for kids as there are hundreds of interactive exhibits – buttons to press, things to turn, push, swing, watch…

There is an IMAX 3D cinema and a new wing, funded by the Wellcome Trust, focusing on digital technology and medicine.

In the Computer Section they built a complete copy of Charles Babbage's 'differential engine' often seen as the first computer. The Science and Art of Medicine display shows the development of medical theory and technology from around the world. Sections on 'Science in the 18th Century', 'The History of Flight', 'Measuring Time', 'Marine Engineering', 'The Secret Life of the Home' 'Exploring Space', 'Challenge of Materials' 'Psychology' and 'Agriculture' are just a taste of what can be seen in the museum.

Kids can experience what it's like to fly in a jet fighter with the RAF 'Red Arrows' display team. They can take a 'co*kroach tour' (substitute 'c' for '*') and see what life is like from the point of view of one of nature's great survivors. Not sure why, but probably of more interest to the boys… Taster at:

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/smap/collection_index/cockroach_tour_of_the_science_museum.aspx

There are also many other online activities if you visit the website and links to resources for teachers.

If you can manage to visit the museum itself, you won't be able to see all the 300,000 exhibits in just one visit, but if you have any interest in science or the world around you, you should have a great time trying. Enjoy!

Red Nose Day - Help a good cause by having fun!

Do something funny for money – Friday 18th March 2011 is RED NOSE DAY!

Once a year Britain's comedy stars, celebrities, schools, businesses, organisations and the general public get together to do funny things for money. Check out the website for all the details: http://www.rednoseday.com/

The organisation behind this is the excellent charity Comic Relief, started in 1988 in response to the famine in Ethiopia. Since that date they have raised over $1 billion for good causes around the world.

Throughout the UK people will be going to work wearing red noses, kids are dressing up and thousands of sponsored silly events will take place. The madness continues on the main BBC TV channels.

A good time is had by all, there are lots of laughs and smiles and a shed load of money is raised for charity. What's not to like?

Disaster Relief Charity Worldwide

ShelterBox was set up in the year 2000 by an ex Royal Navy search and rescue diver. The concept was simple – to provide fast response to disasters by shipping in pre-packed plastic crates that contained enough equipment to provide shelter, warmth, cooking and water purification to a family or group of up to 10 people per box. http://www.shelterbox.org will show you the details.

The first consignment was 143 plastic boxes sent to India in 2001. The project grew steadily – in 2005 the charity shipped out 22,000 boxes.

Much of their work is in less developed countries but ShelterBox also helped in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina and is now shipping boxes to Japan. They work on every inhabited continent, responding to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, volcanoes and wars.

The crates are adapted to the requirements of the disaster and are designed for maximum logistical efficiency. There are now 18 international ShelterBox affiliates, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Brazil, France and Germany.

In the current emergency in Japan there are over 200,000 people homeless. ShelterBox was on the ground within 24 hours of the earthquake arranging support, in cooperation with the other major aid agencies.

Simple idea. Very effective. Very good.

Education, Teaching Materials & Resources Ages 4 to 18

Free, generally high quality teacher resources aimed at age groups 4 to 18. www.teachers.guardian.co.uk

Well respected teacher's resource has a huge archive of educational lessons, activities and projects. Browse what's available and add your own to help others.
You will need to register to view the materials.

Subjects covered include:
English
Maths
Science
Art and Design
Business Studies
Citizenship
Design and Technology
Drama
Economics
French
Geography
German
History
ICT
Media
Music
Physical Education
Religious Education
Spanish

Information is originally targeted at the British curriculum, but most of the site should be of use to teachers anywhere in the world.

The Guardian newspaper has a weekly Education Guardian supplement which originated much of the website information.

Generally very good - hope it helps!

United States Geological Survey - Geological, Earthquake and Tsunami Info

Just hearing about 8.8 Richter Scale quake off Japan. Very serious. I checked out the very good United States Geological Survey website http://www.usgs.gov/ for hard information.

A 10m / 30ft tsunami is hitting the Pacific coast the whole of the Pacific region may be hit. From news reports and shocking helicopter coverage, a wall of water and debris is hitting the Japanese coast.

At the moment fatality estimates are just 20 from the feeds coming in I would be very surprised if the final toll is not much, much, much higher. This is the worst quake / tsunami to hit the region for more than 100 years.

Japan is fairly well prepared and has good rescue infrastructure Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea etc have little preparation and much poorer communications and support.

The USGS has a very good website about all things geological USA and world.
It has current world seismic / quake information go to:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/

This shows seismic activity all around the world (non-geologists may be surprised at all the activity)

For more detail on the Japanese quake and tsunami see:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/usc0001xsy.php

I am hoping that this will not hit anything like the severity of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, which killed over 200,000 people in the region Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka. Awful.

Life Magazine Photojournalism Archive

Life Magazine has had several lives. It ran as a world class photojournalism magazine from 1936 to 2000, first as a weekly, then as a monthly. The print version appeared occasionally since then, with the last issue dated April 2007. Life now survives on the internet at http://www.life.com/

The current site front page links to:

Current pictures from the rebellion in Libya

Private pictures from the albums of Eva Braun, Adolph Hitler's mistress and later wife.

Afghanistan

The 1969 Woodstock festival

Pictures of the Year

Animal Heroes

Something for everyone! The real value of Life is in their vast photo archive. It is an amazing treasure trove of images, and immensely valuable for researchers and historians.

Four stars.

Autism, Asperger Syndrome, Charity, Information, Support, UK

The National Autistic Society (NAS) is the leading UK charity for people with Autism and Asperger syndrome.

The website, http://www.autism.org.uk covers definition, diagnosis, explanations, therapies, support strategies and resources, etc.

There are sections aimed at adults with autism, parents, relatives and carers, and information for professional health carers.

While details on available support services are specific to the UK, the more general information is relevant to anyone, anywhere in the world that is working in this area on a personal or professional basis.

The website is well laid out and is easy to navigate. A lot of other charities could benefit from looking at the structure of this website.

Four stars.