Reflecting on BarCamp Philly 2009

Yesterday, I attended Philadelphia's 2nd BarCamp, an organic, unconference, where the attendees dictate the sessions, and you get out of it what you put into it.


This years' BarCamp was even more appropriate for me, as I had some of my personal learning network attend as well. We had never met in person prior to that morning of BarCamp, but through Twitter, Google Docs, and Wave, we decided we would present something. After some delicious bagels, freshfruit, and coffee (okay, I had a Pepsi), we posted 2 sessions, and found an empty classroom to begin planning.

Kevin Jarrett posted his session, "Teaching as a Second Career" first thing, and had a small, but dynamic turnout. Being that most of the BarCamp attendees were developers, designers, consultants, and artists, it was a great session for anyone even curious about becoming a teacher.

After attending Things that SUCK (a group exercise), we decided to skip session 3, and grab some lunch at Cosi to continue our planning for the afternoon session, Social Media Survival Guide for Schools.

For a handful of educators, who hadn't met prior to the morning of BarCamp, to collaborate, and present, just shows you how powerful something like BarCamp is to a community. The best thing about it: We're still learning from it! (Our Google Doc, my Twitter List of the 6 of us, and the BarCamp Philly Flickr Pool, for example)

Enjoy, and I hope to see you next year for #3!

Thoughts before Printing

Last time I blogged, it was about fax machines. This time, I'm gonna get green on yas a little, with a simple message:

"Think before printing."

Since I've been working at Staples Copy & Print Center, I've witnessed more environmental atrocities than I ever thought possible. It's not my place as a "sales associate" to tell people not to print things, but there are limits. My quick list of things that should never be printed: Powerpoint Presentations (They're meant to be presented, not read! If you're printing a hundred copies for your audience, they're going to ignore you as you present, then either throw away the handouts or file/forget about them.), EBooks (They're called "EBooks" for a reason, folks! Read 'em online!), anything Copyrighted (Because it's usually against the law to do so.), and Wikipedia Articles (Again, they're online, and not going anywhere anytime soon, so trust they'll be there, or save a version of the page on your desktop...but keep in mind, that wikis are designed to change so check back regularly.).

I don't want this to turn into a rant, (which may happen because I just spent about $80 on printer cartridges) but instead, just ask that you think before printing that huge document. Ask yourself "Why" you need it printed as opposed to on the computer. Think about what your audience will do with the printed material after you give it to them. Test your ability to do without or work with less, maybe printing one desk reference guide instead of enough for your entire office, for example. You just may save yourself some cash, some trash, and some hassle of empty ink cartridges.

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lykle/2965877993/ by Lykle de Vries

Just the Fax 101

As I continue to work at Staples while I'm revamping my life's goals, I'm always amazed by one of the most interesting, annoying technological inventions ever created.

Let's start with the important stuff. Lemme dispel some myths that cause people to get all miffed when they have to fax somethin', k?



1. Fax machines DO NOT send your originals. You do not have to make copies for yourself before you "send them". Maybe "sending a fax" is a misnomer. Or, maybe we've all just forgotten that "fax" is our dumbed-down word for facsimile which means, "An exact copy, replica, or duplicate."

2. A fax machine is nothing more than a scanner, a telephone modem, and a printer. No teleporters, matter deconstruction/reconstruction devices, or even laser beams (usually) can be found anywhere near a fax machine. You place your original document so the machine can scan the print, which it then turns into data that can be sent over a phone line...(and this is important)...to another fax machine. Which brings me to #3.

3. Fax machines are worthless unless there are two. You need a fax machine (I'm including computer-based faxing as well) to send, and another to receive. If the sending machine appears to not be doing anything...it may be waiting for the other to respond. One of the biggest complaints customers give us, is that our fax machine is sleeping, when really, it's waiting for the receiving machine to wake up!

4. Read your confirmation sheet!!! You wouldn't believe the time wasted because confirmation sheets aren't looked over. Here's a hint: If it says "Okay", and the correct number of pages is there, and it displays the correct fax number...It got there, folks! I promise! (This doesn't mean the receiving fax still has paper or toner to be able to print the facsimiles, but the data got there.) On the other hand...if your confirmation sheet says "busy" or worse, "no response"...well, I'll give you 3 guesses.

Personally, I think fax machines need to go away. Scan it, email it as an attachment, and be done with it. Not only does faxing waste paper, but it requires a landline phone, and again, at least 2 fax machines. Does anyone have a valid use for this antiquated junk? (bonus points if an 8bit musician comments) Got any other tips I missed?

And...no matter how hard you try...it is impossible to fax a cat.

photo credit: anomalous via Flickr 

Earth Hour 2009: Turn off, Vote Earth

I've been Twittering about Earth Hour 2009 for a few weeks now, but the time has come to make the "official" rorowe.blogspot.com post about it. At 8:30pm (in your time zone), flip off all your lights and unnecessary electrical items for an hour to show your support to keeping our planet livable.

Last year, I turned my lights out, lit a few candles, but still played on my laptop. This year, we are planning a backyard campfire cookout. I plan on practicing my "night" photography, and Twittering to make everyone aware of the electrical power we waste daily with unnecessary lights, vampire power, etc.

While I'm not doing much tonight for Earth Hour (maybe less is more?), here are 10 ideas (I borrowed ideas from others, for this list as well) to celebrate Earth Hour 2009.

1. Take a walk! Bring your camera, your dog, your children, and tour your neighborhood. How many houses have their lights off? (Be positive today. Pointing out houses/businesses who are wasting energy isn't what today is all about.).

2. Play outside! Remember flashlight tag, manhunt, capture the flag? Have a glow-in-the-dark soccerball? Put it to use and gain the bonus of exercise!

3. Do what my girlfriend is doing , and meditate, practice your yoga, and enjoy Earth's natural energy.

4. Have an Earth Hour Rave like Rachel Depp (http://twitter.com/1indienation) did when she recorded a series of amazing Earth Hour commercials for http://12seconds.tv. Grab the glow sticks, and call your friends over, and have fun! Music is allowed!

5. Ask your favorite restaurant is participating, or whether they could dim the lights for you for a romantic, Earth Hour, candlelit dinner.

6. Blog, Twitter, 12 (seconds), and photograph your Earth Hour activities!

7. Participate more than once, by coming to our Second Life Earth Hour party tonight (during PST's Earth Hour). Sicily Heartsdale made free shirts!

8. Join EarthHour.org's mailing lists and groups, join the World Wildlife Federation, and show your support for our Earth.

9. Use the time while your lights are out to replace all your bulbs to compact flourescents (CFLs). Inspect your house for opportunities to let in more natural light!

10. And the easiest...Take a nap! What better way to not use electricity, than to sleep for an hour. You'll wake up refreshed, and will have helped the Earth. :P

What are you doing?

Got more ideas? Share them! This is a GLOBAL event, and since it takes place during your individual timezones, you can even watch other parts of the world