Astronomy and Linux

Sep 15, 2008 GMT

Akkana Peck has a couple of articles up on LinuxPlanet about astronomy programs in Linux. Part 1 covers KStars, and Part 2 looks at XEphem.

Article – IT: Will women smash the glass ceiling?

Sep 11, 2008 GMT

The Independent ran an article today called IT: Will women smash the glass ceiling? Sarah Blow, founder of Geek Girl Dinners, was interviewed for the story. According to the article, Sarah says that "women are less likely to have the maths or science A-level that most computer science degrees require, and are far less likely to have any qualification at all in computing." Because there continues to be a skill shortage, companies are employing graduates from outside the field of IT. The article says that conversion programs are springing up: "Nearly half the 45 students on a new MSc in financial computing at University College London this year are women, an unheard-of...

To Twitter, or not to Twitter

Sep 08, 2008 GMT

Well I finally did it – I started our Linux Pro Twitter account. I have a personal Twitter account, too, but I'll admit that I rarely use it. I'm obsessive compulsive enough that you'd think I'd tweet as frequently as I check my email, but I just don't. I have a couple of questions about how people use Twitter: What kind of tweets do you like best? And what kind of tweets really annoy you?

Podlitics

Sep 02, 2008 GMT

On Download Squad, Lisa Hoover rounded up some podcast links that can help you keep up with election coverage. Podcasts include a series from the Democratic National Convention and NPR's "It's All Politics."

Perfect Your Presentations

Sep 02, 2008 GMT

Are you ready for your next big speaking engagement? Over at Stormy's Corner, Stormy Peters recommends a couple of books that can help you fine-tune your presentation skills: Garr Reynold's Presentation Zen and Nancy Duarte's slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations.

Software Freedom Day 2008

Aug 28, 2008 GMT

Software Freedom Day 2008 is coming up on September 20. You can register your event on the Software Freedom Day site and see a cool interactive map of worldwide events. What is Software Freedom Day? According to the website: Software Freedom Day (SFD) is a worldwide celebration of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Our goal in this celebration is to educate the worldwide public about of the benefits of using high quality FOSS in education, in government, at home, and in business -- in short, everywhere! The non-profit company Software Freedom International coordinates SFD at a global level, providing support, giveaways and a point of collaboration,...

Con Anti-Harassment Project

Aug 25, 2008 GMT

The Con Anti-Harassment Project is a grassroots effort to help prevent harassment – particularly sexual harassment – at events. The site says: "The Con Anti-Harassment Project is a grass-roots campaign designed to help make conventions safer for everyone. Our aims are to encourage fandom, geek community and other non-business conventions to establish , articulate and act upon anti-harassment policies, especially sexual harassment policies, and to encourage mutual respect among con-goers, guests and staff." The project wants events to adopt policies against verbal and physical harassment; articulate these policies to...