June, 2008


13
Jun 08

Interesting Collaboration Software, Terrible Name

Just a few minutes ago I discovered a rather interesting looking piece of collaboration software software known as Dimdim. From the website:

Dimdim\'s web-based interface
Image copyright Linux.com

Dimdim is a free web conferencing service where you can share your desktop, show slides, collaborate, chat, talk and broadcast via webcam with absolutely no download required for attendees.

Basically, the software lets you create a virtual meeting place online. In a meeting you can communicate via text, voice and chat. The software also gives the presenter the ability to present power point presentations and share PDF files with the viewers. All attendees have access to a “white board” where they can draw (diagrams and slimy faces, I suppose), and presumably take notes.

The software comes in three versions, the first being the full blown proprietary version (which must be paid for, of course), the free hosted version, and the “Community Edition“, which is licensed under the GPL V3.

I haven’t had the chance to test it out yet, but Dimdim certainly seems worth looking into. What do you think? For those YWAMers who are reading this post, do you think that this program might be useful for digital communication within our mission (aka, comment section below)?


11
Jun 08

Downsize D.C.

Washington D.C.

Photo by vgm8383.

It may come as a surprise to many a citizen of the United States that our elected officials in the Congress and Senate do not actually read the laws that they vote on. And with bills that are usually hundreds of pages long, I don’t blame them… almost.

It is actually common practice for our elected officials to skip their duty to read what they vote on, and simply skim over a one-page sheet summarizing the legislation only a few minutes before the vote. Even worse, it is common practice for the people sponsoring the bill to change/add key parts to the text, no more than an hour before the vote, therefore sneaking laws into our legal system. This is how the much loved Patriot Act became law in our nation.

Just today I Stumbled Upon the Read the Bills Act, which is a piece of attempted legislation by the Downsize D.C. activist group, aimed at making our elected officials actually read what they vote on. Among other things, it would require that any bill due to be voted on would be posted on the Internet a week before the voting, and that during that time it could not be edited in secret.

The idea behind this act is so simple, I see no reason why anyone would vote against it. However, that is exactly what will happen if the lobbyist crowd in D.C. is more active about this issue than we are. It is important that we make our voices heard on this issue.

If you would like to let your senator or congressmen know where you stand on this issue, please click here. You’ll be taken to a simple form where you can fill out your contact info, and personalize the email that will be automatically sent to your elected officials.


7
Jun 08

The Last Stand for Democracy

I’ve written about this before, but I just found this great video that summarizes the issue quite nicely. Be sure to check it out.


5
Jun 08

This week in picture

Just a few minutes ago I got idea for one picture that would perfectly summerise my week (and probably the past few months as well).


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