Linux Boot Camp
May 14, 2007 Posted by Clare in : Digital Challenge, Computer science, Bristol, Learning , add a commentUWE Linux Boot Camp, 25th-27th July 2007
Ever needed to get more out of your computer and gadgets? Have you wanted to knowmore about Linux, open source software or get in touch with your inner geek? If so then the UWE Linux Boot Camp is for you.
The event, open to people who are studying for or have recently done A levels, will involve two and half days of practical workshops exploring many aspects of modern technology and explaining the use of free, open source software.
For further information please email: craig.duffy@uwe .ac.uk
Craig Duffy, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering
A virtual chatterbox
October 25, 2006 Posted by Woodsy in : Wireless, Computer science, Bristol, Technology , add a commentRecent visitors to Bristol Wireless’ chat channel will have noticed a new user - eggzy - in addition to the usual suspects. When you log in, eggzy’s there with a friendly greeting for you, but unlike everyone else on the channel, eggzy isn’t human.
In fact, eggzy is an IRC bot, originally developed by EggHEADS.org, and performs a number of useful functions, including a searchable knowledgebase and recording users’ last visits (very handy for hunting those hard to find people); eggzy can also learn stuff too, which then gets added to the knowledgebase. Martin Cosgrave, who is looking after eggzy, tells me that he’s continuing to work on eggzy to make him friendlier and more useful. He also told me of one bot he came across that performed a play in its own channel window and, if anyone dared to talk during the show, a virtual usher would politely tell them to keep quiet.
If you’d like to experience eggzy yourself, you need to add the following information to your IRC client (e.g. Gaim, XChat, Trillian, mIRC, etc.):
- Server: irc.psand.net/6667
- Channel: #clan
Alternatively, you could always use the link at the head of this article and the chat channel will appear in your web browser.
Virtual Pets to keep children fit
October 16, 2006 Posted by Clare in : Computer science, Bristol, Innovation, News , add a comment
Bristol-based education innovator Futurelab have invented what it hopes could become a revolutionary toy which keeps children healthy as well as entertained. A Fizzee is like a watch in that it straps to a child’s wrist and inside it lives a small digital creature, or pet, which is powered by the child’s movement.
The more exercise the child does, the healthier the creature and the more it changes its appearance. But less exercise means the pet fades away. Fizzees are not yet on sale but Futurelab is hoping to test them soon with a group of Bristol school chidlren.
Full article at Bristol Evening Post.
More information available at Futurelab’s Fizzees site.
Booted Up Bristol
September 28, 2006 Posted by Kevin in : Digital Challenge, Computer science, Community Media , add a commentNow in its third year Booted Up Bristol is back in Manor Woods, Bishopsworth this September doing hands-on fieldwork with nearly 300 year 5 and 6 schoolchildren from local schools. Using technology outside to record their investigations the children are encouraged to use the kit instead of being told ‘don’t touch’.
The organisers, Bristol City Council’s Living Rivers Project, work closely with the City Learning Centres, the Environment Agency and Bristol Parks Nature in the City Project, as well as volunteers from Malago Valley Conservation Group and Atkins Consulting to provide a range of expert skills and local knowledge.
The children undertake a range of investigations on the River Malago including depth profiles and searching for macro-invertebrates with nets. In Manor Woods they do some litter picking and learn about habitats, leaf types and minibeasts that live in the trees and on the ground. During one of two nature trails they use both high technology kit such as Personal Data Assistants (PDA’s) and MP3 players and more traditional kit such as a compass to find out where to go and make nature palettes to represent their journeys.
Each school is provided with a CD of all their data, images and sounds and a curriculum pack of ideas and useful website links to continue their learning back at school.
Kathy Derrick, Senior Scientific Officer at Bristol City Council said ” This is an opportunity for local children to explore and experiment with nature on their doorstep in a hands-on way. Manor Woods, soon be designated a Local Nature Reserve, is a fantastic resource. We hope the children will remember this experience in the future and remember to keep the woods and river clean and safe for others to enjoy as well. ”
