Feeducation: February 2009

Friday, 27 February 2009

At last - PDF to Word Conversion that Works

Just managed to get a trial of the pdftoword.com site. It allows you to upload a PDF file that it then e-mails back to you. Not only does it work well but the Word dosument is intelligently laid out ready for editing.

Hugely impressed. Get on the beta invite list and try it for yourself.

Convert PDF to Word (DOC) Online — 100% Free!

Wednesday, 25 February 2009

Make Use of... Anything

$Graphic representation of a minute fraction of...$ Image via Wikipedia

Make Use Of is a great site with tips for doing all sorts of things on your computer. On the day I looked the front page had a link to:

Best source code sites
Grabbing MP3s from FLV files
Making use of Research features in Word 2007
Using Gmail offline
Online image editing

Add it to your feed reader today.

Cool Websites, Software and Internet Tips

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Don't pay teachers; That'll learn 'em

Image via Wikipedia

When in doubt, consult The Bugle.

The Bugle Column: Don't pay teachers; That'll learn 'em | Andy Zaltzman - Times Online

Monday, 23 February 2009

Back to the Future

Image via Wikipedia

It's Monday and you're back at work. It's not good. So, at lunch time only of course, why not try the on-line Apple ][ emulator.

About Virtual Apple ][
Virtual Apple ][ is a site which will take you back to the 1980's through its collection of more than 1250 game disks online. Play and enjoy old Apple ][ (Apple2) and Apple IIgs games and other disks through your Internet web browser. You will find games like Oregon Trail and Number Munchers which many of you played as kids, as well as games like Tetris, Battle Chess, Leisure Suit Larry, Choplifter, Archon II and Kings Quest.

I started on one of these more years ago than I care to remember and, while my school would have no truck with the games available here, I lusted after them from afar.

Just make sure you eat before you start or you'll get sucked in and not remember.

Virtual Apple 2 - Online disk archive

Friday, 20 February 2009

Charts Ahoy

Image via Wikipedia

Ever needed to come up with a quick chart but didn't have the appropriate tool at hand?

Despair of hand-drawn monstrosities that don't present that professional air?

Sick of writing in faux ad-speak?

Than try Lovely Charts. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Lovely Charts is limited by guarantee. No muss, no fuss, no salesman will visit your home. By using this product you will become ineffably sexy. Deal with it.

Lovely Charts | Free online diagramming application

Thursday, 19 February 2009

But it's better if it looks ugly...

Image via Wikipedia

As part of their quest to name and shame the ugliest sites on the web Download Squad have highlighted this little educational monster.

The reasons for it being like this? The IT manager doesn't want "his" web site to look broken. As DS say - too bad it works but looks broken.

This is yet another case of processes getting in the way of education.

Go check it out here:

Fugly Friday: it doesn't have to be like this - Download Squad

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Twitter in Education - Surely Not!

Image via CrunchBase

Interesting post over at ZDNet regarding Twitter in education.

More than the content of the post I think it's useful in reminding practitioners (and IT managers) that technology is not, in and of itself, good or bad, it's how we use it.

If Twitter can be used to take a quick poll of students without installing any fancy software - why not?

Look, Ma! Twitter’s useful! | Education IT | ZDNet.com

Tuesday, 17 February 2009

Are You Certifiable

Image via Wikipedia

OK Let's get the sniggers out of the way first. Yes, I know that Microsoft setting up a site asking are you certifiable will be the start of many jokes but it's actually a useful site.

Designed to help consider whether Microsoft certification is the right way to go it takes the form of a trivia game with technical (and some not so technical questions). Top spots get onto the leaderboard and, far more importantly, bragging rights.

Learn more at the Microsoft Education blog:

The UK Further Education Blog : Do you know your GPO from your AD?

Monday, 16 February 2009

Join New Zealand Internet blackout protest against insane copyright law

Image by jamesotron via Flickr

While accepting that copyright infringement is a big issue it seems clear to me that government imposed draconian laws that owe more to big business lobbying than sensible leglislative concern is not the way to go.

Read all about how New Zealand have approached the problem and plan your own resistance to its inevitable spread now.

Join New Zealand Internet blackout protest against insane copyright law