with 2 sleeps to go

School holidays and the kids are in a virtual world of their own. Do you know where they are on line?

Have a read of this from The Age, Technology, and maybe you can steer them somewhere safer Have a think about it and decide for yourself OR

Get in The Game, READ, school holiday activities are now filling fast @ Hobsons Bay Libraries, book now.


In a world of their own The Age, December 29, 2008
Icon

Virtual worlds can be a mystery to parents. Lia Timson guides you through the most suitable for children.
Some children may know more about computers than their parents and when it comes to virtual worlds they can be years ahead. But it pays to keep an eye out to ensure they don't stray too far.
These multi-player computer-simulated environments are a world unto themselves, with shops, meeting places and their own fictional currencies. Here children can play with others in real time and can communicate via special in-world language, gestures, chat and occasionally voice.
Some virtual worlds are free to join, others require paid subscription or the purchase of currency with real money.
The thing to remember is that this is their world. One that children can - for the most part - control. They choose where to go, who to play with, what to buy and who to be. Frankly, that's a lot more freedom than they have at home, so it's no wonder the online experience is so fun and popular.
But it doesn't always make it safe, hence with school holidays upon us we've fashioned a guide to some entertaining and secure virtual destinations.
As always, go online with your children to ensure they are safe and watch for any changes in the site or games available. You could even create your own avatar and check it out for yourself. Some virtual worlds were designed for adults and although some children fake their age when registering, they are not for them - so check the parent pages if in doubt. Here are a few sites we recommend:

CLUB PENGUIN
clubpenguin.com

This Canadian site is still a primary-schoolers' favourite. Take on a penguin persona, decorate your own igloo, adopt a pet "Puffle", play games and meet up with friends at arranged times after school.
A basic account is free but membership starts at $6.95 a month, which guarantees an advertising-free site. One of the founders of Club Penguin, Lane Merrifield, told us he wanted to create a safe cyber playground for his kids and their friends. Merrifield's own experience as the recipient of bullying at school shaped his desire to shield children from predators.
"We want kids to feel safe like they are walking down in the middle of Disneyland," he says.
The Disney-owned site comes with a live moderating panel that, together with word filters, ensures safety. The company opened an Australian office this year, so phone support now resolves parents' questions and account suspensions in local time. An unavoidable consequence of "Disneyfication", however, is the now available Penguin merchandise through the online store. Other Disney sites in the same vein include the new disneyfairies.com.au, sure to capture the imagination of young girls everywhere.

POPTROPICA
poptropica.com

This one-year-old virtual world is proving a hit with youngsters. It is owned by Pearson Education, a worldwide publisher of educational books and multimedia courses, so expect fun but meaningful games. It is devoid of instructions and visual pollution but somehow children have managed to navigate their way to and through the site with ease.
No email address or personal information is required for joining Poptropica and it is free and has no advertising.

TOONTOWN
toontown.com

Also a Disney-owned site, Toontown is now using the expertise of Club Penguin's founders as company employees, so expect it to become more user-friendly. Unlike its sister site, it feels more like a CD-ROM game and requires a special software download, which in our experience was clunky. Basic membership is free but paid options afford special benefits.
It's a good clean game (except for the pie-throwing), full of familiar Disney characters for very young children who can read.

THE HABBO HOTEL
habbo.com.au

This hotel-like world bills itself as a hangout for teens (13+) and you'll see why. It has public rooms, games and organised events, as well as customisable guest-rooms. It began in Finland but 100 million teenagers worldwide are hooked, so now there are several local versions, including in Australia. It's free to join but purchases in-world are paid with real money via card, money order, SMS or phone bill - so check this premium service doesn't blow your budget.
One teenager we spoke to felt not everyone in the place was nice. But that is the lesson to take away from all virtual experiences - players must use their judgment to decide who to socialise with. The site says it employs police-vetted safety moderators that screen chat and messages. They are available for live consultation during the hotel opening times of 6am to 2am.
It is a known advertising platform to reach teenagers, with ads appearing in-game, on recommended pages and as flashes between room changes. Habbo Club VIP memberships attract extra costs.

TEEN SECOND LIFE
teen.secondlife.com

This is not just a game, it's a parallel universe. It feels like play because residents must create a persona, learn to navigate the 3D islands and become familiar with the gestures and rules of the place but real-world properties such as universities, shops and brands have islands here, so it's also an opportunity to socialise, learn and do business.
You must download the proprietary software to play but basic membership is free. It is separate from the adult version of Second Life to help keep it safer for under-18s. Parents are encouraged to go on a tour with their children to learn more about it.

3 sleeps to 2009

Before you record all the events of 2008 on Facebook read this article from "The Age"

THE WALLS HAVE EARS



December 29, 2008

Dan Warne shows how to keep Facebook posts private.


The first time is so often the best in life. And so it is with Facebook and the intoxicating effects of signing up and discovering how many people you know on there.
If you're like most Facebook users, you'll have gradually built up hundreds of friends, including family, school friends, old teachers, current friends, work friends, your partner's work friends and possibly the managing director of your company.

That's all good until you show what a laconic and self-deprecating person you are by setting your status line as Jack (or Jill) as "a one-can screamer; epic hangover" and you take a day off to nurse your throbbing temples.
Halfway through your mid-afternoon nap, you wake up with a start and the painful realisation that all your workmates and your boss, and your boss's boss, can read your status lines too.

By now the tale of AAPT call centre employee Kyle Doyle has passed into legend. The story goes that Doyle was fired after posting on his Facebook page: "--- -- i'm still trashed. SICKIE WOO!"

There's been speculation about whether this was a hoax - but that's not the point. We laughed because it could so easily happen. If only Kyle had known how to separate work and personal friends on Facebook, he could have saved his job.

Here's how (and note: the answer is not to create two identities on Facebook - one for your personal self, named "Jake the caped crusader" and one for your work colleagues, named "Jake Green").

STEP 1: Set up Facebook friends lists

Once you've logged on to Facebook, go to the "Friends" tab. In the left-hand column, you'll see a "Friend lists" column. Click the "Make a new list" button.

Type a name for your new list. You can add friends to it by typing their names into the "Add to list" box Facebook provides.

If you have a lot of friends, it might be easier to click the "Select multiple friends" link, which provides the familiar interface of all your friends in a grid, with the ability to click on them to select them. Once you've selected all your friends for a list, click "Save list". Now repeat this step until you have made lists for all your various types of friends.

This bit can be rather tedious if you have a lot of friends but it's a necessary part of setting up different privacy settings for your work and personal friends - otherwise Facebook can't tell your friends apart.

STEP 2: Set up privacy settings

Now, go to Facebook's privacy settings page to set up different privacy settings for each list of friends.

In the very top menu bar, select "Settings", then "Privacy Settings" from the drop-down menu.

Now you can set which of your friends can see different parts of your profile. For example, if you didn't want your family to see your friends' obscene wall posts on your profile, select the "Profile" section, then the drop-down next to "Wall posts". Select "Customize . . ." .

A window will pop up that lets you customise your settings for wall posts. Here you can select an appropriate general privacy level, such as "Friends of friends" or "Only friends".

The "Except these people" box below is the key to the whole thing.

In this box, you can type in individual names of friends or lists of friends.

So, for example, you could type in "family" if you had a friends list called "Family" - this would block them from seeing your wall posts.

Repeat this process for each part of your Facebook profile to ensure you're showing the right parts to the right people.

Now, click "Save changes" at the bottom.

STEP 3: Lock down who can search for you

If you're worried about your antics coming up on Google in the future (employers are increasingly Googling applicants' names to find out more about the "real them"), you can set who should be able to find you on Facebook too.

In the privacy settings, go to "Search" and you can select to let everyone (any random person), just friends of friends or only current friends find you on Facebook. You can also control whether your profile should be listed publicly on Google.

Back to WebWilly land & 4 sleeps to go to 2009

Sad as it is to cross the border K@Willy is back to countdown to the New Year (oh no not more counting?!)


4 sleeps to the New Year 2009 and lots of fireworks and partying.

"1 for the money" 1 day to go

Yes thanks to the inspiration of Janet Evanovich and her Stephanie Plum series if you are a fan youll see the last 10 or so blogs are all based on titles of her books.

Stephanie as a bounty hunter is always a bit zany , loves food (her Mums especially) and Im sure shed be racing around last minute creating or avoiding a disaster and forget to shop, so yes, it would be money in a card at this late stage, which is good as think of all those sale bargains that can be purchased Boxing Day.

K@Willy hopes her KK enjoys her gift, that it really lights up her life, is environmentally friendly (solar powered) and you all enjoyed the xmas lights courtesy of youtube on the blog. Take a look if you havent yet.

So, signing out now for a few days as K@Willy is now in the City of Lights or is that Churches for a few days.

Wishing you all a great Christmas and safe holiday break.


Santos building
Originally uploaded by badjonni

Santos building with lights on depicting a Christmas tree

"2 for the dough" days to go

So, dough meaning money might be your only opportunity if you cant find that gift. Or does dough mean being creative and cooking in the kitchen.

ok caught out saved this yesterday to save time but still comes up in original order
Its definitely 2 days to go 23rd December

"3 to get deadly" serious about shopping

Time is flying by and yes its only trhee days to go. eeeek.

K@Willy is addicted to the net and loves broadband so was interested to read this article today

Missed opportunities in copper's evolution
Kenneth Davidson
December 22, 2008 from The Age

Telstra is the ideal choice to deliver our high-speed broadband network.

THE telecommunications chickens are coming home to roost in a way that spells bad news for the Federal Government unless it can show some understanding of how the fixed network was built and how it should be developed.

Until the late '80s, the telephone network around the world was built on a two-part tariff. The first part was a below-cost connection fee that encouraged households to have the telephone installed, and the cost of building the network was recouped by charging above cost for calls.

This suited everybody. Poorer households got the security of a telephone with access to essential services, while business users got the external benefit associated with an extensive network that covered practically the whole population.

The market fundamentalists and the opportunists argued that the pricing system was inefficient because the usage cost of a fixed line once it is in place is close to zero. A combination of free market ideology and greed saw this as an opportunity for arbitrage dressed up as competition.

In Australia, this led to the introduction of competition in the form of a second licence in 1991. The successful tenderer, Optus, paid $800 million for the licence, took Aussat off the government's hands and in return gained the right to interconnect with the then Telecom network at a subsidised price estimated to be worth at least $2 billion in 1990 dollars.

Today, Optus rents 400,000 unbundled lines from Telstra for $15 a month each and typically charges its customers $30 a month, which is pure arbitrage worth about $70 million a year. Every day Telstra's competitors can delay the introduction of fibre to the node at the end of the street (which bypasses the exchanges where the arbitrageurs interconnect with the network) adds at least $500,000 to their bottom line at the expense of Telstra.

If Telstra's fixed network monopoly had been maintained so that its economic rents had been retained instead of distributed to its competitors via arbitrage, the introduction of fibre to the node would probably now have been connected to up to 80 per cent of network customers.

Telstra failed to explain that investment in fibre was simply a further evolution of its network. It should have explained to the public, the regulators and the politicians that the copper network was run down and needed replacement with fibre.

Telstra had so little faith in the regulators and the ability of the government to comprehend the nature of the network that it feared if it was upfront and explained the implications of this natural progression in the network that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission would have blocked it by extending the current pro-competitive regime, meaning an inadequate return on capital that would have destroyed the investment case.

Instead, fibre was sold as a new network that would bring the politically desirable goal of high-speed broadband. As a result, the high-speed fibre cable is now incorrectly seen as separate from the existing copper network in the minds of lay people, which unfortunately includes the politicians and regulators responsible for the rules governing the network.

Communications MinisterStephen Conroy betrayed his lack of understanding by implicitly suggesting there were two networks when he responded to a question about the exclusion of Telstra from the broadband tender: "If we didn't think anyone other than Telstra were capable of building the network, we wouldn't have set out to have an open and competitive process, we would be just sitting down at the table with Telstra."

If, for example, Optus were to win the tender, it could only proceed if it had unfettered access to Telstra's local network. In effect, it would mean that Telstra would have to hand over a $30 billion asset to Optus. It would require anti-competitive legislation and at least $30 billion in compensation to Telstra shareholders before even one centimetre of additional fibre is laid. There is no way Optus will pay this.

Does Conroy seriously want to put the Commonwealth in danger of a multibillion-dollar compensation claim from Telstra shareholders when the alternative is to abort the tender or let it run its course and admit that there is no practical, economic alternative to letting Telstra continue upgrading the network? All the Government has to do then is change the regulatory structure to put adequate return on capital for new investment ahead of the present ersatz competition requirements and let Telstra get on with the job without cost to the taxpayer.

kdavidson@theage.com.au

"4 to score" a Christmas bargain

Yes, that right, only 4 more sleeps to bag a KK bargain so hit those shops today. Sorry you net people too late now to order on line and have delivery in time.
How bout a ticket for the Southern Star

Yes WebWillys big news of the day is the lighting up and opening of the long awaited Southern Star

Click on the link for a time lapse video of the construction of the Southern Star @ Docklands

"High 5" sleeps to go

the Woolemi Pine Tree said to be Australia's indigeneous Christmas tree


R u shopped out yet.. take a break and visit the

Advent Calendar
Celebrate the spirit of Christmas as the East Shard at Federation Square is transformed into a magical Advent Calendar!

Enjoy a free performance at 9pm every night in December as talented aerialists, Hope and Inspiration, perform in front of a magical animation on the side of the building and unveil a new window each night.

Can you guess which Christmas image will be unveiled?

Bring the kids along and explore Fed Square's exciting display of Christmas installations throughout the Square. From brightly lit cellophane fish in the Fracture Gallery to giant parrots suspended from the ceiling of the Atrium, there's a surprise around every corner! Novelty-sized Christmas presents will be scattered across the site, each with an LED screen showing the many ways in which different cultures celebrate Christmas. And make sure you drop into the BMW Edge to see the incredible installation of Wollemi Pine trees. Indigenous to Australia, this rare tree species was thought to be extinct until 1994! With less than 100 specimens remaining in the wild, this majestic conifer is not only an ideal Australian Christmas Tree, but a symbol of indigenous survival, conservation and hope for the future.

Advent Calendar Performance

Time: 9pm nightly, with an extra finale performance at 11:30pm on 24th December

Duration: 20 minutes

"Hot 6" days to go but its not hot in Willy

So whats the weather going to be like on the big day?

Check out the


Bureau of Meteorology for the 7 day forecast.
So are you shoppers done yet? maybe I could have suggested something for the sun, a hat, sunnies, some sunblock, something for fun in the sun, but maybe I should suggest an umbrella for wet Willy.

"7 's up" - how bout music for your KK

Interesting article in The Age this morning got me to thinking about how life would be without music

Hi-fi quest is music to the ears of the deaf
• Nick Miller
• December 18, 2008 from The Age
WEEKS before his death last year, the world's first bionic ear recipient, Rod Saunders, told its inventor, Professor Graeme Clark, that the thing he missed most was music.
He used to sing in a choir. But while the cochlear implant restored his ability to understand speech, any music more complicated than a simple melody came through as a bewildering mess of noise.
More than 30 years on, Professor Clark believes a "hi-fi" bionic ear, allowing the deaf to hear music, is only a few years away. Such a prototype will also much better distinguish speech against a noisy background.
"Rod did miss music. He would have loved to be able to sing in the choir again," Professor Clark said yesterday. "But it's 'hearing in noise' that really kills deaf people with implants — and people with hearing aids. That's an ongoing challenge which we hope we can solve by giving high-fidelity hearing."
Yesterday he unveiled an early, animal-based prototype at La Trobe University, where he will lead the Graeme Clark Hearing and Neuroscience Unit in the university's School of Psychological Science.
The new unit brings together specialists in hearing, speech and language, in much the same way as Professor Clark's original team that began work on the bionic ear. "The passion I still have is to get high-fidelity sound with the bionic ear," he said. "We now have 'first-innings points' but I want to see that we win outright."
The work will require breakthrough understanding about the way the ear processes sound, and the way it "locks" into sounds it is most interested in, such as speech. Professor Clark said that, with some extra funding, his team could have a working prototype in a human patient in two or three years.

8 more sleeps

K@Willy has finished Christmas shopping, even the Kris Kringle, how bout u ..need more hints.
The Christmas lunches and dinners are in full swing, so the wine collection may be getting low. How bout a bottle of wine or a wine voucher.

"to the nines" days to go tension mounting

Creative Christmas crafts for children
The presents need wrapping and the trees need decorating. No need to head for the shops, just head for a Hobsons Bay Library and get creative! Working with a range of materials you will be able to create your very own festive decorations. Ages 5+
Tuesday 16th December 4 to 5 @ Altona
Wednesday 17th December 4 to 5 @ Altona Meadows
Thursday 18th December 4 to 5 @ Williamstown


While in the library check out the article in The Age Epicure Tuesday December 16th
for a cook book for your Kris Kringle. Must be a recipe here with chocolate Katie, even better a chocolate pavlova Yey

24 books for cooks (quote from Epicure)

Nine days to go … if Christmas fatigue has set in already,
forget the mindless mall trawl. Find a good bookshop and start with this shortlist compiled by the Epicure team.

"10 big ones" to go - the big countdown begins

So, Katie you are so right to love chocolate it helps you live longer, and theres always chocolate as a gift for your Kris Kringle, read on

Live long and eat chocolate

* December 15, 2008, The Age

Doctors can now tell us which habits may extend our lives - and just how much extra time they give us, writes Roger Dobson.
PEOPLE who are happy, have an active sex life and avoid debts outlive the miserable, abstainers and the poor, as do chocolate eaters, churchgoers and vegetarians.
International research shows exactly how many years longer people can live by adopting healthy behaviours.
A Harvard University study that monitored 600 people for 60 years shows that seven lifestyle factors are key to determining how well we age — avoiding alcohol abuse, not smoking, having a stable marriage, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, developing good coping mechanisms and pursuing education.
"Successful ageing isn't simply a matter of genes or fate," say the authors of the study.
"Making healthy choices can pave the way for a long, vital life. How well you age will help dictate how long you stay alive and how happy you are to do so."

1.8 YEARS BE A WINNER
Nobel Prize-winning scientists live nearly two years longer than those who were nominated but who missed out, according to a Warwick University study. Winning an Oscar can also add years, according to Toronto University researchers who studied all the actors to win an award. Winners lived four years longer on average, while double winners bagged an extra six years. One theory is that high social status has a positive effect.

2 YEARS EAT CHOCOLATE
Studies have suggested that dark chocolate is good for the heart and may boost longevity. Research based on Harvard graduates showed chocolate eaters lived a year or so longer than those who did not indulge. Those who ate one to three bars a month came out best, with a 36 per cent lower risk of premature death. Antioxidants, especially in dark chocolate, may be responsible.

2.5 YEARS HAVE LOTS OF SEX
A number of studies have suggested that sex is good for health and longevity. A University of California study reported that it could add more than two years, while a Bristol University study showed that men who have frequent orgasms live longer. The risk of an earlier death in men who had sex twice or more a week was half that of men whose frequency was less than once a month.

3 YEARS BE RELIGIOUS — AND HAVE FRIENDS
Regular attendance at church or chapel can be as good for the health as jogging. A study at the University of Pittsburgh showed that weekly attendance at a religious service added two to three years, compared with three to five for physical exercise. Harvard University research shows that men and women who were less likely to attend church, travel, or take part in social activities were 20 per cent more likely to die early than those who socialised the most.

3.6 YEARS EAT LESS MEAT
Diets with low levels of meat and vegetarian diets have been linked to lower risk of premature death. A review of research by public health specialists at Loma Linda University in America looked at the life expectancy of those who rarely ate meat — less than weekly — and found that long-term adherence to such a diet added 3.6 years to life.

3.7 YEARS KEEP ACTIVE
Moderate to high levels of activity can extend life by between 1.3 and 3.7 years. Researchers at Erasmus University in the Netherlands say the main reason is the beneficial effect that physical activity has on the heart. Exercise also means people are less likely to be overweight and more likely to have a better quality of life.

4 YEARS DRINK WINE
Regular drinking of small amounts of wine can add four years to life for a man, according to a Dutch study. Researchers from Wageningen University found that men who drank about half a glass of wine a day were 38 per cent less likely to die prematurely.

4.1 YEARS HAVE LOW BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL
Having a low blood pressure and cholesterol levels are associated with a four-year-longer life span, according to a Yale University report.

5 YEARS BE EDUCATED
Highly educated women can expect to live more than five years longer than their less-educated contemporaries, while men with a university degree have an extra 7.8 years, according to a Harvard University study. A Danish study found more modest increases in life expectancy — 2.7 years for well-educated men and 2.2 years for well-educated women. Other research shows that men and women with PhDs live longer than those with masters degrees, who in turn outlast those with a degree.

6.6 YEARS EAT WELL
Adopting a diet proposed by researchers at Erasmus University could increase life expectancy by 6.6 years. The diet involves daily consumption of dark chocolate, almonds, fruits and vegetables, garlic and wine — and fish four times a week. This, say the researchers, could cut heart disease risk by 76 per cent.

7 YEARS LOSE WEIGHT
Losing weight can add as much as seven years to life. A team at Oxford University showed that people who are obese at the age of 40 — body mass index or BMI greater than 30 — died, on average, seven years earlier. A Harvard study found that people who gained no more than five pounds between age 20 and mid-life had one-third the risk of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and gallstones as men and women who put on between five and 10 kilograms.

7.5 YEARS STAY POSITIVE
A study based on 660 people aged over 50 shows that those who had a more positive take on life and ageing lived on average 7.5 years longer than the grouches. Results from the 23-year Yale University study are supported by work in the Netherlands which shows that optimists also live longer. Optimists had a 55 per cent lower risk of early death. Researchers say pessimistic people may be more prone to developing habits and problems that cut life short, such as smoking, obesity and high blood pressure.

8 to 10 YEARS DON'T SMOKE
Not smoking adds up to 10 years to life. A team at the University of Helsinki found that those who had never smoked lived an average 10 years longer than those who smoked more than 20 a day. Research on men in New Zealand showed that 50 per cent of smokers die prematurely, and that they die 14 years earlier than non-smokers, and heart disease, strokes and cancer are among the biggest killers. The good news for smokers is that it is never too late to give up, According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse, a 35-year-old man who quits smoking will, on average, increase his life expectancy by 5.1 years.

14 YEARS CHANGE YOUR LIFESTYLE
Changing four behaviours can add 14 years to life expectancy, according to a study based on 20,000 people over 45 led by Cambridge University. Researchers found that those who exercised regularly, ate five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, didn't smoke, and had a moderate alcohol consumption lived an average of 14 years longer than those who adopted none of these behaviours.

20 YEARS BE WEALTHY AND LIVE IN THE RIGHT NEIGHBOURHOOD
Wealthy people live longer than the poor. One of the starkest contrasts was found by Baltimore health officials in the US. In the impoverished neighbourhoods, average life expectancy was 63 years, against 83 in wealthy suburbs.

11 days to go

Before you rush out and buy your Kris Kringle (maybe not ) or a family member or loved one (maybe not either) a large screen TV read this article and the fact that a large wide screen TV can use the same energy as your medium size fridge WOW.

Spotlight falls on TV energy use

* Josh Gordon
* December 14, 2008, The Age

PEOPLE will be encouraged to buy energy-efficient TVs under a star-rating system being rolled out from today to coincide with the Christmas rush.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said people often did not know how much energy their TV used.

"One in four Australians buys a new television each year and televisions are now the fourth-largest users of electricity in our homes after water heating, domestic refrigeration and lighting," Mr Garrett said.

"A large, wide-screen TV can use the same energy as a medium-sized fridge each day, which is more than your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer combined."

TV energy use has already quadrupled over the 20 years to 2006 and is expected to keep rising rapidly because of increased usage and new technology enabling larger and even more energy-hungry screens.

The TV labelling program is voluntary but will become mandatory by the end of next year. Minimum energy performance standards for new TVs are also set to begin in October.

The new system will be similar to the labelling systems already in place for appliances such as fridges, dishwashers and air-conditioners.

The more stars, the more energy efficient the television.

It means a three-star television uses a fifth less energy than a two-star product with the same-sized screen.

A recent Australian Bureau of Statistics survey found that energy and water efficiency were the main factors people considered when buying whitegoods.

The Government has been encouraging people to spend their bonus cash payments from its $10.4 billion economic stimulus package on retail goods, including flat-screen TVs.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said that despite the potentially high energy costs, he would strongly encourage people to enjoy a "digital TV Christmas".

"With the transition to digital-only television broadcasts now well under way, Christmas is the perfect time for Australian viewing families to experience the many benefits of digital TV," Senator Conroy said.

"12 sharp" days to go

Santas visits evening storytime @ ALtona, Monday 15th December, @ 6.30pm

Wriggle into your pjamas bring your favourite teddy and snuggle up to hear some classic Christmas stories and carols.

"Lean mean 13" days to go and web 2.0 gets a mention in the Age on line

Bloggers pan Government's 'e-democracy' bid
Asher Moses
December 11, 2008 - 3:36PM

Prominent Australian bloggers have lashed the Federal Government over its first attempt at public consultation via a blog, which has already been hijacked by critics of its plan to censor the internet.
In a move dubbed "e-democracy", Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner announced this week they would be taking feedback from Australians for two weeks on a new blog canvassing Australia's digital economy.
Issues on the agenda include the Government's mandatory internet filtering proposal, the planned national broadband network, online regulations, access to public sector information and what Australia can do to participate fully in the digital economy.
All comments will be moderated by staff and be approved only between 8.30am and 4.30pm.
Predictably, hundreds of the comments published so far have criticised Senator Conroy's plans to introduce a mandatory clean feed for all Australian internet users, which would introduce a level of web censorship that's far beyond that of any other Western democracy.
"I am offended that Senator Conroy has likened censorship opponents to child porn supporters. It is a straw-man argument and offensive to basic principles of democracy," one reader wrote.
Darren Rowse, a Melbourne blogging consultant whose blog network, b5media, incorporates more than 200 blogs, said the effort looked "very governmental", dry and would struggle to build a connection with readers.
"It's not engaging, personal and for me doesn't really inspire me to leave a comment on the content there," he said, adding that even a photo of the author would have helped personalise the blog.
"I've got a pretty flexible definition of what a blog is - but to me this is just a website that has comments on it."
Senator Conroy and Mr Tanner both said that the enthusiastic uptake of online communications tools such as blogging meant it was only natural for the Government to use these new methods of engagement to enhance the democratic process.
But Mr Rowse said the official look and feel, the formal writing style and the existence of "terms of use" and a "moderation policy" killed "some of the spontaneity, playfulness and personal nature of blogging".
"Some of the terms of use seem a little far fetched also - the more you read them the more it seems as though lawyers have had more to do with the setting up of this blog than anyone else," he said.
Asher Moses
December 11, 2008 - 3:36PM
Page 2 of 2
"Sure - there needs to be some protection and boundaries but I think they've taken it a bit far."
Duncan Riley, also from Melbourne, co-founded b5media with Mr Rowse before becoming a writer for one of the web's most popular blogs, TechCrunch, which covers internet start-ups. He has since left to start his own blog covering web businesses, The Inquisitr.
"While I welcome any Government department embracing blogging, even in a small and token way, the Rudd Government still has a very long way to go before it comes even close to fully utilising the tools web 2.0 offers to increase Government transparency and engagement," he said.
He criticised the Government's persistent focus on the benefits the internet delivered for existing businesses and consumers, while failing to support the true internet economy that is being driven by online start-ups such as eBay and Facebook.
He noted that Israel, a country with a population one-third the size of Australia's, had at least 10 times more internet start-ups.
"At a time when Australia faces a recession and increased unemployment, web 2.0-based start-ups would offer new jobs where none existed before," he said.
"The whole [online blog consultation] thing is a joke considering Conroy's Great Firewall will kill internet speeds and drive up internet connection costs in Australia, potentially crippling online businesses."
Microsoft Australia's head of government and industry affairs, Simon Edwards, said he remained a sceptic as to the capacity of political blogs to enhance knowledge and inform decision making processes.
Mr Edwards said that, to date, such blogs had tended to be not much more than cliques of common interest that reaffirmed partisan positions and denigrated alternative points of view.
"Nevertheless I welcome the Government's trial of blogging as it is a recognition of the ever increasing volume of ideas, opinions and information that is being shared and communicated online," he said

K@Willy 's opinion. Blogging is very spontaneous and is on information and comments happening now and government and private sector companies have to be strict on releases that by the time its been checked and rechecked by the relevant departments and managers the spontaneity and "now" ness is lost.

"Fearless 14" sleeps to Xmas

Now reading this you must be getting worried if you havent started Xmas shopping yet?!

Theres so much to choose from its daunting. If you cant handle the shops how bout trying shopping on line. The choices are huge here too.

There are a few fakes around this Xmas, notes that is

How to spot a fake $50 bill





Police say counterfeiters are targeting the busy pre-Christmas shopping period with a flood of fake $50 bills - here's how to spot one.

And in the Christmas shopping rush, the high-quality forgeries have begun to show up in wider Melbourne, including Albert Park, Richmond, Prahran, Frankston and Chelsea. Senior Constable Joe Logan, of South Melbourne police station, has collected about 15 fakes in his investigation, some of which are now in the hands of the federal police.

The bills are made using a high-definition printer.

"The colour is good, the cutting is good, the printing is pretty good, but they are paper and that's the distinct difference," he said, crumpling a forgery in his hand.

"If it stays folded like that then it is paper, but the plastic notes tend to spring back into their form."

However, those who suspect a fake should not crumple it; store it in a bag so any fingerprints are preserved for police.

15 days to go

and Santa visits Altona Library for Storytime tomorrow Thursday @ 10.30am
He's had a busy week visiting everyone

Blogs are replacing the mainstream media

An interesting read from the Age today

Ten prophecies for the digital millennium
From Perspectives by Graeme Philipson
The Age
December 9, 2008

A summary of the main trends in IT, from the rise of the supernet to the threat posed by intelligent machines.
Recently I was asked to speak at a conference about what's going to happen in IT predictions in the next 10 years. It's always hard to tell the future, but here goes anyway - 10 predictions, in no particular order. I have mentioned most of these ideas in various columns during the past year or two. So treat this, my last column for the year, as sort of a summary of what I believe to be the trends in IT as we near the end of the first decade of the digital millennium.
1. The internet will become the "supernet"
The internet has been around since 1969, but it's only 15 years since it has become the web - easy to use, easy to navigate, with billions of web pages and billions of users.
We have already reached the point at which most devices connected to the internet are mobile - phones, cars, even household appliances. That trend will continue, with the move to "embedded computing", where the internet links objects as well as general-purpose computers.
2. The decline of the PC
This is a consequence of the first prediction. PCs will not die - indeed, they will become massively more powerful, but they will become only one of many types of computing device. Mobile phones and "thin clients" will be much more popular ways of connecting to the supernet.
3. The rise of software as a service
Again, a consequence of the rise of other types of computing device. Data and processing and applications are moving off fixed computers - or even mobile computers - and on to the web.
This is increasingly being called "cloud computing" as all processing takes place in the "cloud" that is the internet. An important example is the craze for "software as a service", in which applications reside elsewhere and are accessed through a web browser.
4. The decline of copyright
Regular readers of this column will know this is a hobbyhorse of mine. Copyright and most intellectual property laws are now an anachronism. Attempts by record companies and film studios and book publishers to stop people copying digital media are doomed to failure.
Technology is forcing big changes to business models.
5. The greening of IT
Computers contribute about as much to carbon emissions as do aircraft - about 2per cent of the world's total. Many users and vendors are working out clever ways to reduce this figure - virtualisation, data centre consolidation, thin clients and telecommuting. All worthy stuff. But the real greening of IT comes when the power of information systems is harnessed to increase efficiencies throughout the organisation, in logistics, in manufacturing and in power distribution. IT is also an integral part of the carbon footprint monitoring and measuring process.
6. The threat from intelligent machines
Look up "The Singularity" in Wikipedia or somewhere. The term, invented by American writers Vernor Vinge and Ray Kurzweil, refers to the time in the near future when machines become more intelligent than humans and start replicating themselves. Who then will be the dominant life form on the planet?
7. Increased importance of technology for the aged
The population is ageing. The proportion of people disabled by the illnesses of old age is growing rapidly. Digital technology has a big role to play in helping people live independently and in keeping them out of expensive and soulless institutions.
The rise of so-called "e-health" is a big trend in this direction - use of technology to remotely monitor people's vital signs, to provide diagnoses at a distance and to supplement communications systems.
8. The decline of IT as a speciality
A hundred years ago it seems someone predicted that if telephony job opportunities continued to grow at the same rate, within a generation everybody in the world would be a telephone operator. Well, with automatic dialling, everyone is. Somebody else once predicted a similar thing about computer programmers. Today we all program computers, by the very act of using them. There are fewer specialists, but many more generalists.
9. The death of newspapers
Newspapers as we know them are in decline. Are you reading this in hard copy or online? Around the world, newspapers are shutting down or moving to the web. Blogs are replacing the mainstream media.
The profession of journalism, and the way we consume media and get our news, is being transformed. I'm not sure whether this is a good or bad thing, but there's no doubt it's happening.
10. The growth of internet TV
TV is going digital. At the same time, internet bandwidth is quickly increasing, and most of the data it carries is video.
Many kids simply don't watch TV any more - they download stuff. All sorts of people are offering all sorts of video content on the net, from legitimate TV stations seeking another distribution medium to amateurs on YouTube and elsewhere.
The existing pay TV model of expensive content over a proprietary distribution medium has only a few years left. And "free-to-air" will become "free-to-internet".
Call me at the end of 2018 to see how all this has panned out. And do have a Merry Christmas.

16 days to go

Are you going to miss Santas @ Willy Library today thats OK

you can catch him @ Story time tomorrow Wednesday @ Altona Meadows Library

Have you solved that Kris Kringle problem yet, how bout something home made, home crafted, home made chocolates Katie would love that idea.

Onto a more serious note, K@Willy had the fruit fly man come again this morning to spray the trees as bait for fruit fly, a goood cause to eradicate fruit fly and save Australias fruit industry soooo if you have fruit trees in your backyard and the fruit fly man comes to spray, check his ID and let him spray your trees. After all if your cooking up that summer fruit for Chrissy prresents you want to know it came from healthy trees.

For more info visit the
Department of Primary Industries website

17 days till santa comes to your place

but hey you can get a sneek preview tomorrow 9th December @ Williamstown library cause

SANTA VISITS STORYTIME

@ 10.30 am

be there , the place to be this Xmas

oh and while your there whisper in Santas ear Im sure he's got lots of ideas for your Kris Kringle

18 days to go how bout a techno toy

The humble mouse is about to get caught in the technology trap
Claudine Beaumont London.
December 6, 2008
FORTY years ago, the computer mouse made its first public appearance at a technology gathering in San Francisco.

The device was the brainchild of Doug Engelbart and his team at Stanford Research Institute in California who were looking for a new way to control their computers. Before the mouse scrolled its way on to the scene, they had been using light pens similar to those favoured by radar operators during the war.

The team tried several devices, but the mouse proved to be the best. "The mouse won in every category (of tests)," recalled Mr Engelbart. "It was faster, and people made fewer mistakes with it."

No one remembers who began calling the wooden device a "mouse", but the name stuck, and the gadget went on to be one of the most significant developments in the history of computing. Apple was the first company to take the idea to the mass market, but it was Microsoft that developed an entire operating system around the mouse and cemented its place.

For years, the mouse has been the pre-eminent computer controller. While the rubbery trackball may have made way for infrared sensors, its ease of use has guaranteed ubiquity. This week, Logitech, one of the biggest producers in the world, announced it had made its billionth device.

But the mouse could find its days numbered as manufacturers and software developers seek ways of simplifying the interaction between people and technology. Some experts say that within 10 years the mouse could be consigned to the scrapheap as computer users turn to touchscreens and gesture recognition.

Foremost among the successors of the mouse are touchscreens. Everything from mobile phones and personal multimedia players to computers now feature the technology, and devices such as the Apple iPhone have brought what was previously an expensive specialist technology to a wider audience. Some PC manufacturers have already started to introduce touchscreen interfaces.

Face and gesture recognition is the ultimate goal for developers seeking a way to translate gestures into a precise means of controlling objects. The average digital camera offers clever features, such as face recognition and blink and smile detection to help create photos. But the software that enables a relatively basic device such as a camera to discern facial expressions could be put to use on a larger scale. It won't be long before TVs are operated by our hands and eye movements. Panasonic already has a prototype home entertainment system that can respond to gestures by changing the volume or bringing up the program guide.

Games consoles, such as the Nintendo Wii, have used gesture recognition to great effect, and are helping people grow used to the idea of making precise movements using wireless, motion-sensitive devices. A company called Oblong Industries is working on a set of gloves, similar to those used by Tom Cruise in the film Minority Report, to control computers.

It may sound like science fiction, but manufacturers are already working on devices that can translate thoughts into actions. The Emotiv Epoc headset allows players to control computer games using expressions and emotions.

Courtesy The Age online

xmas 19 days away

Xmas Party time, always an interesting time, but an opportunity to chat to people about what they would like for Xmas, get lots of ideas and who will remember tomorrow?

Have you checked out the you tube xmas lights yet better hurray, theyll be switched off soon.

20 days to xmas

The Summer Read 2008-2009 has commenced with displays everywhere with books to inspire

Check out the link for more details

So, problem, webwilly has already suggested books for Kris Kringle,
how bout something for summer instead.

21 days to go

So WebWilly attended a lecture today @ the State Library on Copyright given by
Laura Simes Copyright Advisor for Australian Libraries Copyright Committee
and there's certainly more to copyright than meets the eye. A lot more than that little c symbol

For all the facts check out the link to the website and look @ the
ALCC Copyright Session Powerpoint presentation links there

and with 21 days to go how about AV for a K K idea, music and DVDs an endless choice

22 days to go

How bout a book, now thats an original idea coming from Library people but speaking of books dont forget the
Friends of Altona Libraries
are having their

DECEMBER BOOK SALE

this Friday the 5th Dec
and
Saturday 6th December
may not get you something for your Kris Kringle but some great holiday reads
or inspirational ideas.

Sorry, Katie, no chocolates here either

Last big sale for 2008

So 23 days to go on Web Willys advent calendar

Sorry Katie, no chocolates here but..
WebWilly is setting a target to blog every day till Xmas
(inspired by the advent calendar)
Did you all eat a chocolate from your advent calendar yesterday
Sticking with the advent calendar Ill try and suggest ideas for all those stuck on their Kris Kringle, an idea a day, instead of a chocolate, not so fattening.

OK today's idea is something GREEN, that is thats good for the environment, that helps save the planet or water or maybe something the colour green, how simple is that.

WebWilly loves Xmas

Reminder the Xmas singalong this Friday a good start to all things Xmas

Kids alive do the 5

Check out Kids alive do the 5 website for water safety this summer.

Living and playing in and around Hobsons Bay its a good idea to update yourself on Water safety.

This website is mainly about pools but information handy for @ the beach & bay as well.

Also VicSwim another good read or is that look

Laurie Lawrence believes that learning to swim from infancy will

• Teach children a respect for the water making them less likely to wander into dangerous situations
• Improve children’s physical development, coordination, health, fitness and muscle tone
• Build children’s independence, confidence and social skills
• Teach children a love of the water - a gift for life
• Teach children water safety skills which may one day save their life

During the mid 1970’s professor Liselott Diem from the German Sports College in Cologne conducted a study on preschool learn to swim. The study found children who participated in early swimming programs were more intelligent, more socially adventurous, better coordinated, and had greater self-esteem, independence and confidence than those who has not participated in baby swimming programs.

Havent found any written proof of these facts, so over to you…. online researchers

Heres Willy lifesaving club




Heres Lifesaving Victoria

Have fun in the water this summer