Windows 7 is just around the corner from general release and so is the updated rfid Learning Table to go with it. :) We have taken this opportunity to not only make Learning Table compatible with the 32bit version of Windows 7, but for the first time rfid Learning Table now runs on 64bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Windows XP continues to also be supported.

Features include a faster interface, easier to use options panel and full screen video playback.

This new version of rfid Learning Table will ship from Wednesday 23rd of September with all new orders and existing customers will be able to download the updates free from the web site by the end of this month.

Here is a screenshot of the new release running on the 64bit version of Windows 7.

Do you use the Windows Maker application? If so, you might be interested in this site, where a developer has made Movie Maker completely portable and able to run off a USB key. It runs on Windows XP, Vista and the soon to be released Windows 7.

http://devrexster.googlepages.com/mmk

The problem with diagnosing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia is that by the time someone presents symptoms, it is generally rather late in the game. Looking for a way to detect the affliction earlier on, researchers at the University of South Florida have developed a wireless network for use by senior living centers. Utilizing a series of receivers placed strategically around the building and RFID transponders worn on the wrists of patients, the system monitors people's walking patterns, looking for actions characteristic of cognitive decline -- including a tendency to wander, to veer suddenly, or to pause repeatedly. So far the study has found a statistical relationship between abnormal walking patterns and people for whom testing indicated dementia. The next step is to take that data and look for ways to predict the disease. Good luck, kids -- and hurry up. We ain't getting any younger 'round here.

Source Engadget

Macquarie Bank, in their never ending quest to improve their “profit centre”, otherwise known as Sydney Airport, have decided I needed some airport improvements for my next visit.

Now I had thought that what I needed at the airport were things like free wireless, more power points for those of us that use laptops and more comfortable seats for the inevitable two or three hours wait for the connecting plane, but Macquarie had a better handle on my needs than that apparently. What I really was pining for was some big arse advertising screens in every direction that my travel weary eyes may turn, complete with MTV style flashing graphics and of course, an ever expanding food court.

The food court is now in danger of expanding so big, as to make access to gates 49 to 59 nothing more than a faint memory. The expanding range of food options and tables and chairs now looks like a reimaging of the old Activision Pitfall game. The difficulty has been cranked right up however, as you don’t have access to any vines to swing across this obstacle and the crocodiles have been replaced by overweight people in queues for fast food.

The thought that you might just want to go from one gate to another without eating something that could add several kilos to your frame and deduct a corresponding number of years from your life, wasn’t something Macquarie considered probable. They had read all the stories about obese passengers taking up two seats on planes and figured they would get in on the action. They may not be able to solve the problem, but they sure know how to profit from it.

Today I contemplated running the gauntlet through the centre of the food court. Ducking and weaving around the Vodaphone stand, hereby known as the start line is fairly easy. I don’t make a lot of money and clearly this is easy to spot, as the Vodaphone staff, make no attempt to sell me anything. Progress is fairly swift until you get to the other end of the food court, where your progress is impeded by “Harry’s Café de Wheels”. Ironically not run by Harry or on wheels. Macquarie airport management are a cunning lot.

So here I sit. I have given in and got a Krispy Kreme ™ and I am watching and waiting for my chance to navigate the sea of humanity to gate 57 and ultimate freedom from this profit centre. Any hour now I will make my move, but in the meantime did you know Volkswagon have a Pirelli GTi Golf in Yellow….dam that big arse tv.

What do you think the chances are that Learning Table will support touch in the future. Pretty good I would think. :)  In the meantime enjoy the preview of the soon to be released Asus Eee PC Touch Tablet.

I'm a little concerned that this new Logitech setup, might not have enough buttons for me.

Last week I had the opportunity to do a couple of workshops on Learning Table and have a stand at the eLearning08 conference at the University of NSW. It was great to catchup with some existing customers and colleagues as well as have the opportunity to introduce rfid Learning Table to lots of people for the first time. The workshops were well patronised and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hello and thank you to the organisers for the invitation to attend. I certainly hope to do another eLearning Conference in the future!

 
I managed to snap one photo in the morning while some early arrivals were settling in for the first of two workshops on rfid Learning Table.

Verona McMahon a teacher of Foundation Studies at Riverina TAFE and a member of the excellent Learning Technology Mentors program that Institute is running. She recently sent me a copy of a video she shot of her work with rfid Learning Table.

Here is what Verona said about the video  and her use of rfid Learning Table: 

I ran a course which was a joint venture between: Riverina Institute of TAFE NSW, Coomealla Campus; Coomealla High School, NSW DET; Schools in Partnership; and the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), Dareton.

Our students were years 7 to 10 students from Coomealla High School. Students worked on their own raps to express their experiences of living in their particular communities at their age and to relate their stories round this. Each student recorded a rap. When the AECG had a barbecue at Coomealla TAFE I showcased the students' raps outdoors by using the laptop and both the speakers and RFID scanner powered by the laptop battery. Each student's rap was tagged to a plastic card RFID tag.

This tag was inserted into a plastic sleeve which also held a photo of the student and the rap title. People in attendance at the BBQ were free to come up to the laptop and receive simple instructions on how to listen to the individual raps via your Learning Table Player. Enjoy the outback ambience as you view this video.

Thanks Verona, for sharing this and well done on a innovative and interesting use for Learning Table.

Dan

Yes it really was still around.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/05/microsoft_retires_windows_3_1_1/print.html

 And here is another interesting story about Microsoft from long ago:

http://www.pagetable.com/?p=43

You can find out more at the web site here.

http://sites.google.com/site/botanicalpartnerships/