** OdioGo Update **

I am testing a new service called OdioGo, which allows blog posts to be read out loud - however, it appears they are having some problems with their updating service. All the posts from the initial setup play fine, but any I have posted since then have not been updated.

I have contacted them about this and they say they are aware of the problem and that it will be fixed soon. I hope so, as I think this could be a very useful option for many blog readers!

I'll post more info as I get it...

** Ruby on Rails course at Foothill College **

If you would like to get an introduction to web application development with Ruby on Rails, Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA is offering a course starting Tues. evening, January 8th, 2008, at 6pm. The course is designed for students who are already familiar with web application development using tools such as Perl or PHP.

Course description:

COIN 67 RUBY ON RAILS - WEB APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT 5 Units

Introduction to web application development with Ruby on Rails. Students learn how to create database-driven web applications using the Ruby language and the Rails framework.
Fours hours lecture, four hours laboratory.

Advisories: Prior programming experience and CIS 52A or database experience.

Please preregister for Winter quarter by going to:
http://www.foothill.fhda.edu/reg/index.php

** Testing "Listen Now" Feature **

I am currently testing an Internet service called Odiogo, which transforms textual content into audio formats downloadable directly to iPods/MP3 players and mobile phones or gives users the ability to listen to content on the web. For more info, visit http://www.odiogo.com/

Odiogo, does not currently provide support for the Listen Now feature using Safari for either Windows or Mac, however, Firefox, IE 7 and Netscape appear to work fine. Odiogo updates new posts every few hours, so this post may not be "listenable" for a while - but you can try out the ones below....

Click the Listen Now button or subscribe by clicking the Odiogo feed below on the left.

Comments welcome...

** Web 2.0 Conference & Expo **

Web 2.0: The New Rules for Business
January 29, 2008
Marriott Santa Clara

Overview

The Second Annual WebGuild Web 2.0 Conference & Expo is here. Web 2.0 has changed the rules for doing business on the web and created whole new markets. Learn how you can leverage Web 2.0 technologies to gain competitive advantages, find customers, and discover new business opportunities.

This conference will cover popular Web 2.0 technologies as well as those shaping the future direction of the Web. Learn from industry experts and thought leaders, connect with the companies changing the rules of the game, and those redefining the future.

Early Bird Registration ends on December 31, 2007 for the Second Annual WebGuild Web 2.0 Conference & Expo. After that, prices will go up. I contacted them about student registration at a less expensive rate, but have not heard back yet...I will post here if/when I do.

PBwiki is Hiring at Foothill College

PBwiki is a small team (we have more servers than employees) but we do big
things. PBwiki is the worlds largest private wiki host and millions depend
on us for their business, their classroom, and their personal lives. We
handle a lot of data (more pages than Wikipedia!), a TON of web traffic,
and we have a lot of fun doing it. We're VC-funded but are making real
revenue.

What makes us tick? We love building useful tools for the web. We develop
new features on Monday, and deploy it to millions of users by Friday.

What makes you tick? We want you to be energetic, full of ideas, know what
a wiki is, and enjoy working with a small team of brilliant people. You
should thoroughly understand web technologies. You know how to prototype
things and quickly make them real with XHTML, Javascript/AJAX, CSS, and/or
PHP.

In exchange for your expertise here, you'll get a healthy equity package,
flexible hours and vacation, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision
benefits, a 401(k), gym membership, free gourmet espresso, food, snacks,
and the experience of a lifetime.

We're interviewing right now, so please send us your resume today! Please
use your cover letter to either provide a URL to a web app you've built
ground-up, or describe a project of yours that would impress us.

For more info see:
http://pbwiki.com/content/Engineering-Jobs

** Change to the ETUDES Login Page **

...from Judy Baker, Dean, Foothill Global Access

A recent change was made to the ETUDES login page may affect students. A new level of security was added which changes the login webpage address as follows:
https://etudes-ng.fhda.edu/portal

Notice that the login address is the same except that an s has been added: https://

The first time logging into ETUDES-NG after this change, users will be prompted to accept a secure certificate from ETUDES-NG.

You need to Accept the certificate permanently to avoid this prompt each time you login.

IF you have have relied on your computer remembering your password, you will have to retrieve you User ID and Password information and re-enter these. For information on how to do that, go to: http://www.foothillglobalaccess.org and click on Student Help Desk from the left navigation bar.

** Job Opportunity **

The board of the Los Altos Sister City non profit foundation is looking for some help with their web page. They can pay a student to help them (amount to be negotiated).

If you are qualified and interested, contact Chuck Lindauer (LindauerChuck@fhda.edu) with details including your resumé, including sites developed/worked on and references.