Google’s nifty resource allows users to browse all the fonts available via the Google Font API. It’s worth a look because the Font Directory has appealing stock. Another bonus: everything in Google’s directory is available for use under an open source license.

I used to do quite a bit of blogging. I scoured the internet for all kinds of good stuff for administrators, teachers, media specialists, and students. I frequently and faithfully all manner of helpful resources. Then, one day, I decided to try something new. I got a new career. I began to design online classes. Suddenly, deadlines from my new job began to overshadow my blogging. The more I focused on learning new skills, the less I blogged. Despite repeated attempts to blog from time to time, my posting came to standstill.

Somewhere in the chaos, I got my second wind. It happened when I read a wonderful book called Drive by Daniel Pink. The book drove home a point I liked–people who succeed keep trying even and especially when everything seems crazy. I enjoy sharing what I learn. I take great pleasure in encouraging others to develop and flex their learning skills.

I going to try this again.

I find it maddeningly frustrating and supremely useful.

I will adapt.

In the meantime, if you’re working with Flash, too and looking for a handy tool for picking out color schemes, check out ColoRotate.

This has become one of my favorite resources for assembling new chromatic styles. Be warned, though. You can spend hours being dazzled by all of the variety.

Welcome to 2010!

Up until now I’ve been so wrapped up in my new job that I’ve been too busy to post much of anything else. I have to prove my mettle and it has taken a great deal of my time. That said, I haven’t given up blogging. In fact, one of my resolutions for this year is to get back in the habit of blogging something each day. I know, from experience, that the process of searching and sharing helps me keep my mental toolbox of ideas well-stocked and ready for action.

To kick off the process, I’m going to suggest that all of my friends resolve to learn about, support, and use GNU resources when possible. By supporting GNU, we foster an intellectual environment that recognizes the importance of the freedom to

• run a program, for any purpose
• study how a program works, and adapt it to one’s needs
• redistribute copies of a program so as to help others and
• improve a program, and release improvements to the public, so that everyone benefits.

Note that I am NOT advocating the practice of pirating software. I am, however, suggesting that everyone use already existing, great, FREE software like that available on the GNU site.

Have a great year!

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Enter MAPLight.org.

MAPLight, uses a public database to shine a light on the links that exist between campaign donations made to political figures and legislative voting records. Not surprisingly, there are more than a few politicians who do not appreciate the glare of such attention on their behavior and decisions.

UPDATE: After writing this post, I came across a news item that seemed particularly relevant to the point I was trying to make. Robert Pear of the New York Times reports,

“In the official record of the historic House debate on overhauling health care, the speeches of many lawmakers echo with similarities. Often, that was no accident. Statements by more than a dozen lawmakers were ghostwritten, in whole or in part, by Washington lobbyists working for Genentech, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies.”

I’ve included a citation for any teacher or student who may be wish to refer to the article.

Pear, R. (2009, November 14). In House, Many Spoke With One Voice: Lobbyists’. New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2009, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/us/politics/15health.html?_r=1&hp

Related resources:

• If you’re teaching students how to gain a better understanding of the government of the United States, you’ll want to get acquainted with the Sunlight Foundation because it also provides a great deal of clarity.
• Visitors who access Capitol Words are able to track and visualize the most used words in the Congressional Record. The words being tracked and visualized are displayed in more than one manner. They appear in a word cloud as well as in list view.
• Kim Rees of Periscopic (an impressive interactive design firm specializing in information visualization), points out that curious educators, pupils, and citizens should also explore Congress Speaks as it’s a great way to review the words spoken by the 110th Congress.

Geocube is an engaging, FREE, online resource devoted to the exploration of geography. With an interface based on the appearance of a Rubik Cube, its six faces and 54 topics invite users to learn more about our planet.