Boring meets Entertaining

One of the most boring subjects some say is statistics. Why not present it in such a way that anyone even those only with a right brain can appreciate. That’s what Hans Rosling did. He was able to make a web-based application called GAPMINDER. I recently watched a video in www.TED.com by Hans Rosling titled Debunking third-world myths with the best stats you’ve ever seen. If he was a teacher in my university and he’s teaching math, I bet no one will get bored. His style of presenting with drama and urgency as a sportscaster, everyone would like him.

He already has two videos on TED. The other titled New insights of poverty and life around the world. The tool that made both presentations very interesting is GAPMINDER. Just click on Gapminder world. Will you like it or not or am I just geeky enough to appreciate it? It depends. It’s not a matter of like, it’s just understanding statistics of the world with style. You have to see it for yourself and be amazed.

Also watch Hans’ videos on ted.com. Plus, as they put it, Ideas worth spreading, I recommend the videos on TED. I can’t explain enough the knowledge that you can get in an 18-minute video. Entertaining and knowledge is full packed. Remember the time when you were very idealistic thinking that you on your own can change the world world? That’s what it feels when you finish every video.  Inspired talks by the world’s greatest thinkers and doers. See for yourself. The roster of presentors itself will make you want to watch every video…

Chikka Problem

Chikka has been helping me a lot so I just want to help him. When you login in chikka, there is an option to check the “Remember Me” box. Since I have my own computer at home, it would be more efficient if I click that box. However, when you attempt to login the next time, this shows up.

Nice! It recognizes me going back to the site again. But something’s missing… hmmm… I’m really not sure. Oh I remember… yeah, there’s no option to continue if I’m successful at identifying myself as Kaiser Fernandez. I then have to click the “click here” if I wanted to login as another user, but of course I’m logging again as Kaiser Fernandez. Conclusion. The remember me box is useless.

Just to help them out. I already asked an ex-chikka employee to tell Chikka about this problem…

Good thing it’s still Beta. I heard gmail is still in Beta. That means no one can sue them whatever happens. Hehe.

Honestly Chikka is a lot of help, It saves me money whenever I have to send group messages/announcements! I hope you don’t stop giving away free credits. BTW, how do you earn?

Obama wins

McCain has already accepted defeat without sounding resentful. He has set set the tone. And I admire the Americans for showing humility in accepting it. Unlike of course to our poor country where everyone says that he was cheated. As I type this, McCain is giving his speech. His crowd is booing Obama but McCain signals to stop them. His message… to bridge the gap between their differences, and help each other bring back prosperity to the US, he will do everything for the American people…

All Obama needed was 270. CNN updates their website every ten seconds. What ever appears on TV is updated immediately on their site. The election shows that age and liberalism is more of a factor than race. The first African-American to win the presidency.

Giving back to Pisay

To PISAY batch ’04 and to alll PISAY batches,

I bet everyone is aware as to what happened to our dear campus. I was there 2 weeks ago, some people were doing load testing to ensure the strength of the floors. It’s not at all cool to see students having classes at the grandstand, canteen (co-op), ASTB, gym, dorm, etc. I asked a student how was there schedule specially the lab subjects? What I had in mind are the equipment and chemicals they need to complete the experiments. He said it was fine, no real problems with completing the requirements. But compared to our batch and what we had before, we are to be considered very lucky. The humanities building is now completely shut down.

 

So maybe we could use this opportunity, to give something back to Pisay, as we’ve been mentioning in the emails. It was like coincidence when Gerard sent an email on September 6 and then on September 30 a Fire hit a school in Quezon City.

Maybe we could start simply with this. The Values Education Department, (one of the departments affected, what am I saying everyone got affected!) came up with a list of items needed by the department.

McCain might still get the seat

Obama is loud in all surveys. But the surveys are not getting the true voice of the American people. I think the silent majority is for Mcain. November 4 is fast approaching but even if Obama wins the popular, Obama can’t be all too confident with it until the electoral result shows up. There is an underlying issue here which even Obama knows for sure that can keep him from being elected as president. Starts with the letter R.