*ding* light bulb is Canadian!

Did you know that a Canadian invented the light bulb but then sold the patent to Thomas Edison? Just learned this watching Canada's greatest inventions hosted by Bob McDonald (host of Quirks and Quarks).

Reporter/host Mark Kelly chose the light bulb as being the most important Canadian invention ... (light bulb represents great ideas, as he put it) whereas Toronto at Six host Diana Swain chose insulin as the best invention.

The other Canadian invention that made it to the top three was the telephone.

What do you think is the best one?

You've Got Mail

Last night, I happened to catch the opening of "You've Got Mail" - a 1998 film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Watching the film eight years later, it's interesting to see how things have changed in the world of technology.

The movie begins with quick construction of a virtual model of New York City. It's filmed as if a person was on the computer working on an electronic file. Click. Zoom into a street of New York where Tom Hanks is walking. Click. Zoom into the home of Meg Ryan's home. You get the picture.

Then, this next part ... is quite interesting ... from two perspectives: the technology part and the human behaviour part.

Technology: Meg Ryan's character sits down at her desk and gets her computer connected to the internet through dial-up. Yes, I realize many people in the world still use dial-up, but most households have some form of cable or high-speed internet. I haven't heard the screeching sounds of a modem for quite a while.

Human Behaviour: Actually, both Meg and Tom's characters behave similarily before checking their e-mail. They wait for their respective partners to leave the home and then check the "coast is clear" before they engage in their virtual "affair". The two have never met, but they seem to be skulking around. Also, Meg Ryan's character writes to Tom Hanks about her anticipation to receive his e-mail.

E-mail is still prevelant eight years after the movie was released. However, I think while there is still the anticipation of "Did s/he e-mail?" there's another dimension ... "Is s/he online?" In the mid-1990s (that I'm aware of), there was IRC (Internet Relay Chat). Now, there are more user-friendly programs ... such as MSN, Yahoo Messanger ... and now online dating sites have caught on and put that idea to use.

What happened to the days of "snail mail" (regular letters through an institution called Canada Post)? I remember having penpals as a kid. If I got a piece of mail, it would just make my day! (Note: I think that was the appeal of being part of "The Mailbox Club" - a Sunday-school-like correspondence course for kids.) As an adult, getting any piece of snail mail that isn't a flyer or bill is rare these days, especially in this world that is so heavily reliant on e-mail, faxes and Instant Messaging. Who has the time to pen an old-fashioned letter?

I guess it means that much more when someone does take the time, thought and effort to write something by hand and then walk/drive to the nearest postal outlet (oh yes, and spend the 50-some cents to purchase a stamp).

Blogged out

Is it possible to have too many blogs?

I'm beginning to wonder if I have or am developing multiple personalities. Or maybe just aliases.

The first blog I set up was because a friend of mine raved about livejournal.com . So I obliged and joined so I could read her entries. Then, out of curiosity, I started this blog (so it was a little less focused on library school life) and other random thoughts.

Now, in a class I'm taking on Managing Internet Resources, one of our assignments is to create a blog. I started another blog just for that (I have a feeling it will be full of rants and reflections relating to tech stuff ...)

I guess it is easier to have several blogs to talk specifically about particular topics. I guess each blog is geared to a different audience.

reflections on the 2006 election

it's now been five days since the canadian public elected a conservative minority government into office. considering it was a winter election (and there have only been five ever held in the winter, according to elections canada), i wondered how the turnout fared. compared to last election (june 2004), it was up by five per cent (65 per cent for 2006). i kinda suspected this might be the case in light of the gomery report and the investigation by the rcmp of finance minister ralph goodale (and people just wanting a change in govt!)

while some this protest vote brought in a minority government, there's that question ... will they survive? or will they fall in a matter of months or a couple of years (again)? cbc pointed out the last time the tories had a minority government (joe clark and kim campbell), they didn't weather the political climate so well.

at about midnight of election night, when i was checking the incoming results on the web. i saw a news story on paul martin stepping down as the leader of the liberal party. it seems like paul's an all or nothing kinda of person. or is it that he's not a gracious loser?

meanwhile, it's interesting to see how outsiders (for example, our neighbors down south) think of us; for example michael moore.

appliance warmers?

there are kettle cozies, but what about tv cozies?

just read about these "tv cozies" which people can buy to put over their boob tubes. supposedly if the tv set is out of sight, then you're less likely to watch it. hmmm ... one person tried it and he said he and his wife found they were watching less.
the article made some interesting points about how the tv is basically the centre piece of most living rooms.

even if the tv is off, the way the room is set up so the focus of the room still is on the set. that is very true ... so even if someone wanted to reduce their intake of television, it's nearly impossible to ignore the allure reverting to a coach potatoe -- thanks to the way the room is set up.

now that i'm living without a tv, i find i'm *relatively* more focused than before. yes, i still have the internet and msn as distractions. however, tv is this black box that sucks time! at first, it seemed odd not having a tv. i felt out of the loop. thankfully, i have a friend who lives nearby who shares the love of the weekly saskatchewan sitcom "corner gas". so, at least i get half an hour to an hour a week.

if i ever do get a tv ... i think i'll stick to watching a few shows i do enjoy. there are other things that are more worthwhile exploring or pursuing. like focusing on photography.

decisions, decisions, decisions

lately, i've been pondering whether or not i should go digital ... in terms of cameras ...

there are several factors when considering changing from film to digital photography ...
what type of photography will be done? what type of quality is desired? is most work done for black and white and colour or just colour? is this for fun? for professional work?

a friend of mine is looking to sell his fancy digital manual camera ... very tempting offer...
but, i can't justify spending a lot of money on a camera when i'm still trying to finance my education. the only way i could justify, or rationalize, this major purpose is to view it as an investment ... to do freelance work. however, with the crazy student load, i'm not sure if this freelance option is honestly that viable.

sigh. well, i guess i'll have to sleep on it. again.