back online

I've been without broadband for a week or so: one of our next-door neighbours moved out and it seems that someone flipped the wrong switch at the exchange. I was surprised to learn that there are any physical switches left to flip these days, but it turns out that there are.

I'm posting an image here to check that I have understood how to: it's relevant, but I wasn't aiming for 'a picture conveys a thousand words' status this time, as you'll see! Orange Tupperware as a nod to Orange, who have now reconnected me to the outside world.

I received my grant from Guildhall, so it's full steam ahead with this project. I've got stuck into articles that discuss the history and future of multimedia documents, because I find that engaging with those background issues always helps me to focus. There's lots to come to grips with and I must remember not to get too side-tracked: those discussions form the backdrop to my work but are not centre-stage.

hyperlinks

I've discovered how to make hyperlinks now: the reason why it wasn't obvious before is that Blogger doesn't function fully in Safari. In Firefox, I have a toolbar full of buttons. For good measure, here's a link to Umberto Eco (always worth reading) on The Future of the Book.

Pictures next: I need some screen shots of the different programmes I've mentioned so far.

an aside

It's been hectic at work--the academic year finishes for us on Friday and there's been the usual push to tie up loose ends, say goodbye to the leavers and start to fix landmarks for the new term / new year with colleagues.

I have learned that my grant application was successful, so I have funds available from Guildhall to make research trips and purchase resources over the summer vacation. I'm very excited by this, particularly as I can now definitely attend the 'Tinderbox for Research' meeting in Denmark in August. Note to self: must book my place and my travel...

I'm currently in awe of my own ignorance of this whole 'container' topic--there is so much recent work to review! I came across two websites today which are the home of fascinating projects and are going to be worthy of close attention:

The Institute for the Future of the Book (US-based)
Knowledge Media Institute (at The Open University, UK)

I must also learn how to post links and pictures here. I'll do that, then add them to everything so far before proceeding any further.