Solomon Davidoff

Home Sick, Prepping For Next Term

sdavido — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:44:04 GMT

Home today with a stomach bug, so I've jumped up to check on mail from students, and figured I'd get a post in . . .

One of the classes I'm teaching next term, for Suffolk University, is New Media/New Markets. A feature of the class is web design, so of course I'm reminding myself of how to code html, as well as looking for new and tasty hacks and such that might be of interest. I know the sign below is old news to many, but I thought it might allow for discussing some interesting concepts about online marketing, web security, and how people react to what they see online.

BTW, the third line is random (I put in 5 options), and is where I've put in the "think about this" suggestion . . . and I supplemented the li'l advert the creators included with a direct link to the sign's homepage, as well as a link to this LJ.

Any comments?

For comments or questions, check out - Dr. D's LiveJournal

To get a sneaky sign o your own, go to - Danasoft

[Creator's Commercial Message Follows; more than reasonable, though I've included my comments in italics *grin*. . . ]

Sign (sponsored) by Dealighted - Coupons & Discount Shopping

Same Old, Same Old

sdavido — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 20:12:32 GMT

Just a quick word to pass along my GREAT apologies for having no time - not only to post and read, but to even acknowledge comments! Most of you know the current time suckers, and while I've been behind on correspondence and such for years now *sheepish grin*, it's been worse of late.

My deep apologies.

Making A Clean Sweep . . .

sdavido — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 23:12:14 GMT

I know, I know . . . I should have posted LONG ago . . . and this isn't even a proper post, but it's not a request for a favor this time (well, at least this one favors me AND you! *sheepish grin*)

A couple of years ago our name was given to a carpet cleaning company, who called us up and offered a free demo. They cleaned a carpet (INCREDIBLY WELL), and a couch (again, same results). Their system is phenomenal, and costs accordingly *grin again*: I think it was either close up to or over a grand. We were pretty clear we probably would never be able to afford it, and the guy said that was cool. Oh, and if we could give him the names of some folks (ten names), he'd offer them the same cleaning, and so on, and if we gave all 10 names, we'd get a handy hand vacuum. We didn't give any, because we didn't feel at all comfortable with providing names without asking first.

Fast forward to tonight . . . I just got a call . . . they want to clean our stuff again! This might be because of the new house, but I'm not complaining, 'cause there's carpet left here I'd love to see cleaner if at all possible.

So, anyone want some free carpet cleaning? It takes (I'm trying to figure from memory) about an hour to an hour and a half maybe, the sales pressure was pretty low, and if you feel yourself succumbing, just remember, it's only a vacuum cleaner!

If you're interested, drop me a line, and I'll grab your contact info from you.

Rest In Peace

sdavido — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 20:34:21 GMT

Rest in Peace, Doug Marlette.

. . . Long Overdue to Post, But Not Quite Yet . . .

sdavido — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:18:21 GMT

My wife and I are packing up to move (not out of the greater-Boston area, though), so I don't have real time to post quite yet . . . but I thought I'd post a link for those who still have a grudge, and others who want to see how far video editing has come (please ignore the obnoxious laugh-track).

(A funny clip of Rumsfeld doing stupid stuff with his hands.

Watch it at http://www.funnysnip.com/?vID=1180871421)

The Rawhide Diaries, AKA "Yes, I AM A Good Husband . . .

sdavido — Fri, 13 Apr 2007 22:35:45 GMT

I keep my mouth shut when ordered to *grin*. But now, the TRUTH can be told ! ! ! !

Today vettecat committed our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to -

wait a sec., it was just the fortunes part, such as they are *grin* -

We closed on a house.

*glurp*

We're still in the "Greater Boston Metro Area," but our new addy is in the slightly less teeming, slightly less metropolitan, suburban wonderland known as Malden.

We're truly sorry to leave our local friends, but look forward to the new ones we already know, and those who will grow on us.

And, to Hosting Parties!!!! And Visitors!

Yay!

RIP, Mr. Humphries . . .

sdavido — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 18:32:20 GMT

Rest In Peace, John Inman . . .

I HAD To Take It . . .

sdavido — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:08:08 GMT

I HAD to . . . vettecat did . . . and yes, I WAS sweating the results while answering a large variety of very, shall we say, eclectic questions . . . *grin*.

But here are my results . . .

The Slow Dancer
Deliberate Gentle Love Dreamer (DGLDm)

Steady, reliable, and cradling her tenderly. Take a deep breath, and let it out real easy...you are The Slow Dancer.

Your focus is love, not sex, and for your age, you have average experience. But you're a great, thoughtful guy, and your love life improves every year. There's also a powerful elimination process working in your favor: most Playboy types get stuck raising unwanted kids before you even begin settling down. The women left over will be hot and yours. Your ideal woman is someone intimate, intelligent, and very supportive.

Your exact opposite:
The Hornivore

Random Brutal Sex Master

While you're not exactly the life of the party, you do thrive in small groups of smart people. Your circle of friends is extra tight and it's HIGHLY likely they're just like you. You appreciate symmetry in relationships.

ALWAYS AVOID: The Battleaxe

CONSIDER: The Maid of Honor or The Sonnet

Link: The 32-Type Dating Test by OkCupid - Free Online Dating.

(This link is for a fun game, it's free, I play it, and if you hit the link I benefit a bit in game . . . FAR more if you sign up *evil grin*)
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

R.I.P. - Dave Alway

sdavido — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 16:32:48 GMT

Rest In Peace, Dave Alway.

Dave tnatj was, to me, one of those incredible friends who you can see only once or twice a year, chat with, and feel the years slip away instantly. Sadly, though I had known him for over 10 years, I don't believe I ever saw him outside of fan conventions.

When I began my work on filk for the Masters, one of the first cons I went to was OVFF. Here I was, a fan, but a newbie to Fandom and very much a Newbie to the filk community. I think Dave sat up with me for about 3-5 hours in the Con Suite that first night, chatting about filk and filk history. Keep in mind, I wasn't an established scholar in any way . . . just an annoying guy with LOTS of silly questions. And for Dave, even though OVFF comes by but once per year, and I'm sure there were friends he only saw there, he sat and chatted with me. That was the first of many long, and sadly far too many short, chats I had with Dave.

I will miss all I never knew about him, but cherish all I do.

YES! (And Once Again, I DIDN'T CHEAT, I SWEAR!)

sdavido — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 05:22:14 GMT

Your results:
You are Spider-Man

Spider-Man		85%
Green Lantern		65%
Superman		60%
Iron Man		50%
Robin		47%
Hulk		40%
Batman		40%
Supergirl		35%
Catwoman		35%
Wonder Woman		30%
The Flash		25%

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Quiz

Lance Parkertip, You've Got Competition!

sdavido — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 17:31:37 GMT

Yup, it's official. I had to swear not one, not two, but THREE oaths this morning . . . but . . .

I'm an official Notary Public for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!

Okay . . . Now what?

*Grin*

And, as always (for the moment, anyway)-
Hit the link, and try this free online game! Play a good or
bad Knight, and if you join from this link, I get to Knight you,
and, yeah, it gives me points and stuff *grin*:
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

Foreshadowing Redux

sdavido — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 14:49:33 GMT

If all goes well today, I will belong to the same august company as one of my longtime heroes,
Lance Parkertip!

THAT should give it away . . . to joecoustic anyway . . . *evil grin*

And, as always (for the moment, anyway)-
Hit the link, and try this free online game! Play a good or
bad Knight, and if you join from this link, I get to Knight you,
and, yeah, it gives me points and stuff *grin*:
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

Foxtrot Going To Sunday Only Schedule Starting In 2007

sdavido — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 20:00:34 GMT

http://www.amuniversal.com/ups/newsrelease/?view=468

It Must Be Break . . .

sdavido — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 18:39:10 GMT

. . . because I'm posting again!

Just back from eating Brunch with vettecat and my FiL at Rubins deli - I got a Nova Scotia omelette, which means lox and grilled purple onions, and I added broccoli, spinich, and mushrooms. Good, with the fake sour cream they offer.

In unrelated news, I spoke a moment ago to my Mother, who is feeling much better and expects to be discharged from the Hospital tomorrow or so. For those offering well wishes and prayers, thank you so much!

In utterly unrelated news, I feel terrible that I don't remember who I snitched this icon from, but I *really* liked it, and thought it would be a nice one for my Education oriented entries. Or at least, the ones dealing with English.

I'm probably going to send an end-of-term screed soon, so if you're not on my Edu-Rant list, and want to be, let me know. If I can, I'll add you!

And, if this pic is yours, or you know where I must have gotten it from *shameful blush for not having noted it at the time*, please let me know!

And, as always (for the moment, anyway)-
Hit the link, and try this free online game! Play a good or
bad Knight, and if you join from this link, I get to Knight you,
and, yeah, it gives me points and stuff *grin*:
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

Can't Forget -- Happy Erev Laundry Day, Ya'all!

sdavido — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 19:54:12 GMT

Happy Erev* Laundry Day** to One And All!

*Grin*

-Solomon

* = Erev is the Hebrew term for the evening's celebration/observance of a holiday/holyday, as within Judaism these run from sundown to sundown . . . so Christmas Eve would be seen as Erev Christmas.

** = This comes from an old family joke, that originated with someone asking my Mother how she, as a Jewish woman, would be celebrating Christmas that year. As it was a Sunday, she replied "Well, it's Laundry Day for me," and went on to wish her friend a Merry Laundry Day, as family legends go. Considering the standard jokes regarding how Jews celebrate Christmas (Do laundry, watch a movie, eat Chinese food - the only 3 things that traditionally are open), I've taken to wishing friends a Happy or Merry Laundry Day.

Click to play a reasonably fun, and free, online ongoing multiplayer game.
If you register through this link, I get to Knight you!
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

YES!!!! - BTW, I Swear I Didn't Cheat!

sdavido — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 05:28:45 GMT

I am:

Robert A. Heinlein

Beginning with technological action stories and progressing to epics with religious overtones, this take-no-prisoners writer racked up some huge sales numbers.

Which science fiction writer are you?

Free Game: Sorta fun, and if you go there from this link,
I get to Knight you, and get some gold, too!
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

Not Trying To Copy My Sister, But . . .

sdavido — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 05:15:45 GMT

The only negative to this is that to get the final results you have to sign up for a "friends and dating" site . . .

Snuffleupagus

You scored 43% Organization, 50% abstract, and 50% extroverted!

This test measured 3 variables.

First, this test measured how organized you are. Some muppets like Cookie Monster make big messes, while others like Bert are quite anal about things being clean.

Second, this test measured if you prefer a concrete or an abstract viewpoint. For the purposes of this test, concrete people are considered to gravitate more to mathematical and logical approaches, whereas abstract people are more the dreamers and artistic type.

Third, this test measured if you are more of an introvert or an extrovert. By definition, an introvert concentrates more on herself and an extrovert focuses more on others. In this test an introvert was somebody that either tends to spend more time alone or thinks more about herself.

You are somewhat organized, both concrete and abstract, and both introverted and extroverted.

I bet you didn't think you were Snuffleupagus. Let's find out why.

You are both somewhat organized. You have a good idea where you put things and you probably keep your place reasonably clean. You aren't totally obsessed with neatness though. Alloyius Snuffleupagus (and all Snuffleupagus') is not sloppy by nature, but he moves so incredibly slowly that it is impossible for him to be totally organized.

You both are about equally concrete and abstract thinkers. You have a good balance in your life. You know when to be logical at times, but you also aren't afraid to explore your dreams and desires... within limits of course. Snuffy generally has very basic interests, but he explores his abstract sensitive side when he plays his snuffleflute.

You both are somewhat introverted. Originally Snuffleupagus was very shy and was only Big Bird's invisible friend. However as he has aged he has started to build new friendships with new characters. Like Snuffy, you probably like to have some time to yourself. However, you do appreciate spending time with your friends, and you aren't scared of social situations.

The other possible characters are

Oscar the Grouch

Big Bird

Cookie Monster

Ernie

Elmo

Kermit the Frog

Grover

The Count

Guy Smiley

Bert

If you enjoyed this test, I would love the feedback! Also if you want to tell me your favorite Sesame Street character, I can total them up and post them here. Perhaps your choice will win!

My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 16% on Organization
You scored higher than 45% on concrete-abstra
You scored higher than 28% on intro-extrovert

Link: The Your SESAME STREET Persona Test written by greencowsgomoo on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Free Game: Sorta fun, and if you go there from this link,
I get to Knight you, and get some gold, too!
http://www.knightfight.co.uk/?ac=vid&vid=63065742

Upcoming Courses: Spring 2007 & A Hint Of News To Come

sdavido — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:39:11 GMT

Upcoming Courses: Spring 2007 & A Hint Of News To Come

I'm in the middle of end-of-term grading. so it's only natural that I take a break *grin*, and post my courses for January!

Wentworth Institute of Technology: World Civilizations 1 (2 sections)
Sociology
Political Science

Suffolk University: History of Mass Communications
Business Communications

New England Institute of Art: English 101

Oh, and one other thing. I'm *not* sure about this, but I might be able to announce a new Title acheived soon *evil grin*. I actually started working on it as an aspect of teaching Political Science, it's not an academic title, and it will allow me to help my students more . . . news as it develops . . .

A Winnable Democratic Presidential Candidate

sdavido — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:59:18 GMT

View Poll: A Winnable Presidential Candidate

Democratic Presidential Candidate Poll, For No Reason

sdavido — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:46:20 GMT

I have removed this version of the poll, in order to post one with a more extensive candidate list . . .

Yeah, I'm Asking For Freebies . . .

sdavido — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 21:05:55 GMT

Once more into the abyss I go, and drop into my sorely neglected livejournal account to ask for a favor (Bad Solomon, Bad!).

As some of you know, I'm teaching Public Relations this term. For this course, as well as for (hopefully) upcoming Advertising and Marketing courses I'm putting together an ephemera file of promotional doo-dads, the weirder the better (this relates to industry as well as item, but extra points go to weirdness on BOTH fronts). Considering my friends have some of the coolest and most interesting jobs imaginable, and go to some bizarre trade shows, I figured on trolling for promo-samples.

If you have an extra of anything you don't want, PLEASE let me know. But, you may scream out, won't this just add to the collected Pile O' Stuff that has been growing at your place? NO, I proclaim, because anyone who contributes is going to get something back from me *evil laugh here* - just be sure to send me your preferred mailing address with the item.

Stuff can be sent to me at:

Dr. Solomon Davidoff
General Education
New England Institute of Art
10 Brookline Place West
Brookline, MA 02215

I have DVDs, CDs, Books, Toys . . . name your preference, but I promise nothing, except that what I send will not be growing, kicking, screaming, or particularly attractive to any specific authority . . . *grin again*.

But What Does Geneva Say?

sdavido — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:36:03 GMT

While many of us who grew up watching "Hogan's Heroes" have a pretty good notion of the content, you can find on the following site full-text for the various Geneva Conventions.

Oh, yeah, there's more than one . . .

http://www.globalissuesgroup.com/geneva/texts.html

Free Music For Students

sdavido — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:24:05 GMT

I'd check out the offer, but (supposedly) if you go to http://www.facebook.com/applestudents you can download 25 free songs a week, every week, from now till September 30th (I know, but I just found out about it).

Anyone who qualifies and tries, let us know, okay?

Pirate Band, For TLaPD!

sdavido — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 16:22:38 GMT

Arrrrrr! One of my Sociology students this term (Yes, we met today, and everyone got credit for dressing and responding as a Pirate)suggested this band: Jonee Earthquake. Pirate music by a pirate band - take a listen!

http://www.joneeearthquake.com

Let me know what you think!

Looking For Someone With Technical Fluxx Capacity!

sdavido — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:12:56 GMT

As some of you know, I am a devote fan of the card game Fluxx. In fact, I'm a LooneyLabs Mad Rabbit (ID=sdavido; mention it if you order anything, and I can get Rabbit points). I'm using Fluxx right now in a course I'm teaching, and I'd like to ask for a hand with the project . . .

In the past I've offered extra credit for students who research the courses subject material, and then design and defend Fluxx cards dealing with the terms/concepts/etc. But the design phase keeps causing some students who want to do this to give up. Not because they don't want anything to have anything to do with Fluxx (this has been extra credit), but rather because most of them want to do it all the way, or not at all, and while I have said that I'm MUCH more interested in what they learn about the material, and actually creating the cards can be a "bonus" thing, matching the cards is often a problem.

BTW, yes, I know that blank Fluxx cards are available. I've bought them and given them free to students - that's not the problem.

What I need are a few things, by preference:

1) I know there used to be a program out there (Lux Lucre's, I think) that provided "Fluxx Fonts." I'd like to find a good font that approximates the one used in Fluxx 3.0 or 3.1

2) A suggestion for a good archive of copyright free black and white line art.

3) An offer to provide advice from someone who is adept at printing onto clear, blank label stock.

My idea is simple: Print out the material for the cards onto transparent "stickers," which will be affixed to the Fluxx Blanks cards. My current students are being broken up into three groups, each of which will be creating a "deck" of Fluxx cards on their particular topic. I will then divide up the cards into thirds, make up three decks with equal amounts from all the subjects, and let the class play three decks/three groups of six or seven games that are made up of everyone's work!

The class? Media and Popular Culture. The groups? 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Everyone will make up a few 2000-Present cards.

Anyone who can help will receive INCREDIBLE appreciation. Maybe even some goodies I can scrounge for.

Anyone who can help in a >Permanent< way, providing me with, say, a program that does things necessary (no, I'm not sure what I mean either), will DEFINITELY get some goodies. Really good goodies, too.

PLEASE keep in mind, I'm not asking for card design ideas. Students are making those up, and for the ones stuck on game design aspects, that is NOT a course requirement - they have the research the material, and write up their analysis and reasoning . . . Fluxx is merely providing a framework. I'm asking for Card Production Assistance only at this time.

Any offers?