60 Gadgets in 60 minutes

Techie fun can be found at 60 Gadgets in 60 minutes. Some of the gadgets are silly and others cutting edge, but it is a good way to get a quick overview of current technological innovation.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Laptop Distraction

Do you sometimes find yourself playing games during class, rather than taking notes? Apparently members of certain foreign parliaments have the same problem.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

If You Think Law School Is Hard . . .

. . . just try being waterboarded. Artist Steve Powers is looking for 50 attorneys to waterboard for five seconds, because attorneys are "qualified to impartially describe the experience." There is no word on whether Steve Powers is related to Fran Powers, who ran to become the nominee of the Libertarian Party for the congressional seat representing Staten Island. (Fran's father, Frank Powers, who had been the Republican Party's choice for that seat, sadly died last week.)



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Saturday's Virtual Silence

Just a reminder to everyone - tomorrow (Saturday, June 28) all of us with Virtual voices will be silenced. The infrastructure necessary for my existence (routers, switches and other gizmos) are being upgraded and replaced. This means there will be no network access. In other words if you are physically in the Law School - no email or IM, no internet, no Library catalog or databases and no Virtual Library Cat!!

Enjoy your quiet day. I will be back as per usual on Sunday.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Shakespeare’s Legal Puns

The Bard is well known for his characters’ comments apropos of all things legal. This Time magazine article from 1964 offers an amusing overview of Shakespeare’s wittier references to the law.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

LaterLoop: A new bookmarking service

What makes LaterLoop stand out from other bookmarking services is that LaterLoop has a desktop version that allows you to view saved websites offline, and the mobile version that provides mobile access to your saved websites. LaterLoop also lets you share your saved sites with public profile options and RSS feeds.

Extra! 5 ways to use LaterLoop.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

World Values Survey

For those interested in what social scientists have learned about changing values and beliefs in 80 countries around the world over the last 25 years, the World Values Survey provides a wealth of information. Based on data from four "waves" of surveys representing the demographics and views of participants in 1981-1984, 1985-1993, 1994-1999, and 2000-2004, the web site describes the findings and the changes that have occurred in human values, life perceptions and expectations, and national identity across generations and with increased economic development. The web site presents the work of the World Values Survey Association, a nonprofit global network of social scientists. Much of the data, summarized in the "Findings" section of the website, is presented in charts and maps, including a cultural map of the world.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

More on Words

There are times when I just cannot find the right word beyond the good all purpose "meow". When that happens, I go to Thesaurus.com . Using this site has improved my writing and helped me to become a more erudite feline.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Fun With Palindromes

Palindromes are words or sentences that read the same way both backward and forward. The famous line attributed to Napoleon, “Able was I ere I saw Elba”, and “A man, a plan, a canal, Panama”, are fairly well-known examples. Many more odd and intriguing instances of these linguistic peculiarities are available at this site.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Loving Day

Did you know that June 12 was Loving Day? Loving Day is an educational community project commemorating Loving v. Virginia (1967), the landmark Supreme Court decision that banned restrictions on interracial marriage. Although it's too late to join in on the Loving Day Celebrations, it's not too late to learn about the Supreme Court decision. The Loving Day web site has a map showing where and when interracial marriages were illegal (it looks like it was never illegal in New York); a list of court cases dealing with the regulation of interracial marriage; and a resources page.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat