Intel Opts Out of Vista

Intel reported last week that they are not planning on deploying Microsoft Vista company wide. Intel, with 80,000 workers has decided to stick with Windows XP until Microsoft releases Windows 7 in 2010 because it found "no compelling reason to change", according to anonymous source.
Intel will use Vista in certain departments for test purposes.

Many businesses, as well as government agencies, have cited Vista's cost, resource requirements, and lack of compatibility with older applications as reasons not to upgrade to the OS.

In many ways, Microsoft has itself acknowledged that Vista is a dud.

Windows 7 will use the same core architecture as Vista so that customers that have purchased Vista-compatible applications and hardware won't have problems upgrading to Windows 7.

In an unusual move, Microsoft recently decided to extend support for Windows XP, which debuted in 2001, until 2014 -- another sign that Microsoft realizes that many of its customers won't be moving to Vista anytime soon, if ever.

Windows XP-Professional is still available on new systems as well as copies of the software by itself from NW Computer. No additional charge!

Cable Me!

Off-Lease Computing

Here is this months best value on off-lease computers. Remember that these systems all come standard with 3 year warranties. Stretch your IT budget with hardware from companies you know.

HP D530C SFF

1 GB DDR RAM

Intel 2.8 GHz P4 processor
40 GB hard drive

CD-ROM

Microsoft Windows XP-Professional

Keyboard/mouse

3 year warranty

17"LCD monitor (new)

$450 each (minimum 10 units)

How to Use Your Projector

Successful Q & A

• 
  Getting the Session Started
  Walk toward the audience. The question and answer period of a presentation can often be the most informal. Show that you are open to truly answering questions by walking toward the audience.
  Raise your hand. When you ask "who has a question" — raise your own hand. This creates a mirror response in the audience.
  Expect a response. Show your audience that you expect them to ask questions. If possible, choose an individual or a group to question. For example, move to the appropriate side of the room and say "I know that someone in Engineering wants to discuss . . ."
  Steer clear of "yes" and "no" questions. Begin your appeal to the audience with "why" or "how". Try something like "How did the sales forecast look to you?" This type of question begs for an explanation while a simple "Did the sales forecast make sense to you?" begs for a simple yes or no.
  Wait for a reply. Give your audience enough time to respond. A good pause will not hurt anything.


• 
  Answering Questions . . .
  Look directly at the person posing the question. This demonstrates respect and forces you to focus on the question.
  Don't glance at notes or fumble for facts. Acknowledge that you are listening to the question.
  Take your time. Take a breath, pause.
  Compliment the question, if possible. A simple "good question" is often enough.
  Repeat the question. Rephrase the question and at the same time — consider your response.
  Answer the whole group. While one person asks the question, the whole group waits for the response.

courtesy of Epson

Grant Opportunity

Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program



Eligibility:

Elementary through four-year college teachers and school administrators are eligible to apply for positions abroad. However, not all categories of applicants are eligible for all countries. Please see the Teacher Exchanges & Summer Seminars and/or Administrator Exchanges section of our website for country specific eligibility requirements. To meet the basic eligibility requirements of the program, an applicant must meet all of the following seven requirements. Failure to meet any one of the requirements makes a candidate ineligible. At the time of application, a candidate must:



be a U.S. citizen;

hold a valid U.S. passport (or be in the process of obtaining one);

be fluent in English;

hold at least a Bachelor's degree;

have a current full-time teaching or administrative assignment in the U.S. or one of its territories;

be in at least the third year of full-time teaching or administration (teachers applying to the seminar only need to be in their second full year); and

have not participated in a Fulbright grant longer than eight weeks in the past five years. Have not participated in a Fulbright grant of eight weeks or less in the past two years. Have not received more than the lifetime limit of two Fulbright grants. (Eight weeks or more = 1 grant; Eight weeks or less = 1/2 grant and a lifetime limit of two grants of eight weeks or less)For the purpose of determining eligibility, "full-time" refers to applicants who are currently employed full-time by a single institution (school, school district, or college). Teachers or administrators who hold a combination of part-time jobs which may add up to a full-time equivalent are not eligible.



Purpose:

For U.S. teachers, this opportunity involves a year, semester or six-week direct exchange of teaching positions with a counterpart in another country teaching the same subject(s) at the same level. Fulbright program staff in the U.S. and abroad match U.S. and overseas candidates in the spring of each year. Fulbright staff then propose matched-exchanges that each candidate and each school involved in the application process must approve before final selection to the program takes place. For more information about the grant process, see the Selection and Grant Details section of our website. For a country listing of teacher exchanges and more information about country choices, see the Teacher Exchanges & Summer Seminars section of our website.In addition, U.S. teachers of Latin, Greek, the Classics, Social Studies and other related subjects may be eligible to participate in one of two summer seminars in Italy or Greece. For more specific requirements and information about these two programs, please see the Teacher Exchanges & Summer Seminars section of our website.For U.S. administrators, the Fulbright program offers non-simultaneous work-shadowing assignments with an overseas counterpart. These exchanges may be from three to six weeks in length, but each partner must exchange to the other's school during the same academic year. For a country listing and more information about these opportunities, see the Administrator Exchanges section of our website.



More information:

If you have questions about the program or need any assistance, please feel free to contact us directly at:

Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program 600 Maryland Ave. SW, Suite 320 Washington, DC 20024 Email: fulbright@grad.usda.gov

Fax: (202) 479-6806

Phone: (202) 314-3537 (for general questions and further information about the program) Phone: (202) 314-3520 (for current applicants/grantees of the program)

Phone: (202)314-3527 (for issues related to the online application process)


Deadline:
October 15, 2008
Maximum Award:
Expenses
http://www.fulbrightexchanges.org/

Grant Opportunity

Youth Service America and Disney

Disney Minnie Grants

Eligibility:
This is an international grant opportunity, so applicants from all countries are welcome to apply, provided they are·
Youth (ages 5-14);
or· Older youth (ages 15-25) who design a project that engages children (ages 5-14) as volunteers;
or· Recognized groups/organizations who work with younger youth* (ages 5-14).
*The term "youth" is equivalent to young people. For this grant, youth (ages 5-14) should have a significant part in planning, implementing, and evaluating the proposed service project.

Purpose:
Youth Service America (YSA) and Disney know that youth of all ages can be involved in volunteer service projects. Children can solve community problems by working with their families, schools, friends, and neighbors. Join in the global youth service movement, and make a difference in your area. Grants of up to $500 are available to support youth-led service projects taking place from October 15-November 15, 2008.

More Information:
Questions? Email MinnieGrant@ysa.org

Deadline:
August 30, 2008
Maximum Award:
Up to $500
Number Of Awards:
Multiple
Period:
October 15-November 15, 2008
URL:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/section/grants/grant_info.html?grant_id=18321

Book Review

I am sitting at my desk and see a stack of books that I have read over the last few weeks. I realized I haven't taken the time to mention any of these here. One of these books is The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood. Written in 1985, this book has been required reading in high schools and colleges since it was released. It is an eerie tale of women around the turn of the 21st century. A revolution has taken place. A backlash to the free spirit and sexual revolution of the previous decades has led to extreme sexual repression. Religion and a strict biblical interpretation of how to live prevails. Women have a duty to have children. That is their primary function. It is inferred that a nuclear disaster has taken place and that a large percentage of the population is sterile. Women who can bear children have an elevated place in society. They are assigned to "Commanders" or the ruling elite and known as "Handmaids". Sex is not for enjoyment and it is not a social activity. The book was written as a wake up call against groups like the Moral Majority. 20 years later, it doesn't appear that we had much to fear. I liked the resigned writing of the book. Humans can adapt to their situation. The protest is there in the writing. A somewhat dated and fear mongering book. Do read this one.

Enjoy!

Dennis