Cool Bamboo tech- not the wacom

I am editing this month’s version of “Women in Technology’s” newsletter and as part of my search for cool tech links, I came across some eco friendly products made from bamboo.

Dell’s CEO speech at the Fortune Green conference showed off a “never before seen” eco-inspired computer with a bamboo casing. 81 percent smaller than a standard desktop, uses 70 percent less power and is filled with recycled materials like old bottles, milk jugs and detergent cases.  Check out the article and pictures c/ of Earth2tech at http://earth2tech.com/2008/04/22/pictures-of-dells-eco-bamboo-computer/

Desktop’s not your thing? How about an ASUS bamboo lap top? http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49288082,00.htm

Or if you just want some eco friendly accessories- you can get yourself a bamboo mouse, monitor and keyboard. Check out http://www.nigelsecostore.com/

Of course while Bamboo products are arguably more environmentally friendly than the current plastics used in casings of technical hardware, there will be advocates out there who claim that the new uses for bamboo (Bamboo is actually a grass, it grows fast and harvesting it doesn’t create the problems that cutting down trees does- albeit traditionally) will come to threaten the environment equally. While the debate is brewing about bamboo as a substitute for paper, it stands to reason the same principles will come into play as we find more creative uses for bamboo such as the above and the current designer trend of using bamboo for flooring- for more info on the debate around bamboo and the extent to which land is being cleared to make way for bamboo plantations go to http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/7-10-2006-101758.asp. It seems in our world today we can never get enough of good thing!!! That said the products are cool and at least at this time point in history have to better than plastic alternatives??

Jon Flanders tonight in Melbourne

For those in Mebourne with nothing better to do tonight:-) Why not catch Jon Flanders at the Readify Developer network 6pm 440 Collins St.

Jon is a BizTalk MVP and currently in town teaching an Applied Workflow Class. He rarely gets to Australia so don’t miss the opportunity. He will discuss Workflow and open up for Q&A.

Half Baked Ideas

I saw this banner today- its actually advertising the INR (Invest Northern Rivers) technology Innovation Awards- if you live in northern NSW you should check out the awards http://www.investnorthernrivers.com.au/ . I thought the caption was classic and if you know me and my thoughts on “half baked ideas” then you are possibly LOL right now:-)

 

 

Cool goings on at Readify in May

I have a heap of training and free events happening in May
12 May, Brisbane Readify Developer Network free seminar on WCF in Visual Studio 2008 with Dan Crowley-Wilson to book
20-23 May, Melbourne Applied Work Flow Master Class with Jon Flanders (BizTalk MVP) world renowned Work Flow expert more info
21 May, Melbourne Readify Developer Network free seminar on Workflow with Jon Flanders
29 May, Perth Readify Developer Network free seminar Silverlight with Alister Jones and Reactive Programming with LINQ by Paul Stovell to book

8 Little Known Things About Me

I thought this little meme was a good way to introduce myself with random factoids about myself.
The rules are below- although true to my nature I have chosen to break rules 3 & 4 so as to not unwittingly inflict this on others who have no doubt already done it:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Little-known facts about me
1. In 1982 at the tender age of 8 I lived in Nauru and danced a traditional island dance for the then Australian governor general Sir Ninian Stephen.
2. I played competitive netball for years and wore the green and gold for the CANA Australian Touring team to Vanuatu about 5 years ago.
3. I have a small birthmark on my left knee-my dad has the exact same birth mark on his left knee.
4. My husband asked me to marry him on our first date, I said yes before he even got the words out, we eloped one month later – a surprise to me as he had organised everything- he told me about 5 days before (we were had a holiday planned), I literally had 1 day to find wedding rings, a dress and shoes.
5. I hate cooked fruit- apple pie, pineapple on pizza- no thanks!
6. I use to live in central Sulawesi, Indonesia when I was a kid and I had a pet monkey who I named Scruffy (will post pictures)
7. When I finished high school I was accepted into art college, but chose to get a degree in psychology instead.
8. My first car was a mini

Today I Post

Finally I have given into peer pressure- I have started a blog! Its not easy working for a company full of really smart geeks who post regularly and at every turn ask “where’s your blog”. So here it is my very first post- go easy on me.

Honestly, I get it- I get the world of blogging- even though I may never get second life! However I still find it hard to fathom why people will want to read my ramblings, ok there may be the odd great post you will see- but for the most part I’m not sure what I post will be noteworthy. I have concluded that you can vote with your click finger – so here it is my blog site and post and you can decide to click or not click in the future:-)