Friday, November 30, 2007

Visual Basic: Digital Clocks

Recently in class, we used Visual Basic to create our own Digital Clocks. They operated on one second intervals as according to our system/computer clocks. With this program, we added new features that we learned about. First of all, we added menu controls, such as the "File" and "View" menus that you are all familiar with. We also added an "About Digital Clock" form accessible through our "Help" menu. The about form showed a version number, company name, registration information, and a copyright warning. This is the usual stuff that is found in almost all "About" forms of any program. Check your browser and click Help>About [Program]. That's what the "About" form looks like. We also learned to remove the minimize and maximize command buttons. These are the line and square buttons found on the top right corner of the window beside the "X" (close).

Google Analytics

I have signed up to Google Analytics. What this means is that I have installed a tracking device onto my blog so I can keep track of those visiting it! I have faced troubles with proper installation so as of now, I only have 8 hits. To make up for the lack of numbers though, I got a visitor from Italy, where I have no relatives. The rest of the hits are from here in Canada. I can also track what Internet Browser was used and if they came to this blog through search engines or direct links.

Does Google Analytics sound interesting to you? Maybe you should check it out.

Visit the website at http://google.com/analytics and sign up!

"One Laptop Per Child"

"One Laptop Per Child" or "OLPC" is a non-profit organization with the goal of developing low-cost laptops for children who can't afford to have the education that could never have if this opportunity were to pass them. This idea was unveiled by Nicholas Negroponte. All this can become a reality but the organization asks for your help. OLPC needs your donations to make this real for all the unfortunate children in the world.

Here's a picture of the OLPC-XO model:

















If you're interested in learning more, visit the OLPC website at:
http://www.laptop.org/

Also, you can check out http://bcc.rcav.org/07-01-29/columns.htm for a news article that promotes the OLPC organization.

***UPDATE***
Here is a review from a man who got his hands on an OLPC-XO laptop:
http://www.tabletpcreview.com/default.asp?newsID=1014
Come and check out what he's got to say!

Here is another article on the OLPC from the Wall Street Journal:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Extra/Wny$100LaptopProjectIsUnderSiege.aspx
It seems to focus on OLPC being a threat to other companies...