Memories of my youth...

I recently set up a Technorati watchlist to keep an eye out for any mention of my hometown of Wallsend. Wallsend is so named as it's the town at the end of Hadrian's Wall.

Over the weekend the watchlist turned up this nugget from a fellow Geordie in exile, which included this fascinating photograph by Norman Dunn...















When this picture was taken in 1969 I would have been around 7 or 8 years old. I have a vague recollection from about that age of seeing a vessel launched at the Swan Hunter yard and an overwhelming memory of the sound of chains dragging over the ground and a colossal storm of dust being generated, but to be honest I don't know if the launch I recall was the Esso Northumbria or not.

In any case, it's a small world.

Tags: Wallsend

Creating web albums with Picasa

I finally got round to taking up the invitation from Google to create web albums using Picasa.

My public gallery can be found here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.newson

Tags: Picasa

Ten ways to become more proficient with MindManager

I received an email today from someone new to MindManger asking for "my opinion on the best method / resource to become proficient." I thought it would be worthwhile sharing the answer here on my blog.

(1) If you're new to mind mapping then I'd recommend reading some Tony Buzan material such as "Use Your Head".

(2) You can get a copy of my mind mapped book notes on "Use Your Head" here:

http://stevenewson.blogspot.com/2006/06/use-your-head.html

(3) The product itself comes with a pretty good learning center that contains some excellent built in animated tutorials.

(4) Mindjet have some additional animated tutorials online.

(5) I didn't go this route myself but the Mindjet site also has links to training resources including computer based training, open seminars and Mindjet certified trainers.

(5) I bought the MindManager for Dummies book [which was written for MindManager 5 and does not yet appear to have been updated for MindManager 6]

(6) I joined the MindManager group on Yahoo and downloaded the maps in the files area and looked at how others were using the product. [Andrew Wilcox, a frequent contributor to the group, offers MindManager training and online coaching.]

(7) I search the internet for MindManager maps, download them and look at how others are building maps

(8) I subscribe to the Mindjet newsletter and Mindjet blog to pick up hints and tips

(9) I use Technorati to find and subscribe to blogs about MindManager.

(10) I also use Technorati watchlists for "Mind Mapping" and "MindManager" so pick up on mentions of these terms in the blogosphere

Ok, so I lied about there being just ten ways, here's a bonus tip...

(11) Brett Bumeter, who I "met" through MindManager group on Yahoo writes intelligently about MindManager, as well as the latest trends in Knowledge Management, software and gadgets over at Maven Mapper's Information.

Please leave a comment if you have other suggestions to add to the list....

Tags: Mindjet, MindManager, Mind Mapping, information visualization

Making good stuff happen

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a long post called "Attitude is everything..." based on a parable about having a positive approach to life.

In the parable the answer to the question "how are you doing?" was always "if I was any better I'd be twins".

At the moment I'm re-reading Scott Berkun's "The Art of Project Management" and I found the answer to the question "what are you doing?"; which is "I'm making good stuff happen".

I find the first mantra "if I was any better I'd be twins" doesn't seem to fit my personality so I think I need to come up with a variation, but I do like "I'm making good stuff happen".

I'll try it out.

Tags: Project Management, Scott Berkun, Lifehack

More on the SnagIt to Flickr extension...

I originally blogged about the SnagIt to Flickr extension back in May and followed up about possible problems the extension might cause your Flickr account in June.

That makes it appropriate to link to an clarification on the issue from Betsy Weber, Chief Evangelist at Techsmith.

Flickr has a policy stating any account (free or paid) that has more than half of their images as non-photographic content (screenshots, etc.) will be turned from public to private.

Basically this means that once a user has over half of his images as non-photographic content, his images on Flickr will no longer be made searchable by the greater Flickr community or viewable in the public area. If Flickr finds your account having more than half of your content as non-photographic content, they may mark you as NIPSA - 'Not in Public Site Areas'. Users that reach this state will still be able to upload and share images on Flickr.

Thanks for clearing that up Betsy.

Tags: SnagIt, Techsmith, Flickr

Close encounter with an owl

Linda had an up close and personal encounter with an owl at the Hollowell Steam & Heavy Horse Show today.



I'm enjoying the new camera.

Steam Engine

1917 Fowler engine named 'Prince of Wales' owned by Mr. D Woodward of Buglawton.



A classic from times gone by.

Tags: Steam Engine

Bernese Mountain Dog

We went to the the Hollowell Steam and Heavy Horse Show today, and I took this picture of a Bernese Mountain Dog. In their native Switzerland they were used extensivley to pull small carts containing farm produce between mountain farms, dairies and markets.



Interacting with them for a few minutes we found them to be very sweet natured creatures.

Tags: Bernese Mountain Dog