Flash and Dreamweaver templates

On a random note, I have spent the good part of an evening either being a complete n00b or numpty trying to get the linking of Flash files embedded in my Dreamweaver template to be updated correctly in any files based on that template.  I searched the Internet looking for the solution but came up with very little (nothing that worked at least).  Finally after some trial and error I have it sorted.

If you are having a problem with Flash linking correctly, try this:

Create your layout in an ordinary html (php or whatever) file.  Add Flash files by Insert > Media > Flash.  Save the file and Dreamweaver will create the JavaScript file in the scripts folder and add a link to it in the head of the file.  Once you have set up your page including adding the Flash files, then save the file as a template.  Linking should all be working nicely and you wont need to spend your evening search the net to find a solution.

Don’t forget to upload the scripts folder and the flash files.

Making wool dreads

whipping up a tasty dread or two

I had gone looking in Spotlight to find a felting needle (more on that to come) and while there I found merino wool roving in 10 and 80g packets.  Each packet contains a strip of roving which I cut into lengths of around 50cm.  I experimented with different thickness but never any thicker than existing strip.

I used the palm rolling method for making dreads using a bucket of hot water and some sunlight soap.  It’s a bit like hard work so I tried rolling them on the wooden chopping board.  This was a lot easier but made looser dreads.  I found it better to go back to the bucket/palm rolling method afterwards to tighten them up.  Even better I got someone to help me.  I found it made a lot neater thinner dread if one person pulls the dread upwards through the other persons hands while another palm rolls it.

Dreads Narissa style – part 2

think this might be too short to dread?

I started looking for info on how to create dreads and looking at dying them (I love colour) which led me to pages on synthetic dreads.  I liked the idea of instant gratification (I am so frustrated with growing my hair – you can see from the photo how short it was a year ago) but I didn’t like the idea of my plastic hair melting to my neck in some kind of Guy Fawkes or barbeque freak accident so I looked for a natural alternative.  Enter merino roving.

I found online some awesome dreads people created from wool and there seems to be heaps of places to buy readymade ones but not in New Zealand so started my next lot of research – how to make and attach wool dreads. (I’m sure there’s a research output or two in here somewhere Annabel)

Dreads Narissa style – the beginning

Okay, classes are over for the year and now is an opportunity for me to go off on a tangent about something completely unrelated to work: my hair.

I have always wanted dreads (I have always had a passion to stand out maybe just a little bit).  I fancied being a truck driver in my younger days and would still like the opportunity to drive one (even around the warehouse car park if anyone’s offering) but that’s a whole other blog.  Anyway…

I never did the dread thing and I’m not sure why.  Probably because I was too worried about what people would think of me (silly I know but that’s just the way I am).  Now that I’m older, I would like to say that I’m not so worried about what people think of me but that just isn’t true.  The difference is I am now more comfortable and confident in myself to know that the group of friend I have are not going to point and laugh at the short white girl with dreads (or if they are it will be with me, not at me).

So I have been growing my hair for a year.  A slow process thanks to my hairdresser who keeps ‘trimming’ my hair as she is abhorrent to the thought that I might dread it (or is it that I might not be back to spend my hard earned money on the lavish attention that she spends on my hair/eyebrows/lashes – don’t worry Kelly, I’m already thinking new ideas for dying).

The easiest way to get extra marks from your tutor?

I saw this page the other day and thought you might find it useful. Rashad, this had your name all over it

Well done on your first blog

Well done all those students who came today, created their blog site and posted their first post.  I see there are a few to come, so don’t forget to email me the link so I can find it (and therefore mark it).  The list of requirements is in week one of COMP.4105 on eCampus.  Speaking of eCampus, ensure you have all joined the Comp.4105 eCampus course. Thanks

Also, remember, you can use your blog for whatever you like as well as the posts you need to do for assessments but also remember your blog is now out in the public domain.  Would you like your mother to read what you wrote or see those links and images?  How about future employers?

Don’t forget to personalise your blog, make it your own.  Check out your classmates; all the links I have received have been placed in the student blogroll
Enjoy

Welcome to semester two, 2009

It’s the start of the semester.  O week to be precise and Waiariki  is starting to fill up with students.  That’s nice after being so quiet here over the holidays.

I should be cleaning out my email/eCampus/computer/desk drawers and all those little jobs I thought I would do before the semester started but it doesn’t seem to happening that way.  So instead I am updating my blog in preparation for my new students who will be doing ‘COMP.4101 Contemporary Technology for the Mobile User’ this semester.   Those of you participating in this course will be creating your own blog as part of the course assessment.

I have been busy today trying to integrating a wordpress blog (which I installed in on our student server) into our own ctc website with limited success.  Offers of help welcome!

oh so disappointed my animated gif isn't animating

My first cell phone

Here is a picture of my first cell phone. It was a Philips Isis. It was a 1G/2G phone that could switch seemlessly between the analogue and digital networks. It stored 20 numbers (no names) and couldn’t do text messaging. It cost me over $200 which was a lot for a poor student

hotmail vs webmail

For my students who need to email in assignments, I suggest using your Waiairiki wemail account for a number of reasons

1. hotmail accounts are often blocked by our web marshall especially if they contain an attachment and I can almost garantee it if they have a zip file attached
2. hotmail emails are not always sent to or recieved by our servers immediately
3. if for some reason your tutor doesnt recieve your email, you have proof (timestamped with a copy of the attachment) sitting in your sent items

second time just like the first

Our second class of the semester and I have four new students (due to timetabling errors). Because the blog thing was important and will be used for other assessments and classes I have decided to run through it again.

Only one of my students from Tuesday came back. Where are you guys? See you Friday at 1.10pm.