Pen Attention - Highlights Your Pen Cursor for Presentations

Eliot — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:11:00 GMT

Kenrick, an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage, posted a blog entry in which he highlights something he calls "PenAttention." It's a little add-in he created that creates a sort of halo around the pen cursor. Usually, the cursor looks like the tip of a pen. With the add-in, you can also use the cursor as a pointing device. This is super useful when using a Tablet PC for a classroom lecture or a presentation.

Kendrick also got a nod from The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The program is free and requires .NET 2.0 or higher and Windows XP Tablet or Windows Vista with a tablet pen.

Still Time to Enter the Imagine Cup

Eliot — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:40:00 GMT

Do you know a student who is creating great UI? Or who has a passion for Accessibility UI? Or someone who can tell a great story through photography? If so, there are still four categories in the Imagine Cup that are open for submissions.

Photography (closes May 2)
Interface Design Accessible Technology Award (closes May 2)
Software Design Interoperability Award (closes May 15)
Software Design Windows Live Award (closes May 15)

The Imagine Cup is one way Microsoft is encouraging young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world – today. Now in its sixth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to be a truly global competition focused on finding solutions to real world issues. The theme this year is The Environment, and students are encouraged to submit software that has some impact on environmental issues.

Additionally, the Imagine Cup encourages entrants to concentrate on the world's rural poor:

As you explore ideas for your 2008 Imagine Cup Project we invite you to consider a particular segment of the world’s population that is underserved. Today there are over 3 billion people living under $2 a day and 1 billion people that are illiterate. This is a situation that is exacerbating the world’s poverty-wealth gap, making rural sustainability an urgent priority for governments. As the number can be telling, so are the stories of the people who are often forgotten, but who directly impact the longevity and potential of the Earth.

Here’s your chance to create relevant and sustainable technology, and make a social and economic impact to underserved communities around the world.

The competition is keen, the prizes are grand, and the excitement around the Imagine Cup is palpable. And hey, the world finals will be held in Paris, France, in July. That alone is almost enough to get me to register for a semester again.

Almost.

Eliot's Blog : software

Pen Attention - Highlights Your Pen Cursor for Presentations

Still Time to Enter the Imagine Cup