Nick Floro's Blog http://nickfloro.com Thoughts, ideas, and knowledge sharing on technology, e-learning, design and running your own business. posterous.com Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:31:31 -0800 Watch the iBooks/Author/iTunesU Event Video http://nickfloro.com/watch-the-ibooksauthoritunesu-event-video http://nickfloro.com/watch-the-ibooksauthoritunesu-event-video If you want to watch the entire event:

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:36:47 -0800 Checkout the Apple in Education: iBooks web page - amazing example of design. http://nickfloro.com/checkout-the-apple-in-education-ibooks-web-pa http://nickfloro.com/checkout-the-apple-in-education-ibooks-web-pa After watching the video, they use a video based background, where you can continue viewing the content and they show you some amazing examples on the iPad of how to use it.


Amazing design!

iBooks_Sample2.mov Watch on Posterous

http://www.apple.com/education/#video-textbooks

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:28:08 -0800 Apple introduces iBook Author, the cost? FREE http://nickfloro.com/apple-introduces-ibook-author-the-cost-free http://nickfloro.com/apple-introduces-ibook-author-the-cost-free
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Apple introduces a new app iBooks Author which allows you to integrate and develop content right within the tool. Will play and report back with some examples shortly. Content is published to the iOS platform via the new iBooks app. You can download today via the App Store. You can use HTML and Javascript to expand capabilities further. McGraw-Hill: hard at work on Algebra 1, Biology Chemistry, Geometry, Physics, used by 3m students. All five available today. Read the event coverage by MacNN: http://www.macnn.com/live/#ixzz1jvT0JAa8


Watch the Apple video here to learn more:

They also announced a new app for iTunes U so you can have a course with content in one place. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:55:15 -0800 Macworld | iWorld Registration Promos - Free Exhibit pass to first 100 users and $15 off an iFan Pass #MacworldiWorld http://nickfloro.com/macworld-iworld-registration-promos-free-exhi http://nickfloro.com/macworld-iworld-registration-promos-free-exhi If you are planning on attending Macworld 2012 in 2 weeks, the first 100 users can get a free exhibit pass or save $15 off an iFan pass. 

Enter SOURCE CODE:  BNS89670

I will be presenting The Future of Learning at 10am on Friday 1/27 at 10am:

See you in San Francisco.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:26:39 -0800 Upcoming Conference: Software User Assistance March 11-14 Memphis TN- Discounts thru Jan 15 http://nickfloro.com/upcoming-conference-software-user-assistance http://nickfloro.com/upcoming-conference-software-user-assistance
The Conference for Software User Assistance is quickly approaching. The event takes place March 11-14 in Memphis. The focus is on techniques for creating a better experience for people working with our software. Early registration discounts end this coming Saturday, Jan. 15.

I'll be there presenting on media compression and gaming. Hope to see you there.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Thu, 05 Jan 2012 08:44:18 -0800 New to eLearning? Don't miss the eLearning Foundations Intensive 3/19-20 in Orlando, FL #LSCon http://nickfloro.com/new-to-elearning-dont-miss-the-elearning-foun http://nickfloro.com/new-to-elearning-dont-miss-the-elearning-foun
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I had the opportunity to both participate in a small part in the eLearning Foundations Intensive, part of eLearningGuilds Learning Solutions conference, last year and was blown away by the content and speakers. This is a great opportunity for anyone new to the field or wanting to master the fundamentals. The pace and content flow is great and you can learn a lot in the 2 days that you can immediately apply to what you are doing back in the office. 

When:
Monday and Tuesday, March 19th & 20th
Orlando, Florida

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:14:37 -0800 Making Forms - Looking for a easy way to create forms without coding… look no further than Wufoo.com http://nickfloro.com/making-forms-looking-for-a-easy-way-to-create http://nickfloro.com/making-forms-looking-for-a-easy-way-to-create I've been using Wufoo for a little over a year and love how easy it is to use and setup new forms that you can share with your team, clients or customers. Wufoo provides a simple interface to quickly drag and drop fields onto a page and allows you to focus on the information you need to gather rather than how you need to code or design the form.  If you need a little more power, flexibility and reporting than what Google Docs forms offer, this web app now owned by SurveyMonkey provides a great experience and power to grow. There API offers several ways to integrate into other components such as credit card transactions or the ability to attach files. We've used it for client projects, support forms, surveys and order forms. Forms can easily be setup without ay prior knowledge of coding and quickly launched without any special server or software since they are hosted within their servers.

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The web app provides templates as well as system for customizing designs and several field types. This is a example of a web based support form we use to collect data from users who are experiencing a issue or have a question and we can quickly provide support. You can easily drag elements up or down on the form as well as quickly define field types.

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After selecting a field, the left area changes from field types to specific settings for that field type. This allows you to require a field, customize the data type or provide other instructions.

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After your form is setup you can easily have the data emailed to the user, as well as to your team and login back in to Wufoo to review any entries as well.

Wufoo is free for up to 3 forms and 100 entries per month or available in several inexpensive plans.
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Learn more at: 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:02:06 -0800 iOS: Zite: Great news app for keeping up on what interests you... http://nickfloro.com/ios-zite-great-news-app-for-keeping-up-on-wha http://nickfloro.com/ios-zite-great-news-app-for-keeping-up-on-wha
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Zite is a great iOS app for exploring and keeping up on the latest news in your favorite categories, similar to FlipBoard, it displays the latest stories in several views which you can easily navigate by moving left to right in the top area and then your stories will display. Selecting a story will display the article with options to share with others as well as vote which will improve the news items that are presented each time you use the app.

You can easily setup an account so you can share you profile and categories between multiple devices. Easy to use and great app to keep up with the latest information. 

Download:

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:10:48 -0800 Interface Quirks - Why do we need to confirm a action after I clicked the original? http://nickfloro.com/interface-quirks-why-do-we-need-to-confirm-a http://nickfloro.com/interface-quirks-why-do-we-need-to-confirm-a Trying to unsubscribe from a email, clicking in the unsubscribe button opens a browser window where you need to enter your email and click Yes, unsubscribe me even after you clicked the original button. Do they think we changed our mind in the 2 seconds it takes to open the window. I would prefer the option to resubscribe, rather than wasting my time or trying to deter the action.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 27 Dec 2011 19:00:49 -0800 Using a SSD drive in a MacBook Pro: The speed will blow you away. http://nickfloro.com/using-a-ssd-drive-in-a-macbook-pro-the-speed http://nickfloro.com/using-a-ssd-drive-in-a-macbook-pro-the-speed Wow, had the opportunity to test drive the SSD, solid-state drive, in the MacBook Pro as well as in a Air and it's amazing! I was skeptical that the speed would increase for launching a app or opening documents but the difference is 2-3x faster with typical applications from Office, Keynote, Filemaker, Photoshop, Captivate, Flash and After Effects. Running my setup from a 750gb hard drive, launching apps, exporting content, compressing videos all were timed to 50-70% faster using the 512mb SSD drive. Boot times, from a off state were also noticeably difference with the SSD booting almost twice as fast. I would highly recommend investing or planning a upgrade on your current laptop to decrease waiting and increase productivity.
Learn more about SSD's at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:54:00 -0800 Recommended Reading: Essentials of Online Course Design: A Standards-Based Guide http://nickfloro.com/recommended-reading-essentials-of-online-cour http://nickfloro.com/recommended-reading-essentials-of-online-cour

Essentials of Online Course Design: A Standards-Based Guide 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:52:45 -0800 Recommended Reading for Instructional Designers: Design for how people learn by Julie Dirksen http://nickfloro.com/recommended-reading-for-instructional-designe http://nickfloro.com/recommended-reading-for-instructional-designe http://www.amazon.com/Design-People-Learn-Voices-Matter/dp/0321768434/ref=tmm_pap_title_0
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:11:16 -0800 Love this for drawing / brainstorming on the walls! http://nickfloro.com/love-this-for-drawing-brainstorming-on-the-wa http://nickfloro.com/love-this-for-drawing-brainstorming-on-the-wa Great product for any way, at home or work for quick brainstorming needs.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:44:31 -0800 Lego's Life of George interacts with the iOS platform - very cool Augmented Reality http://nickfloro.com/legos-life-of-george-interacts-with-the-ios-p http://nickfloro.com/legos-life-of-george-interacts-with-the-ios-p


Life of George includes both a building game mode with single and 2 player mode, as well as creation mode where you design and capture your own models. In the building game you receive challenges on your iPhone/iPod Touch that you build with real LEGO bricks. In the 2 player mode you can challenge a friend and compete on 5 different models to see who builds the fastest. There are various difficulty levels determined by the models and the time setting you choose (easy or hard).

Expecting one from Santa, will report after I, I mean the little one gets to play with it.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:36:15 -0800 Love the creativity in the 404 error page at SlideShare.net http://nickfloro.com/love-the-creativity-in-the-404-error-page-at http://nickfloro.com/love-the-creativity-in-the-404-error-page-at
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:50:54 -0800 Microsoft builds HTML5 based demo of Windows Phone 7.5 - worth a look http://nickfloro.com/microsoft-builds-html5-based-demo-of-windows http://nickfloro.com/microsoft-builds-html5-based-demo-of-windows
You can check out via a Android or iOS based product at:

If you try via the desktop you get a unsupported message: (not sure why? I guess they want you to experience the touch concept...which is silly since I would think their main target would be users who don't already have a Android or iOS based product.

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I test drove it on the iPad in landscape mode and it tells you to flip it to portrait. This is done via CSS and can be tested as shown.
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Flipped into portrait mode and got started, here's some sample. Nicely done Microsoft.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:30:35 -0800 Some notes from the Panel Discussion at NJ ASTD Conference on 11/16 http://nickfloro.com/some-notes-from-the-panel-discussion-at-nj-as http://nickfloro.com/some-notes-from-the-panel-discussion-at-nj-as I had the opportunity to participate and attend the NJ ASTD event which included a panel, keynote by Dr. Allen and expo. 

The panel discussed the challenges and current state of learning in each of their companies. The 4 speakers has a wide range of experiences from one who was just entering the web 2.0 to phase to others that had more opportunities (sometimes) to experiment with the latest technologies.  In entering the social learning realm, one spoke about how they announced their new annual meeting and in conjunction a new social tool which would be integrate into the event to get the latest news, information and to share what you learned. Thought this was a great idea for many of us. 

In discussing how they keep up with the onslaught of information and technology there were several great thoughts that you want to make sure you are following:

- attend local and larger events - as budget and time allow

- web reading and research - several mentioned using rss feeds to assist in filtering or focusing on information of interest to them 

- be aware of what's happening around you, whether thru you kids, siblings or family and friends look to see what they are doing, what games they are playing and how they are learning or hearing about information. Think about how you may apply that concept to what you are doing And for your organization 

- play and experiment with everything 

- vendor day- two of the speakers had a vendor day monthly or quarterly where they invited vendors and developers in to show their latest technology and developments. They described this as a win/win because it gave the a opportunity to learn about what others are doing and what is avaliable today as well as an opportunity for the vendors to learn about how they may fit into solutions. 

If you are in the tri-state area, I would recommend adding this to your upcoming events.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:17:26 -0800 Recommended Reading: Prototyping: A Practitioner's Guide http://nickfloro.com/recommended-reading-prototyping-a-practitione http://nickfloro.com/recommended-reading-prototyping-a-practitione

Prototyping: A Practitioner's Guide

 $36

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Mon, 21 Nov 2011 07:07:00 -0800 Recommended Reading: Storytelling for User Experience http://nickfloro.com/new-book-to-read-storytelling-for-user-experi http://nickfloro.com/new-book-to-read-storytelling-for-user-experi

A great book and introduces the concept of storytelling in your UI's, whether you are a experienced UI designer or just starting out in the field.

$39

http://www.amazon.com/Storytelling-User-Experience-Crafting-Stories/dp/193382...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro Sun, 20 Nov 2011 10:05:34 -0800 The Future of Learning - Today - Presentation http://nickfloro.com/the-future-of-learning-today-presentation http://nickfloro.com/the-future-of-learning-today-presentation I had a lot of fun presenting this topic at the PADLA http://www.padla.org/ConferenceSchedule event last Friday. You can view or download a copy below. Lot's of ideas and resources to move your elearning development forward and break the " next " model.


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/47439/Nick_Side_0508p.jpg http://posterous.com/users/PV3gmjAl1L Nick Floro Nick Nick Floro