http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1115979

I've been sending this link out for years. Almost forgot this year. If you're new to my blog, make CERTAIN that you listen to this story. I've made it a Christmas tradition.

I stopped in to Wikipedia just a few moments ago and saw that the headlines asked us to read a special appeal from founder Jimmy Wales. I did. In it he asks for our help to keep Wikipedia free and open to the World. Their small staff of just 23 - and their 150,000 volunteers - have helped to publish over 11 million articles in 265 languages. Their site is among the first to visit when we look for things on the web. (Sorry, librarians, it's true.) "Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge. That's our commitment."

There are a couple great videos of Jimmy Wales telling folks about how Wikipedia works. This one on fora.tv and this one on TED are two that I point to frequently. In them, Jimmy tells how articles are monitored, edited, and their strict enforcement of the rules for writing. It's MUCH more than many give it credit for.

In any case, Jimmy Wales is asking for a small donation to help the site stay free to the world. There are servers to maintain, bandwidth to pay for, and much more. I sent in a small donation immediately. I can't begin to imagine this site ceasing to be free to the world. Wouldn't you agree that it's FAR too important to permit that fate?

Yes, times are VERY hard for all of us. But, if YOU can spare a small donation you will be helping to ensure that this site remains free to all. An important goal, yes?

Thank you in advance for whatever you can do.

http://www.mactips.org/archives/2008/12/16/tab-through-checkboxes-and-radio-buttons-in-firefox-and-safari/

I don't know about you, but one thing about the Mac that was driving me nutty (until moments ago) was the fact that, when filling in forms I couldn't tab to a checkbox or to a dropdown menu like I could in Windows. What a shame, I thought. Until I read the above post.

Turns out it's a system preference. Now I'm a happy camper again.

System Preferences>Keyboard and Mouse > Keyboard shortcuts. At the very bottom of that screen, underneath the list of your options. Click the All Controls option.

Woohooo!

Don't subscribe to the Mactips blog, Mac owner? Get on over there and sign up. Great stuff!

Have you seen the new hi-res images in Google Earth? Check out New York City. Then, go check out Dubai, UAE. THAT'S how the OTHER half lives, for sure.

Thanks to a former student, Eric, for sharing this with me tonight via the Gmail chat. The Top 100 Inventions of 2008.

I didn't get very far before I thought I should just stop and point you folks to it. No, it's not going to raise test scores, but these inventions will amaze and inspire. From buildings that generate 15% of the electricity that they use, to car finishes that repair themselves, to Photosynth and Spore and beyond. The world is an amazing place, eh?