Service Pack 1 for Expression Web 4

Microsoft has released Service Pack 1 for Expression Web 4. In addition to many bug fixes, it adds HTML 5 and CSS3 support to the application. More information about the fixes and additions (and where to download it) can be found at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2519900.

Exploring the Google Public Data Explorer

Google has a strong history of creating experimental online tools. Most of these tools are first made available through their Google Labs site. One such tool is the Google Public Data Explorer. In short, the Google Public Data Explorer makes it easy to visualize large datasets. The datasets that are currently available include data from sources such as the Worldbank, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the California Department of Education, and many others. It is much more interesting than it sounds. I promise.

For example, say you want to create a visualization that shows the unemployment rate for states along the west coast of the continental United States (California, Oregon, and Washington) over time. It is possible to create a line or bar chart with the Public Data Explorer, but there are other, perhaps less familiar, choices as well. One example is the “bubble” chart. To see it in action, watch this video that I made.

If you have any interest in learning more about the Google Public Data Explorer, including how to create your own visualizations and share them with others, sign up for my Exploring the Google Public Data Explorer workshop that is being offered on March 16, 2011.

 

Introducing Microsoft Expression Web 4

For the past few years, most Microsoft Windows users on campus have been using Microsoft SharePoint Designer to create and modify their websites. Now we have a new editor in town: Microsoft Expression Web 4. With the initial release of Expression Web in 2006, Microsoft finally had a web editor with potential. The subsequent releases of Expression Web 2 and Expression Web 3 in 2008 and 2009, respectively, garnered positive reviews. Now, with the release of Expression Web 4, Microsoft has a good standards compliant feature rich editor.

If you are a Palomar College employee and would like Expression Web 4 installed on your district owned computer, contact the Information Services Helpdesk by email (helpdesk@palomar.edu) or phone (x2140) and request it.

If you have not used previous versions of Expression Web it may take some getting used to. For instance, the steps you must follow to open an existing website have changed. If you have any questions about how to use Expression Web 4 please email me at cnorcross@palomar.edu.

Amazon Offering Free Shipping for Students

Amazon.com recently announced that they are offering college students one year of Amazon Prime for free as part of their Amazon Student program. For those who do not know, Amazon Prime is their membership program that normally costs $79/year. Membership includes FREE two-day shipping on most of Amazon’s products, including textbooks, as well as upgrades to one-day shipping for $3.99 per item.

It’s easy to signup. All you need is an “.edu” email address which means that almost anyone affiliated with a college can benefit.