An interesting thing happened while checking my email...

Interestingly enough, I was going through my email and I ran across an official looking mail that came in on the one of the campus mailing lists (COIS). The email had a word processing file attached to it (.doc) that was meant to look like an invoice from an HMO.

I just let the message sit and moved on through my mail. The reason I didn't immediately rush and open it were three fold:

1. The campus mail lists have been compromised by spammers or worse in a serious way.
2. The message came from someone sending mail through a domain called "schmoozeyoulose.com". This is why I read the full address line on my emails.
3. I don't belong to an HMO.

In an later email from ZDnet (Ziff-Davis), they have this story:
Word flaw hit with zero-day attack | Tech News on ZDNet

Now I have a Trojan trapped in my inbox. So caution is the word. Remember, don't take candy or unsolicited files from strangers.

Digg for answers...Social Networks to Support Learning

Recently, the social networking site Digg.com launched it's Digg 2.0 website. Digg and social networking in general focuses on allowing people to share information online. They do this through links to online articles and content that is submitted for consideration by the Digg.com user community. The Digg site specializes in allowing users to influence the virtual headline stories for a site and to see what other individuals are reading and finding useful. Additionally, users are able to establish networks of friends and see what their friends are reading and "digging". I haven't tried, but this network of friends may also be able to see articles submitted by others in their network.

The Digg 2.0 site also allows users to customize the stories that they see. You can go on the site, select technology, specify subcategories of technology, and then read stories from all over the net that have been submitted. I found several good articles on project management, and software design patterns on my first visit. These articles come from various sources, like Wired.com and ComputerWorld, that I use to update lectures.

The combination of friend networks and customizable presentation seems like a good combination for directing students to interesting content online. I've already setup a Digg account and emailed my BMBA509 and CINS306 students with my account name, encouraging them to link to my account as a friend. My user name is DrBarnett if you would like to place me on your friend list.

How will this all work? Short answer is: I don't know. However, the service is free, and it will allow faculty and students alike to gather around a virtual watercooler to discuss issues important to our field. As the semester goes by, I'll keep you updated on how this seems to be working.