Interesting Random Topics

I am overflowing with topics and have not spent the time to update my blog. So here is a very quick dump of the top four.

• AMAZING software products and websites that are free!

• I will not name them all, but here are a few that we have found that are pretty impressive.

• Sketchup from Google. Simple to use 3D design software. Standard version is free.
  
• Maya from AutoDesk. Very high end professional 3D modeling software. Personal learning edition is free.
• Fotoflexer at fotoflexer.com. Online photo editor with great effects. Free.

• Huge governmental focus on solving the education problems in the US ... but will it work?!

• Listened to the state of the union. Touted no child left behind progress. This is good, but is it enough.

• Met with the state government in Utah on an educational bill that was being submitted. Found that it was labeled with one of the governers favorite projects yet had nothing to do with it. Also found that districts had already written their requests prior to the bill even being submitted. All seems very backward.

• We will work hard to find ways to engage in this. Looks like foundations are better for large infrastructure projects. But there are some opportunities with state and federal grants.
  

• Incredible number of non-profit efforts, will they be any better?!

• We (FreshBrain) have been talking to lots of non-profits. ALL of them are trying to do the right thing, but all are going after the same dollars to fund. And there is really no alignment across them.

• There is also a huge challenge in finding enough time to work out a good partnership. Everyone is busy delivering on their mission!
  

• Can we do it differently? I don't yet know, but we will try. Maybe through a joint grant request - we can find the common motivation and benefit.
  

• Continued focus on online protection of minors.

• Read a good article today in the San Jose Mercury News called "NY moves to protect kids from sex offenders online." This is excellent and we will use the information when it is available. Lets hope this happens and others follow.
  

• This is a very important area for us. We will be doing background checks on Advisors and will put in place a large number of protections for the students!
  

On another topic, we are getting close to releasing the new freshbrain.org. Looks like in order to get all of the usability feedback in, it will now be the week of February 11.