XplanaZine

Surprise! That’s what we thought when we read the following news items. “Wow! Who would’ve thought?” (besides, of course, anyone capable of rational thought). And yet, all of these items are reported with tongue not in cheek, like there is a startling revelation involved. Go figure.

• First up on the list, get this — Microsoft claims Africa doesn’t need free software. The company claims that the cost of software is not an important issue in the developing world.
  In response to a question on the role of open source software in Africa, Gerald Ilukwe, the general manager of Microsoft Nigeria, said that cost is not important, even though he admitted that the average annual salary in the West African country is only $160 (£91).
• And, on the technology front, we have Marc Andressen, the co-founder of Netscape, telling an audience that PHP is easier to use than Java. Really? Has anyone else heard? Hmmmm… Well, I guess this just means that the PHP vs. Java debate won’t die down anytime soon. My favorite quote from the conference where Andressen’s remarks were delivered was this one, by Mike Milinkovich, Executive Director of Eclipse: “Java and PHP compete at some level. Get over it.”
• And, has anyone ever head of a an alternative browser called Firefox? Well, in REALLY BIG NEWS, Firefox saw its hundred millionth download this week. I mean, totally unexpected. Especially with all the great success Microsoft has had lately with its new security features.
• Also in the realm of big surprises is this news that spam is reaching beyond e-mail into the blog world. Okay, let me get this straight. Blogs were named eight months ago as the most important technology of the year and now spam has found a way to exploit them? Crazy! Of course, if you really blog then you know that spam found blogging world a long long time ago.
• Who would have believed this one? After all the positive hype from the White House and others, it turns out that the No Child Left Behind regulations got mixed reviews after an analysis of the first nationwide test designed to evaluate student abilities in math and reading. At best, the new system isn’t really hurting anyone. At worst, no one will be able to read in another generation. Who saw that one coming?.
• Remember the world’s greatest basketball player? No, not Shaq. I’m talking about Michael Jordan! Well, we all knew that Michael had a problem with gambling. But, now we find out that Mike believes he didn’t handle his gambling very well. I know I’m shocked.
• Finally, if it says Libby on the label you will… Well, forget that. In the week’s biggest surprise we find out that Scooter Libby and Karl Rove, two of President Bush’s biggest supporters and two of the most powerful men in Washington, talked to each other and may have shared information related to the notorious CIA leak. I may have to take a sedative.

Now, for news that really matters in education, here’s a recap of our favorite posts from the edublogging community from the past 48 hours.

• From Brian Lamb : Post on Educause sessions.
• From D’Arcy Norman : Post on student use of Wikis.
• From Godfrey Parkin : Post on a child’s view of tomorrow’s learning.
• From Anne Davis: Post on fostering the potential of blogging in schools.
• From Lanny Arvan: Post on eReserves and DRM.