OUYA - The new kid on the block that wants to shake up the world of gaming

Today saw the launch of the OUYA games console, shipped today to its supporters. The development of the new device was crowdfunded by Kickstarter ( Ouya attracted over $8m (£5.3m) in funding from 63,416 backers).
 OUYA uses Google Android technology and the open design will allow games developers to more easily design new games products for the device as OUYA say  'Developers can wave farewell to the roadblocks of bringing a console game to market. Anyone can make a game: every OUYA console is a dev kit. No need to purchase a license or an expensive SDK. It's built on Android, so developers already know how it works.'
The market for games consoles is of course a small pond containing some pretty large, carnivorous competition, however I hope that a company which sends the following message to hackers and mashers has the necessary support and business acumen to survive and thrive - 

'Hackers welcome.

Have at it: It's easy to root (and rooting won't void your warranty). Everything opens with standard screws. Hardware hackers can create their own peripherals, and connect via USB or Bluetooth. You want our hardware design? Let us know. We might just give it to you. Surprise us!'

So all you gamers out there, your help is required........

'All we need is you. 

With your help, we need to: 

• Convert our prototype to production-ready models and get all the regulatory approvals (yeah, we need these to sell them)
• Deliver developer kits (for early developers so we can have games on day one, though every console will include an SDK once we launch)
• Place our first production orders (we are working with a manufacturing firm with lots of game hardware experience, but we need to know how many to make!)
• Ideally, fund some initial game development (i.e., 1st-party games)

And if you’re international, we want your help too…gaming is global, and we will get you OUYA. We still have a lot to figure out in regards to rights and countries, but it can be done. Look what we've accomplished already!'

Show the world, through your numbers, that you're out there.

Moodle 4 Teachers workshop begins April 1

Being an advocate for the use of Moodle in education,  I would like to draw your attention to the following invitation for teachers. 
You are invited by Nellie Muller Deutsch ( http://www.integrating-technology.org/) to join the upcoming April 1, 2013 Moodle for Teachers 5-week course on Moodle 2.4 on IT4ALL. The course is fully supported and facilitated by an expert Moodler, but you can go at your own pace and complete the course at your convenience within 1-5 weeks or longer if you need to the time. The course caters to every level, but is not suitable for Moodle administrators. 
You will find a course syllabus here, 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19D9tue67AzIb2D-Yp4XFPU3BoKNT-tpydzE-n04lgHQ/edit#heading=h.47dfodxmi1n0
For those who wish to learn how to be admins and to manage a Moodle website, the admin course for Moodle teachers begins on May 1, 2013 https://docs.google.com/document/d/198FgVeVX26bZatNBNJehHWc_inCV90w2u85TsnYroqk/edit

The Passion of Christ.... from The Hague

'The Passion of Christ' was broadcast throughout The Netherlands from The Hague on Thursday 28 March(Donderdag 28 Maart).

Taking in many of the main sights of the 'City of Peace' and including musical spectacular plus the carrying of the cross into the city centre, the event was broadcast on the main national channel NOS1 (previously Netherlands 1).
The story moved from 'The Plein' where the last supper was staged, to the rail tracks where Judas struggled with his decision to give up Jesus  to the authorities. Onward to Scheveningen Pier standing in for the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was given up to the authorities.
Back at the Hofvijver ( the lake in front of the Dutch Parliament) where Mary was in full flow. Jesus eventually brought to the Hofvijver for his meeting with Pontius Pilot and eventual Crucifixion. The spectacle ended with Jesus appearing to everyone walking across the Hofvijver.
While the action was taking place the giant white Cross was making its way past The Peace Palace via Plein 1813, Noordeinde Palace to The Hofvijver for the finale.
This really was a good start to Easter in the city.