SCRUM-ptious

As mentioned in my last blog post SCRUM is a management method that stems from ‘agile’. Evernote notes

SCRUM is lightweight and perfect for clarity when a team work together in order to reach a common goal. It is flexible in the sense that is so fast paced that can easily be re adapted around the clients needs. In the case of the cork LGBT archives this method works very well as new content may be discovered as any point. http://corklgbtarchive.com

Here is an image of the SCRUM plan

This can be broken down to To do, doing and done. In assigning each person a colour per sticky note this allows each member to be able to clearly see the progression of the project. The transparency here keeps the flow of the project in manageable chunks with the relief at the end of saying ‘done’ to reduce pressure and increase productivity.

 

 

 

turtley-awesome!

Nothing too profound-Here’s a happy turtle with the right perspective!

Have a nice day!

Shave or dye

In aid of the Irish cancer society-please donate any amount below to this link. 100% of the money goes to the charity and is a very trustworthy website “Justgiving”. The smallest amount makes a difference.

Thank you!!

https://www.justgiving.com/Eva-Wallace/

At the euro,euro-peana

To keep things a little Digital Humanities again folks I’d like to mention a new tool we were introduced to in class called “Europeana” http://europeana.eu/portal/ .

This tool, as you can now see is used to view pieces of art,text,video-history in a webpage quite simply. Firstly I searched “Birth of the Venus” by Boticelli and the book of kells as I have previously studied these pieces in the past in great detail. I really love how several versions of the pieces are readily available as opposed to just a picture.

Secondly I found it to be quite unique how the webpage allows the user to easily progress between formats at the press of  button between text to video to 3D. I think that in availing from these formats gives the user a deeper perspective and the sensation of a hands on approach that could not be achieved in real life.

My mild criticism:(Before I explain how I like this tool I would just like to outline that the only drawback I found from the page was at times the loading period was quite long.)However I found the page user friendly and liked how it bridged between blogs and pinterest also.

As we have discussed in class-of course there is a downside in is this really how he artist intended their experience,through a screen? Yet at the same time I think that it allows the work to be shared vastly to the world as opposed to those who are lucky enough to get the opportunity to visit the pieces. As well as this, this digital representation allows the user to see the “nitty gritty” of the piece,how it’s made.

In summation in what I feel was most important from this tool it allows immortality of the pieces-untouchable from decay sitting cozily on a server. I found this idea reminiscent to the poem “Shall I compare thee” by Shakespeare (wow this is getting cheesy) in which he states: “But thy eternal summer shall not fade, Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st, Nor shall death brag thou wand’rest in his shade, When in eternal lines to Time thou grow’st. So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.” I find that this similarly encapsulates the infinite nature of the art when documented in this way.

Love is an open souurce!

Getting a bit digital humanities here..

Here to embed!

http://static.fsf.org/nosvn/FSF30-video/FSF_30_720p.webm

In a previous DH class we discussed the concept of open source. Open source is defined as “denoting software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified”. I feel that this is an exciting and refreshing idea that most certainly be kept up and not locked down. With this, we as an internet community(granted we all get along for a little while) can grow at an extremely rapid rate evolving for the better. Of course there is drawbacks of open source software whether it be slower download times or updates that are not as up to scratch,if the “open source movement” is harnessed correctly it could vastly improve software. For example user interface created from people from every field-not just a sweaty coding mastermind with no other skill. I feel that with this software can be created collaboratively towards whats really needed,not just technically correct. Above to further explain I have embedded a video from “http://www.fsf.org/”. As always feel free to comment!

Have a nice day!:)

Eva x

Breaking free!-soooarinn’

“Life begins where your comfort zone ends”. Have you ever just broken the mold and done something that would usually make you uncomfortable? Many of us are stuck in a rut of what is safe to us, what we know best but is that always a good thing?

It’s amazing the freedom experienced when you just “go for it”-get that piercing! Get that gym bod that you wanted,whatever! carve that rocking chair, no time like the present! I, personally have done this a few times from that awkward 10 year old Gothic phase to piercing despite my fear of needles and forcing myself to speak in public etc. I am going to try to make a habit of keeping to push the comfort zone boundaries and I’ll dye my hair (again) but for the cancer society as part of shave or dye(all donations are welcome of course 😉 https://www.justgiving.com/Eva-Wallace/) feel free to accompany my efforts whether in participating in the campaign or doing something new!

Best of luck!

Eva x

Flow-rida

As I have mentioned in a previous post(“If you’re happy and you know it”) I watched the documentary “Happy”. Mentioned as a secret to happiness was the concept of “Flow” which peaked my interest. What flow is in terms of psychology is what some people may call “in the zone”-being totally absorbed by a task. This aligns your emotions,channels them into the task at hand. Examples of tasks to immerse yourself in may be work,dance,yoga,meditation, music, whatever is of great enough interest to get lost in.

Upon further research to wikipedia it states that

Schaffer (2013) proposed seven flow conditions:

1. Knowing what to do
2. Knowing how to do it
3. Being aware of  how well you are doing
4. Knowing where to go
5. High perceived challenges
6. High perceived skills
7. Freedom from distractions

I found the idea of flow to be very interesting and I will post further bits and pieces in relation to flow again. Till then feel free yet again to comment and give thoughts-maybe experiences.

Have a nice day!-Eva x

Cause I’m happyy

Here’s a little optimistic challenge,again feel free to post your results and opinions below!

Have a nice day

I got the power

The inspiration for this blog post, I received from watching a Ted talk by Amy Cuddy. In summation her talk was on how it is possible to change the mind with the body. This concept is one that I have previously heard of in the sense that forcing a smile when down can lift a mood, but this was in a deeper sense.
Amy introduced the idea of “power posing” that is scientifically proven to make a person feel more powerful. These poses traditionally associated with power such as hands on hips,being outstretched, being broad, with practice can even change hormone levels. Increasing the levels of testosterone of course associated with power and dominance and decreasing the level of cortisol in association with stress.

In the past I had faked this confidence for numerous speeches and presentations and I do agree that it does just become.That much like the theories of Joe Dispenza you believe yourself as a placebo. This little trick can be used to pretty much transform a person.Even with job interviews,a necessary for all it can aid a person in giving a better betrayal of themselves in being positive and confident-qualities always appreciated in the workplace.

I felt that for me, this is very useful and interesting advice so I took the liberty of sharing 😉
Finally, in the words of Amy Cuddy “don’t fake it till you make it,fake it till you become it.”