Stephen Blyth's Blog

Beer brewed by European monks stands out for its flavour and strength. The trappist monastery appellation is strictly controlled, though there has been known to be some scrapping, and the seven breweries accredited with the label all brew their strong ales with distinctive flavours. In Aotearoa we get most of the trappist bevies: Chimay, d’Orval, [...]

On Wednesday I finally decided how I’d rejig my computer set up. Because of the amount of work I do in front of a screen I thought I’d probably be more productive with a bigger one. Plus a couple of times recently, my presentations haven’t worked 100% because I included multi-media that can’t be handled [...]

I’m sure I could find somewhere on the Internet everything I want to know about Google, plus tonnes I don’t. There are websites with search guides, how-to videos, gossip, a Google maps mash-up list and much more. Next week I’m running a one hour training course on effective search techniques for people working as elder [...]

When I met Beth Kanter after having read her blog for several years she made a real impression on me. It wasn’t just her committed personal activism, wide ranging knowledge and willingness to share, so much as her phenomenal connectedness that struck me. Set loose on the keyboard and she connects with people, for just [...]

Downstairs in my office I’ve got a webserver running. On Wednesday night it began hosting this blog along with some other websites, programmes and my email from its new possie. The only thing I know about keeping it going is how to switch the power back on if we have a powercut. I appreciate the [...]

It was a year ago today that I purchased the domain www.commonknowledge.net.nz. This calls for raising of glasses and toasts. Not so much to celebrate the first birthday of a domain name, but to recognise I’ve been self-employed for my first year. Being self-employed has its up and downs but right now I’m feeling pretty [...]