Tiny Grass

I remember getting an encyclopedia as a kid - it was a big deal.  We couldn’t afford an Encyclopedia Encyclopaedia Britannica and got Grolier’s instead (I guess it’s the difference between Harvard and a state school).  My dad’s first job in America was selling encyclopedias door-to-door, and I wondered whether the industry would survive the internet.  Wikipedia was the potential stake in the heart, except it’s not a true authority.  You know that the facts are right in an Encyclopedia Encyclopaedia Britannica.

EB wised up and has unveiled Britannica Webshare - basically Britannica widgets for bloggers.  In their own words:

A special program for web publishers, including bloggers, webmasters, and anyone who writes for the Internet. You get complimentary access to the Encyclopaedia Britannica online and, if you like, an easy way to give your readers background of the topics you write about with links to complete Britannica articles.

I love this - I’ve liked Wikipedia for the convenience, but always knew that there was a possibility of opinion or misinformation.  Now we can get access to more reliable information, which is an absolute goddess-send for homeschoolers everywhere.  I tried signing up and their registration form seems busted, so perhaps they’re getting deluged with requests.

Another bonus - I’m pretty sure they have no information on Britney Spears, Paris Hilton or other objects of popular obsession.  I don’t know for sure, since I haven’t had access to an Encyclopedia Encyclopaedia Britannica for ages.  It’s very possible that the’ve succumbed (or will) to compete with Wikipedia, but such a move would rank right up there with MC Hammer’s gangsta album.  Hammer’s ability to be a hard-as-nails OG is about as believable as the Encyclopedia Encyclopaedia Britannica giving a crap about going into rehab for the 8th time.

I tried 3 podcasts today - Notes in Spanish: Inspired Beginnners, Spanish Para Todos and SpanishPod. I have to say that I was disappointed in all three of them. I’m can’t say whether they are really poor or not, but after Coffee Break Spanish, they seem to lack organization and verve. It may well be that Coffee Break Spanish works for me, so perhaps these podcasts shouldn’t be counted out unless you try them yourself. Read more »

We need to learn Spanish to prepare for life in Costa Rica. I had a lot of fun immersing myself while we were there, and except for one occasion at a bus terminal where I was completely dumbfounded, I was able to communicate well enough. It would be really helpful to learn some of the grammar and improve my vocabulary for our return to Costa Rica.

I’m always on the lookout for free online resources since I spend a lot of time at a computer. I’m getting close to mastering my Inbox. I use Google Reader and Google Alerts to keep up with websites, blogs and news topics. And now I’ve come across some websites that offer opportunities to learn Spanish for free, thanks to Wide Open Education, a website devoted to online learning. Read more »