Yes folks, it’s that time of year for……..THE BLACK WEBLOG AWARDS!

Schools use technology, students use technology. What do you need to buy your student in addition to spirals and ballpoint pens to make sure they are technologically supplied and ready for school? We'll look at some software and security essentials for computers first, and then talk about hardware for students who are still at home and for students who are in school away from home.

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. --The US Constitution

I spent last weekend at DrupalCamp Colorado 2008, where 100+ Drupal enthusiasts gathered to meet each other, share knowledge, and spread the word about Drupal. And I always come away from these events with a charge of energy from being around so much enthusiasm and passion for open source. But I also come away with a bit of wonder at why there aren't more women involved, at least in a public way. The only barriers to entry are self-imposed. No gatekeepers. No glass ceilings. I haven't figured it out yet.

Who is your family? Who is your community? And what would its keynote say?The final question is more recent, but I've asked myself the first two questions a lot since I started writing in this topic area about a year ago, mostly because I like to make sure I'm not completely screwing it up, writing about, oh, say, Muppets and marching bands when something a bit more, oh, familial, is called for.

It was barely over a week ago on the blog of famous baking expert Dorie Greenspan that I first heard about Operation Baking GALS, a project started by Susan Whetzel of Doughmesstic. I'm not a baker, so I didn't pay much attention to it at first.