Website update #2

As so often software systems grow or change like cities - largely unplanned. I started with some ideas on paper, but in the end I played a little bit with photoshop, dreamweaver and blogger and changed the website architecture & design.

The main reasons for the change were, (1) that I wanted to separate the private and research/studies area so that when someone googles me for my research (if that ever should happen :) he or she is not immediately forwarded to the private blog. (2) I wanted to get rid of the frameset and simplify maintenance and (3) I needed distraction from studying :)

It is still a beta version (I'm still looking for better pictures), but i hope you like it. However I would appreciate critical & constructive feedback, thanks!

Have a good weekend!

Website update

I plan to update my website and I started with a first draft of my future research/studies website on http://web.dis.unimelb.edu.au/Pgrad/berndp/
It's just a quick draft and I have not yet startet with a real design (it's definitely not very accessible yet), but any constructive feedback for that draft is welcome.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon on Brunswick St

Lazy Sunday Afternoon on Brunswick St,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

After 2 birthday parties and a volleyball game this weekend I enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon in a café on Brunswick St. The relaxed music reminds me of my favorite radio show FM4 sunny side up - and the cappuccino helps to cope with the slight headache. Have a good Sunday too!

The Dalai Lama in Melbourne

The Dalai Lama in Australia #1,
originally uploaded by bigbuloke.

I went to a talk of the 14th Dalai Lama in Melbourne last Saturday. I have to admit I was a little bit disappointed at the beginning, because I couldnt' find anything new in his talk. Furthermore it was difficult to understand due to the bad acoustics in the footie oval.
However after some time I got into what he was saying and I started enjoying his talk. He talked about nothing new: deep compassion for the people around us and feeling responsible for the whole world. What I enjoyed was that he seems to represent what he talks and that he admits that he has not an answer to all the questions asked by the audience. Most of all I enjoyed his smile, which has the power to make thousands of people laugh, and which gives them hope and a good feeling.

BTW: the "glorious" ACDC Lane in Melbourne

The "glorious" ACDC Lane in Melbourne,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

I hope the picture can give you an impression of one of the "highlights" in Melbourne. Not glorious, but cool and a famous club at the end of the lane. I would guess ACDC had some gigs there, but I'm not sure on that. I don't like their music too muc, but nevertheless I kind of like the band. They are from somewhere in Australia, and they remind me of my metal friends in Austria :)

Graffiti Sightseeing

Graffiti Sightseeing,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

Last week I had a sightseeing tour of a different kind: First it was the first time that I tried to show someone the highlights of Melbourne. Furthermore we did not focus only on the traditional highlights but were also looking for places with Graffitis.
Had a great afternoon, evening, but since then I 've been busy with assignments. Thus I have not yet finished the next newsletter, but I promise I will finish it soon (and hopefully also upload some new pics :)

Sightseeing in Melbourne

Federation Square,
originally uploaded by bernd ploderer.

I hope to see many of you as guests here in Melbourne one day. To know what is worthwile seeing I went sightseeing last Sunday with my colleagues Sevi & Silvi. The picture on the right shows Federation Square, the central place in the city. It has cool museums and bars, etc. If you want to see more pictures including some views from the Rialto Tower (253 metres high skyscraper) you've got to go to my flickr site