Issue number one hundred and eight (December 2009) in a series of Signposts from WorldU3A Inter-national Group and U3AOnline Australia, sent once a month, to any and all U3A members anywhere in the world.

Please send snippets of possible interest to one of the editors.
Feel free to copy this information in your newsletters.

Photography Groups: Here is a challenge... take a look at the wonder-filled website of Erik Johansson at http://www.alltelleringet.com/ and try your hand at something similar.

If you can get your resulting digital picture to me (tom@worldu3a.org) as a jpeg by 30th December it will be included in our January Signpost AND given space on our website http://worldu3a.org

(Thank you Alan Brown of U3A UK).

Book Groups and History Groups: This American education resource has two sections that merit discussion - the "essential reads" definitely so, and for History Groups there are leads to many other history resources.

http://onlineschool.net/2009/11/03/100-essential-reads-for-the-lifelong-learner/ and http://onlineschool.net/2009/08/04/100-best-book-blogs-for-history-buffs/

GOOGLE TRANSLATION has been constantly evolving for the better. In early November 2009, Google has announced quicker translation. That is, translation appears as you type along! This is simply superb and thrilling. The facility is available from English to fifty languages. http://translate.google.co.uk/#

Computer Groups: At TEDIndia, Pranav Mistry demonstrates several tools that help the physical world interact with the world of data -- including a deep look at his SixthSense device and a new, paradigm-shifting paper "laptop". Don't miss this... this approach to personal computer use will have far-reaching effects.

In an onstage Q&A, Mistry says he'll open-source the software behind SixthSense, to open its possibilities to all.

Hearty congratulations to the new U3A Linux User Group, which can be found at http://u3a-lug.u3anet.org.au/

Quite apart from its usefulness as a resource for those using (or thinking of using) Ubuntu and other flavours of Linux, it's a superb example of online cooperation between three U3A members, Mike Godfrey and Andy Pepperdine of U3A Bath, UK, and Brian Spilsbury in Goulburn, Australia. It's hosted in New South Wales, Australia.

The GeoIP Weather website at http://www.geoipweather.com/ very cleverly translates the Internet Provider information from the computer you are using (which knows your approximate location) and provides you with a four-day weather forecast.

The U3A Linux User Group and Ubuntu again. For those wishing to install and compare - download and read a 54-page pdf comprehensive guide at http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/the-incredible-guide-to-ubuntu-karmic-koala-linux-pdf/

(Thank you, Brian Spilsbury in Goulburn, Australia).