I started using Leo’s English – German dictionary regularly long time ago – in the late 90s. I think it must have been about 1997 or 1998 at my first full-time job after uni. The vocabulary wasn’t as extensive as it is today. And at the time many people questioned and challenged its reputation as a reference. But, working in an IT company, we had unlimited access to the Internet. And Leo’s website was accessible from every workplace, whereas hard copy dictionaries were few and bulky.

I remember lively discussions with a secondary school teacher for German and English. Her main point was that there was too little information on usage and folks studying English as a second language would be confused and misled by the simple list views. I felt that this also applied to most hard copy dictionaries. Regarding usage I – in turn- recommended Oxford’s monolingual Advanced Learner’s Dictionary.

From early on, Leo offered access to a forum where dictionary users could ask questions, make suggestions, improve dictionary entries, clarify usage, etc. And they added links to other language resources. Which indirectly helped me to find a job during the dotcom downturn.

Well, here I am walking to the office in Züri on a fine, sunny morning… just 13 years later… and Leo is helping to sell smartphones:

Related links:
Leo’s history
Online version of Oxford Advanced Learner Dictionary

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Leo

Some links that @handmade2_0 suggested:

Fixing Powerpoint Annoyances

25 Powerpoint Tips

Merci vielmol!

While searching about recommended font sizes, I found this page on viewing distance and font size. I always learnt the minimum font size should be 18pt. But it seems there are creative agencies that suggest 15pt.

In the backlogs of Chiperoni, there is a very useful website if you are moving PPT slides from Mac to PC or vice versa.

Any other useful sites for Powerpoint?

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Powerpoint resources

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Fun Photo Project

I just installed WordPress 3.0. Everything seems to be running smoothly.

And I found a new minimal theme to try out: Carrington Text.

Me and WP go back a long way.

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Installed WordPress 3.0

Tour de Benelux without Lux.

It was great to meet with the class. And I really liked the lecturers this time.

The first week in Utrecht and De Ruwenberg and Tilburg was very busy with lots of late nights to finish assignments. And I didn’t really have any time to explore.

Bruxelles
It was fun walking around Bruxelles again. 17 years after I had studied there for a year. Although speaking French took getting used to. I don’t switch easily between languages.

Lots of good food. I can recommend:

• Belga Queen
• Bonsoir Clara

Tried this patisserie on Grand Sablon. The sweets were great but the service was very don’t carish.

There has been an explosion of chocolate shops in the downtown area. So many. One lecturer recommended Marcolini, while another suggested Frederic Bloondeel near the Sainte Catherine church.

Apparently Belgian chocolate contains less sugar than Swiss chocolate and it is softer (i.e more conching is applied).

All the Belgians we asked were in favor of separating Flanders and Wallonia into 2 separate states.

I went for a walk thru Schaerbeek where I stayed when I was a poor student.

The cinema was right across from the hotel. The same cinema where I watched Schindler’s List 16 to 17 years ago. Watched a couple of movies including an Argentinian film called El secreto de sus ojos. It was in Spanish with French and Dutch sub-titles. Excellent film. Category: must see.

I’ve always wondered why so many tourists travel to Bruxelles. I guess it offers good food, interesting architecture, lots of museums and it’s probably less expensive than Paris. By the end of my stay I was nearly persuaded to go back for a long weekend…

Some wild snapshots in the true Chiperoni tradition:

The flight attendant on Saturday’s 18:35 Swiss flight from Brussels to Zurich was very friendly. Thank you. It helps.

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Tour de Benelux

Try entering Mchenga.

Select Chichewa/Chinyanja to English

Click Translate

mchenga 1.sand; maziko ena onse npamchenga = all other foundations are on sand (see: hymn 362, Nyimbo za Mulungu); expression: walemba pamchenga (lit.: you have written in the sand) = you’ve wasted your time; expression: kugwetserana mu mchenga (lit.: throwing one another on the sand) = reconciliation;

Read more at Clement Nyirenda’s blog

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Online dictionary for Chichewa

Follow the tweet stream at @makerfairafrica

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MakerFaireAfrica

(…) we should not be sacrificing our own personal ideals and our own internal moral compasses in a never-ending battle for position, for status, for scoops, or for access.

While 2010 is the year where many will find ways to monetize their online blogs, photos and apps (which is ok), don’t forget your personal voice.

Even if you have only 5 readers per day, you have influence.

There are enough echo chambers.

I spend a lot of time reading online. And there is a lot of repetition.

Don’t sell out to the latest SEO and social media marketing gimmicks. It’s a fact: google-bombing your way into Google’s top ten is getting more difficult by the day. Esp. for common terms. Even if you follow all the social media marketing advice out there. There is no silver bullet. Consider plain, old-fashioned offline marketing as well.

Remember why you started blogging and tweeting and have fun.

Stay independent.

I know why I am here. I enjoy writing. I like documenting my web world. The tools that I used. The feedback that I get.

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More visits, more hits, more SEO tips

I like the Brian Solis quotes:

• Use of tools such as Facebook and Twitter does not guarantee people will listen.
• Engage your customers in meaningful conversations, empowering them as true participants in your marketing and service efforts.

And you need good content. Just blasting out your marketing message will not lead to dialog and engagement.

Slides (in German) for future reference

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Engaging customers

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Rainy