Something I've been promising myself for a long time was to learn how to do packaging (the process of putting software into an Ubuntu supported installer format) properly and make use of the wonderful facilities provided by Launchpad that also include hosting and building package files for multiple architectures. The repository, called a Personal Package Archive (PPA) can be added to Ubuntu as a software source just like any other repository, and the files are even digitally signed so end users know they are getting the genuine article. I've put together packages before, but wanted to learn how to do it in a way that work with Launchpad as this seemed a much better way to facilitate the whole process. The PPA will be a home for various ideas I have for packages and also to some other package files for software I use but haven't found readily available on Ubuntu. Be warned some packages will be better than others! I will be announcing details of packages that I'm reasonably happy with here though.

When you have an idea, it is natural to want to write it down, plan it, structure it, work though its aspects to produce something solid. At one time this was difficult, people had to make do with whatever was at hand, an example is the Mini which was initially planned with a drawing on a cigaratte packet! Fortunately mind mapping software came along that allows you to plan and structure your ideas. This is not just useful for brainstorming but also useful for planning essays, mapping knowledge, producing system diagrams and countless other uses.

If you have recently been studying a course on OpenLearn you might have noticed the link to "Knowledge Maps" at the top left. This takes you to a page with resources for a special version of the Compendium software adapted for OpenLearn. The Compendium-OpenLearn software is explained more fully at http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/course/view.php?name=KM. I've been becoming increasingly interested in these sorts of mind mapping programs in the last few months and have found that it has many uses not just for your studies but can be used when you are trying to visualise ideas, or work out structures that help solve problems.