I can highly recommend taking an hour to watch episode 1 of this documentary following a young family’s epic journey around the world exploring all aspects of truly abundant, healthy, beneficial and integrative ways of living, farming and meeting our needs locally. I’d forgotten I’d micro-financed this so was well surprised to see my name in the end credits.

As the brains behind the popular Permaculture Media Blog and Permaculture Directory, with your backing this too could be a great success. Get the full details on the project’s goals, funding requirements and freebies for supporters at the indiegogo website.

Urban permaculture will be my focus post Permaculture Design Course seeing as I live in a town and this website and accompanying free eBook will become an invaluable resource for me personally. Best of luck Sophia!

Skip links are meant to address section 2.4.1 of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

Bypass Blocks: A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple Web pages. (Level A) Understanding SC2.4.1

Basically, a “Skip to main content” link at the top of the page moves the keyboard focus past any navigation links straight to the block where the main text of the page begins. This saves numerous presses of the Tab key to manually progress through the links present on a page that can be both tiring for users with a motor impairment and just plain annoying. It’s not intended to make the page physically jump down (auto scroll) to the article’s heading so it’s not “pointless” if this doesn’t happen.

Thierry Koblentz has an interesting proof of concept where, instead of the usual skip links before blocks of content, he explores the use of JavaScript and ARIA to allow keyboard users to jump from one block of content to the next using the Tab key then navigating links inside those blocks via the left and right arrow keys. For sighted keyboard navigators there’s also a visual cue for which block you have entered (and about to leave when you reach the last link). I like the idea behind this and the new label “Enhanced Keyboard Navigation” which activates the functionality is a better clue to those unfamiliar with the more traditional label.

On the show we talked a little about how we got involved in beekeeping and volunteering in general but missed out loads of name checks – especially Richard Chapman from Stoke High who, along with Susannah Robirosa – the development officer at PCG – is one of the project founders. Sorry!

The show is repeated again on Friday 9 March at 10am GMT and if you’re neither local or near a radio you can tune in via ICR’s website (they also throw up a permanent archive link in a week or so under “Listen Again” on the homepage). Access to Nature have an overview of the show online now.

Big Local is an exciting opportunity for residents in 150 areas around England to use at least £1m to make a massive and lasting positive difference to their communities. It’s about bringing together all the local talent, ambitions, skills and energy from individuals, groups and organisations who want to make their area an even better place to live.

Big Local is being run by Local Trust, which is working with £200m from the Big Lottery Fund and a range of partners providing expert advice and support for residents.Local Trust

I’m on the people’s panel for NW Ipswich Big Local and we’re busy learning the necessary skills to manage the project ourselves as well as drafting the Neighbourhood Community Plan and running the public consultation exercises. It’s exciting and daunting at the same time! Fellow panel member Becky Drewitt was interviewed recently (PDF, 449KB) as part of our case study status with the Local Trust. Becky reflects on her motivations behind stepping up to the plate and experiences so far – accurately reflecting the rest of the panel too I feel – well done Becky!

1. Create the structure bottom-up, label it top-down.
2. Use one categorisation scheme per menu (level).
3. Do not structure a website by audience. Just don’t. You’ll regret it.
4. Never use a bucket as a menu item.
5. Every item you add to a homepage takes attention away from every other item. (Also applies to other pages).
6. Sometimes improving a website means people spend less time on it.
7. Your site-search logs can tell you what people can’t find.
8. FAQs can be useful when they are actually user-driven, and then used to update site content. Otherwise avoid.

Read the detail behind each tip on Nomensa’s blog.

“For the average audience, the credits tell them there’s only three minutes left to eat popcorn. I take this ‘dead’ period and try to do more than simply get rid of names that filmgoers aren’t interested in. I aim to set up the audience for what’s coming; make them expectant.” — SAUL BASS

Really enjoyed this overview of Saul Bass title sequences featuring 46 of Bass’ title designs, over a thousand stills and an occasional video.

Eat Your World spotlights regional foods and drinks around the world. Local grub, typical fare, indigenous eats—we tell you what they are and where to find ‘em when you’re traveling.

I love this idea, we’re always keen to try the local cuisine when on holiday.

It is estimated that by 2030, 92 per cent of Britons will live in cities. The CEO of charity Trees for Cities on why its so important but difficult to plant trees in our streets.

I would add “don’t just plant any old tree – plant a fruiting tree…”

How two guys turned recycled coffee grounds into a gourmet mushroom empire.

via grist.org