Ian Gibson
@iangibson.bsky.social
Librarian. University of Guelph. Not terrific but competent.
Reposted by Ian Gibson
I wanted dinner recommendations so I scraped 13,000+ London restaurants and accidentally discovered Google Maps is running a shadow economy. Anyway here's a dashboard and a political economy thesis: open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...
How Google Maps quietly allocates survival across London’s restaurants - and how I built a dashboard to see through it
I wanted a dinner recommendation and got a research agenda instead. Using 13000+ restaurants, I rebuild its ratings with machine learning and map how algorithmic visibility actually distributes power.
open.substack.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:53 AM
I wanted dinner recommendations so I scraped 13,000+ London restaurants and accidentally discovered Google Maps is running a shadow economy. Anyway here's a dashboard and a political economy thesis: open.substack.com/pub/laurenle...
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Ahem, taxes go a long way to pay for more domestic seats a public universities in Canada. Just saying….i mean in case you didn’t know…No foreign students don’t take those spots…oh I see you don’t understand how Canadian universities are funded. But are pissed your kid was rejected…and hate taxes…
Who wants to tell Ruby we have at least four Ruby’s for every dimestically funded spot. At least. Grades, grades, grades. Man, have I seen grades. Impossible grades. For so many students for so few funded seats
macleans.ca/education/st...
macleans.ca/education/st...
Canada’s University Admissions Process Is Burning Students Out - Macleans.ca
I’m a third-year student in a highly competitive program. Here’s what I think needs to change about university admissions in Canada.
macleans.ca
December 10, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Ahem, taxes go a long way to pay for more domestic seats a public universities in Canada. Just saying….i mean in case you didn’t know…No foreign students don’t take those spots…oh I see you don’t understand how Canadian universities are funded. But are pissed your kid was rejected…and hate taxes…
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Is The Temporary Foreign Worker Program working? We asked 4 Tim Hortons franchise owners, and one slum landlord
Is The Temporary Foreign Worker Program working? We asked 4 Tim Hortons franchise owners, and one slum landlord
The Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program allows Canadian employers to hire foreign workers to fill temporary jobs when qualified Canadians are not available, and that's why it is completely uncontro...
www.thebeaverton.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Is The Temporary Foreign Worker Program working? We asked 4 Tim Hortons franchise owners, and one slum landlord
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Happy anniversary, to those who celebrate
h/t @calphonso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/news/tor...
h/t @calphonso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/news/tor...
December 10, 2024 at 12:53 AM
Happy anniversary, to those who celebrate
h/t @calphonso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/news/tor...
h/t @calphonso.bsky.social
www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/news/tor...
Capturing the tenor of the Finch LRT discussion on here this morning perfectly.
December 7, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Capturing the tenor of the Finch LRT discussion on here this morning perfectly.
Reposted by Ian Gibson
On this day in 1989, an armed gunman murdered 14 women at École Polytechnique de Montréal. Another ten women and four men were injured.
The anniversary of the massacre is commemorated annually on Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The anniversary of the massacre is commemorated annually on Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
December 6, 2025 at 12:45 PM
On this day in 1989, an armed gunman murdered 14 women at École Polytechnique de Montréal. Another ten women and four men were injured.
The anniversary of the massacre is commemorated annually on Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The anniversary of the massacre is commemorated annually on Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Naming things is fraught with peril but I think the school board got this one right. Two Rivers Secondary School sounds good to me www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/h...
Here's the name being recommended for Guelph's new high school
The shortlisted names were Between the Lakes, Miskwaadesi, Royal Arbour, Stonebridge and Two Rivers
www.guelphtoday.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Naming things is fraught with peril but I think the school board got this one right. Two Rivers Secondary School sounds good to me www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/h...
Let's have some of this in Guelph please.
Single stair urbanism.
Dense, green, accessible.
Small lot development with a big impact on the housing and climate crises.
We have more options than mansions and towers. Let’s go!
Dense, green, accessible.
Small lot development with a big impact on the housing and climate crises.
We have more options than mansions and towers. Let’s go!
December 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Let's have some of this in Guelph please.
The last step of my first library interview was meeting with Dick... the meeting was scheduled for 15 minutes... over an hour later his assistant popped in and said "Damnit Dick shut up and end it, you're late for you next meeting!" www.barretts.ca/obituaries/R...
Obituary information for Richard "Dick" Harold Ellis
View Richard "Dick" Harold Ellis's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.
www.barretts.ca
December 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM
The last step of my first library interview was meeting with Dick... the meeting was scheduled for 15 minutes... over an hour later his assistant popped in and said "Damnit Dick shut up and end it, you're late for you next meeting!" www.barretts.ca/obituaries/R...
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Did you know that Canada has an Agricultural Hall of Fame?
It has existed for the past 65 years and honours those who have made major contributions to agriculture and the food industry in Canada.
It is located in Toronto, and this is its history.
🧵 1/5
It has existed for the past 65 years and honours those who have made major contributions to agriculture and the food industry in Canada.
It is located in Toronto, and this is its history.
🧵 1/5
December 3, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Did you know that Canada has an Agricultural Hall of Fame?
It has existed for the past 65 years and honours those who have made major contributions to agriculture and the food industry in Canada.
It is located in Toronto, and this is its history.
🧵 1/5
It has existed for the past 65 years and honours those who have made major contributions to agriculture and the food industry in Canada.
It is located in Toronto, and this is its history.
🧵 1/5
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Do you like audio books?
Do you like Christmas?
Do you like *Christmas* audio books?
I MADE ONE!
Link to a sample on the product page.
Check out the main profile for recordings of 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' and 'The Raven'!
(I do voiceover in my other life.)
#audiobook #Christmas #Dickens
Do you like Christmas?
Do you like *Christmas* audio books?
I MADE ONE!
Link to a sample on the product page.
Check out the main profile for recordings of 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' and 'The Raven'!
(I do voiceover in my other life.)
#audiobook #Christmas #Dickens
A Christmas Carol audiobook
My reading of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Complete and unabridged. You can select to download either a single file, or separate files for each chapter.You can hear a two-minute sample from the...
voiceofi.gumroad.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Do you like audio books?
Do you like Christmas?
Do you like *Christmas* audio books?
I MADE ONE!
Link to a sample on the product page.
Check out the main profile for recordings of 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' and 'The Raven'!
(I do voiceover in my other life.)
#audiobook #Christmas #Dickens
Do you like Christmas?
Do you like *Christmas* audio books?
I MADE ONE!
Link to a sample on the product page.
Check out the main profile for recordings of 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' and 'The Raven'!
(I do voiceover in my other life.)
#audiobook #Christmas #Dickens
Wouldn’t it be easier to just regulate building dimensions and setbacks and stop worrying about number of units? www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/c...
City considers allowing 5+ units in low-density zones
After approving four unit developments on low-density residential lots last year, the city is now considering bumping the allowance to five to 12 units per lot
www.guelphtoday.com
December 2, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Wouldn’t it be easier to just regulate building dimensions and setbacks and stop worrying about number of units? www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/c...
Reposted by Ian Gibson
OCUL’s new AI Exchange Program launches in 2026!
This is a chance to learn from our member libraries about their local AI training & tools. OCUL members can submit session proposals starting today.
Read more: ocul.on.ca/ai-exchange-...
Stay tuned for session dates and registration!
This is a chance to learn from our member libraries about their local AI training & tools. OCUL members can submit session proposals starting today.
Read more: ocul.on.ca/ai-exchange-...
Stay tuned for session dates and registration!
December 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
OCUL’s new AI Exchange Program launches in 2026!
This is a chance to learn from our member libraries about their local AI training & tools. OCUL members can submit session proposals starting today.
Read more: ocul.on.ca/ai-exchange-...
Stay tuned for session dates and registration!
This is a chance to learn from our member libraries about their local AI training & tools. OCUL members can submit session proposals starting today.
Read more: ocul.on.ca/ai-exchange-...
Stay tuned for session dates and registration!
Reposted by Ian Gibson
#LibraryJobs @mcgilllib.bsky.social seeks applications for the position of Associate Dean, Collection Services. Deadline: January 7, 2026.
Details: partnershipjobs.ca/job/associat...
Details: partnershipjobs.ca/job/associat...
Associate Dean, Collection Services | The Partnership Job Board
The McGill Library seeks a forward-thinking, collaborative and energetic leader with a keen sense of the evolving 21st-century research library, to lead and to assume overall responsibility for the po...
partnershipjobs.ca
December 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
#LibraryJobs @mcgilllib.bsky.social seeks applications for the position of Associate Dean, Collection Services. Deadline: January 7, 2026.
Details: partnershipjobs.ca/job/associat...
Details: partnershipjobs.ca/job/associat...
I don’t expect the government will do anything until we get a second Laurentian - they’ve already done the tried and try buck passing of convening an expert panel… and obviously fixing the funding formula only moves the deck chairs without more money globalnews.ca/news/1154708...
Ontario weighing changes to formula that funds colleges, universities | Globalnews.ca
The province's public colleges and universities have endured two years of cuts and layoffs since a federal cap on the number of international students was introduced.
globalnews.ca
December 1, 2025 at 12:56 PM
I don’t expect the government will do anything until we get a second Laurentian - they’ve already done the tried and try buck passing of convening an expert panel… and obviously fixing the funding formula only moves the deck chairs without more money globalnews.ca/news/1154708...
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Excited to share a new video I produced with Urbanarium on their Decoding Timber Towers competition, which challenged teams to design 8–20+ storey buildings out of wood!
Check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ42...
Check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ42...
Did these designs crack the code to wood towers?
YouTube video by About Here
www.youtube.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Excited to share a new video I produced with Urbanarium on their Decoding Timber Towers competition, which challenged teams to design 8–20+ storey buildings out of wood!
Check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ42...
Check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ42...
Sounds to me like not enough money and no political will to get it done in a more timely manner… I’m sure things would be better if @mikeschreiner.bsky.social were premier tritag.github.io/blog/2025/11...
Waiting for the train: Why Kitchener still lacks all-day GO service
It’s a question every Waterloo Region commuter has asked while stuck on a packed GO bus or waiting in the cold at Kitchener GO: “why don’t we have reliable two-way, all-day GO train service to Toronto...
tritag.github.io
November 29, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Sounds to me like not enough money and no political will to get it done in a more timely manner… I’m sure things would be better if @mikeschreiner.bsky.social were premier tritag.github.io/blog/2025/11...
Reposted by Ian Gibson
Me: Claude 4.5 Opus, I need a strategy game based on the work of Weber
Claude: Here's one based on David Weber's space operas
Me: Not that Weber
C: Here's a game based on sociologist Max Weber
Me: Not that one
C: The operas of Carl Maria von Weber?
Me: No
C: Here is one using Weber grills!
Claude: Here's one based on David Weber's space operas
Me: Not that Weber
C: Here's a game based on sociologist Max Weber
Me: Not that one
C: The operas of Carl Maria von Weber?
Me: No
C: Here is one using Weber grills!
November 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Me: Claude 4.5 Opus, I need a strategy game based on the work of Weber
Claude: Here's one based on David Weber's space operas
Me: Not that Weber
C: Here's a game based on sociologist Max Weber
Me: Not that one
C: The operas of Carl Maria von Weber?
Me: No
C: Here is one using Weber grills!
Claude: Here's one based on David Weber's space operas
Me: Not that Weber
C: Here's a game based on sociologist Max Weber
Me: Not that one
C: The operas of Carl Maria von Weber?
Me: No
C: Here is one using Weber grills!
Reposted by Ian Gibson
there is a woman on TikTok who has been arguing for months now with randos that keep insisting that nobody called 3.5" disks "floppy disks" or "floppies" at the time. it's weird. no matter what kind of proof she provides or how many agree with her, people are coming out of the woodwork to disagree
November 24, 2025 at 12:15 AM
there is a woman on TikTok who has been arguing for months now with randos that keep insisting that nobody called 3.5" disks "floppy disks" or "floppies" at the time. it's weird. no matter what kind of proof she provides or how many agree with her, people are coming out of the woodwork to disagree
I have always loved this image…
November 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
I have always loved this image…
Reposted by Ian Gibson
HEY! Look what's on sale for the Nintendo Switch! What a cute looking little game. So bright and colourful! So full of fun and adventure and silly physics. I bet this is a guaranteed good time had by all. www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
Moving Houses for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site
Buy Moving Houses and shop other great Nintendo products online at the official My Nintendo Store.
www.nintendo.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:13 PM
HEY! Look what's on sale for the Nintendo Switch! What a cute looking little game. So bright and colourful! So full of fun and adventure and silly physics. I bet this is a guaranteed good time had by all. www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...
So frustrated with the state of Transit between Guelph and Toronto. Meeting coming up in Ottawa and there's no combination of trains that doesn't either leave me stranded in Toronto for 2 hours or involve a 2.5 hour bus odyssey OR BOTH at the end of it! Ridiculous...
I guess I will be flying.
I guess I will be flying.
November 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM
So frustrated with the state of Transit between Guelph and Toronto. Meeting coming up in Ottawa and there's no combination of trains that doesn't either leave me stranded in Toronto for 2 hours or involve a 2.5 hour bus odyssey OR BOTH at the end of it! Ridiculous...
I guess I will be flying.
I guess I will be flying.
Reposted by Ian Gibson
ICYMI: We're hiring for a new role at OCUL.
Deadline for applications is coming up fast!
Deadline for applications is coming up fast!
We're hiring: Network Zone Collections Coordinator.
Join the collaborative OCUL team and support shared library systems, licensing workflows and consortial resource access across Ont. academic libraries.
Applications due Nov. 27 @ 5 p.m. ET.
Full job & application info: ocul.on.ca/job-network-...
Join the collaborative OCUL team and support shared library systems, licensing workflows and consortial resource access across Ont. academic libraries.
Applications due Nov. 27 @ 5 p.m. ET.
Full job & application info: ocul.on.ca/job-network-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:27 PM
ICYMI: We're hiring for a new role at OCUL.
Deadline for applications is coming up fast!
Deadline for applications is coming up fast!
I'm always struck in these kinds of comparisons just how well Guelph, MPOW, scores. I always use Dal, Queen's, USask (and UVic and SFU) as comparators but maybe it's time to throw Manitoba into the mix too!
Today's blog is a tour through comparitive bibliometrics. Some universities (UVic, MUN) punch way above their weight while others (Alberta, Manitoba) pack curiously little punch. And our very best universities don't seem to match well against the best in places like CH, NL & AU.
Scholarly Outputs | HESA
Every couple of years, I do an analysis of Candian university research ouptut data from the Leiden rankings, which always provide excellent and transparent data on publications and citations linked to...
higheredstrategy.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
I'm always struck in these kinds of comparisons just how well Guelph, MPOW, scores. I always use Dal, Queen's, USask (and UVic and SFU) as comparators but maybe it's time to throw Manitoba into the mix too!
I wish we had something like the REM linking together KW, Cambridge, Guelph and maybe even Hamilton… routes where a full sized GO train is probably overkill but the route is probably too much for Ion style light rail…
Montreal’s Biggest REM Expansion Yet! (with Reece Martin)
Montreal’s Biggest REM Expansion Yet! (with Reece Martin)
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 9:31 PM
I wish we had something like the REM linking together KW, Cambridge, Guelph and maybe even Hamilton… routes where a full sized GO train is probably overkill but the route is probably too much for Ion style light rail…