an inane question, please feel free to ignore.

[leln]

I just spent 80% of my Sunday editing a wiki as a project for my "Information Technology for Library Professionals" course  . I've never done this newfangled wiki-shit before (yes, I'm a Luddite, I work in a library devoted to preserving physical copies of old books, fuck off). To make a long story short, my project was to construct a wiki tutorial for OpenOffice Base. It's taken more time than I'd like because I had to create multiple wiki pages and upload dozens of screenshots. In honor of the weekend, I've been sipping whiskey and listening to the Pandora Irish Pub Rock station since 5 o'clock.

The point: there's a shitload of wizards available to guide the user in this program. When I'm presenting my project to the class, should I mention the fact that I had to exert an enormous amount of willpower to keep from slipping in comments like "and if you're so inclined, you can put on your robe and wizard hat," or "opt for the funny clothes and twinkling bell" if you're unsure how to structure your query? Or should I keep that facet of my nerdiness closeted?

I'm loopy from mental exertion and alcohol. Any input is appreciated, I can only hope that this is entertaining rather than infuriating.

[Juana]

Keep it to yourself. There's nothing wrong with inserting humor, but that doesn't sound situationally appropriate to me.

[Richter]

Note should also be made that I am loopy form illness and alcohol.  While opening with a joke is excellent in workplace, panel discussion, or speech context, for a class presentation I'm not certain.  You know the attitude of the class better.

For what it's worth; I'd default in favor of a picture of a wizard kitty.  Even if no one catches the robe/wizard hat thing, lolcats have more universal appeal.

The source of said meme is here:  http://bash.org/?104383

[leln]

Keep it to yourself. There's nothing wrong with inserting humor, but that doesn't sound situationally appropriate to me.

Thanks. The professor is from Taiwan and I have at least one classmate who strikes me as the "too cool for school" type (which should be bullshit if you're paying for grad school, but that's a rant of its own). If the humor gets lost due to ignorance I might as well save myself the effort and focus on the presentational points with potential for getting a better grade.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Injecting humor really seems to depend on your instructor and how well you know them. I have included "5 free Thetans" into my papers, but only when I knew my instructor would find it funny.

[navkat]

I say inject the humor if that's what true to yourself. Don't get into the habit of compromising your writing style and second-guessing yourself early because it takes a loooong ass time to untangle yourself from that mindset once you start.

Be capable of writing a serious report, yes but if it's not inappropriate to speak from your own voice then do so wherever possible.

[Doktor Howl]

I say give them exactly what they asked for.  Save the humor for situations that don't involve possibly fucking your education because someone didn't get a joke.

[leln]

Good points, I appreciate the guidance. If the nerdiness slips out during my presentation I won't beat myself up, but I'll keep it out of the formal project and the plans for my speech.

[navkat]

Bear in mind that I'm socially defunct so Rog and Nigel are probably right.

[DECI4]

Check this song out guys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_JVbSzbxzM

[Faust]

Second person, passive voice. People are there to quickly get the information they need, humour will just confuse them.

[leln]

Second person, passive voice. People are there to quickly get the information they need, humour will just confuse them.

Very true. If I'm lucky I'll be in the second round of presentations, so by then people will be zoning out for any topic they're not inherently curious about. And while the idea of getting information entered in a centralized, interconnected and efficient fashion makes me happy, I can respect that not everyone finds the subject engaging.