See the sound-Cymatics

Cymatics is the study of visual sound and vibration(this is done by exciting particles or liquids with sound).Everyone who is in anyway related to sound should see this at least once.
Check out this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9GBf8y0lY0.
And for those of you interested in the HOW the community of Cymatics is a great site to check out http://www.cymatics.co.uk

Blastwave Labs

Blastwave Labs

Great blog created by BlastWave Labs,developers of sound effects libraries for audio production.Besides the useful info,they have,from time to time,sound design competitions(the prizes are great!) and also one can download free packs of SFX.

Audio Engineering Society

Most of us know them already,but every student and newbie in the world of audio should take serious note of this site.This is a very active society that often provides conferences and conventions all across the world. Their site offers information for both students and professionals.There are also recording contests for students(never hurts to give it a shot).To top it all off- numerous tutorials and technical papers for the nerd in all of us.Oh and did I mention the magic words-job board?
Check them out at www.aes.org
Or at their youtube page http://www.youtube.com/AESorg

P.S..The deadline for the 128th Student Recording Competition is April 15,2010

VFS Sound Design Program

Located in Vancouver,BC(Canada) this school is becoming more and more known world wide.And rightly so-it somehow manages to pump out with incredible speed highly creative and capable of work people. Each program at the school is 12 months long with minimal breaks(4 days between terms). Think it's easy?You are very very wrong. The school definitely puts you through the grinder and there are,of course,every term a few "fallen soldiers" who suddenly realize that the tempo of the entertainment industry is not for them. Having personally gone through two different programs at this school,I am very happy that I have done so.
The Sound Design for Visual Media Program is amazing. The teachers are great,the equipment is breathtaking(yes,I am that nerdy),the curriculum is relevant. Both game and film audio are taught. There are four mix labs available and a mix theater,several ADR and foley stages. Basically this program will take you as far as you are willing to go-they will give you the tools and knowledge necessary,now all you need to do is sweat your rear off.At the end of the year you graduate with a diploma and a fairly big sound library. Check them out at www.vfs.com

P.S.When the advisors through at you something about how beautiful Vancouver is,please be advised that while it is a beautiful city,one can truly appreciate this beauty only 4 months out of the year,as the rest of the time it is wet and grey.

Oh,Mandy...

A great site on the global film market. Imagine an international yellowpages married to the international classifieds... for free (keyword). Did you imagine it?Isn't it a beautiful thing?Well,we think so anyways...
Check it out at www.mandy.com

LinkedIn

We all know that without the knowledge and help of those around us,neither one of us would ever get anywhere. The most important part of any business or career is the dreaded word "networking". Dreaded by me because,if a word would be able to give me an allergic reaction -this one would be it. Through my beginnings it has been drilled into my head by those around me with as much impact as they could muster.
One of the websites that I absolutely am grateful to the Mighty Internet for is www.Linkedin.com.It is an unbelievable tool that allows you to connect to all of your contacts and find numerous new ones.It is like facebook,but with a better purpose and without the awkward pictures.
Your profile is basically your resume,where people are also able to recommend you and write how amazingly great you are. The profile can be linked to an external website(perhaps one that has your demo-reel on it... hint hint) and to twitter.A variety of applications can also be used-all of them are business related(presentations,slideshows and so forth).
There are numerous groups available,where one can ask for advice,promote an event,discuss industry related news-basically (cringe) network.
The search engine allows you to look for people,company profiles,job postings and answers.If someone on the site is in your network but you are not directly acquainted,you can ask your contact to introduce you.
And of course,it is a global website.
All in all,a wonderful website and a great tool if used appropriately.And really,with all of the practice on facebook-very easy to figure out.