Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Friday, August 16, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Programming Principles for Life
I was reading a post on Google's Official Blog and learned about Google's g2g and I2P programs.
The blog post (Finding the inner programmer in every Googler) is written from the perspective of an HR employee who was able to learn Python to make a process faster and more efficient. He didn't know programming, but he taught himself in order to achieve his goal. After folks learned about what he did, they wanted him to teach them how to code as well. This is how Google's I2P developed.
Here's the quote that hits the nail on the head, a list of principles which are from programming but that can apply to a variety of situations in life:
"If you’re interested in learning how to code, here are three tips from the course that you can practice on your own. While I’ve learned these principles via programming, they can be helpful in all kinds of fields!
The blog post (Finding the inner programmer in every Googler) is written from the perspective of an HR employee who was able to learn Python to make a process faster and more efficient. He didn't know programming, but he taught himself in order to achieve his goal. After folks learned about what he did, they wanted him to teach them how to code as well. This is how Google's I2P developed.
Here's the quote that hits the nail on the head, a list of principles which are from programming but that can apply to a variety of situations in life:
"If you’re interested in learning how to code, here are three tips from the course that you can practice on your own. While I’ve learned these principles via programming, they can be helpful in all kinds of fields!
- Practice and theory. You learn best when you have something to apply your learning to. With programming, find a project you want to apply your skills to and build the knowledge necessary to accomplish your project.
- Bad habits die hard. If you are writing messy or convoluted code, you are building habits that will be very hard to break. Better to overcome the pain of doing it the right way initially so that you never have to go back and change.
- Get feedback. Just because a script "works" doesn't mean it works well. Always get advice from others with more experience so that you are learning how to do things better, not just sufficiently well."
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Learning: Drupal
The company I work for is going to switch to Drupal for our database and systems over the next several months into next year.
We even had a staff contest to name the system, everyone voted for...wait for it...Drupal ^^
When I first heard of Drupal I had no idea what it was, except that it might sound Indian--it's actually Dutch. I did know it was open source. That's pretty much all I knew.
A quick look at my trusty Wiki revealed that it's a content management framework in PHP. It can be used for user-generated content websites and features a variety of user inteface functions like blog management and such.
Drupal 8 was in development as of Q4 2011. So I guess that's the version we'll be getting. The mere fact that this is no longer a Microsoft product will apparently save our company a bundle. Which is fascinating to think how many bundles are out there waiting to be saved. And why people still put up with Microsoft at all if it's such a headache.
The system seems personalizable, like with themes and color schemes, which is cool.
Looks like our system will again have the "fun" in functional once it's up and running. I can't wait. :o)
We even had a staff contest to name the system, everyone voted for...wait for it...Drupal ^^
When I first heard of Drupal I had no idea what it was, except that it might sound Indian--it's actually Dutch. I did know it was open source. That's pretty much all I knew.
A quick look at my trusty Wiki revealed that it's a content management framework in PHP. It can be used for user-generated content websites and features a variety of user inteface functions like blog management and such.
Drupal 8 was in development as of Q4 2011. So I guess that's the version we'll be getting. The mere fact that this is no longer a Microsoft product will apparently save our company a bundle. Which is fascinating to think how many bundles are out there waiting to be saved. And why people still put up with Microsoft at all if it's such a headache.
The system seems personalizable, like with themes and color schemes, which is cool.
Looks like our system will again have the "fun" in functional once it's up and running. I can't wait. :o)
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Need Work? Learn to Code
With a headline like that, I couldn't pass the article on Glass Door up. I'm forever taken with the idea of coding, and yet I'm completely clueless when it comes to picking it up at last.
Thankfully, some of the HTML I studied in '99 and '00 stuck and I've been very glad to use it on occasion.
I may very well follow up on my all-time dream to pick up coding at the local community college, as soon as I start making a dent in my MS student loans.
Thankfully, some of the HTML I studied in '99 and '00 stuck and I've been very glad to use it on occasion.
I may very well follow up on my all-time dream to pick up coding at the local community college, as soon as I start making a dent in my MS student loans.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Learning: File Management
I've decided I need to revisit my file management philosophy. At work, I deal with a rather large amount of file revisions and complex tasks under each phase for each project. It can get confusing, fast.
What happens in the case I'm out of the office and my boss or a co-worker need to get into my project files to access important information? My file system needs to be intuitive.
Right now I have sub-folder under our department's folder on the shared drive. Inside my "area" folder, I have hundreds of other folders for each of the projects that I either started or that needed saving for archival purposes.
This is when it gets tricky. Each project folder obviously needs sub-folders to help sort some of the contents. For example, a periodical will have a "pre-production" folder, with the edits folder, the layout folder, and a series of loose files about the printing house quote/invoices/etc. Obviously, that makes for A LOT of subfolders.
Folder Structure
Saving the file location in the file itself has never been a favorite technique for me. This resource location address needs to be updated in the case the file is moved to a different folder, else it becomes obsolete.
Date Documents
The auto-date field can overwrite a previous version's date, by accidentally opening and resaving to the same file name, thereby losing important information.
Consistent File Names
For files I share with others in a collaboration, I prefer adding a v1 or v2 to the file name, along with the date. However, by using the day's date in the file name, it's redundant, as the details view in any folder can automatically show you the date a document was created and/or saved--the trick is, when you cut and paste a file from a folder to another one, it's possible the information becomes lost.
WYSIWYG Reminders
I remember in my project management coursework, a few years ago, there was a table inserted into our group collaboration document with the date, initials, and version to help delineate what was done, by whom, and when. If too many revisions were made to the document, we'd end up with a two page table just for the version tracking. Not fun.
Some individuals feel that all invoice documents or all graphics documents are best saved in folders with like files, so you have essentially a repository of all the same file extensions. I definitely would never be able to find anything that way. I work better looking up a project's folder and seeing the files laid out before me. At least to me, it makes sense.
So, there obviously isn't just one or two "right" ways of managing files. It's very subjective to what you need to access, how quickly, and what you need to know about each file. Or even to whether your company has a policy for how things should be saved and accessed--such as is the case with intranets usually.
A majority of the search results for "file management" tips from Google is just a series of advertisements for downloadable file management systems or apps. I, however, am interested in restructuring the way I process information and save it, so that it's easily retrievable.
I was looking up various file management tips online. I found a good, basic run-through on an About.com portal (Small Business Canada: 10 File Management Tips), but it left me wanting more.
There was a good guide on the Microsoft Windows website (Working with Libraries), discussing libraries and how they can help you find a better solution than just folders and sub-folders.
So if I come up with or run across a more useful process, I'll be sure to post it here. Right now, the process I use seems to help me answer those "Johnny on the spot" left-field type questions that I usually get at work. Thankfully, I've a document trail for almost anything ;o) Learned the hard way!
What happens in the case I'm out of the office and my boss or a co-worker need to get into my project files to access important information? My file system needs to be intuitive.
Right now I have sub-folder under our department's folder on the shared drive. Inside my "area" folder, I have hundreds of other folders for each of the projects that I either started or that needed saving for archival purposes.
This is when it gets tricky. Each project folder obviously needs sub-folders to help sort some of the contents. For example, a periodical will have a "pre-production" folder, with the edits folder, the layout folder, and a series of loose files about the printing house quote/invoices/etc. Obviously, that makes for A LOT of subfolders.
Folder Structure
Saving the file location in the file itself has never been a favorite technique for me. This resource location address needs to be updated in the case the file is moved to a different folder, else it becomes obsolete.
Date Documents
The auto-date field can overwrite a previous version's date, by accidentally opening and resaving to the same file name, thereby losing important information.
Consistent File Names
For files I share with others in a collaboration, I prefer adding a v1 or v2 to the file name, along with the date. However, by using the day's date in the file name, it's redundant, as the details view in any folder can automatically show you the date a document was created and/or saved--the trick is, when you cut and paste a file from a folder to another one, it's possible the information becomes lost.
WYSIWYG Reminders
I remember in my project management coursework, a few years ago, there was a table inserted into our group collaboration document with the date, initials, and version to help delineate what was done, by whom, and when. If too many revisions were made to the document, we'd end up with a two page table just for the version tracking. Not fun.
Some individuals feel that all invoice documents or all graphics documents are best saved in folders with like files, so you have essentially a repository of all the same file extensions. I definitely would never be able to find anything that way. I work better looking up a project's folder and seeing the files laid out before me. At least to me, it makes sense.
So, there obviously isn't just one or two "right" ways of managing files. It's very subjective to what you need to access, how quickly, and what you need to know about each file. Or even to whether your company has a policy for how things should be saved and accessed--such as is the case with intranets usually.
A majority of the search results for "file management" tips from Google is just a series of advertisements for downloadable file management systems or apps. I, however, am interested in restructuring the way I process information and save it, so that it's easily retrievable.
I was looking up various file management tips online. I found a good, basic run-through on an About.com portal (Small Business Canada: 10 File Management Tips), but it left me wanting more.
There was a good guide on the Microsoft Windows website (Working with Libraries), discussing libraries and how they can help you find a better solution than just folders and sub-folders.
So if I come up with or run across a more useful process, I'll be sure to post it here. Right now, the process I use seems to help me answer those "Johnny on the spot" left-field type questions that I usually get at work. Thankfully, I've a document trail for almost anything ;o) Learned the hard way!
Learning Adobe Illustrator
I signed up for an online Illustrator class on ed2go.com via a local community college in my area.
I've wanted to learn Illustrator since 2000, which is also when I first heard about it and dabbled with it a wee bit. I really hated it and couldn't imagine why anyone would want to use it instead of trusty old Photoshop.
Back then, Illustrator was a very rudimentary and manual. Kind of an unpleasant tool for a newbie like me. These days, however, it's a spectacular tool with a ton of automated tricks that make design a joy rather than a chore.
I now know how our graphic designer is able to duplicate so quickly maps and figures from the innumerable publications I work with her on!
I actually ended up purchasing a student version of Illustrator CS5, the only version currently available for purchase from reputable sources. This necessitated my dropping out of the CS3 class I had originally signed up for and instead registering for the CS5 class I needed. I'm in the process of checking what assignments are due and getting those down ASAP before it's too late and I miss points.
The first few assignments have been fun and almost a breeze to go through. I'm learning a lot and appreciating designers' work even more with each bit I learn.
I really like the instructor's (Sherry London) approach to the course, especially since she discusses both Windows and Mac techniques/shortcuts which makes all the difference. I hope to take additional courses she may be teaching. Perhaps even a PhotoShop course, since that software is continuously changing. It must look nothing like the last version I used about 2 years ago, in my now defunct VAIO.
As a side note, I began using ed2go courses back in 1999 when I was very into learning Java, JavaScript, and Perl. I somehow managed to pass those courses, but I can't remember a thing about what I learned. Which is probably a good thing anyway. You wouldn't want me coding or getting into other's people code, trust me.
Ed2go is a great resource for time and finance strapped students who need to gain useful skills in a variety of topic areas. There's even classes for entrepreneurs! It's really worth a look. Most community colleges are affiliated and have their own portal on the ed2go system to help manage their students (and probably get a % of the revenue).
Cheers to good learning opportunities!
I've wanted to learn Illustrator since 2000, which is also when I first heard about it and dabbled with it a wee bit. I really hated it and couldn't imagine why anyone would want to use it instead of trusty old Photoshop.
Back then, Illustrator was a very rudimentary and manual. Kind of an unpleasant tool for a newbie like me. These days, however, it's a spectacular tool with a ton of automated tricks that make design a joy rather than a chore.
I now know how our graphic designer is able to duplicate so quickly maps and figures from the innumerable publications I work with her on!
I actually ended up purchasing a student version of Illustrator CS5, the only version currently available for purchase from reputable sources. This necessitated my dropping out of the CS3 class I had originally signed up for and instead registering for the CS5 class I needed. I'm in the process of checking what assignments are due and getting those down ASAP before it's too late and I miss points.
The first few assignments have been fun and almost a breeze to go through. I'm learning a lot and appreciating designers' work even more with each bit I learn.
I really like the instructor's (Sherry London) approach to the course, especially since she discusses both Windows and Mac techniques/shortcuts which makes all the difference. I hope to take additional courses she may be teaching. Perhaps even a PhotoShop course, since that software is continuously changing. It must look nothing like the last version I used about 2 years ago, in my now defunct VAIO.
As a side note, I began using ed2go courses back in 1999 when I was very into learning Java, JavaScript, and Perl. I somehow managed to pass those courses, but I can't remember a thing about what I learned. Which is probably a good thing anyway. You wouldn't want me coding or getting into other's people code, trust me.
Ed2go is a great resource for time and finance strapped students who need to gain useful skills in a variety of topic areas. There's even classes for entrepreneurs! It's really worth a look. Most community colleges are affiliated and have their own portal on the ed2go system to help manage their students (and probably get a % of the revenue).
Cheers to good learning opportunities!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Learn: Secure Delete Trash in OS X
I had this weird thing happen to my MacBook Pro OSX+ over the last month: everything I put in the trash bin would refuse to budge when I was trying to clear it out.
I finally decided yesterday to visit an Apple store Genius and finally we figured out what it was. I had selected secure delete from the Finder > Preferences > Advanced > Empty Trash Securely
Apparently, when you're deleting securely it takes way longer to delete as it's really scrubbing stuff out. If you delete say five things at a time, it's all groovy. If you have, say 2,000 items *ahem* it just doesn't budge.
Better delete securely a little at a time or just take the secure checkmark off and just do a regular delete.
This was so simple I almost smacked my forehead. Thank Mr. Genius guy!
I finally decided yesterday to visit an Apple store Genius and finally we figured out what it was. I had selected secure delete from the Finder > Preferences > Advanced > Empty Trash Securely
Apparently, when you're deleting securely it takes way longer to delete as it's really scrubbing stuff out. If you delete say five things at a time, it's all groovy. If you have, say 2,000 items *ahem* it just doesn't budge.
Better delete securely a little at a time or just take the secure checkmark off and just do a regular delete.
This was so simple I almost smacked my forehead. Thank Mr. Genius guy!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Blogger Template Designer
I've been playing around with Blogger's Template Designer, in particular to find good fonts for the Blog Title under the Advanced tab.
I've set some interesting fonts for all my blogs over the past few weeks. I think I got inspired to play around after I started my Foodie Blog, which is a little more creative than the other ones.
It pays to check out some of the latest additions to Blogger, via their Blogger Buzz blog, in order to learn a little more about what's possible with CSS and other features. You never know what you might be able to pull off, with a little help from Blogger ;o)
I've set some interesting fonts for all my blogs over the past few weeks. I think I got inspired to play around after I started my Foodie Blog, which is a little more creative than the other ones.
It pays to check out some of the latest additions to Blogger, via their Blogger Buzz blog, in order to learn a little more about what's possible with CSS and other features. You never know what you might be able to pull off, with a little help from Blogger ;o)
Friday, March 18, 2011
Learn: The Share Button for Blogger
I was in the middle of creating a sixth blog (yes, you read that right) and realized I don't remember why I added the Facebook like button at the bottom of all my posts on Blogger.
I opened up the HTML, looked where the Facebook code was, and deleted it. In its stead, I pasted the code for a proper Share button by AddThis.
The instructions for adding the AddThis Share button are exactly the same as in my Facebook Like button post. The only difference is that you sign up for an AddThis account if you hat to keep tabs on stats, otherwise just use the code they create for you once you pick how the button should look--right on their front page, at the bottom.
It's easy peasy, just how I like it!
PS - more later on that sixth blog I'm working on launching.
I opened up the HTML, looked where the Facebook code was, and deleted it. In its stead, I pasted the code for a proper Share button by AddThis.
The instructions for adding the AddThis Share button are exactly the same as in my Facebook Like button post. The only difference is that you sign up for an AddThis account if you hat to keep tabs on stats, otherwise just use the code they create for you once you pick how the button should look--right on their front page, at the bottom.
It's easy peasy, just how I like it!
PS - more later on that sixth blog I'm working on launching.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
What To Know When Buying an eReader
Wired, who are on a roll this week, has an excellent post about what to look for when shopping for an eReader.
"If you want to enjoy a good digital book, newspaper or magazine (yes even a magazine) an e-book reader is a smart choice. Prices have plunged this year, and the E Ink screens on many of these devices have improved somewhat, which means the options are better than ever for digital bookworms.
E-book readers don’t snatch as many headlines as other gadgets, but the market is flooded with options. Some of these models are superb, while many could be classified as atrocious. We’ll focus first on the industry’s four front-runners, then have a look at the options that will color your buying decision."
"If you want to enjoy a good digital book, newspaper or magazine (yes even a magazine) an e-book reader is a smart choice. Prices have plunged this year, and the E Ink screens on many of these devices have improved somewhat, which means the options are better than ever for digital bookworms.
E-book readers don’t snatch as many headlines as other gadgets, but the market is flooded with options. Some of these models are superb, while many could be classified as atrocious. We’ll focus first on the industry’s four front-runners, then have a look at the options that will color your buying decision."
Monday, November 1, 2010
Photography
Many love to share great or not so great photographs online, using services such as Picasa and Flickr. Then there's the faster linkages such as with twitpic.
Photography in the social media realm is pretty much ubiquitous. It conveys, enhances, colors, and livens up where multimedia cannot.
There's a great article about photography and how it has evolved with technology on Our Man Inside, titled The Constant Evolution of Photography. I think this post really captures the intangible value that photography brings the photographer (expert or amateur) and the viewer/audience. It's an ongoing learning challenge--or rather, adventure.
Technologies not only affect the craft, but how the audience receives the art. New technologies affect photography much in the way of a constant rebirth, figuring out new ways to show the images that are captured and convey the sensation or idea of each piece.
Photography in the social media realm is pretty much ubiquitous. It conveys, enhances, colors, and livens up where multimedia cannot.
There's a great article about photography and how it has evolved with technology on Our Man Inside, titled The Constant Evolution of Photography. I think this post really captures the intangible value that photography brings the photographer (expert or amateur) and the viewer/audience. It's an ongoing learning challenge--or rather, adventure.
Technologies not only affect the craft, but how the audience receives the art. New technologies affect photography much in the way of a constant rebirth, figuring out new ways to show the images that are captured and convey the sensation or idea of each piece.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
QR Codes
A friend implemented QR codes at the university he works for, as an added marketing channel to help Open Day attendees learn more about the campus and location they were in. So I began looking into the meaning and use of QR codes at large. QR, by the way, stands for quick response.
What a QR code is, is an image that you scan with a mobile phone using a free reader. Once scanned your reader will reveal that the code stood for a particular website URL or other bit of information that you could find useful, inform you about something about what you're eating, help you make a purchase, orient you during transit, etc.
I'll be honest and say that, outside of casual discussion I've overheard from some supply chain specialists due to my work, I haven't really learned how useful these QR codes really can be to consumers. I am definitely keeping an eye out for these little guys now, and am now prepared to scan and see where that takes me.
There's a great blog post, QR Code Usage in Japan, explaining the various uses of QR codes. This is a technology that is very much ubiquitous in some Asian countries, mostly on consumer packaged goods labels, but also used as directionals and advertisements.
The blog post links to another great blog post by another author, on the Japan Marketing News blog, and the post is titled Japanese QR Codes Provide Marketers a Glimpse of the Future. Here, we learn that: "QR codes are widely seen on posters and billboards, providing anyone with a cell phone immediate access to everything from information on consumer prize campaigns to addresses and maps for retail outlets."
Have you seen QR codes in your area, and have you taken the time to scan them and learn more about them?
What a QR code is, is an image that you scan with a mobile phone using a free reader. Once scanned your reader will reveal that the code stood for a particular website URL or other bit of information that you could find useful, inform you about something about what you're eating, help you make a purchase, orient you during transit, etc.
I'll be honest and say that, outside of casual discussion I've overheard from some supply chain specialists due to my work, I haven't really learned how useful these QR codes really can be to consumers. I am definitely keeping an eye out for these little guys now, and am now prepared to scan and see where that takes me.
There's a great blog post, QR Code Usage in Japan, explaining the various uses of QR codes. This is a technology that is very much ubiquitous in some Asian countries, mostly on consumer packaged goods labels, but also used as directionals and advertisements.
The blog post links to another great blog post by another author, on the Japan Marketing News blog, and the post is titled Japanese QR Codes Provide Marketers a Glimpse of the Future. Here, we learn that: "QR codes are widely seen on posters and billboards, providing anyone with a cell phone immediate access to everything from information on consumer prize campaigns to addresses and maps for retail outlets."
Have you seen QR codes in your area, and have you taken the time to scan them and learn more about them?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MacBook Pro vs. Sony Vaio, An Update
The Laptop Wars!! Hardly.
So I've now been using my MacBook Pro for about four months and I still really like it. The learning curve was short because I watched as many Apple videos and read as many Windows-to-Mac switch articles as possible.
I especially enjoy the portability. My Mac is 13 inches, so I can slide it into my work bag and that's it! The battery is far far better than the (2007) Sony Vaio, so I often don't even take my charger with me. On the other hand, for my Vaio, I had to purchase a replacement charging cord because the one I had, suddenly started sparking at a section where it somehow got cut, while I was on the sofa with Benny (my dog). Eek. Talking about waking up from hiberantion in January, that really got my motor running that day. Luckily, no injuries to sofa or otherwise were had.
But would I give up the Sony to switch to Mac? No. I prefer to have two laptops for different purposes.
My Sony has all my movies (and the huge letterbox screen to watch them with) and all my music collection. I also use it to synch my iPhone. My documents and photos are stored on Dropbox so I can access them anywhere. My Vaio also has my Dreamweaver CS4 and Photoshop 7. So I do most of my web programming homework or on-the-side experiments there.
My Mac is used as an Internet appliance (as is my iPhone mostly!) where I just learn the Mac way, download interesting software, then uninstall it after I get bored with it, and just keep on trucking on my merry Apple-tinted web 2.0 way.
I still don't understand why the industry standard in graphic design is using Macs. The quality of pixels and art/design/layout can be modified using the same standards either in a Windows machine or a Mac. The software is the same (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign etc.). I'm sure there has to be a reason besides the eye candy and encapsulation convenience of Mac products. I certainly don't feel like taking up a full-time job working on web programming or design (either on a Mac or Windows), because, well for one I have been there and done that and didn't like it, and secondly, I like the flexibility of playing with these projects when the muse strikes and then moving on to something else.
As it regards the new delectable iPad...I'm not so sure I need it. I like reading paper books, because screen reading causes me eye strain--and boy, after editing pages and pages at work during the day, the last thing I need is more eye strain. And I know everything looks delicious on the iPad, but I see it just fine on my two laptops and iPhone.
I'm not into photo album features because I do just fine with Flickr. I'm not into newspaper reading, because I use feeds and stream my info in multiple fashion online (and on apps on my iPhone). And I can listen to Pandora and mp3s on my iPhone or laptops just fine right now. I'm not really seeing the point just yet. And importantly, I have a beef with finger smudges on slippery products--that's why I am now on my second rubber/non-slip cover for my iPhone.
What do you think about the Windows vs. Mac fight? Are you getting an iPad?
So I've now been using my MacBook Pro for about four months and I still really like it. The learning curve was short because I watched as many Apple videos and read as many Windows-to-Mac switch articles as possible.
I especially enjoy the portability. My Mac is 13 inches, so I can slide it into my work bag and that's it! The battery is far far better than the (2007) Sony Vaio, so I often don't even take my charger with me. On the other hand, for my Vaio, I had to purchase a replacement charging cord because the one I had, suddenly started sparking at a section where it somehow got cut, while I was on the sofa with Benny (my dog). Eek. Talking about waking up from hiberantion in January, that really got my motor running that day. Luckily, no injuries to sofa or otherwise were had.
But would I give up the Sony to switch to Mac? No. I prefer to have two laptops for different purposes.
My Sony has all my movies (and the huge letterbox screen to watch them with) and all my music collection. I also use it to synch my iPhone. My documents and photos are stored on Dropbox so I can access them anywhere. My Vaio also has my Dreamweaver CS4 and Photoshop 7. So I do most of my web programming homework or on-the-side experiments there.
My Mac is used as an Internet appliance (as is my iPhone mostly!) where I just learn the Mac way, download interesting software, then uninstall it after I get bored with it, and just keep on trucking on my merry Apple-tinted web 2.0 way.
I still don't understand why the industry standard in graphic design is using Macs. The quality of pixels and art/design/layout can be modified using the same standards either in a Windows machine or a Mac. The software is the same (Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign etc.). I'm sure there has to be a reason besides the eye candy and encapsulation convenience of Mac products. I certainly don't feel like taking up a full-time job working on web programming or design (either on a Mac or Windows), because, well for one I have been there and done that and didn't like it, and secondly, I like the flexibility of playing with these projects when the muse strikes and then moving on to something else.
As it regards the new delectable iPad...I'm not so sure I need it. I like reading paper books, because screen reading causes me eye strain--and boy, after editing pages and pages at work during the day, the last thing I need is more eye strain. And I know everything looks delicious on the iPad, but I see it just fine on my two laptops and iPhone.
I'm not into photo album features because I do just fine with Flickr. I'm not into newspaper reading, because I use feeds and stream my info in multiple fashion online (and on apps on my iPhone). And I can listen to Pandora and mp3s on my iPhone or laptops just fine right now. I'm not really seeing the point just yet. And importantly, I have a beef with finger smudges on slippery products--that's why I am now on my second rubber/non-slip cover for my iPhone.
What do you think about the Windows vs. Mac fight? Are you getting an iPad?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
CIS Courses Update
I've signed up for a web programming certificate at a local community college. I'm hoping to take most if not all of the required classes via the Internet, so that my already-extensive commuting can be somewhat curtailed.
My web programming skills are ancient dinosaurs in the face of today's XHTML and Web 2.0 capabilities. Alas, the mystified look on my face when I first discovered the new version of closing tags late last year, has been only surpassed by my perplexion at some of the unnecessary convoluted-ness that online CIS classes can take.
Case in point. One of my classes entails an introduction to CIS. I was unaware there was a proficiency exam for this course, else I would have shelled the $75 and done off with it. Nuff said right? It gets better. The class is separated into units, each unit comprised of several chapters and selected assignments are assigned from each chapter's very extensive post-chapter section.
As part of the assignment, there is extensive interaction with the textbook publisher's online activities created especially for this textbook and content matter. When we complete the particular chapter assignments, the professor asks us to complete and turn in our gradebook report in csv format. Except we're asked to do so upon completion of each assignment, versus turning in the grade report for the assignments for the chapter as a whole. Why? Who knows.
But wait. You have to pay very, very close attention to specific formatting and steps that the professor has developed for each assignment. For unit 1, I had to export the csv for the assignment results more than 6 times. It's a bit ridiculous considering there were only 4 chpaters in that unit. And worse of all, especially for my anal retentive side who loves to save files concisely...each of the csv reports needs to be uploaded using the SAME name file. It's your first name initial, your last name initial, the word report, and the .csv at the end. Bizarre.
Besides the dull throb in my temples after having to review once and over again what a modem is and what the little slot where the processor fits into onto a mother board -- which I've known since the 80s seeing my father construct his very own computers from scratch, not to mention studied in 1999 in my first online classes -- the added unecessary convolutedness related to submitting the (very easy) assignments is almost an insult to the student's intelligence.
In regards to the content, I like computer history. I did a science fair project on computer history in 1989 based on a traveling exhibit I saw at one of Chigago's museums back then. I've always liked to play with computers because I had at least one handy growing up--even though at the very early stages, I hadn't a clue even how to plug the darn thing into the wall without getting a shock.
Today being 2010 and all, I can't believe that CIS classes and textbooks expect 20-somethings to not have a clue about things like what a modem is, and what an internet service provider is, and what a browser does. Do we really need to go that far back into basics?
Have you ever had to take a computer class that you thought was more basic than your current skillset? What do you think about the state of CIS training these days? Are we on the right path?
My web programming skills are ancient dinosaurs in the face of today's XHTML and Web 2.0 capabilities. Alas, the mystified look on my face when I first discovered the new version of closing tags late last year, has been only surpassed by my perplexion at some of the unnecessary convoluted-ness that online CIS classes can take.
Case in point. One of my classes entails an introduction to CIS. I was unaware there was a proficiency exam for this course, else I would have shelled the $75 and done off with it. Nuff said right? It gets better. The class is separated into units, each unit comprised of several chapters and selected assignments are assigned from each chapter's very extensive post-chapter section.
As part of the assignment, there is extensive interaction with the textbook publisher's online activities created especially for this textbook and content matter. When we complete the particular chapter assignments, the professor asks us to complete and turn in our gradebook report in csv format. Except we're asked to do so upon completion of each assignment, versus turning in the grade report for the assignments for the chapter as a whole. Why? Who knows.
But wait. You have to pay very, very close attention to specific formatting and steps that the professor has developed for each assignment. For unit 1, I had to export the csv for the assignment results more than 6 times. It's a bit ridiculous considering there were only 4 chpaters in that unit. And worse of all, especially for my anal retentive side who loves to save files concisely...each of the csv reports needs to be uploaded using the SAME name file. It's your first name initial, your last name initial, the word report, and the .csv at the end. Bizarre.
Besides the dull throb in my temples after having to review once and over again what a modem is and what the little slot where the processor fits into onto a mother board -- which I've known since the 80s seeing my father construct his very own computers from scratch, not to mention studied in 1999 in my first online classes -- the added unecessary convolutedness related to submitting the (very easy) assignments is almost an insult to the student's intelligence.
In regards to the content, I like computer history. I did a science fair project on computer history in 1989 based on a traveling exhibit I saw at one of Chigago's museums back then. I've always liked to play with computers because I had at least one handy growing up--even though at the very early stages, I hadn't a clue even how to plug the darn thing into the wall without getting a shock.
Today being 2010 and all, I can't believe that CIS classes and textbooks expect 20-somethings to not have a clue about things like what a modem is, and what an internet service provider is, and what a browser does. Do we really need to go that far back into basics?
Have you ever had to take a computer class that you thought was more basic than your current skillset? What do you think about the state of CIS training these days? Are we on the right path?
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