Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Tantrum mania, multiple times daily can drive any sane individual too bang their head against wall repeatedly until unconscious or brain dead. The little one doesn't realize that a five minute wait isn't going to cause pre-mature grey or Sponge Bob to retire. Convincing her patience is virtue and not an inhumane form of torture. So if you end up in this try having them prepare for the upcoming event. Ex. The bath isn't ready yet, so before you break down into a hysterical crying fit, lets pick out your clothes.   

Monday, January 30, 2012

Search Engine Optimization

I'm starting my SEO (Search Engine Optimization ) process and I must say its a little more involved than I suspected. I started this journey by hiring a company to optimize my site. Shortly after getting off the phone, I realized that all these companies are not legit and by skin of teeth I avoided getting scammed. So if you decide to hire someone do your research. If you decide to tackle it yourself a good starting point is "Google Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide" so far its been easy to follow and will hopefully prove beneficial to my sites performance. So I will keep everyone up to date with this process.

Friday, April 16, 2010

The Sacrifice for Technology 2

Where is the wisdom we have lost with knowledge. Where is knowledge we have lost in information.
-T.S Eliot


Computers emphasize thinking based on data, numbers, quantifiable entities. They discourage focus on judgement and values. They encourage the making of fancy charts based on complex computations, but discourage deep thought about the purpose to which the charts will be put or the validity and meaning of the data. They encourage surfing the Net, looking for facts; they discourage discussion with others of what we found and the ability to defend a point of view in conversation. -Sara Baase

The above statement says allot, not only about what computers and internet have given us but about what it has taken away. Arguments arise in households frequently about the truth and validity of information on the internet. And I'm certain that my household is not the only lonely one to run across it.
"Well mom/dad this famous person's website says that global warming is true, so therefore it must be true". I normally respond to such statements like "Why must it be true"? Where is the evidence that supports this theory. I usually get a reply that has the tone of "well my teacher and this website say its so".

I think this is a major problem. Yes the Net has provided us (especially our children) with an abundance of information. What it has not done (especially for our children) is explain how to sift through, check, and measure the truthfulness of that information. When I, and probably most of my readers where in school, computers and the internet were not as accessible as they are today. So when I had a paper due in social studies, it was hit the library, do your research, record your sources and then write your paper. Today the first resource is the Internet and even better why not find a subject matter that interests you, an author that has your same stance on the issue on their webpage then just use that material. Not a bad idea, I was always told work smarter not harder. I myself am guilty of this when it comes to developing software. I had a professor who once told me, if someone else has already written it, why write it again. In programming languages this holds true with no real fault to it, as long as you give credit to the original author. But in argumentative political, economical, religious matters etc. This type of approach has terrible consequences, taking away an individuals own interpretation of the subject.

So the internet with its great amount of information and ease of use, can turn potentially harmful. Especially when over used, or too heavily relied upon in academics. Middle school and high school I think abuse this powerful tool. Tools are great, but we as a society need to teach and show the youth of today how to use them, to educate themselves not just make life easier. Google is the best search engine ever, however the material it finds is still written by people: students, freaks, politicians, lawyers, religious nuts etc. etc. So check the facts behind what we and our children read and write down. If not your citation sheet could read.
Internet Article
ISaidSo, Because."Fanatic on Facebook and MySpace "
Ecological Findings 3.2 (2010): www.noneedforproofIhavemyownwebpage.com

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A Gift of Fire

Privacy:
Computers are not necessarily for the invasion of privacy. Privacy will be discussed at great length later. Just because computers have made new threats possible, by no means these threats have not always existed. Medical, financial, details of purchases, evidence of romantic affairs can all be found in someone's garbage.

So computers are not necessary for the invasion of privacy they have made a profound impact on the information that can be gathered (sometimes without out permission or knowledge), who has access to it, how is it being used, and how often. Besides: surveillance, privacy is probably the "computer issue" that drawls the most attention.

There are three aspects of privacy:
* freedom from intrusion
* control of information about oneself
* freedom from surveillance (being followed, watched, and eavesdropped upon)

To be continued ..........

Friday, March 19, 2010

The Sacrifice for Technology

The sacrifice made by most humans for technology is astonishingly high. We don't realize it, but I estimate the number of computers (anything with a microprocessor/processor) to be between 30 - 50 (In America). Our lives are completely surrounded by this wonderful yet possibly extremely dangerous technology.
In college I was required to take a course on computer ethics. I gave an hour long speech on the subject of "The Effect of Computer Technology in Society".

Yes without a doubt computers have made life easier more convenient. Ex. No need to get up 10 minutes earlier to fix the coffee pot, when you can program it to come on at a given time. With this technology and its constant evolving in our day to day comes a great deal of accountability for its usage. There is no perfect solution to this often overly looked epidemic, partly because it effects almost every aspect of our lives: from personal, government, even religion.

With that stated I'd like to point out a few examples of what technology has brought us, along with what it has taken away:
1. Its enabled us to stay in touch with friends and family without time or space restrictions through the use of satellite communications.
2. Saved countless lives through medical advancements which only 20-30 years ago would have been impossible.
3. Made the human worker more productive using PC's and machines to aid in business and production.
Negative:
1. Continuously taken away our ability to communicate effectively through the use of social networking sites. In a sense relieving ourselves of accountability and responsibility for how we treat one another on these virtual sites.
2. Turned the theoretical idea of splitting the atom into reality therefore making weapons of mass destruction an achievable goal.
3. Eliminated hundreds of thousands of jobs, by essentially replacing them machines that can work all day all night, have minimum downtime, no need for benefits, retirement funds etc. etc.

This is Part 1 of many. Coming from an individual with BS in Computer Science it may sound hypocritical. But I think this is just the tip of an iceberg already beginning to collapse.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Discipline, The Beginning of a Long Road

Well folks, just got done reading some interesting studies sent by my wife. The little one is only off the 1 year mark by a month. So I think its time we give the pros (experts etc.) opinion a shot. Tomorrow I am going to see if my little girl will help bring me her toys. Hopefully teaching her not only good motor skills, but cognitive reasoning, and listening skill .... not to mention maybe help her begin to understand that "Ok you can throw your food, toys whatever all over the floor but you have to pick up after yourself". I don't expect an immediate response, I do however hope to lay the ground work for the future.

Maybe I'm living in a fantasy world .... maybe not ...... or for all we really know about the way an infants mind works a crap shut.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Do Things Change or Really Remain the Same

So another year has gone by, as I reflect and think back on the changes that have occurred my lips start to shag, cheeks start to droop, stare at the mirror and think to myself I can't tell. Shortly thereafter my wonderful wife points to my grey, my little girl pulls it out, then see their is a new profession a "Youthologist". What the hell is a youthologist? Someone who helps keep you young. I thought a strong family, good sex, and cold beer did all that..... oh and football.

Getting back to my point. The past year I have become a father, started to mature (attempted at least), realized bodily functions really aren't gross, and had revetting highly intellectual conversations with someone who speaks solely in vowels.

Well I think I'll leave on this note said best by Mr. Louis Armstrong
I hear babies cry ...... I watch them grow
They'll learn much more ...... then I'll ever know
And I think to myself ....... what a wonderful world