Connections

The 'connectedness' of the information age seems to be a double-edged sword.  On one hand, we can easily see the negatives of spending too much time online...ignoring family, responsibilities, withdrawing into one's own head, and failing to develop crucial social skills. On the other hand, there are definite benefits to being 'net savvy'.

Computers in schools seem to have engaged students at higher levels than have been apparent in recent times. The interactive presentation styles that are available using videos, animated tools, and student responsiveness are able to tie students to lessons in ways that a straight lecture style (regardless of how good the teacher is) seems to be unable to do.

The overarching drive to use this technology in the US seems to be a need for connectiveness, though. People are reaching out through online virtual games, chat programs, social networking and email. It's interesting that as so much of our technology is 'single user' and yet is used to reach out to others and form human connections - even with people who are in close physical proximity.

I'm not sure that online, virtual 'relationships' are an adequate substitute for real-time, personal connections...maybe they are simply a marginally acceptable, second-place, substitute in a society where forming real relationships seems to be increasingly difficult.

Triumph of the Nerds Pt III

This part of the documentary focussed more on the development of the gui and how it affected development, release, and upgrades to Mac computers (primarily). The development of the GUI has direct applicability to my chosen field - completely changing how photographers edit and access their product.  Far from being limited to a mouse at this point, I have the option of touch screen editing or pen/tablet editing and with the appropriate application software (Adobe CS, monitor calibration) I can access/edit my images at a level that was not previously possible with a traditional darkroom and have the images that I eventually print be an exact match for what I see on my screen.

The ease with which I can use photo editing was one factor that led me into digital photography as a business.It would never have been an option if I'd had to type command lines in DOS! I certainly didn't have access to a darkroom, nor did I have the money to invest in film at a level that would have allowed me to 'go professional'....while the availability of digital media and the fact that I could work in a 'digital darkroom' (thank to the GUI) made being a photographer much more viable as a career choice.

So, I watched 'Triumph of the Nerds' earlier this week - a synoptic walk through the development of the personal computer - up thru the Apple II (which was kind of surprising that it stopped there, because I used the Apple IIe in 1984 and the film was done in 1996, but whatever).

I thought it covered things fairly well from a hardware standpoint - from the original size of even the most basic computer to the 'impossible' miniaturizations that Steve Wozniak envisioned and brought about.  It was interesting to get a glimpse of just how differently the people involved in the process view things.

On the other hand, it didn't get much into software development - just touched briefly on what computers could be used for, what they were used for in the beginning, and how limited application was for the first PC.  Having grown up with the process of miniaturization coupled with increasing 'power', the hardware end of things just wasn't that fascinating to me.  I'd much rather hear about how they decided what an OS should include, how they come up with new, viable applications, and what's involved in that process. And no, I'm not saying I want to learn source code (ugh!)...but the process sounds interesting.

All in all, the film was pretty basic - nothing earth-shatteringly new in it - and fairly narrow in it's scope.  If you're interested in PC history, you'll like it.

The Start of a New (and almost FINAL) Semester

So, after a year of taking 'filler' courses (fun classes that pretty much have nothing to do with my major), I've finally gotten into a couple of classes that will move me (almost) into consideration for graduation (1 class left - and the only available section straddles 2 other classes that I need).  CIT15 is one of the classes required for my degree program (A.S. Medical Assisting).  Quite honestly, I'm taking this class only because it is required.  In the past, I've built my own computers (pc) and installed operating systems and driver software.  I'm very comfortable using the computer, older versions the Office Suite (I've moved over to using Google Docs and spent some time with Open Office a few years back) , and online services.  As a photographer, I use the computer for all my photo editing (Adobe CS and Lightroom), client contact, online proofing, blogging (which I'm horrible at keeping up with) and print ordering.  In the past, I built my website using html code, but currently am using a flash template (makes it so much easier!). 

Making the Android app toward the end of the semester sounds interesting to me - I have an Android phone, so something useful would be fun to mess with.  Outside of that, I simply need to become re-acquainted with the Office Suite and it's functions. I spent 6 years teaching Medical Assisting and teaching students about the basic components of computers, how to turn them on, save information, open programs, etc.  (Quite honestly, most of them needed a keyboarding class before I got them, but that wasn't part of the curriculum)

On a personal level, I'm married with 3 children - 2 girls, 1 boy - and my youngest has Down syndrome.  My husband is the CSP/Dept Head for the Math Dept at Sanger High School.  I enjoy reading, social networking, knitting, and coffee.  We go camping in the summer, ride bikes, and fly kites at the beach.

All that being said, I like the lecture style of CIT15 and fully expect to enjoy the class!