What did I learn in this course and how will i use it?

I've learned quite a bit from this course that I will quickly apply to my everday home computing. I now (finally) have an active virus protection scheme for my computer as well as a start of a disaster recovery plan for important data. Also, I am now seriously looking into upgrading my computer (it definitely ranked on the smaller/slower/older end based on the data from the Boot Survey). I may start with adding memory and/or swapping processors if it will not cause me to lose my XP OS. I believe that this will eventually lead to me building my own computer though it probably won't be anywhere near as awesome as my fictional and exorbitantly expensive "perfect computer"!!!

Also, I learned quite a bit more about the architecture of computers. The presentations that resulted from our component research project opened my eyes to all of the pieces that makeup the computer. I had had some experience with video and audio (my component for the project) but I had never really gotten into the nuts and bolts or behind the numbers of some of the other key components. The information provided on the HDD, Power Supply and cases (including motherboards) was extremely educational and it is assisting me with finishing up my perfect computer assignment! 

Oddly enough, the one thing that will stick with me from the Triumph of The Nerds series is the fact that Bill Gates worked with Apple during after the early stages of the MAC. I had no idea that there was any past collaboration between the two current powerhouses... very interesting!

All in all an informative and pratical look inside the world of computing! I'll give it an A if I get one!!!

How will what I am learning here apply to my world (Part II)

Presently, due to my current occupation and other factors, emerging technologies and new uses for the computer are not as important to me as they may be in my next choosen profession. I have no mechanisms available, at my level, to affect change to systems within my organization and cloud computing, although discussed at some levels, will not be readily available to us prior to my departure. At home, my personal computing needs have changed slightly in the past ten or so years (I now have reason to use things like Skype, Facebook, online data storage, etc.)... it's a quick and easy way to get the grandparents involved at home with the little guy! The characteristics of my home pc are still dictated by the system requirements of the newest game that I purchase (although I have two sitting on the shelf that my pc can't handle right now!). However, I don't anticipate that what I'm learing here will turn me on to blogging... at least not about myself. It still feels weird! Although, once again, blogging will most likely prove to be extremely useful in my next profession.

How will what I am learning here apply to my world?

From what I've learned thus far and from what I have gleaned from the Syllabus for this course, I believe that this course will give me a better understanding of computers in general and will, more importantly, make me a better consumer and user of computers. Based on the research, reading and lecture I already feel that I have learned quite a bit about my own computer (mostly how absolutely outdated it is!).
Unfortunately, I will have to say (as is becoming the norm in my posts for this course of study) that most of what I have learned and, most likely, still have to learn within this curriculum will not translate to many actual benefits in my current military profession as I am afforded zero control over technology, software or infrastructure in the world of computing.
In my home computing, I could see a great benefit that will be derived from this particular course. When I am again in the market for a new computer I will be better prepared to compare/contrast and evaluate the ability to upgrade in the future. My research into sound cards also showed me how far in the past I am currently running! I'd love to throw some of the newer technology into this box and see how it goes. However, I see no reason to make little upgrades at this time when I can't make the thing any faster at the same time (I don't want to gain speed at the expense of my XP operating system).

What is your computer history?

My computer history with computing began way back in my youth when I would watch my brother write code on our family's Commodore 64 computer (with tape drive of course!). I would occasionally be permitted to take a spin at "lunar lander" -- man I sucked at that game!!! My only other keyboarding attempts prior to college were either on our electric typewriter or  in the school's computer lab learning how slowly I typed (something about a quick fox jumping over a lazy dog or something like that!). We had a couple different computers at home. I recall getting into the video games with such titles as Commander Keen and, of course, everyone's favorite - minesweeper.
In college, being a Military Academy and all, my only tuition my first year consisted of activities fees and the purchase of a brand new top of the line Toshiba Satellite laptop. I remembered how the upperclassmen drooled over the raw computing power that we effortlessly lugged around as they docked and un-docked their primitive portable machines. This was my first real computer that was all mine... and I tried everything to destroy it... Delete "C" is not something that one should routinely attempt! This computer got me through college including two sea terms sailing on merchant ships throughout the world. I remember lusting after the Iomega zip drives that were becoming the rage... but alas, I could not afford several hundred dollars for 250 megs (and who needs THAT much memory anyway!). It was during this time that the game Doom and/or Doom II fell into my lap thus ruining any slim chance I had had at making dean's list! 
After Kings Point I went through several desktop computers - a couple HPs, a COMPAC, and an IBM or two. I have tried my hand at upgrading systems on my own (usually with disasterous results). I can easily upgrade audio/video cards now, but swapping memory or power upgrades are beyond me. I did manage to "build" my current computer using my harddrive, video/audio cards, disk drives and a new case. Currently, I am doing everything in my power to keep my XP system running. I did not wish to venture down the Windows Vista "hellhole" and have yet not made my mind up on Windows 7. I do need to upgrade my current system though, I need more available memory for all of the new games (Medal of Honor, Quake 57, etc.) and to run Reason 4.0.
That's my computing history for the most part. Hope you enjoyed it!

Week Two Blog

Week Two of this course was all about furthering our understanding of the various tools available to us on the internet including social bookmarking, online file storage and web camera software clients (such as skype, eyejot and tokbox) for video conferencing. Of the examples that we all were given to try out, I found delicious, dropbox and oovoo to be my favorites for each respective service.

My group tried out a few of the webcam software clients this evening and found that oovoo appeared to be the best in terms of both video quality and ease of set-up and use. We all liked the fact that with Tokbox you didn't need to download anything, but the video quality did not appear to be very good and one team member had technical difficulties navigating to it at first. I'd previously used Skype to conduct long-distance show-and-tell sessions between my parents or in-laws and my son (not all together, as Skype won't support three-way video conferencing - at least I didn't think so... Ehow.com disagrees!).

All-in-all I learned a great deal about some of the web-based tools that I knew were out there but hadn't had an opportunity or need to get acquainted with until now. I can see the benefits that each could have to the teacher-student interface. Much like my dealings with Google Docs earlier, these are technologies that could be beneficial in my current job but that are off-limits to me in my current work environment...

 Just kidding!
 

 

Sunday night classwork

Another post aimed at ensuring that I am meeting the requirements on this blog thing!

Had to answer the couple of questions in the Discussions section of our Session One site. I hope that the responses are adequate. It is difficult to write about the usefulness of online tools at this time due to the fact that most of them are not available to me in my current line of work. However, it's fairly easy to imagine how I could, would and should put these things to use if I were teaching High School Physics right now. I perused some of the other answers to the questions and found some similar thoughts... so I know I'm not far off base if the Professional's responses appear to be in line with mine!

More on what brings me to this class...

First of all: what brings me to this class is the pursuit of higher education in the hope that it will set me up for teaching positions both as a Coast Guard Officer and also when I re-enter civilian life after my military career is over. There are opportunities to teach while progressing through the USCG ranks. There's, of course, the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT (not that they admitted me as an Undergrad, but I hold no grudge! -- I attended the rival academy, got to see the world from the bridges of Merchant ships and loved every minute of it!) and there's also a training campus in Yorktown, Virginia that specializes in teaching professional/technical knowledge.

Secondly: one other thing that I became aware of within the past year was the presence of internet tools and web-based repositories of information and discussion that could prove helpful in my day-to-day job. Some of these have even gained CG acceptance (i.e., are available for use on our workstations) including some wiki-based databases of profession-specific knowledge, experiences and best practices as well as RSS feeds that update us to newly promulgated regulations, guidance and policies. I hope that the lessons that I learn in this class will provide me with a greater understanding of the possible uses for some of these online tools and will also set me up for a varied array of jobs (I will be transferring in 2012 and you just never know what positions are going to be open!).

So that is why I am here.

Now it's time to spend a bit of time with the family. My wife informed me that I had to blog about her so I guess that I'll say that she's a lawyer and I always do what she says!!!

Good Night!

Day two... second entry... batting 1000 so far!!!

So I figured out today - to my dismay - that the super-secret Coast Guard computer systems will not allow me to view any of the course materials. Unfortunate to say the least! I know that the Coast Guard is attempting to get with the 21st century but we still can't view much of the new content from our workstations. It's kind of funny when we are informed that there are new Twitter, Youtube or Facebook offerings from our Commandant but we cant actually view them at work!

Finished up the Browser comparison using online assistance - heavily. Downloaded Google Chrome but haven't taken the bow off yet to take it for a test drive.... maybe this weekend.

Looking forward to going to see the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra perform Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on Friday. A rare date-night for the wife and I. One of my coworkers will be performing in it as well. Should be a great evening.

First posting... what brings me to this course...

I am hoping that this course will teach me about many of the numerous tools available on the web for information sharing, storing and mining. More to follow... just wanted to get this first one under my belt!