Well, today marks my first day on my large trek to learn the Java Programming language.
Wish me luck!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
A Positive Influence
I was thinking the other day... "What have I done that has made a positive influence in my community?"
I only came up with a few answers, but nothing that really pops out. I started thinking... "What CAN I do that CAN make a positive influence in my community?"
So, I thought... and I thought, I ate, and I thought some more. I came up with something inside these parameters.
a) I'm broke, so I can not donate any money.
b) It's hard to get around without a car.
c) I've got technical skills.
d) I can get other people involved.
So here's what I came up with:
A website, that publishes works made by students, High-School and below. A space where they (eventually, for a fee) can professinally display their work, for others to see. Once the idea takes off, it I'd start charging for space, not to make a large profit, but to keep everything maintained and to continue growing.
It'd start out with some of my talented friends, and then expand. I've had ideas like this for awhile, and I believe I've had a lot of great ideas; just not the means to complete them. It almost seems that I've been waiting for someone to fall from the sky, and help me do everything; realizing how absurd that is... I guess I better get going.
I only came up with a few answers, but nothing that really pops out. I started thinking... "What CAN I do that CAN make a positive influence in my community?"
So, I thought... and I thought, I ate, and I thought some more. I came up with something inside these parameters.
a) I'm broke, so I can not donate any money.
b) It's hard to get around without a car.
c) I've got technical skills.
d) I can get other people involved.
So here's what I came up with:
A website, that publishes works made by students, High-School and below. A space where they (eventually, for a fee) can professinally display their work, for others to see. Once the idea takes off, it I'd start charging for space, not to make a large profit, but to keep everything maintained and to continue growing.
It'd start out with some of my talented friends, and then expand. I've had ideas like this for awhile, and I believe I've had a lot of great ideas; just not the means to complete them. It almost seems that I've been waiting for someone to fall from the sky, and help me do everything; realizing how absurd that is... I guess I better get going.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
School District Website Blockage Policy
Introduction:
Recently the school district's blocking websites has gotten out of hand. To limit this, I've created this policy that designs an acceptable blocking policy.
Article 1,
School Districts filters should be used to block any inapproperiate material, such as bad images, and video.
Article 2,
Social Networking, Video Streaming, Image Surfing site are ACCEPTABLE. If there is questionable content, spend the time to block that content.
Article 3,
Teachers setup class room enviroments to achive a better view of all student's computer easily.
Article 4,
A 5-tier blocking policy, that adds on to previous tiers
1) Only explicit material websites are blocked
2) Social networking
3) Chat and messaging platforms
4) Streaming Media and images
5) Only approved district websites
Article 5,
If students abuse the right to items in Article 2, they submit to a technology violation, and move up a tier on the 5-tier blocking policy.
Supporters:
-Tyler Walker
Recently the school district's blocking websites has gotten out of hand. To limit this, I've created this policy that designs an acceptable blocking policy.
Article 1,
School Districts filters should be used to block any inapproperiate material, such as bad images, and video.
Article 2,
Social Networking, Video Streaming, Image Surfing site are ACCEPTABLE. If there is questionable content, spend the time to block that content.
Article 3,
Teachers setup class room enviroments to achive a better view of all student's computer easily.
Article 4,
A 5-tier blocking policy, that adds on to previous tiers
1) Only explicit material websites are blocked
2) Social networking
3) Chat and messaging platforms
4) Streaming Media and images
5) Only approved district websites
Article 5,
If students abuse the right to items in Article 2, they submit to a technology violation, and move up a tier on the 5-tier blocking policy.
Supporters:
-Tyler Walker
**** School District, Here my roar.
Well, this has been a very long time coming.
Let me start by saying, My school district, is being very moronic. They are blocking sites left and right.
They even blocked their own Effing website! If you do not put WWW in front of the URL you are redirected to the "*SD BLOCKED PAGE"
There are so many things I could say right now that would very much please the Annonamous of the internet. However I cannot comply with that request, because this is a homework blog. Enough said. I will censor myself.
Anyways, so I'm going to go somewhat off track here.
We're reading the book Farenheit 451. For those who haven't read it.
Imagine a futuristic soceity, books are banned, and by banned we mean are burnt to non-exsistance. There is very few smart people; and the protagonist "Guy Montag" is a fireman, and in this soceity "Firemen" burn the books. He realizes through a girl he meets, that if his wife died, he wouldn't cry; it'd be just like someone on the street died. Marriage is just a social obligation, not something meaningful. Something inside of him clicks when he watches a woman burn herself, along with an library of books; she had the option to leave before they burnt the books; yet she didn't want to. That riles him up pretty bad. He actually starts crying, something unfathomable to him, why was he crying for that woman? While he was at her house, to burn the books. He took one, turns out it's the bible. His boss, the Captian comes over the next morning because Montag didn't show up for work. They have a very long conversation. One of the things that The Captian points out is that "Don't step on anyone's toes, you'll make them unhappy" and he reflects on how this soceity is a utopian soceity.
Now comapre that with the district censoring the webpages?!
They're trying to please everyone. Not the students per say, but the parents. You cannot make the parents angry, because that creates conflict. And we cannot have conflict in this perfect world they are trying to create!
However, history, and this book. Tells us that we cannot achieve a perfect soceity. Not everyone can be happy... When you please the parents by controlling what their children can access on the
internet... you piss off the students.
And my other point! Why can't teacher's manage their own classroom's by them selves?! They don't need the district to intervien. Well, In some classrooms maybe, but really?! A teacher with computers in the room should organize the room so that they can easily see everyone's screens. Or at least the "high risk" students, that they figure may do something bad.
So, soon I'm going to write out my first contract... it will be editable, by others. Comment on it to add articles, and then send me your name for this petetion. If I get over 100 names, I may do something with this... as in send the link. $50 says they block access to my blog.
So without furthur adieu, here is my list of *SD banned websites, and/or services:
*note this will be updated as I come upon blocked websites* and because so many (4) of my readers are in the same district, send me websites that are blocked that you've seen*
- Meebo
-Google Images
-Myspace
-YouTube
-Flicker
-Twitter
-Facebook
-DevianArt
-StumbleUpon
-Mispelling a web address
-Runescape
List will grow on!
Let me start by saying, My school district, is being very moronic. They are blocking sites left and right.
They even blocked their own Effing website! If you do not put WWW in front of the URL you are redirected to the "*SD BLOCKED PAGE"
There are so many things I could say right now that would very much please the Annonamous of the internet. However I cannot comply with that request, because this is a homework blog. Enough said. I will censor myself.
Anyways, so I'm going to go somewhat off track here.
We're reading the book Farenheit 451. For those who haven't read it.
Imagine a futuristic soceity, books are banned, and by banned we mean are burnt to non-exsistance. There is very few smart people; and the protagonist "Guy Montag" is a fireman, and in this soceity "Firemen" burn the books. He realizes through a girl he meets, that if his wife died, he wouldn't cry; it'd be just like someone on the street died. Marriage is just a social obligation, not something meaningful. Something inside of him clicks when he watches a woman burn herself, along with an library of books; she had the option to leave before they burnt the books; yet she didn't want to. That riles him up pretty bad. He actually starts crying, something unfathomable to him, why was he crying for that woman? While he was at her house, to burn the books. He took one, turns out it's the bible. His boss, the Captian comes over the next morning because Montag didn't show up for work. They have a very long conversation. One of the things that The Captian points out is that "Don't step on anyone's toes, you'll make them unhappy" and he reflects on how this soceity is a utopian soceity.
Now comapre that with the district censoring the webpages?!
They're trying to please everyone. Not the students per say, but the parents. You cannot make the parents angry, because that creates conflict. And we cannot have conflict in this perfect world they are trying to create!
However, history, and this book. Tells us that we cannot achieve a perfect soceity. Not everyone can be happy... When you please the parents by controlling what their children can access on the
internet... you piss off the students.
And my other point! Why can't teacher's manage their own classroom's by them selves?! They don't need the district to intervien. Well, In some classrooms maybe, but really?! A teacher with computers in the room should organize the room so that they can easily see everyone's screens. Or at least the "high risk" students, that they figure may do something bad.
So, soon I'm going to write out my first contract... it will be editable, by others. Comment on it to add articles, and then send me your name for this petetion. If I get over 100 names, I may do something with this... as in send the link. $50 says they block access to my blog.
So without furthur adieu, here is my list of *SD banned websites, and/or services:
*note this will be updated as I come upon blocked websites* and because so many (4) of my readers are in the same district, send me websites that are blocked that you've seen*
- Meebo
-Google Images
-Myspace
-YouTube
-Flicker
-DevianArt
-StumbleUpon
-Mispelling a web address
-Runescape
List will grow on!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Religion
I've talked with some people recently about religion and how it affects their lives. I myself am an atheist, undoubtedly atheist.
However, I will never deny anyone their right to believe in what they believe in. I cannot stress that point enough; because when I've announce what I believe, many people get defensive of their religion.
So the first stop on the Thought Tour, is religion.
I would like to ask the question "What is religion?"
Anyone can answer this, simply by commenting on the blog. I'm interested in what everyone else believes.
As for my beliefs.
I do not believe that I can pray; and it will do anything, I do believe that religion gives people a certain type of motivation. That praying gives them hope in hopeless times.
I also think that it's amazing that this non-tangible deity has so much control over our world; for example the radical religious groups that follow the bible by the syllable. Anything that causes someone to sacrafice their life to defend, uphold is something of amazement in my eyes.
However, I will never deny anyone their right to believe in what they believe in. I cannot stress that point enough; because when I've announce what I believe, many people get defensive of their religion.
So the first stop on the Thought Tour, is religion.
I would like to ask the question "What is religion?"
Anyone can answer this, simply by commenting on the blog. I'm interested in what everyone else believes.
As for my beliefs.
I do not believe that I can pray; and it will do anything, I do believe that religion gives people a certain type of motivation. That praying gives them hope in hopeless times.
I also think that it's amazing that this non-tangible deity has so much control over our world; for example the radical religious groups that follow the bible by the syllable. Anything that causes someone to sacrafice their life to defend, uphold is something of amazement in my eyes.
Monday, March 23, 2009
The science behind web design
I realized awhile ago that I've remained neutral with my web design; I haven't learned anything, and all of my websites are starting to look the same. So I did what any one would do... I started doing more research; One of the things that I'm trying to get at with my web design is making it user friendly.
Now alot of people think that by knowing HTML they can throw together a website... and that is very wrong.
I just watched a video (like 2 minutes ago) about a research firm that did a study on eye movement and how we read. I think that is genius!
If you ask someone how they read a magazine they will probably tell you that they read from top to bottom, left to right. However, these studies show that we don't. We look at hot spots of the pages, and kind of archive them in our mind. For example; if you go to Seattletimes.com; and read some pages, your eyes will most likely travel from the gonzaga girl to the logo, to the FBI news story (or atleast thats the way my eyes traveled). With this information, web developers, tabloid producers, news people; can start to design for people. It doesn't matter how smart you are/think you are. Everyone scans... It's a way of life; you can through to see if there is anything worthy of reading.
Now alot of people think that by knowing HTML they can throw together a website... and that is very wrong.
I just watched a video (like 2 minutes ago) about a research firm that did a study on eye movement and how we read. I think that is genius!
If you ask someone how they read a magazine they will probably tell you that they read from top to bottom, left to right. However, these studies show that we don't. We look at hot spots of the pages, and kind of archive them in our mind. For example; if you go to Seattletimes.com; and read some pages, your eyes will most likely travel from the gonzaga girl to the logo, to the FBI news story (or atleast thats the way my eyes traveled). With this information, web developers, tabloid producers, news people; can start to design for people. It doesn't matter how smart you are/think you are. Everyone scans... It's a way of life; you can through to see if there is anything worthy of reading.
Careers...
Well, I'm getting older, day by day... and I still have no idea what career I want to get into. After high school, I'm joining the Air Force to help me figure out what I want to do. I really want to start my own business, A advertising clinic, and a computer support place. I'd love to get into a career of designing websites, but that won't get me very far. I want to start fresh after high school, I'm going to say goodbye to Washington State and find somewhere else to live, that's not as cityish.
As much of a city person that I may seem to be, I really can't stand it. I'd rather live in a small town, running a computer shop or something down there. I want to live in a place that I can walk outside, laydown and look at the stars; and just think, or talk with someone.
My dream property, is 50 acres, with hills and ponds; a large 3 story house, with a little studio sized building behind it for my office space. As for security, I'd needent worry; my property would be so big that no one would bother... and those who did, I'd have great computer security monitoring items.
As much of a city person that I may seem to be, I really can't stand it. I'd rather live in a small town, running a computer shop or something down there. I want to live in a place that I can walk outside, laydown and look at the stars; and just think, or talk with someone.
My dream property, is 50 acres, with hills and ponds; a large 3 story house, with a little studio sized building behind it for my office space. As for security, I'd needent worry; my property would be so big that no one would bother... and those who did, I'd have great computer security monitoring items.
Afraid of thought
It may sound stupid; but I think that many people are afraid of thought. Or afraid of thinking. I try to ask someone something, and they just blow it off because they dont understand it at first. Anyways, that's my quick entry for now. I'm reading up on some new material for my stuff, so I hope you all enjoy!
Thought Tour 2009
Happy Birthday to ME!
So I've just decided through writing my HW journal for the night that I am going to get people to think. I dont know how; but I will. I've been wanting to do something big, something to be recognized for, for being able to think, not to use technology. I will inevitably use technology; but it's not my main focus.
I also came up with a name for it "Thought Tour 2009" A web series (probably a powerpoint) that will inspire people to think. I'm almost tired of people who don't think. Some people say "Why are you so smart?" or "I want to be smart like you".
To start off, I'll begin by saying this "I love all of my friends, they're awesome people to hang out with. However most of them are stupid. End of story." My definition of stupid for this occasion is more of a "Mildred" way of life, than a Clarisse.
Anyways, "Thought Tour 2009" will consist of tools to help people get on the track to thought. I don't know how exactly I am going to present this... it may just be part of my blog, but... I dont know.
So I've just decided through writing my HW journal for the night that I am going to get people to think. I dont know how; but I will. I've been wanting to do something big, something to be recognized for, for being able to think, not to use technology. I will inevitably use technology; but it's not my main focus.
I also came up with a name for it "Thought Tour 2009" A web series (probably a powerpoint) that will inspire people to think. I'm almost tired of people who don't think. Some people say "Why are you so smart?" or "I want to be smart like you".
To start off, I'll begin by saying this "I love all of my friends, they're awesome people to hang out with. However most of them are stupid. End of story." My definition of stupid for this occasion is more of a "Mildred" way of life, than a Clarisse.
Anyways, "Thought Tour 2009" will consist of tools to help people get on the track to thought. I don't know how exactly I am going to present this... it may just be part of my blog, but... I dont know.
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