This just in: All The Great Names Are Taken!*

*Didn't I say this 6 months ago?

"For every possible two-character and three-character combination -- including both letters and numbers -- all possible domains are taken. Virtually all English words with four letters are claimed... ...Half of all domains are between nine and 15 characters long; the average length is 13..."

Geek out with more interesting stats at this WSJ article.

Two Blog Rule

As we round out another exciting quarter of ETECness and my first experience in required blogging, I'm now faced with a dilemma- what to do with "All The Great Names..." once this course is over?

I could continue to use it as a chronicle of the Thesis experience for all the world to see... I could personalize it and begin to rant on about more personal matters... I could egotistically market my band and podcast to an already attentive audience... I could give it up entirely and concentrate on the FOUR other blogs I am now posting to regularly. Decisions Decisions...

One of the reasons I had to be dragged in kicking and screaming into the blog-scene is because I knew I would get sucked in to posting personal observations I find interesting but for the most part irrelevant. I knew I would get used commenting on OPBs (other people's blogs)... NOW LOOK! In addition to ATGNAT, my personal interest in hands-on research on the "blog phenomenon" now has my claws posting on LiveJournal, MySpace, Tripod, a second Blogger account, and I've even successfully begun my first podcast!

I've accepted blogging into my life. However, I strongly support a two-blogs-per-person rule.

"Shingara Singh" and ATGNAT will continue to exist for awhile... *wink*

Comments Welcome. [ss]

ETEC 699/692 Presentations - Recap

I went to the ETEC 699/692 Presentations thing this past Friday. If you were there, you probably saw me in the back taking notes. In addition to it being roughly four hours of non-stop presentations, another thing I didn't anticipate was the wide variety of projects and field work experiences.

There were a couple "i made a website for..." projects- but each website was different. Some developed using traditional WYWYSIG apps, some using blogs in interesting ways, and (if i understood it correctly) one guy who wrote his own CMS from the ground up!?

There was a presentation on building a computer lab from the ground up as well as a "here's what i do with the lab they gave me". There was even extremely relevant stuff for folks dealing with "adult learners"! (like me!)

I pity and applaud the poor Consultants providing their expertise for the satellite course and the non-profit. And then, then there was The Video! (bold, italicized, capital V!). Very unique, extremely entertaining, and somehow, even still met the content requirements. Nicely Done! (If you missed it, you must ask about it!)

Something else I found personally interesting was the different methods in which people present. Let me rephrase that: The different methods in which people who are both skilled and comfortable with technology develop and present content based on established guidelines and a known audience. About 95% of the presenters used PowerPoint, but as far as design, content, and delivery, each PowerPoint presentation was unique in its own way. The exposure to 15 or so presentations certainly, and surprisingly will help ME out- considering my Thesis/Project is focused on this very topic!

On an insightful note, the responses to the questions of "what did you learn/what would you do differently?" provided a wealth of tips for those of us not complete with our projects or fieldwork. I kind of feel like I'm cheating because when it's my turn I will certainly be prepared!

Not everyone has a Friday night to kill. I'm certainly glad I showed up despite the lack of pizza.

A toast to the presenters and Dr. N and Dr. B!

[ss]

The Summer of ETEC 699

I was up on TRACS/WEBREG the other day, and again today, and I noticed an ominous stat, which I've chosen to repost here...

Course:	ETEC 699 -- MASTERS DEGREE PROJECT
Call Number:	30521
Section:	01
Status:	OPEN
Session:	1
Type:	SUP
Units:	4.00
Location:	UH-043
Site:
Time:	0500PM-0850PM TR
Instructor:	NEWBERRY B
Max Seats:	23
Requests:	0
Enrolled:	0
Demand:
Drops:	0
Available:	23

Like me, I am aware that there are folks who can't get into the course due to weird CSUSB bureaucracy, but I also know it's already "Late Registration" for Session One, and the Dr. N. mentioned if not enough folks sign up they'll drop it.

Yeah, I just thought to mention that ;)

Double Bonus

Jim and I were troubleshooting yesterday- and since I could see how he might not be the only one experiencing this problem I thought I'd share our 'discovery': Seems he could not post to my blog and others that use the "word/letter verification" feature.

Jim would access the class blogs by logging onto Blackboard, clicking the "BlogList" link, and then clicking on respective URLs from there. Aaah- and therein lies the oddity: Blackboard likes to open links up in frames! The word verification letters that are supposed to show, do not- presumably due to some security layer or other web-shenenigans.

From (the non-existent) "Blackboard Troubleshooting 101": Instead of clicking the link from within Blackboard, we (1) copied the link, (2) opened a new browser window, (3) pasted the URL into the address bar, and (4) clicked "Go" (or for non- Internet Explorer users, hit the Enter key on the keyboard). And as they say in france, viola!*

Thanks to Jim for helping me on my quest to learn something new every day (plus it'll help me with my job! A Double Bonus!).

*Yes, I know i wrote viola instead of voila- it's a joke people! ;)

90 Minute Workout - Review

I still say it takes longer than 90 minutes, however...

It's not the completing of the IRB application that took forever, it's those pesky related documents!

- I created a sample survey which I hope is anywhere close to the actual one when it comes to that stage (ssshhh...)
- I decided I do need an Informed Consent form since one of my expected participants, while about to be a college sophomore, is under 18...

I was surprised at how helpful Dr N's "Watch Me Fill Out The IRB Proposal" video was. I mean, I knew it would be helpful, but watching it twice before filling out the form certainly eased the confusion level and aided in word choice (then there are those types who play the video on one computer while filling out the app on a second computer...)

Overall, one less bell to answer. :)

[ss]

90 Minute Workout (preview)

Something tells me this IRB/Project Proposal appears to be deceptively simple. (i.e. not so)...

"The IRB should take about 30 minutes.. the Project Proposal should take about 60..." -- BN

Truthfully, I expect to spend at least 2x the suggested 90 minutes to complete this assignment... more to follow... [ss]

Next stop, Toledo!

I just happened to click on the post for etec644syoung.blogspot.com before posting this entry… not necessarily a good idea, since I’m now compelled to copy her entry and paste it as my own. That would be rude. However,

a) I did just turn it in
b) I also feel I’m not “quite there” with it
c) I'm certainly not a perfectionist, but will continue working on revising the lit review (I think we all are, so, that’s not much of statement., is it?)

Next stop, Toledo! I mean, “Institutional Review Board (IRB)”

Tonight i hit the blog-circuit.

"comment on blogs" vs. "write lit review"... hmmm, tough choice! i can see how someone could get hooked on blogs- or more accurately, commenting on other people's blogs. by reading the other blogs+comments i got some good insight into how others are doing... org. issues, timing, deadlines, typos... i don't feel so bad (badly?)

i liked susan's photo of neatly stacked printed articles! the "devil horns" comment is gaining a life of its own! i had to stop collecting articles for my lit. review for now and decide which ones to read from beginning to end. tommorow will be a good day for that (i'll be the only person in the auto-shop waiting room actually doing work!) Although nowhere near the "ideal" number or articles, the due date is rapidly approaching. "reading is good, writing is better" where'd i hear that again? [ss]

PS: Oh yeah- I also discovered Blogger will let you post entries from your cellphone!!

Playing Catchup

This weekend was a great weekend to get out, enjoy the nice weather,
see the family, and catchup on a lot of necessary projects around the
house. Instead, I spent a lot of time beefing up my Lit. Review
fodder.

I've found that I prefer EBSCOHost over the slew of other online
resources available from our Library website. In EBSCO I can narrow
my searches to only include "Peer Reviewed" [check] "Scholarly
Journa"l [check] "Full Text" [check] "After 1990" [check]... When
you click a link off one of the "hits", on the sidebar next to the
article abstract, the page shows the "keywords" associated with that
article, which is a great way to broaden the scope of reading yet
stay within the subject matter.

I kinda feel like I'm cheating!

"...the conclusion is the "meat" of any [well-written] thesis..."
- Newberry
04/18/06

Devil Horns

I thought this was funny enough to repost (taken from a comment to a comment on another blog*):

"...I refused to allow my photo to be posted because I know how easy it is for images to be manipulated. Sure enough, within a month, I caught a student in my class with another teacher's photo open in Paint, drawing devil horns and a mustache."


*(One day I'll figure out how to link to blogs correctly!)

Reality Sets In

After reading a few brief descriptions on what/how others completed the first assignment, I'm realizing I did mine all wrong. It will be interesting to see the grade I get. I really need to get a handle on this whole "time-management" thing! :(

*No Excuses!* My motto for the next eight weeks.

On the Internet, no one can hear you spew

"No excuses!" Is what my dad would say on his way out to a field of switchweed...

Turned in: Preliminary Thesis, ETEC644

"During the development of the project, a number of limitations were noted..."

More later. It's late.
//oo\\

ATTACHMENTS

I downloaded the IRB form last night. Deceptively short- until you start reading. In addition to everything else that does not apply to my project:

8. ATTACHMENTS. I have included copies of all relevant project materials and documents, including (check all that apply):

[ ] Surveys, questionnaires, and/or interview instruments.
[ ] Informed consent forms or statements.
[ ] Letters of approval from cooperative agencies, schools, or education boards.
[ ] Debriefing statements or explanation sheet.
[ ] Participant recruitment materials, including flyers and advertisements.



Hmmm.... Attachments. Surveys. Informed Consent. Eeenteresting. Mild setback at the onset of this journey... //~~\\

Turning Japanese?

For the last three of four days, all the blogger.com/blogspot.com pages show up in Japanese for me (Bloggers' posts where in Engrish, but everything else showed up in Kanji). I could clunk along, and even reply to postings, based on my understanding of the Blogger UI, but I couldn't figure it out how to turn off Japanese! I tried multiple browsers on several machines and they all show Japanese. It wouldn't be so bad, except I can't read Japanese.

I had to track down my Japanese friend. She rifled through everything and my account and personal information, until she finally found where I had set it show Japanese at the account level. I have no idea how I did that. (Damn the Baileys!)

But I've learned that "ユーザー アカウントが見つかりませんでし" is japanese for "thats not the right password buddy"!

Ya-ta! //oo\\

The Road To Nashville

My proposed "timeline/deadlines" I hope to complete this dramatic event known as a Masters' Thesis (not to be confused with the massacre of a film, "Timeline" with Paul Walker, Frances O'Connor, Anna Friel, and Michael Sheen or that TV show with Oliver Platt):

IRB Proposal - Apr 14

Project Prototype - May 29

"Chapter Three" - Jun 30

Project Alpha Test - Jul 10

Project Beta Test - Jul 17

Project Implementation - Jul 24

Completion of Project - Aug 7

write, edit, proofread, sleep, write, edit, write, taco, write - Aug 18

Submit to 1st Reader - Aug 21

Re-Submit to 1st Reader - Sep 11

Submit to 2nd Reader - Oct 2

Grad Check Deadline - Oct 31

Turn for Final Format Review - 9:22am, Oct. 30

Final Format Review Deadline - Nov 27

Binding Payment Deadline - Dec 4

Watch TV - Dec 15

Is this realistic? I'm so sure this going to change over the next few weeks as I think of things I forgot like Silly Cap and Gown kinda stuff. Help me remember!

//oo\\

No floors may be pulled out, either in the parking lot or on campus for championships.

Welcome to my online journal/calendar and tracking device. On today's show we'll be talking about Micheal Jackson, Java, and 19" CSL Replica Wheels, for M3 and non-M3 BMWs. I mean, My Masters' Thesis. For the first time viewers, my thesis topic is... (drumroll, fade lights)

(Working Title) "STANDARDIZATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY METHODS OF TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS"

The Party Blurb:
"As training in computer literacy, technology skills, and business skills becomes more reliant on computer-based delivery, the need arises for a means of assuring consistency in the quality of content and delivery. With as many methods and techniques available to create training materials as there are content developers who create them, there should be a way to standardize the development (process) and delivery of technology oriented workshops."
//oo\\

All The Great Names Are Taken

All The Great Names Are Taken

I can't believe it. 3 hours of blogger.com surfing and can't find a single name I'd actually *want* to use, that isn't already in use. Shoulda paid for TypePad i guess. [ss]