As most programmers or anyone who has ever considered trying out a career as a programmer know, programming is all about seeing a problem and coming up with solutions until the problem is solved. The process of creating something from scratch, and solving a problem that had previously never been seen, is what motivates them to be so dedicated, and persistent in their work. I believe this same concept could be implemented into the early education of America’s toddlers. Right around the early elementary school ages, kid’s minds soak up any knowledge that is presented to them. If we introduce more problem solving exercises, that challenge the child to work at a problem until they find the answer, I believe we would have a youth that would be more prepared for the technological craze that is likely to follow them.

                These exercises would mold the thinking process of most children towards a more persistent and determined direction, which is undoubtedly needed for anyone planning on going into the computing field. The implementation of a few new exercises presented to children at young ages could cause a technological renaissance that has been previously unthinkable.

“The Last Lecture” is well written and not overly sentimental to the point of being nauseous. The title of the book comes from the name of a lecture series at Carnegie Mellon where a faculty member is asked to deliver what would hypothetically be their final speech to their students before they died. When Pausch gave his lecture in 2007, he had already been diagnosed with cancer and given three to six months to live. The father of three titled his speech “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams.”

The book includes the lecture by Pausch, who had an IT Degree and taught computer science, human-computer interaction and design, and stories of his childhood and lessons he hoped to pass on to his children. According to a New York Times review of the book, Pausch stresses the importance of having fun in whatever you do in life. Entertainment Weekly notes how Pausch uses a combination of humorous and poignant stories to illustrate this point.

Pausch is a charming storyteller who sprinkles his anecdotes with details of his life in a way that seems fresh each time they are read. The professor talks about how people would comment that he did not look sick at all. Pausch explains how was happy to have the time to say goodbye to those he loved, especially his children, and write down life lessons he wanted to pass on to them. The lecture itself has been downloaded over 10 million times and the book “The Last Lecture” was a New York Times best-seller, staying on the list for 102 weeks.

While “The Last Lecture” has been enjoyed by millions, the lessons in the book are specifically for his children Dylan, Logan, and Chloe. Yet, the lessons and stories Pausch shares impart a universal wisdom far beyond what a man of 47 normally is able to express in the way that the Baltimore, Maryland-native did in this book. It was written out of the love of a father, but comes across as a reminder to us all to appreciate what we have every single day that we are here to enjoy it. 

Pausch died just four months after the book was published, but turned down offers to buy the rights to turn the book into a movie. Pausch explained that there was a reason for doing the book, but felt that those looking for inspiration can just watch the video of the lecture. Pausch made a valid point, his words are inspiration enough.

Computer online schools that teach a wide range of subjects, including computer programming, systems analysis, software engineering and programming language. Informatics students also learn about the theory of computation, analysis of algorithms, concurrent theory of databases, the Internet, electronic commerce, and computer architecture.

An online degree in Information Technology qualifies the graduate to hundreds of professional positions such as computer graphics designer, website developer, network administrator, computer target = “_blank” scientific, help desk operator, and many more.

A program of distance learning allows individuals to study computer science at their convenience, without starting current job. Taking an online degree, students can earn 100 percent of the credits required for college degrees as a partner, the Bachelor or Master of Computer Science.

There are many specialties available to graduates of schools in line Informatics, basic positions to administrative positions. Depending on the level of education and experience, professionals can earn an annual salary between $ 35,000 and $ 112,000 or more.

If you are interested in learning more about Online Computer Schools [http://www.schoolsgalore.com/categories/4/computer_science_online_schools.html] and other programs of study, please search our site for more information and resources.

DISCLAIMER: Upstairs is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and / or services associated with ANY particular school is or is not advertised in the SchoolsGalore.com.

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Finding The Balance Between Image Compression and Quality

A computer reads a picture by its pixels. When you super enlarge a picture in a graphic program you can see the pixels. They are minute squares of color and it takes hundreds, thousands in some cases, of these colored squares to make a picture. The more pixels the sharper the picture will be. This is actually a lot of information for your computer to process and store. For this reason images are generally compressed. However, compression, because it compacts the pixels into a tighter formation, can interfere with quality of the picture. One interactive computer science project a child can do is to compare the different image compression and quality ratios between two images. 

Write An Alphabetizer

Computers and the Internet use alphabetizers to sort information in a systematic and organized way. Without alphabetizers computers would virtually be useless to us because one of the greatest benefits of computers is that they can process vast amounts of information in a systematic fashion. And a lot of this process relies on alphabetizers. An excellent interactive project your child may have with is to write a Java script program that alphabetizes. 

How Fast Is Your Computer?

The computer sciences have advanced by leaps and bounds over the past twenty years. Along with these advancements also comes the speed of how fast a computer can process information, and for today’s computer user the speed at to which they can access the Internet is very important. However, a computer that was bought five years ago moves a lot slower than the computers made today. Another interactive computer science project your child can do is to find out just how fast their computer processes information. 

Binary Numbers

Binary numbers are used in every aspect of computer processing. In fact, binary numbers play a vital role in the storage of information. In many applications each piece of information that is stored is actually stored as a binary number. Binary numbers represent pieces of information that the computer is able to translate the information we see on our computer screens. There are interactive computer science activities available that a high school student, who is interested in computer science, can do for a science fair project. 

Some of the advancements of computer science is a result of young people with an interest in the field of computer technology. We have mentioned some of the interactive computer science activities that children and students can do to develop their computer science skills. Parents and teachers who know a technologically minded child or student should encourage them to explore the fascinating field of computer science.

 Collaborative learning refers to a method of instruction in which students at diverse performance levels work together in small groups toward a common objective. The students are responsible for one another’s learning as well as their own. The concept of collaborative learning, the grouping and pairing of students for the purpose of achieving academic goal has been applied in various facets of education.

 Recently, extreme programming methodology has become fashionable and “pair programming has become a hot topic both in academia and industry”. The main benefit of students working collaboratively is that they can undertake more complicated problems with better understanding of the material. This is because during the working process, students can discuss with their peers. They can explore a larger set of hypotheses, and this increases the social aspect of learning to program.

 Evidences of positive effects of collaboration in computer science education have been demonstrated in a number of studies. Incorporating active and collaborative learning into the computer science classroom can be challenging but well worth the effort, particularly because it addresses issues that are unique to computer science education; it provides a mechanism  for coping with the ever-increasing complexity and change inherent in the discipline, can serve as a tool for dealing with a wide range of background and abilities exhibited by our students, and it facilitates a safe and positive learning environment for students from underrepresented groups.

    Basically, students who work in pairs have been found to perform better on programming projects than students working alone. Research has actually shown that peer instruction and cooperatve learning in introductory programming courses decreased the rate of withdrawal and failure in the course and that this is especially beneficial for weak students. In the future, collaborative learning will in fact be taking the lead.

The demand for Computer Science graduates is world-wide in scope. You could work anywhere you wish – and even from the comfort of your own home. Computer Science jobs set you on the most promising and future-proof career paths of them all. Let’s have a look at some of the jobs you could get with your Computer Science degree.

Of course, with a Computer Science major, you could teach in schools or colleges. Kids love computers and you’d be teaching one of THE most popular subjects. Computer literacy is vital these days and you will find teaching Computing or Computer Studies or IT a real challenge as the curriculum becomes ever more advanced. You’ll need a teaching certificate after your accredited degree, but teaching is a rewarding career and can progress you to be in charge of computer education for a whole department or district. You may not be in a classroom for long!

Teaching adults is another job opportunity for people with a Computer Science degree. Many adults got left behind in the computer revolution and now they want to catch up. You can help them do just that by teaching continuing education classes, perhaps even getting a job with a large company that needs ongoing computer training.

And do you know something about the people who buy all these computers? They don’t necessarily know how to install them or maintain them. There are numerous jobs available in the sale of computers and their installation and maintenance. People with Computer Science degrees are the best placed to get these lucrative jobs. If you like to travel and you enjoy talking to people – which many computer science graduates don’t – this could be a great job for you. These jobs can be stressful, with a lot riding on the computer system working, but the pay is usually very good.

So much personal and financial information is stored on computers these days, that there is a great temptation for computer hacks to use their abilities for illegal or immoral purposes that would be harmful to a business, government or individuals.  This means that there is a constant need to safeguard information held on computers.  Computer safety experts are in great demand and – with a Computer Science degree – you could be one! Take up the challenge of staying ahead of the bad guys.

So, computers are here to stay, and getting them installed and working, as well as keeping their information safe, is a job for someone with computer science degree. Take up the challenge and enjoy a rewarding and lucrative career.

You know there’s more to computer science than foiling spammers and tweaking search engine optimization so enroll on a computer science course and mop up those available jobs! Computer science courses and those in computer engineering are at the forefront of developing new computer processes and systems. Information technology degree programs deal more with the practical applications of the technology.  For Computer Science, think inside the computer – the nitty-gritty of making them work, and for Information Technology, think more of the functions that are made possible by computers and other such technologies.

Our lives revolve around computers and information technology these days. That means that everywhere there is a need for someone with a Computer Science degree. If there is a problem with the computer system or software is not functioning properly, that can be a major and costly problem for employers. That makes a Computer Science graduate all the more valuable.

A typical Computer Science accredited degree program will cover business information systems – their management and the design of applications. Some specific things you will probably learn on your computer course will be management integration with information systems, current systems analysis and design and you should also learn how to analyze, interpret and apply information system functions that are important in the day-to-day running of any modern business.

Of course, a computer course of this kind also teaches you other skills. Students learn how to manage human resources and how to make sound business and management decisions within a legal and environmental framework. These skills equip you for a wide range of professions.

Computer Science degrees aren’t just for geeks, either, in case you were wondering. They can be highly creative, as graduates are employed to transform an artist’s or musician’s idea into the latest digitized or animated media product. Who do you think makes all those hi-tech music videos – computer scientists, of course!

The language of computers is universal too, so with a computer science bachelor degree you could have an international career and see the world. On the other hand, if you wish – for many computer science jobs, the very nature of the work means that you may never have to leave your house – although you may want to, to spend the rather nice salary that you’ll be earning as one of the elite bunch of people who really know what makes computers tick; how to build them and how to keep them working effectively, as well as how to use computers to their fullest potential to produce some of the most exciting media products of today.

In order to construct a global empire, individualism needs to be replaced. This is in part true for cyberculture that is growing faster than ever in Western democracies,  and such individualistic concept needs to be fixed. We cannot thrive on corporate capitalism, because that would create a gap between rich and poor people in cyberworld. Everybody is to be monitored, checked, and distributed. Our social networks are already being imprinted, for the purpose of gathering intelligence on citizens and people in coming age of politics. Such conscious mind has imprisoned us. We no longer feel individualism. Our minds are being violated and imprisoned; it can be said that such violation is the violation of basic human nature and rights.

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Society, as whole, is collectively distributed and divided among the prison. It is to be categorically divided into labels that separate Human species, thereby giving the global empire a free choice to run the society. Society will no questionable be run by an authoritarian figure. The problem with this scenario is that the authoritarian figure may not be even human. We might someday create an artificial life out of human soup technology, however plausible. How do we create the framework where society is being ran as a system of prison?

Society, as whole, will be plugged in. Computing and Internet are our brain food. Our individualism is dying, and our human desires increased. Politics has come to imprison its citizens through the means of mass media. Society is depopulating itself. Everyone is being led out straight to their prison cell of room and plugged in to their precious computers. Such meaningless in life will be staggering in numbers. The age of decivilization is shadowing every cornerstones of Human life. Person no longer recognize other person. Human nature will be dead. Individual genome is run and checked, as if a human is just a thing made of DNA junk. Such imprisonment is tolerant at best, if not tolerable.

Society will be run by systematic science. DNA engineering, robotics, bio-mechanics, nanotechnology, cybernetic as well as clones wars will be pursued. The very mind of society will undoubtedly evolve into the fittest of survival. Such tormented mind is terrifying at a colossal scale. The global empire will teach humankind an important lesson: that individualism will always be imprisoned through the means of politics. Individualism is at its point of breakdown. Such concept of computational imprisonment, which is discussed above and here, ought be coined the following term: procedural dedividualism.

Perhaps I am thinking too much.  

Jiri H. Stefanovich © Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved.

℠ Bad Robot

We live in a very awkward time. Individualistic privacy no longer exists; computers have taken the control of our lives and jobs. Such period is known as Information Age. The problem is, however, that information is so widespread. Some may be in the form of propaganda, as clearly seen in terrorist circles in the Arabic mass media; others may be related to news, daily living of friends, relatives, learned materials, and so on. What has brought us further to this point is thus: information is no longer stable. The very system of mass media is voiced aloud around the world; to the point that politics as well as religion has brought sheep to the slaughterhouse.

Being unstable may not be a bad thing. For instance, if information is fully stable, then we would live in a dystopian society comparable to George Orwell’s 1984, or some kind of political instrument that prey on people’s privacy, rights, and lives. One positive outcome may be that terrorism would be reduced significantly. With information being unstable, however, we cannot know the outcome. It is unpredictable at minimum; for instance, one could make up a story or news for the ‘good’ of the public. That reduces our trust in government, journalism, or perhaps even civilization itself. One positive effect from such instability may be that we have our privacy, rights, and liberty for our lives.

I realize that there is no need to dissect the subject one by one. I feel obliged to do so, not because I want to entertain audience, but rather that I have the urge of necessity to inform the audience. There are many uneducated Internet surfers that may not realize the dilemma of 21st century technology. Internet has thus so far invited terrorism, people, friends, relatives, workers, and school-goers to the lid of all-in-the-glass jar. We can do anything that we want as we please, whether it be immoral or moral. Thus, information age has introduced the very globalization of international politics.

There are several problems in respect to globalization. How do we design the global government beneath the layer of lower politics, i.e., individual country government, including the U.S.A.? One may suggest the United Nations, yet that applies only to the Europe continent.  Another problem is that we may have to deal with certain individual countries that are growing and growing in the name of nationalism. Such an event may not be surprising to us. 21st century is truly a test of survival of the fittest; some countries will undoubtedly undergo extreme nationalism or ultra-nationalism. It is truly the period of Darwinian age in a faceted dimension of the Information Age.

Finally, how did all this come out of the dragon’s lair? I point and stare at  the one big, fat culture: mass media. It has shaped every single nation, let alone the third world societies. Undoubtedly, third world is also part of the mass media because they are under the layer of higher politics. Mass media often report of the third country societies’ problems, such as famines and wars, so on. The very matrices of mass media are, however, without a matrix itself. Nobody can control the matrix of mass media. Will the matrix be designed along with the upper layer of government in 21st century through the means of globalization and internationalization? We do not know. It is too scary a subject to touch for some politicians’ perception.

Is mass media beneficial for 21st century or not? I’d say both. However, I see it as more negative than positive. At the end of the Styx river, in a long run, mass media only pushes nationalism further. In addition, it is deceptive. Mass media is mass deceptive itself, as we have seen in the recent election and the outcomes of post-election. It is very difficult to bring the justice in mass media, because it relied on narrow one-sided of story, or perhaps few. That is especially true if viewers are undereducated and numb to the ‘new’ propaganda. Mass media is in a form of anti-culture, because it does not imply a shadow of culture. It reports straightforward facts rather than the culture itself and why news happened. Mass media herds the masses; clearly, the smaller mass media community also ushers  extremists and religious fundamentalists. It is as if mass media has effectively replaced God as the controller of society, or perhaps a controller of societies. Of course, I refer not to movies or such silly things; I refer to news and politics as a form of mass media.

Are we at the end of civilization, then? I cannot answer that. It is difficult to say so, after 14,000 years of human history. I simply do not want answer that precisely because I wouldn’t throw the history out of window, or let it burn in ashes in a matter of short period. However, there is one thing that I can inform: the information age has reversed our culture back to the Neanderthal days. We no longer move collectively; with rise of social networks, we move among ‘tribal’ or ‘group’ of friends and relatives. The watchful eyes of an individual may be curious about what every individual or group is doing. Social networks are a form of ‘cavemen’s caves’; we could insult each other and other things in an instant. I would compare the Stone Age to the Internet age, because we have no lives, as well as the useless idle that we experience daily. Cavemen depended on nomadic methods, which require a communication; Internet users are increasingly dependent on online information for jobs, which require an artificial communication. At larger picture, cavemen also depended on the wider information of chiefdom and surrounding tribes. The same goes for our modernity of mass media, because we also depend on domestic issues as well as exterior issues surrounding a country.

Mass media has made an irony out of us. There is so much that we can do; at the same time, there is so much petty insignificant things that we can do that are inattentive to a wider and general audience of mass media. Individualism is dead; except for those with higher political or business powers. The rest of us are treated as tools, much like a programmable tool that is influenced by mass media. It is no longer run by people, mass media is run by an information bureau that plays role between state and local. Higher mass media, CNN for example, plays between the state and country. Insofar, there is no such thing as international mass media except Internet itself, at least in the English version. People are simply a pawn group of mass media culture and how they perceive it to be, resulting a reflective view that commoners share as people. That can be also misperceived, unfortunately. There is, however, another small amount of people, the elites, that can criticize mass media easily at many levels. It is these people that hold the higher powers, wealthy or not, by the power of their education and learning process as well as experiences. These distinguished members are known to be key players, or ‘middle players’, between politics and country in general. Mass media only sucks the information out of these middle players, regarding them powerless and immovable. Such technology has made it possible, but it also have created the impossibility to tackle down on all the received information at the same time.

There is a culture of propaganda going on around the mass media, one that has been in making for the last sixty years. I shall give a well-defined and perfect example. Most of us have high expectations of 21st century initiatives, which did not happen. For last sixty years, thousands of science fiction books’ text dreamed out loud of the future. Books are a form of mass media, only old-fashioned, at least in audience’s point of view. This precise situation has unified every Westerners in their own imaginary world of the 21st century, yet that didn’t happen. Though we are slow, still surely progressively getting there, present crisis in the Middle East and economics did not assess that. It is indeed a big, one fat irony ever. Books clouded our minds, when the 21st century today seems like a bleak and hopeless one. Conclusively, how does the bigger player, mass media of TV, play a role? All I see is corruptions among international countries and governments in crisis. Wars in the Middle East are escalating every minute. Yet, I do not see any scientific advancements that books illustrated them to be. The imaginary dimension of twentieth-first century makes it seem like a hoax. We live in an illusion world, really, or illusion cybernetic world, for that matters.

In conclusion, mass media is seen as a communication between people and exterior situations. It feeds our heads, and we react through the Internet. Some people are ignorant of mass media, but it is quite difficult to escape such atmospheric information. Mass media is our background radio that echoes millions; such difficulty is understated. It accelerates nationalism, as we have already seen in Arabic mass media and its out loud voice of Jihadism nonsense against Israel and westernized nations. Mass media would seem too much a risk to sacrifice for, because it keep people in check about what they want to hear about, rather than for the goodness of peace. People want bad news, rather than boring, typical good news. That is what mass media exists for, feeding bad, negating and negative news. The very empty matrix of mass media incite, or feed, millions of persons about knowledge whatever it may desire to do in the name of ideology, at least politically or religiously. Within a decade or two, it may even be billions. Are we really living in 21st century?

I don’t know. I would say that we live in “pseudo-21st century”. Judge for yourself.

Jiri H. Stefanovich © Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved.

℠ Bad Robot

1. The teaching business should be profitable these days, as more people will want to learn something in order to improve their lot in life. Teaching computer applications that offer secretaries a cutting edge is one idea and teaching languages is another to new immigrants that want to get a better job eventually.
2. Health service jobs are in high demand because of the growing aging population and because people always need to have something checked out, one way or another. I hear that opticians are in demand as there are always people needing new eyeglass prescriptions.
3. Computer jobs require technicians and programmers. More and more companies have a constant need for these qualified personnel.