Being a parent and having been through the US school system myself, I still can't see the need for Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus in the day-to-day lives of at least 65 - 75% of the population. I liked Algebra for its logic training but due to the lack of real-life applications, have never used Algebra to solve real-life problems. After high school I took classes in Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus in college -- a useless set of knowledge and money maker for the book manufacturers.
Obviously there is a place for these high-level mathematical courses but the average American would do better getting training about balancing their budget, evaluating interest rates, and solving real-life math problems.
High schools need to focus on the basics. Without a solid knowledge of the "times table" and how to calculate the amount of change one gets from buying an item, the student will not be comfortable with their math skills in real-life situations. To help drive home the value of math training, centralize it around money. When the student learns how to save money and not be ripped off when purchasing a car or home, they will learn the value of math. The training has to be built around real-life situations and not lofty formulas that the typical student will never come across.
I agree with Trifthen. It must be frustrating to see your own people live in ignorance of scientific developments. Being blasted by "Smart Bombs", "Stealth" aircraft, and militaries that utilize scientific knowledge that your religion deems blaspheme must anger those who juggle science and religious faith. The articles author has been a professor for 34 years and has spread the word about how science can better the Islamic people and unfortunately we see that the only technologies they get is from purchasing such from non-muslim countries.
This scientific and knowledge gathering ignorance seems to breed resentment amongst the young by the teachings of elders. The elders show current examples of infidels abusing science and how deviating from the Koran corrupts and kills. The younger Islamic mind turns away from higher learning and towards an archaic faith thus propagating the problem.
Just wanted to say that I've learned a lot from your daily email. Thanks for being part of my day and keeping me up on current geekdom. I've linked many of your articles to my non-geek friends to keep them informed about amazing stuff they shrugged off. May your persistence to push out fresh content from around the globe (even on weekends) last until at least I retire, at which time my geekdom acuteness will be able to fade.
BTW - I would love to see pics of a/. party! That many geeks in one area...lights would dim and something bad would be created via a group high on caffeine and cheezy puffs...
Don't use the email system but simply create a "Release of Liability" letter for your supervisor to sign. Without using derogatory wording, state that you've been asked to perform duties circumventing current software licensing policies and that you are not to be held liable (even state examples). That way, if they sign it, you will not be held accountable for their inappropriate actions. Document each time they've asked you to install illegal copies of software and make sure you keep this record off-site (CYA). Should the software police show up, you can plead your case with a body of evidence. Should your employer fire you, you can use this evidence against them -- depending on why you were fired.
Should they use common sense and agree that illegal installs are bad and ask you to rectify the problem, then it's a win win situation for you and your company.
Federal grants and funding mandate school districts establish a staff and student Accepted Use Policy (AUP) and secure Internet access to protect students from bad stuff. Most school districts do a good job trying to keep up by filtering the web, stopping hacks, and preventing proxies. What they can't prevent is the "wanna be hacker" students who are trying to impress their friends or otherwise knowingly bypassing security. This is a direct Federally-mandated policy violation. The school could lose their funding if found incompetently protecting the students from inappropriate Internet stuff. These students risk their schools funding, worth millions of dollars and possible law suits.
Since there is so much to compromise when these students knowingly bypass security, the school is forced to ensure these students pay the price and thus show the federal government that they are "towing the line."
Slashdot Mirror
I loved this series by Douglas Adams when I was in my pre-teens. It's sci-fi but also a good comedy so it's a fun read all around.
Being a parent and having been through the US school system myself, I still can't see the need for Algebra, Trigonometry, and Calculus in the day-to-day lives of at least 65 - 75% of the population. I liked Algebra for its logic training but due to the lack of real-life applications, have never used Algebra to solve real-life problems. After high school I took classes in Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus in college -- a useless set of knowledge and money maker for the book manufacturers. Obviously there is a place for these high-level mathematical courses but the average American would do better getting training about balancing their budget, evaluating interest rates, and solving real-life math problems. High schools need to focus on the basics. Without a solid knowledge of the "times table" and how to calculate the amount of change one gets from buying an item, the student will not be comfortable with their math skills in real-life situations. To help drive home the value of math training, centralize it around money. When the student learns how to save money and not be ripped off when purchasing a car or home, they will learn the value of math. The training has to be built around real-life situations and not lofty formulas that the typical student will never come across.
I agree with Trifthen. It must be frustrating to see your own people live in ignorance of scientific developments. Being blasted by "Smart Bombs", "Stealth" aircraft, and militaries that utilize scientific knowledge that your religion deems blaspheme must anger those who juggle science and religious faith. The articles author has been a professor for 34 years and has spread the word about how science can better the Islamic people and unfortunately we see that the only technologies they get is from purchasing such from non-muslim countries. This scientific and knowledge gathering ignorance seems to breed resentment amongst the young by the teachings of elders. The elders show current examples of infidels abusing science and how deviating from the Koran corrupts and kills. The younger Islamic mind turns away from higher learning and towards an archaic faith thus propagating the problem.
Just wanted to say that I've learned a lot from your daily email. Thanks for being part of my day and keeping me up on current geekdom. I've linked many of your articles to my non-geek friends to keep them informed about amazing stuff they shrugged off. May your persistence to push out fresh content from around the globe (even on weekends) last until at least I retire, at which time my geekdom acuteness will be able to fade. BTW - I would love to see pics of a /. party! That many geeks in one area...lights would dim and something bad would be created via a group high on caffeine and cheezy puffs...
Using the Force, he can remotely Force Choke the caller/harrasser. I'm sure he's cheap too since he'd enjoy the practice.
Don't use the email system but simply create a "Release of Liability" letter for your supervisor to sign. Without using derogatory wording, state that you've been asked to perform duties circumventing current software licensing policies and that you are not to be held liable (even state examples). That way, if they sign it, you will not be held accountable for their inappropriate actions. Document each time they've asked you to install illegal copies of software and make sure you keep this record off-site (CYA). Should the software police show up, you can plead your case with a body of evidence. Should your employer fire you, you can use this evidence against them -- depending on why you were fired. Should they use common sense and agree that illegal installs are bad and ask you to rectify the problem, then it's a win win situation for you and your company.
Federal grants and funding mandate school districts establish a staff and student Accepted Use Policy (AUP) and secure Internet access to protect students from bad stuff. Most school districts do a good job trying to keep up by filtering the web, stopping hacks, and preventing proxies. What they can't prevent is the "wanna be hacker" students who are trying to impress their friends or otherwise knowingly bypassing security. This is a direct Federally-mandated policy violation. The school could lose their funding if found incompetently protecting the students from inappropriate Internet stuff. These students risk their schools funding, worth millions of dollars and possible law suits. Since there is so much to compromise when these students knowingly bypass security, the school is forced to ensure these students pay the price and thus show the federal government that they are "towing the line."