This was also tried - successfully - in the United States, by at least one power company that I know of (a friend works there.) However, the speeds obtained couldn't compete with local DSL and cable modems, and the project was dropped.
Some schools now offer the Software Engineering major, in between the realm of Engineering and Computer Science. My University introduced that particular major just this year. It might be a nice balance for you... one thing I can honestly recommend, no exaggeration, is to stay as far away from Engineering as possible unless you really, really don't mind working your arse off. I am by no means implying that Computer Science students don't work hard. But most computer languages can be self-taught, while many Engineering concepts require more explanation from an informed source (i.e. the professor). I am by no means trying to frighten you, I'm just being honest (also I have to admit that commenting on your question provides me indirect joy - helps keep my mind off of the Materials, Systems, Engineering Ethics, and Thermodynamics homework that I should be doing;))
As for the hardware/software distinction - I have to disagree with that a bit. Computer Engineers often take several programming classes in addition to their "general" engineering classes - after all, hardware is useless without software to run it. It's true that engineering in general does focus on the physical. But Computer Engineering is one major that often has several tracks to choose from - you can deal more with software if that's what you're interested in.
OK, so I have no idea if this helped at all. Hope so. Best of luck:)
Unfortunately having a good co-op can be contingent on something that's required before you even set foot in your cubicle (or office, as the case may be) - an employment agreement.
One of the reasons that it's better to obtain a co-op through a school rather than individually is because the school will generally draw up an employment agreement that the company will have to sign before hiring you. At my school, for example, the hiring company is required to outline the basic work responsibilities that you will have, and if the requirements do not seem to reach the level of challenge you require, they will have to negotiate with the school before (or after, if they breach the agreement) hiring you.
I realize you are not yet in college, so you're pretty much on your own in this case. But you might consider discussing such an agreement with your next employer before you sign on as a co-op. It's not entirely unheard of in such cases. Also, some colleges have built in co-op programs (Among them Drexel University, where I study, and I believe Northeastern has a similar program). It might be worthwhile for you to consider something like that when you look at colleges:)
Professor Venkataraman at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever known. He teaches all three classes of the freshman engineering physics series (Physical Foundations of Engineering) and he knew his students well enough to recognize a visitor to the class in a lecture of 200 people. He was about five minutes into class last year when he looked up, saw a girl he didn't recognize, and said "We have a visitor today!" He still knows me by name a year down the road. He is an excellent teacher and a wonderful individual.
I admit that the plot had some serious holes, as pointed out in Katz's review, but at least the technical merit, for the most part, was there. OK, so it was fairly predictable, but it's getting pretty difficult to make a movie that's not at least somewhat predictable anymore.
At the very least, can't you just get a good laugh out of what Phillippe's character does with the Synapse code at the end of the flick? I think I was the only one in the theater who truly appreciated the irony in that - like I said, it was predictable, but so what?
And I thought it was great that they included the footage of him using the "mount" command in the play area, even though 99% of the people in the audience would have no clue what it meant.
Sonique, in my personal opinion, isn't the best MP3 player out there. Yes, it supports multiple file formats and it doesn't rely on ads, but it sucks up system resources like you wouldn't believe. Then again, this is Linux we're talking about - that may not be a problem anymore. If the developers can overcome the problem that was brought up a few times in this discussion - the difficulty of supporting every file type - Sonique for Linux could be a great success.
Based on the way most college students feel about Napster, I think it's pretty obvious that institutions of higher learning would be committing financial suicide by banning Napster or programs like it. It might seem extreme for a student to avoid a certain University just because they banned a computer program (because let's face it, if the students have a decent amount of brains they'll find a way around the ban anyway) -- but let's not forget that college students, in addition to often being crazy about music, are usually on the poorer side of the financial chain after tuition's paid. I mean, we're talking about people going to Harvard, here. If I went there and shelled out my dues to get in, I doubt I'd have much cash left over to buy CDs (or even food), even with an academic scholarship.
But then, that's a pretty pessimistic view. Maybe I'll just go for the bright (if somewhat naive) approach and cheer these institutions for their support of freedom.:)
you might try to lay off the caffeine while on break, for one. the programmers' drug tends to hype you up when you don't necessarily need it. that's idea number one.
number two is to spend a few days off writing simple code, programs for fun, just to get your confidence back. don't spend all of your time off on it - make sure you do some other, more relaxing things as well. but try it.
and number three is to spend at least one day off where you are completely removed from coding, tweaking, and computers in general. give your brain (and your typing fingers) a break for 24 hours. enjoy it as you might (i hope), programming takes its toll after a while. you'd be surprised how much a day-long break can help.
good luck:) -ProudestMonkey
"we spend all of our lives going out of our minds." - ek "... and i am living proof." -ms
I don't know what women they spoke to in that study, but I wouldn't have minded adding my two cents. Sorry, but all that junk about women not being able to hack it (no pun intended) in technical jobs is garbage. I'm in a technical field, and I've taken my share of crap from idiot guys who resent my presence, but it all comes down to self esteem, folks. I might not be the best at what I do, but I know that I'm good, or I wouldn't be getting paid:) If you're shying away from a profession you might enjoy just because most of the workers are "geek guys," your priorities are screwed up. People like this are one of the reasons that women still ARE treated as inferior in certain professions. OK, there was my two cents:)
I'm obviously disappointed to hear about this, but hopefully they'll be able to up the quality and be able to compete a little better with a late release. I'm getting sick of listening to the comparisons and sneers from Diamond fans. Voodoo forever...
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This was also tried - successfully - in the United States, by at least one power company that I know of (a friend works there.) However, the speeds obtained couldn't compete with local DSL and cable modems, and the project was dropped.
4 Major classes every term? I take 5! *transfers to your school* ;)
Some schools now offer the Software Engineering major, in between the realm of Engineering and Computer Science. My University introduced that particular major just this year. It might be a nice balance for you... one thing I can honestly recommend, no exaggeration, is to stay as far away from Engineering as possible unless you really, really don't mind working your arse off. I am by no means implying that Computer Science students don't work hard. But most computer languages can be self-taught, while many Engineering concepts require more explanation from an informed source (i.e. the professor). I am by no means trying to frighten you, I'm just being honest (also I have to admit that commenting on your question provides me indirect joy - helps keep my mind off of the Materials, Systems, Engineering Ethics, and Thermodynamics homework that I should be doing ;))
As for the hardware/software distinction - I have to disagree with that a bit. Computer Engineers often take several programming classes in addition to their "general" engineering classes - after all, hardware is useless without software to run it. It's true that engineering in general does focus on the physical. But Computer Engineering is one major that often has several tracks to choose from - you can deal more with software if that's what you're interested in.
OK, so I have no idea if this helped at all. Hope so. Best of luck :)
Unfortunately having a good co-op can be contingent on something that's required before you even set foot in your cubicle (or office, as the case may be) - an employment agreement.
One of the reasons that it's better to obtain a co-op through a school rather than individually is because the school will generally draw up an employment agreement that the company will have to sign before hiring you. At my school, for example, the hiring company is required to outline the basic work responsibilities that you will have, and if the requirements do not seem to reach the level of challenge you require, they will have to negotiate with the school before (or after, if they breach the agreement) hiring you.
I realize you are not yet in college, so you're pretty much on your own in this case. But you might consider discussing such an agreement with your next employer before you sign on as a co-op. It's not entirely unheard of in such cases. Also, some colleges have built in co-op programs (Among them Drexel University, where I study, and I believe Northeastern has a similar program). It might be worthwhile for you to consider something like that when you look at colleges :)
Best of luck to you!
Professor Venkataraman at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA is one of the most dedicated teachers I have ever known. He teaches all three classes of the freshman engineering physics series (Physical Foundations of Engineering) and he knew his students well enough to recognize a visitor to the class in a lecture of 200 people. He was about five minutes into class last year when he looked up, saw a girl he didn't recognize, and said "We have a visitor today!" He still knows me by name a year down the road. He is an excellent teacher and a wonderful individual.
I admit that the plot had some serious holes, as pointed out in Katz's review, but at least the technical merit, for the most part, was there. OK, so it was fairly predictable, but it's getting pretty difficult to make a movie that's not at least somewhat predictable anymore.
At the very least, can't you just get a good laugh out of what Phillippe's character does with the Synapse code at the end of the flick? I think I was the only one in the theater who truly appreciated the irony in that - like I said, it was predictable, but so what?
And I thought it was great that they included the footage of him using the "mount" command in the play area, even though 99% of the people in the audience would have no clue what it meant.
Sonique, in my personal opinion, isn't the best MP3 player out there. Yes, it supports multiple file formats and it doesn't rely on ads, but it sucks up system resources like you wouldn't believe. Then again, this is Linux we're talking about - that may not be a problem anymore. If the developers can overcome the problem that was brought up a few times in this discussion - the difficulty of supporting every file type - Sonique for Linux could be a great success.
Based on the way most college students feel about Napster, I think it's pretty obvious that institutions of higher learning would be committing financial suicide by banning Napster or programs like it. It might seem extreme for a student to avoid a certain University just because they banned a computer program (because let's face it, if the students have a decent amount of brains they'll find a way around the ban anyway) -- but let's not forget that college students, in addition to often being crazy about music, are usually on the poorer side of the financial chain after tuition's paid. I mean, we're talking about people going to Harvard, here. If I went there and shelled out my dues to get in, I doubt I'd have much cash left over to buy CDs (or even food), even with an academic scholarship.
But then, that's a pretty pessimistic view. Maybe I'll just go for the bright (if somewhat naive) approach and cheer these institutions for their support of freedom. :)
you might try to lay off the caffeine while on break, for one. the programmers' drug tends to hype you up when you don't necessarily need it. that's idea number one.
number two is to spend a few days off writing simple code, programs for fun, just to get your confidence back. don't spend all of your time off on it - make sure you do some other, more relaxing things as well. but try it.
and number three is to spend at least one day off where you are completely removed from coding, tweaking, and computers in general. give your brain (and your typing fingers) a break for 24 hours. enjoy it as you might (i hope), programming takes its toll after a while. you'd be surprised how much a day-long break can help.
good luck
-ProudestMonkey
I don't know what women they spoke to in that study, but I wouldn't have minded adding my two cents. Sorry, but all that junk about women not being able to hack it (no pun intended) in technical jobs is garbage. I'm in a technical field, and I've taken my share of crap from idiot guys who resent my presence, but it all comes down to self esteem, folks. I might not be the best at what I do, but I know that I'm good, or I wouldn't be getting paid :) If you're shying away from a profession you might enjoy just because most of the workers are "geek guys," your priorities are screwed up. People like this are one of the reasons that women still ARE treated as inferior in certain professions. OK, there was my two cents :)
I'm obviously disappointed to hear about this, but hopefully they'll be able to up the quality and be able to compete a little better with a late release. I'm getting sick of listening to the comparisons and sneers from Diamond fans. Voodoo forever...