I work for a state department of education. Although my job is not to analyze current trends in student assessment tools, I may have some info to share from a Computer Science standpoint.
Firstly, it should be noted that all states have statewide writing assessments for certain grade levels. The lovely "No Child Left Behind" act ensures that students in grades 3-8 and 10-11 will be tested in many subject areas by 2006, with the results having financial ramifications (poor performance = less latitude with federal funding and more federal mandates). All states test some of these grade levels in Reading Comprehension(sp?), Math , and in many cases Writing. So, if you take even a small state, let's just randomly pick one... Connecitcut. CT tests about 140,000 4th, 6th, and 8th graders in writing currently. Those tests are graded by a private contractor in another state. To facilitate this mass grading, 800 'educated' raters are hired and trained. One problem with human raters is consistency across a cohort. In pilot tests (and the real thing), individual raters were observed giving different scores to the same essay twice and if identical essays were given to two different raters, the scores quite frequently differed to a significant degree (How significant? Well the grade given is 1-5, 5 being complete mastery, and what one rater gives a 3 another would give a 5!) That is a huge problem.
I have had an opportunity to watch some computer-based grading in action and although it may lack the ability to score based completely on creativity (which sometimes humans may feel compelled to do), these algorithms are amazing. A whole lot of the technology is based in AI and Semantic Search. Papers can be graded not only on grammar, but also on relevance to topic and mastery of subject matter (I would fail).
It is said to be a successful grading if a human tester can maintain 80% consitency from paper to paper. These computer based ratings are way over 90%. What does that tell us? Humans are smart enough to write programs to help them do things better. That is the whole point of computers anyway, isn't it?
I have taken some time out of my day to explore this "hammer method". Indeed. It does work. And although attacks of this sort must be carried out at very close proximity to the device in question, the results are wonderfull.
Bring a WiFi network to its knees? What is the range on a transmitter being powered by a PDA? Not far. Walk over to another access point on your network or leave that Starbucks and go to the one ACROSS THE STREET. My neighbor has the same cordless phone as I do. Talk about interference? I have to change the channel on the phone every time I make a call....Now THAT is annoying!
Seriously, the best thing to come out of apple is the Will Farrel testamonial. If you haven't seen it, it is hilarious.
Back on topic, apple is a bunch of computer nazis spreading the propoganda that their product is worth the extra money. By doing this they create a very nice little niche' for themselves. Rich republicans with enough bling and not enough math skills flock to the mac. The truth is that apple needs that niche' to survive. If Apple deregulated, toshiba or acer would be making iPods by the million and charging.49 cents for them.
In my opinion "Vs.", the sequel to "ten" was a much better work. As with most bands, Pearl Jam's national debut was a greatest hits album comprised of their best stuff to that point. "The Sophmore Jinx" as it is called occurs with bands for two reasons 1) The bands talent has been spent. 2) To Quote Tenacious D: "Your'e all fucking robots!".
As far as Moby goes, he is the "Enya" for the new Millenium.
I live in Connecticut. Sometimes, that alone is depressing. However, when Clear Channel broadcasting owns 70% of all radio stations in your listeneng area, life just sucks. Retarded, automaton-like DJ's with no local knowledge and a 20 song rotating playlist between endless advertisements. I have boycotted all Clear Channel Stations and I think everyone else should too. They suck.
Two minute resolution: A=Adobe, M=Macromedia
A to M: Did you use our technology in your product?
M to A: yes.
A to M: You have to pay us for that.
M to A: ok.
A to M: Are you going to continue using our technology in your product?
M to A: yes.
A to M: You have to pay us for that.
M to A: ok. We've got a ton of money anyway, our product is selling like napkins at a barbecue!
A to M: You guys are jerks.
Most people willing to try new software don't want to have to wait a "few hours" for a confirmation and download link. It's all about instant gratification. Us computer nerds hate to wait. What stops your company from sending a confirmation immediately after someone signs up?
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I work for a state department of education. Although my job is not to analyze current trends in student assessment tools, I may have some info to share from a Computer Science standpoint. Firstly, it should be noted that all states have statewide writing assessments for certain grade levels. The lovely "No Child Left Behind" act ensures that students in grades 3-8 and 10-11 will be tested in many subject areas by 2006, with the results having financial ramifications (poor performance = less latitude with federal funding and more federal mandates). All states test some of these grade levels in Reading Comprehension(sp?), Math , and in many cases Writing. So, if you take even a small state, let's just randomly pick one... Connecitcut. CT tests about 140,000 4th, 6th, and 8th graders in writing currently. Those tests are graded by a private contractor in another state. To facilitate this mass grading, 800 'educated' raters are hired and trained. One problem with human raters is consistency across a cohort. In pilot tests (and the real thing), individual raters were observed giving different scores to the same essay twice and if identical essays were given to two different raters, the scores quite frequently differed to a significant degree (How significant? Well the grade given is 1-5, 5 being complete mastery, and what one rater gives a 3 another would give a 5!) That is a huge problem. I have had an opportunity to watch some computer-based grading in action and although it may lack the ability to score based completely on creativity (which sometimes humans may feel compelled to do), these algorithms are amazing. A whole lot of the technology is based in AI and Semantic Search. Papers can be graded not only on grammar, but also on relevance to topic and mastery of subject matter (I would fail). It is said to be a successful grading if a human tester can maintain 80% consitency from paper to paper. These computer based ratings are way over 90%. What does that tell us? Humans are smart enough to write programs to help them do things better. That is the whole point of computers anyway, isn't it?
I have taken some time out of my day to explore this "hammer method". Indeed. It does work. And although attacks of this sort must be carried out at very close proximity to the device in question, the results are wonderfull.
Bring a WiFi network to its knees? What is the range on a transmitter being powered by a PDA? Not far. Walk over to another access point on your network or leave that Starbucks and go to the one ACROSS THE STREET. My neighbor has the same cordless phone as I do. Talk about interference? I have to change the channel on the phone every time I make a call....Now THAT is annoying!
I just got back to reading this thread. Point taken. Great response.
Seriously, the best thing to come out of apple is the Will Farrel testamonial. If you haven't seen it, it is hilarious. .49 cents for them.
Back on topic, apple is a bunch of computer nazis spreading the propoganda that their product is worth the extra money. By doing this they create a very nice little niche' for themselves. Rich republicans with enough bling and not enough math skills flock to the mac. The truth is that apple needs that niche' to survive. If Apple deregulated, toshiba or acer would be making iPods by the million and charging
No Bass, no band. John was the best.
In my opinion "Vs.", the sequel to "ten" was a much better work. As with most bands, Pearl Jam's national debut was a greatest hits album comprised of their best stuff to that point. "The Sophmore Jinx" as it is called occurs with bands for two reasons 1) The bands talent has been spent. 2) To Quote Tenacious D: "Your'e all fucking robots!". As far as Moby goes, he is the "Enya" for the new Millenium.
I live in Connecticut. Sometimes, that alone is depressing. However, when Clear Channel broadcasting owns 70% of all radio stations in your listeneng area, life just sucks. Retarded, automaton-like DJ's with no local knowledge and a 20 song rotating playlist between endless advertisements. I have boycotted all Clear Channel Stations and I think everyone else should too. They suck.
Two minute resolution: A=Adobe, M=Macromedia A to M: Did you use our technology in your product? M to A: yes. A to M: You have to pay us for that. M to A: ok. A to M: Are you going to continue using our technology in your product? M to A: yes. A to M: You have to pay us for that. M to A: ok. We've got a ton of money anyway, our product is selling like napkins at a barbecue! A to M: You guys are jerks.
Most people willing to try new software don't want to have to wait a "few hours" for a confirmation and download link. It's all about instant gratification. Us computer nerds hate to wait. What stops your company from sending a confirmation immediately after someone signs up?