I'm not in favor of slide rules except as a visual example of a logarithmic scale. But drilling can be done so it's fun, and there's no real alternative to practice. No one can do mental arithmetic as the above suggests without having done mental estimation for long division and repeated long hand multiplication. No one knows 7x8 from any other source but memorization through practice.
Math isn't at all easy for most people, but maybe the writer is referring to arithmetic. Calculators have created generations of people who don't really know what 4.5% means in any concrete sense. Or that 4/8 is the same as 50%. Digits are just buttons to this multitude of people, they have no sense of magnitude.
Flash cards are still way cool.
There isn't any complete download of the product at all. All you can download is a stub, which goes online for the actual download. The netscape ftp site has a netscape8 folder, with the usual nested folders down to win32/, then... nothing. So, the first download wasn't a complete download anyway. The patch may be a complete new set of files, but who knows? (I hate the stub.)
Looks like 7.2 will be my last netscape. Sad. I still install 3.0 (3.1?) gold sometimes just for nostalgia's sake.
And, am I just lucky in my use of the web? Where are all these pages that must have IE? (Which I never use except for windows update.) Please, point me at one, could someone? I'm curious.
The story was first introduced to me on public radio by luck and surprise. I was one of the privileged old guys who heard the radio series the first time it was heard on american radios. I had to wait a week to hear what happened next.
Surely I can't be the only one who never bothered to read the books? I read one or two, I think, and remember enjoying the introductions by DNA himself, but really never pursued the written Guide, or read it again. On the other hand, I have the cd set of the radio and play a side from time to time.
So who's with me? Book, game, movie, who cares? I'll never turn the dial and hear that music again. It's just like one big trailer reminding me of the belly laughs had in a smoke-filled room lit by a receiver radio dial. Maybe a black light in the corner, too. Memories are spotty from those days. Nixon gone, Ford in and stumbling over. SNL with Chevy Chase. Real acid. Whoops.
The only reason the Guide lives on is the original experience of hearing that intro music, then the dialogue of the radio play. Buy the radio version. Hear the reason you've heard of the Guide.
Douglas Adams was an amazing man, and the popularity of the radio series allowed him to do a lot of very cool things. But he always acknowledged how different the books were from the radio series, much of which was written very quickly. And he usually hinted at the fact that the books were written because there was a definite ready-made market for them, and I say good for him.
Even though I'm an obvious true believer in the original radio series, I still say bring on the movie, different or not. A movie isn't a radio dialogue, or a book either. And why shouldn't his wife benefit as well?
It does irk me a little for the trailers to say "..based on the best selling novel." Again I say there'd be nothing without the original radio series.
My Question:
"Why doesn't Zephod's (sp?) second head show all the time?"
Out of many claims to fame for CIT, here's a couple:
Long ago, and maybe still, Caltech was the answer to the question "What university has the highest SAT average score for incoming freshmen?" I think in the early 70's (when we still did all mathematics without calculators, though they are cute little tools) that average was 1360-something.
Caltech was also where Richard Feynman gave his collected lectures.
Wordperfect will save to many different defaults, per user choice of course, including previous versions back to wp dos 5, as well as various versions of word *.doc, which is more than word does. Wp 7 still blows away word.
Can terrorists build nuclear bombs? Who cares? How is it that the hysterical fear of terrorism (remember, deaths from auto accidents in the USA per month ~ 8,000 or so, deaths of children aged 6 and under from malnutrition per month, go google that for fun) stems from 9/11, nineteen guys with box-cutters. Who needs nukes?
Back when the word "terrorist" actually had a definition, it was understood that the use of conventional weaponry was not really an issue, as terrorists are stateless and typically without access to stockpiles of weapons. And, that a "bomb" can always be made from easily found materials, like the gas we put in our cars. "Can a terrorist build a bomb with a tanker truck full of gas?" I suppose we'll see a slashdot story about that soon.
And for what it's worth, why would a terrorist group bother to construct a nuclear weapon to bring to the USA? We have all the nuclear material right here in silos, old armories and stockpiles, energy plants, and hey, pretty soon on the road to Utah any terrorist needs.
15 of 19 of the 9/11 killers had errors or omissions on their visa forms that should have denied them entry. The 20th was kept out of the country by an immigration officer who simply asked him where he was staying and how he would get there. The 20th guy didn't even have a good story for those two questions.
So sure, why not, I'm sure they could build a nuclear weapon, but why bother?
Nonsense. Anyone who thinks that: a) the government influences what individual teachers teach or talk about with their students, or b) the teachers' unions have any influence over the actions of individual teachers, is comically mistaken.
"The government has an agenda..." Give me a break.
Perhaps you could cite some actual reference to a school district that is trying to "ban even the constitution and delceration (sic) of independance (sic)?"
Hey, now, who's a monkey? (Correct answer: All of us!) But gosh, maybe any UI is no more than a personal preference? Or maybe even what one learned and became used to first? Intense diatribes about menu position preferences are very juvenile, kids.
Personally, I notice that between linux, mac, and windows, the mac allows the least adjustment of the interface to suit one's preferences. Tho' xp seems headed towards less user control.
For my part, whenever I install windows, the first thing I do is drag the taskbar to the top of the screen where it belongs. So the first menu choices are programs to be run, for example, as opposed to shutting down the machine. But, I don't have any interest at all in anyone else's preferences, nor should anyone really care about mine.
For what it's worth, attaching or not attaching a menu to the app's window was always more of a resource saver question, just tracking one menu is simpler. Plus the simple matter of available pixels.
What I would prefer is the ability to set these menu positions and locations as I choose, without a shareware add-on.
This probably should be just email, doubtful anyone else reads threads this old. Again, thanks for the reply, gives one a sense of presence.
I especially appreciate your satisfying my curiosity re Ayn Rand, etc. I also read through the Fountainhead (through a friend's recommendation), then Atlas Shrugged, then whatever remaining works I could find, as well as related works by her "devotees", I believe something called the "Objectivist" magazine. This was, however, more like 35 years ago now, hard as that is to believe, given my youthful appearance and outlook. (Given appropriate self-delusion, that is.) I found her writing and viewpoint enlightening, much like some secret truth I'd discovered. My high school english teachers were very impressed with this, as I recall.
Also appreciated is your info re John Dewey, I wasn't aware of his stance on that at all. The general impression of him is that he was more of the workplace oriented, but community minded schools, that is, educating for the local needs.
As a public school teacher, of course I know how odd and anachronistic schools are. I might mention that until well after college graduation I would have laughed (and did) at the suggestion that I would be a professor or a school teacher.
I believe it is the function of the young (if you'll pardon me for that simplistic label) to think deeply about how society could and should behave, and pursue that society through any means. I think there's a level of financial security where one is simply way beyond well-off, and giving some small amount to help those in your community (state or country) isn't unreasonable. I also deplore the welfare state the US has become, not to mention the insidious growth of the private military industry on the rampage. So, I'd be happy to have a society like you posit. And enjoy reading your points.
Take it easy, read "Catch 22" and some Kurt Vonnegut.
Belatedly I have of course read that far, and I appreciate your response to my post. Your points are powerfully and clearly stated, and not easily countered. I'm sure you have read much, and have already seen and considered counter arguments to your positions, or you could not be so eloquent in their defense.
I would encourage you to consider, however, that the state of reality where "...each person owns their own life, their own property, and the fruits of their application of that property." is a pipedream. This is because we exist in a tiny slice of eons past and future, where repeatedly we as a species will exploit and consume the weak whenever we can. Or, not just the weak, but the Other, the next tribe down the path.
Therefore, to consider my paying taxes as some significant example of coercion seems to be petty compared to the abject slavery humans regularly submit other humans to, unless prevented by some sort of civilized government control.
However, thanks to the wonder that is the free market, some clever person would see what a huge market was available for lower cost, quality schooling, and would build their own school, and charge lower tuition.
No, some clever person would realize that there was a sizeable body of available cheap labor, build some sweat shops, and make some jeans.
I agree with your arguments. (I still suspect an Ayn Rand influence, and youth.) But there is no world where humanity exists where the use of force will not be omnipresent. How that force is controlled by the populace is the only issue. Tribal warlords, the KGB, or the IRS. All governments are not equal in this issue.
Consider "empathy" also, and consider the fate of birthplace and birth circumstances for your fellow humans who exist in this world, now.
The world of humanity is a real place, where people and governments act in ways which can not be categorized simply, or shoved into columns with headings like "socialist" or even "private schools".
Private education works better...
Of course it does. Home-schooling works better than that, with a highly educated parent teaching several children. Both deny education to a sizeable proportion of society which cannot afford either.
... a GOVERNMENT cannot function as either completely socialist or capitalist.
Capitalism is an economic system, no government can be capitalist.
... socialism is inherently self-destructive..
... government is the ultimate manifestation of coersion...
Government is force, capitalism is its antithesis.
These statements are just nonsensical, and the use of "inherently" and "ultimate" don't make them meaningful. But stated with such certainty they sure sound smart! Just how is capitalism the antithesis of force? Capitalism is beanie babies and Popeil's Pocket Fisherman (?), the success of Britney Spears, reality tv, cell phones with cameras, Wallymart and all the plastic junk a good american can buy. What is it that's so special about capitalism?
I'm just taking a guess here, are you an Ayn Rand fan?
And of course you'd agree the victims of the tsunami in no way deserve charity, they've shown themselves as quite clearly not meriting survival, by their free choice of living in a tidal plain. They'd just be SOL in your perfect world, I guess.
I also happen to have quite some experience in both computers and education, 25+ years teaching, 25+ years programming (and general mucking about with) computers.
Yes, humans are generally pathetic teachers, as well as generally pathetic learners, readers, writers, spellers, drivers, members of a civilized society, etc. Humans are almost all so average or below average it's scary. Though maybe I misunderstood your point, and it's only the teachers who are pathetic? Somehow failing the eager to learn, interested and intelligent natural learners they are presented with in the public school system? No, that would be an idiotic point to make, I'm sure you couldn't mean that.
No, it's not the computers to blame. Much of the use of technology in education comes from teachers being directed (and even required) to use the computer labs a school administration has chosen to invest in. Of course these forced applications are often awkward and sometimes pointless, an inefficient use of student time. Much of the high school experience in computer labs consists of playing (some very cool) flash games.
Computers are excellent tools for practice and repetition, yet it is striking how much of the educational software is so worthless. I am glad to hear of a program that didn't "suck." I've pretty much quit looking at the software that's out there. Of course, our district currently couldn't afford to buy anything right now anyway. But, there's no doubt in my mind that online courses could be excellent learning experiences.
Luckily, you're completely correct in your conclusion, "You need a great educator who also understands computers very well.." What with the fabulous job conditions a teacher enjoys, as well as the solid community support, those sort of teachers are a dime a dozen!
This can't be a reply to my post? I said context matters, and at no time did I imply anyone need censor their language. What I said, was words matter. They're not just letters.
...neither you nor the original poster are actually black, and thus really cannot be offended by said coment...
Yep, I'm a white guy. So when I'm around a group of people who use the word in every other sentence, I have no reason to be offended?
As for censorship, my offense is my own issue, and I'll deal with it by leaving those groups out of my life. Free speech is fine by me, I have the choice to listen or not.
...you really have no reason at all to comment.
You're kidding, right? Commenting on slashdot is just killing time, a narcissistic exercise in examining one's thoughts, AFAICT.
Wait a second. Why isn't this modded "off topic"? Moderators? Hey moderators, try this: copy the post above and jam it into any of the threads today. Does it fit any better or worse? Could you even remotely guess what thread it was yanked from without the quote?
Not that I don't agree 100%, as I have been an artistic programmer since '78 or so. But still, it's the principle of the thing.
Yeah, right, it's just a word. Let's see, how many comments so far have been solely about the use of this word? Sure, just a word.
This statement is used so often, and it is such an incredibly stupid and obviously wrong statement. Words are huge. We all read slashdot for the words. Slightly different words mean vastly different things. Language and words are what give our thoughts, feelings, and dreams a voice.
Peer groups, society, culture and civilization all place a changing value and meaning to words that reflects (hopefully) growing and deeper insights into the common humanity we all share. So-called polite speech will always differ from casual or familiar speech for many reasons. The use of particular words, and their meaning and effect on the reader, is never trivial, and no word is simply letters in a unique arrangement.
I think in this case the word was the title of the author's piece, as well as an integral part of that piece, so I find it appropriate. If I started seeing it in some slashdotter's sig I'd have some problems with that.
Context and usage matter. Words matter. Otherwise, "yasids" would mean "fish", because I say it does. Otherwise, my use of the word "stupid" above wouldn't be offensive.
Yes, especially when many of those being scammed are somebody's grandparent, who still has the misfortunate expectation of honesty and civility. It's easy to talk about "thinning the herd" and stupid humans, but there is that obligation (in civilised society) to attempt empathy, at least.
Great linebacker analogy. Reminds me of a discussion with a friend who argued that virus-writers and other malicious coders were somehow a positive force, in that they showed the weak spots in the system. My argument was "Then does my throwing a rock through a picture window from the street show the flaw in that home's protection scheme?"
Administering these race-based preference systems is a lucrative business,...
Uh... What? You're saying those who work in the area of affirmative action are doing it for the big bucks to be found in a career in social work? Yeah, right.
It's always hard for those on the right to understand the concept of service, of giving something back to society, since they tend to see all human behavior in terms of greed.
Well, but that's different. Yes, when I install NS 7.1 I expect to spend some tiresome moments deleting all the desktop icons, the quicklaunch icons, the java webstart, and possibly run msconfig to make sure aim or quicklaunch wasn't installed. Takes about a minute. But those aren't ads. Those modders, they're something! My apologies for going by what I took to be the usual meaning of the term "junk ads."
And for the general user, a NS install immediately provides flash and java, and some people really use any online radio app they see.
I do agree that the amount of debris NS puts on your desktop, etc., is really abusive and hateful. Personally I find deleting icons a regular part of any program installation, so it's NBD to me.
What's sad is that this comment gets modded up so high! What junk ads? Netscape 7.1 has no ads, though the initial installment does allow popup windows from a bunch of servers. You just, uh, delete them. Personally I still like the sidebar. What you see on a web page is what you would have seen with Mozilla 1.4, which was, of course, "cutting edge" for a while anyway.
And, for what it's worth, I believe one problem Mozilla has with many users is its constant revision. A new point release every few months. Creates a sense for the general user of unfinished product, or of something better in the newer version. Also an annoyance are the changes to themes and with Firefox, extensions, which work with one point release, but not the previous ones, or usually the future releases. Of course this is a flawed viewpoint, but there you are.
Slashdotter's should also keep in mind that the really general user doesn't even know or care which browser they're using, which of course means IE.
The Pentagon has already stated that troop levels will be kept at 135,000 through the end of 2005. So who is the "we" that's trying to bring the troops home?
NYTimes
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Published: May 4, 2004
"WASHINGTON -- U.S. commanders plan to keep U.S. troops at their current levels in Iraq -- about 135,000 -- until the end of 2005, Pentagon officials said Tuesday."
Many teachers avoid computers, since their students know so much more about them than they do.
I always hate to hear this as a slashdotter-teacher who has forgotten more than these kids will ever know. The truth is the percentage of kids who really know anything about computers is about the same as adults, there's those few geeks like us, but most of the kids know only paltry subset skills, like installing programs, running their ICQ apps, and whatever they learn at school. They're mostly clueless. Just adept at running the stuff they like. They aren't afraid of doing something wrong, perhaps, as some older folks seem to be when using a computer. Of course, your average public school teacher is perhaps a little more clueless then the general public because a) we don't make much money, and computers aren't cheap, and b) we don't need them for our day to day jobs. That is, in a building with 12 employees and 300 children, you don't really need email or a database. Of course it's great fun to do so, but not really economically feasible.
A good teacher (as long as they have support in discipline issues), can teach students with nothing but a blackboard and chalk...
Aye, there's the rub. It's like that Steve Martin bit, how to be a millionare. "First, get a $1,000,000." So first, get a Good Teacher. You know, maybe like Jaime Escalante. Nothing to it.
Ok, enough. The teacher and classroom front line people in this discussion have virtually NO input as to when, where, or how many computers are put in their buildings or classrooms. From above comes the word, and they appear, and we are encouraged to find some reason to use the computer labs. Same with distance learning, ridiculous expense for no real gain in educational potential.
As a math teacher, I've resisted all this use of extra junk, and especially calculators at a young age, as obviously not worth the expense. That is, quite clearly there have been little or no great gains since the introduction and use of technology in the classroom, certainly not equal to the expense.
Slashdot Mirror
I'm not in favor of slide rules except as a visual example of a logarithmic scale. But drilling can be done so it's fun, and there's no real alternative to practice. No one can do mental arithmetic as the above suggests without having done mental estimation for long division and repeated long hand multiplication. No one knows 7x8 from any other source but memorization through practice. Math isn't at all easy for most people, but maybe the writer is referring to arithmetic. Calculators have created generations of people who don't really know what 4.5% means in any concrete sense. Or that 4/8 is the same as 50%. Digits are just buttons to this multitude of people, they have no sense of magnitude. Flash cards are still way cool.
Looks like 7.2 will be my last netscape. Sad. I still install 3.0 (3.1?) gold sometimes just for nostalgia's sake.
And, am I just lucky in my use of the web? Where are all these pages that must have IE? (Which I never use except for windows update.) Please, point me at one, could someone? I'm curious.
I think "Finding your Inner Asshole" would be a great book, or at least an excellent seminar with box lunch.
The story was first introduced to me on public radio by luck and surprise. I was one of the privileged old guys who heard the radio series the first time it was heard on american radios. I had to wait a week to hear what happened next.
Surely I can't be the only one who never bothered to read the books? I read one or two, I think, and remember enjoying the introductions by DNA himself, but really never pursued the written Guide, or read it again. On the other hand, I have the cd set of the radio and play a side from time to time.
So who's with me? Book, game, movie, who cares? I'll never turn the dial and hear that music again. It's just like one big trailer reminding me of the belly laughs had in a smoke-filled room lit by a receiver radio dial. Maybe a black light in the corner, too. Memories are spotty from those days. Nixon gone, Ford in and stumbling over. SNL with Chevy Chase. Real acid. Whoops.
Douglas Adams was an amazing man, and the popularity of the radio series allowed him to do a lot of very cool things. But he always acknowledged how different the books were from the radio series, much of which was written very quickly. And he usually hinted at the fact that the books were written because there was a definite ready-made market for them, and I say good for him.
Even though I'm an obvious true believer in the original radio series, I still say bring on the movie, different or not. A movie isn't a radio dialogue, or a book either. And why shouldn't his wife benefit as well?
It does irk me a little for the trailers to say "..based on the best selling novel." Again I say there'd be nothing without the original radio series.
My Question: "Why doesn't Zephod's (sp?) second head show all the time?"
Out of many claims to fame for CIT, here's a couple:
Long ago, and maybe still, Caltech was the answer to the question "What university has the highest SAT average score for incoming freshmen?" I think in the early 70's (when we still did all mathematics without calculators, though they are cute little tools) that average was 1360-something.
Caltech was also where Richard Feynman gave his collected lectures.
The default is .wpd, though.
Back when the word "terrorist" actually had a definition, it was understood that the use of conventional weaponry was not really an issue, as terrorists are stateless and typically without access to stockpiles of weapons. And, that a "bomb" can always be made from easily found materials, like the gas we put in our cars. "Can a terrorist build a bomb with a tanker truck full of gas?" I suppose we'll see a slashdot story about that soon.
And for what it's worth, why would a terrorist group bother to construct a nuclear weapon to bring to the USA? We have all the nuclear material right here in silos, old armories and stockpiles, energy plants, and hey, pretty soon on the road to Utah any terrorist needs.
15 of 19 of the 9/11 killers had errors or omissions on their visa forms that should have denied them entry. The 20th was kept out of the country by an immigration officer who simply asked him where he was staying and how he would get there. The 20th guy didn't even have a good story for those two questions.
So sure, why not, I'm sure they could build a nuclear weapon, but why bother?
Nineteen guys with box-cutters.
"The government has an agenda..." Give me a break.
Perhaps you could cite some actual reference to a school district that is trying to "ban even the constitution and delceration (sic) of independance (sic)?"
Personally, I notice that between linux, mac, and windows, the mac allows the least adjustment of the interface to suit one's preferences. Tho' xp seems headed towards less user control.
For my part, whenever I install windows, the first thing I do is drag the taskbar to the top of the screen where it belongs. So the first menu choices are programs to be run, for example, as opposed to shutting down the machine. But, I don't have any interest at all in anyone else's preferences, nor should anyone really care about mine.
For what it's worth, attaching or not attaching a menu to the app's window was always more of a resource saver question, just tracking one menu is simpler. Plus the simple matter of available pixels.
What I would prefer is the ability to set these menu positions and locations as I choose, without a shareware add-on.
I especially appreciate your satisfying my curiosity re Ayn Rand, etc. I also read through the Fountainhead (through a friend's recommendation), then Atlas Shrugged, then whatever remaining works I could find, as well as related works by her "devotees", I believe something called the "Objectivist" magazine. This was, however, more like 35 years ago now, hard as that is to believe, given my youthful appearance and outlook. (Given appropriate self-delusion, that is.) I found her writing and viewpoint enlightening, much like some secret truth I'd discovered. My high school english teachers were very impressed with this, as I recall.
Also appreciated is your info re John Dewey, I wasn't aware of his stance on that at all. The general impression of him is that he was more of the workplace oriented, but community minded schools, that is, educating for the local needs.
As a public school teacher, of course I know how odd and anachronistic schools are. I might mention that until well after college graduation I would have laughed (and did) at the suggestion that I would be a professor or a school teacher.
I believe it is the function of the young (if you'll pardon me for that simplistic label) to think deeply about how society could and should behave, and pursue that society through any means. I think there's a level of financial security where one is simply way beyond well-off, and giving some small amount to help those in your community (state or country) isn't unreasonable. I also deplore the welfare state the US has become, not to mention the insidious growth of the private military industry on the rampage. So, I'd be happy to have a society like you posit. And enjoy reading your points.
Take it easy, read "Catch 22" and some Kurt Vonnegut.
I would encourage you to consider, however, that the state of reality where "...each person owns their own life, their own property, and the fruits of their application of that property." is a pipedream. This is because we exist in a tiny slice of eons past and future, where repeatedly we as a species will exploit and consume the weak whenever we can. Or, not just the weak, but the Other, the next tribe down the path.
Therefore, to consider my paying taxes as some significant example of coercion seems to be petty compared to the abject slavery humans regularly submit other humans to, unless prevented by some sort of civilized government control.
However, thanks to the wonder that is the free market, some clever person would see what a huge market was available for lower cost, quality schooling, and would build their own school, and charge lower tuition.
No, some clever person would realize that there was a sizeable body of available cheap labor, build some sweat shops, and make some jeans.
I agree with your arguments. (I still suspect an Ayn Rand influence, and youth.) But there is no world where humanity exists where the use of force will not be omnipresent. How that force is controlled by the populace is the only issue. Tribal warlords, the KGB, or the IRS. All governments are not equal in this issue.
Consider "empathy" also, and consider the fate of birthplace and birth circumstances for your fellow humans who exist in this world, now.
Private education works better...
Of course it does. Home-schooling works better than that, with a highly educated parent teaching several children. Both deny education to a sizeable proportion of society which cannot afford either.
Capitalism is an economic system, no government can be capitalist.
... government is the ultimate manifestation of coersion ...
Government is force, capitalism is its antithesis.
These statements are just nonsensical, and the use of "inherently" and "ultimate" don't make them meaningful. But stated with such certainty they sure sound smart! Just how is capitalism the antithesis of force? Capitalism is beanie babies and Popeil's Pocket Fisherman (?), the success of Britney Spears, reality tv, cell phones with cameras, Wallymart and all the plastic junk a good american can buy. What is it that's so special about capitalism?
I'm just taking a guess here, are you an Ayn Rand fan?
And of course you'd agree the victims of the tsunami in no way deserve charity, they've shown themselves as quite clearly not meriting survival, by their free choice of living in a tidal plain. They'd just be SOL in your perfect world, I guess.
Yes, humans are generally pathetic teachers, as well as generally pathetic learners, readers, writers, spellers, drivers, members of a civilized society, etc. Humans are almost all so average or below average it's scary. Though maybe I misunderstood your point, and it's only the teachers who are pathetic? Somehow failing the eager to learn, interested and intelligent natural learners they are presented with in the public school system? No, that would be an idiotic point to make, I'm sure you couldn't mean that.
No, it's not the computers to blame. Much of the use of technology in education comes from teachers being directed (and even required) to use the computer labs a school administration has chosen to invest in. Of course these forced applications are often awkward and sometimes pointless, an inefficient use of student time. Much of the high school experience in computer labs consists of playing (some very cool) flash games.
Computers are excellent tools for practice and repetition, yet it is striking how much of the educational software is so worthless. I am glad to hear of a program that didn't "suck." I've pretty much quit looking at the software that's out there. Of course, our district currently couldn't afford to buy anything right now anyway. But, there's no doubt in my mind that online courses could be excellent learning experiences.
Luckily, you're completely correct in your conclusion, "You need a great educator who also understands computers very well.." What with the fabulous job conditions a teacher enjoys, as well as the solid community support, those sort of teachers are a dime a dozen!
Yep, I'm a white guy. So when I'm around a group of people who use the word in every other sentence, I have no reason to be offended?
As for censorship, my offense is my own issue, and I'll deal with it by leaving those groups out of my life. Free speech is fine by me, I have the choice to listen or not.
You're kidding, right? Commenting on slashdot is just killing time, a narcissistic exercise in examining one's thoughts, AFAICT.
Not that I don't agree 100%, as I have been an artistic programmer since '78 or so. But still, it's the principle of the thing.
This statement is used so often, and it is such an incredibly stupid and obviously wrong statement. Words are huge. We all read slashdot for the words. Slightly different words mean vastly different things. Language and words are what give our thoughts, feelings, and dreams a voice.
Peer groups, society, culture and civilization all place a changing value and meaning to words that reflects (hopefully) growing and deeper insights into the common humanity we all share. So-called polite speech will always differ from casual or familiar speech for many reasons. The use of particular words, and their meaning and effect on the reader, is never trivial, and no word is simply letters in a unique arrangement.
I think in this case the word was the title of the author's piece, as well as an integral part of that piece, so I find it appropriate. If I started seeing it in some slashdotter's sig I'd have some problems with that.
Context and usage matter. Words matter. Otherwise, "yasids" would mean "fish", because I say it does. Otherwise, my use of the word "stupid" above wouldn't be offensive.
Great linebacker analogy. Reminds me of a discussion with a friend who argued that virus-writers and other malicious coders were somehow a positive force, in that they showed the weak spots in the system. My argument was "Then does my throwing a rock through a picture window from the street show the flaw in that home's protection scheme?"
Uh... What? You're saying those who work in the area of affirmative action are doing it for the big bucks to be found in a career in social work? Yeah, right.
It's always hard for those on the right to understand the concept of service, of giving something back to society, since they tend to see all human behavior in terms of greed.
And for the general user, a NS install immediately provides flash and java, and some people really use any online radio app they see.
I do agree that the amount of debris NS puts on your desktop, etc., is really abusive and hateful. Personally I find deleting icons a regular part of any program installation, so it's NBD to me.
Hmm.. The full installation NSSetup-Full.exe for Windows is 24,784 KB.
And, for what it's worth, I believe one problem Mozilla has with many users is its constant revision. A new point release every few months. Creates a sense for the general user of unfinished product, or of something better in the newer version. Also an annoyance are the changes to themes and with Firefox, extensions, which work with one point release, but not the previous ones, or usually the future releases. Of course this is a flawed viewpoint, but there you are.
Slashdotter's should also keep in mind that the really general user doesn't even know or care which browser they're using, which of course means IE.
NYTimes By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - Published: May 4, 2004
"WASHINGTON -- U.S. commanders plan to keep U.S. troops at their current levels in Iraq -- about 135,000 -- until the end of 2005, Pentagon officials said Tuesday."
I always hate to hear this as a slashdotter-teacher who has forgotten more than these kids will ever know. The truth is the percentage of kids who really know anything about computers is about the same as adults, there's those few geeks like us, but most of the kids know only paltry subset skills, like installing programs, running their ICQ apps, and whatever they learn at school. They're mostly clueless. Just adept at running the stuff they like. They aren't afraid of doing something wrong, perhaps, as some older folks seem to be when using a computer. Of course, your average public school teacher is perhaps a little more clueless then the general public because a) we don't make much money, and computers aren't cheap, and b) we don't need them for our day to day jobs. That is, in a building with 12 employees and 300 children, you don't really need email or a database. Of course it's great fun to do so, but not really economically feasible.
A good teacher (as long as they have support in discipline issues), can teach students with nothing but a blackboard and chalk...
Aye, there's the rub. It's like that Steve Martin bit, how to be a millionare. "First, get a $1,000,000." So first, get a Good Teacher. You know, maybe like Jaime Escalante. Nothing to it.
As a math teacher, I've resisted all this use of extra junk, and especially calculators at a young age, as obviously not worth the expense. That is, quite clearly there have been little or no great gains since the introduction and use of technology in the classroom, certainly not equal to the expense.