Vanity Search

It is hard to believe how much information is out there on “YOU”. Have you done a vanity search (using an online search engine with your name) on yourself lately? You’d be surprised at how our personal information is readily available. Do a search now and see what you can find.

Where you able to find yourself? If you have a common name, you are lucky. It just makes it harder for someone to find information on you, but if they are persistent, it will be found. For those who found themselves easily, are you surprised?

One thing that is surprising is to find out if someone could actually use all of your information to fill out an application on your behalf. Kind of scary, isn’t it? Does this mean we should be paranoid about the World Wide Web? Definitely not!!!

Just take a moment to make sure you check some of your security and privacy settings. There isn’t much you can do about public records (it is public records), just try to keep it clean.

What…you want to know how to look up people? Let’s just say that there are plenty of search engines and sites out there. Just don’t fall for the ones that require payment, unless you think it’s worth it. Be safe out there…

HTML Basics

Having Some Fun With HTML

I had a little bit of experience working on HTML when I took a few computer classes at Pierce College. I found it very interesting, especially with all of the cool features that you can do to dress up a Web page.

Pages can get very complex. If you are not careful and don't have attention to detail, you can easily have a page that will not work.

When Myspace was popular, I was able to expand and apply what I learned to my pages. Since we are messing around with HTML, I am going to embed my video presentation that I did in class. ENJOY!!!

USPS = Email

WHAT…similarities between the United States Postal Service and Email. No way!!! I can produce a list of differences but nothing that they share in common, at least for now.

After some thought…more thinking…there can actually be a list of similarities between the two. It was proven in class today. I wasn’t able to come up with 10 in our class exercise, but I did manage to come up with almost half of that. Below is my quick thinking of what they share:

·         Transfer of letters and messages

·         Some level of security

·         Address protocol

·         Size limit

Not bad, even though there was 1 student who got 5 out of 10. Side note – this will be on a test.

I later blurted out priority to add to the list on the board. Junk mail, return to sender, mailbox, address book, multiple accounts/PO Box, time of delivery, request receipt/certified, multiple stops, etc.

Since we already know the differences, we can better understand the similarities and how they developed into the technology of email. Who would have known that the basis of addresses and the routes that the postal carrier takes is just like the network of computers and miles of cables?

Expectations

What do I expect to get out of TINST 207A “Living and Working in a Virtual World” fall 2011?

I would like to fully understand the concept of the Virtual World and possibly get some hands-on training in applying it to real life.

I have always been intrigued by technology. When I was a young lad, I would take random things apart to see if I could figure out the internal workings. For the most part, I would get into trouble because I would leave these gadgets deemed worthless for my lack of putting it back together.

Once I got a little older, I found my dad’s tool chest. With the countless and indescribable tools at my finger tips, I became powerful. I started tinkering around with remote controls, my bicycle, and then cars. This messing around eventually led me to take classes in woodshop, metal shop, and a list of automotive courses. I eventually made an automotive technician as my career.

With a couple of on-the-job back injuries, it became evident that a change in career was due. Working on Porsches, Audis, and Volkswagens would be a thing of the past…or is it? I still do some minor items from time to time, but I eventually followed the computer field.

I earned an Associate’s Degree in Computer Network Engineering in 2010. I learned a lot about how computers network, but I found myself troubleshooting friends and family’s laptops. Transferring to the University of Washington Tacoma has led me to lean towards a couple of degrees offered at this campus.

Should I take Healthcare Leadership because of my previous leadership roles, or should I take Information Technology and Systems because it’s right up my alley? I could always spend another year completing the Physics and Calculus series in hopes to transfer to the Seattle campus for Mechanical or Materials Science in Engineering.

Choices, time, and the ability to pass classes…