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Comment: Planning to do the same for earlier age (Score 1) 462

by Chimel31 (#33418552) Attached to: What 'IT' Stuff Should We Teach Ninth-Graders?

That's a great idea, too many people know how to use computers, as per your current ICT program, but don't really understand them. I was planning to start with a PC building workshop, because it's easier to relate what you learn to a physical object. Bringing a dismantled cheap PC, showing around the components and explaining their role, then building the PC together. Building a modded custom PC would be even better, with a laser-etched logo of the school on the side panel and a good paint job. I don't think you can convey the same notions or expect kids to memorize them if you are using only textbooks.

Then start on the software part, showing the need for higher level languages than binary and 8086 machine languages (start with the usual joke "there are 10 types of people, those who understand binary, and those who don't").

Your ICT program seems to leave out programming completely, so introducing algorithms and programming concepts would be great indeed. The Towers of Hanoi is for instance a classical fun puzzle to solve via software and introduce recursivity. Or the Urinal Problem! ^-^ Again, applied learning might work better than just theoretical notions. Kids at your school would probably have many ideas of small applications that are feasible to develop within a year. Or take inspiration from movies, for instance try to reproduce the school grade hacking in War Games.

The way you're concerned with ICT learning, I'm sure we'll soon see even better generations of Indian IT engineers soon!

Comment: Great and cool idea to share a talk or a drink (Score 1) 253

by Chimel31 (#33404066) Attached to: Persistent Home Videoconferencing Solution?

It needs some motion detectors on both sides to start the video call automatically when both sides are active and you're set.
The Asus AiGuru SV1T just wouldn't work for this purpose, you need a real screen and good sound so that any member of the family can approach the screen and start speaking to dad or dad speaks to the family, no handheld device.
You can use the remote monitor to leave text, audio or video messages visible to the whole family, or use it for any normal "kitchen" use, such as Internet recipe lookup, shopping lists, tasklists, digital post-its, online radio, music, TV, you can even use it at the office during the lunch break, etc. Sounds like there is a potential for a great app.

I don't see anything creepy with this kind of application, and you can always stop the program if necessary, or mute the sound on any side.
The only "creepy" thing is that most people talk to the screen, not the camera, so until some manufacturer comes with a monitor with a camera embedded within the screen, you will always have this unfocused side look that is slightly creepy when you talk to a person.

Image

Girl Quits On Dry Erase Board a Hoax 147

Posted by samzenpus
from the take-this-job-and-shove-it dept.
suraj.sun writes "It's the same old story: young woman quits, uses dry erase board and series of pictures to let entire office know the boss is a sexist pig, exposes his love of playing FarmVille during work hours." Story seem too good to be true? It probably is, at least according to writer Peter Kafka. Even so, Jay Leno and Good Morning America have already reached out to "Jenny."

Comment: iPhone 4 antenna problem fixed!!! (Score 1) 374

by Chimel31 (#33181290) Attached to: Chip Guru Papermaster Loses Signal At Apple

Yeah! I knew there had to be a simple solution to the antenna problem: No more signal dropping for me since Papermaster was fired!
Just don't hold your iPhone the way Apple held to Papermaster and you'll be fine.
I was in a dilemma: Should I download more signal or an iBumper? No need now, Steve Jobs fixed it again!

Comment: Inventorize and prevent (Score 1) 825

by Chimel31 (#33166440) Attached to: Where To Start With DIY Home Security?

First place to start is listing the stuff you own. I have mine on a Google Docs spreadsheet, with tabs to categorize it. I can access it even if my computer gets stolen.
This will be useful for the insurance. Insurance won't replace anything, just pay you some, so prevention and common sense is really the key:
Securing the points of entrance, adding deterrents such as cameras and sirens, neighborhood watch, random lights and music, not publishing when you're going to vacations in the social sites, having your mail redirected or picked up, having a large mailbox big enough for parcels, automated shutters, etc.

Store your documents offline, like a scan of your passport and important papers. Digitalize as much as you can: I have ripped all my CDs and have a backup at my family's. I started ripping my DVDs too, although it's too big for backups. But at least I won't lose too much if someone steals my CDs or DVDs. Try to rip the most valuable ones, or the rarest.

It's really too bad that with all the technology around, there is no world standard for home automation and security.
It makes the whole thing far too complex to setup for the average joe.

Lol at all those who keep repeating dogs and guns, like the former is an option in an apartment, or like the latter is useful when you're away to anything else but getting your gun stolen too.

The more they over-think the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the drain.

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