CST 300: Week 8

 Team Video Project Review

Orion Analytics: Trends in Cryptography

This team's short video was simple and informative and made nice use of visuals. I really liked the Cardan Grille example of encryption and decryption. The explanation for asymmetric encryption is confusing, however. A slide with bullets is shown while the speaker quickly narrates. It is a barrage of information that is too much to take in at once. The presenter should speak more slowly or simplify the slide. Perhaps have the bullets appear one line at a time as the narrator speaks. 

Their long video is very well researched, full of cool animations, and uses technical language aimed at professionals. However, the video is too long and research heavy. While I enjoyed learning about the history of cryptography, particularly since it relates to military history, the segment could have been shortened. Also, the slide on fully homomorphic encryption had way too much information. Teamwork is evident, although it seems like one team member spoke more than others. Some segments should have been re-recorded due to speaking mistakes and there are some bad cuts in the film. 

Open Sorcerers, Inc.: IoT and Energy Conservation

This team's short video is straight to the point and seems to target a general audience. There are some bullet points that are a sentence long and should be shortened. I had to adjust my volume for one of the speakers. The end of the video should be trimmed by a couple seconds to eliminate the excessive pause and breathing noise.

Their long video targets a professional audience and is clearly a team project. Visuals are nice. I like the animated graph. Research seems adequate. The end of the video is cut perfectly. However, the audio problem persists for the one speaker. His presentation is fine, but I should not have to turn my volume up that high for his segment. He may have to invest in a better microphone. 

GRID: 3D Prosthetics

This team's short video seems to target youth. The first speaker does not seem very enthusiastic and the audio feels slapped together. There is a bad cut during his segment as well. Although the video starts out weak, the rest of the team put out strong segments. I laughed at the reference to Luke's prosthetic arm. 

Their long video has a more professional format. The video is very informative and goes into detailed description of how 3D printers build prosthetics. A lot of research went into the details of the video. The first speaker did a much better job here than in the short video. The opening was much stronger. Unfortunately, the video does not meet the minimum length requirement. A 30 second conclusion to review everything would have been sufficient to meet it. There is also a joke about how it used to cost an arm and a leg to get prosthetics which may be upsetting to some.

Keeping Up

Final Video Project

My team's final video project is complete. This was the first time I ever put a research video together and also the first time making a video with a team. I am satisfied with the way out videos turned out. One issue we faced was everyone's audio recording volume being different. The differences are more noticeable in the short video. I would like to learn how to fix common issues with audio recording and video making so that our future videos can be even better. 

Roadrunner Financial - Long Video
Roadrunner Financial - Short Video

CST 300 Final Reflection

So here I am 8 weeks later. This certainly has been a crash course introduction to the program. It is very fast paced for being part time. Usually I would have a full semester to leisurely complete 8 units, but this program has me completing 4-unit, 8-week courses back-to-back. I imagine this is what being on a quarter system feels like, but we have two quarters smooshed together into a single semester. It's manageable, though.

I am really glad that this class is out of the way. We learned a lot of useful information and skills that can be used to make ourselves more professional, but I really saw it as a writing class in disguise. Research papers stress me out. Finding out that I had to meet the GWAR in such a short time was intimidating, but it's over now. Maybe I can relax. Or maybe this is just the beginning.

CST 300: Week 7

Final Research Video Planning

Tools for Collaboration

This week my team discussed our plan for creating our final video project. We will record our audio segments using either Audacity or Windows Voice Recorder and upload the mp3 files to Google Drive. We will be using Google Slides for our visual presentation. To ensure consistency, a single team member will combine the mp3 files with the slide presentation using Adobe Premier video editing software. 

Future Improvements

Although our video editor does not mind, my team believes that leaving the editing to one person is not fair. We should all download and learn to use Adobe Premier so we can learn how to record our own parts and connect them smoothly. The reason we decided on one editor is so that we can avoid "3 videos in 1," but I believe we can find solutions that allow each of us to edit our own clips. 

Weekly Reflection

Ted Talk: Andrew Marantz

This week I watched two Ted Talks. The first covers propaganda and toxicity on the internet. Andrew Marantz spent some time with a 30-something-year-old propagandist in California to learn why he spreads lies. The extremist wants to cut off all US immigration, especially from Muslim countries, and broadcasts for his followers to tweet about the "open borders agenda" that George Soros allegedly controls. The man was interested only in arousing emotion from his followers, not in relevant facts. 

Lies like this have been amplified by people in the highest offices in the United States, adding to their perceived legitimacy. Furthermore, social media algorithms measure engagement rather than content. This leads to controversial posts being pushed to the top of news feeds, falsely suggesting that extremist views or conspiracy theories are popular. Mainstream ideas that the majority believe are pushed to the bottom because they do not elicit an emotional reaction. Marantz suggests social networks change their algorithms to promote more healthy discourse and bury the lies of propagandists.  

Ted Talk: Laura Rovner

The second Ted Talk I watched was created by a civil rights lawyer who visited ADX Florence, a supermax prison in Colorado. She argues that solitary confinement is torture because prisoners are locked up 23 hours a day, with 1 hour outside to exercise in a small concrete pen. She argues that prolonged exposure to solitary confinement deteriorates vision, speech, mental health, and social skills. While international humanitarian law prohibits long-term solitary confinement, ADX officials have kept secret from the public what happens behind bars, and Rovner claims there is more transparency with GTMO detainees.

Rovner highlights the story of Thomas Silverstein, a prisoner who spent nearly 36 years in solitary confinement for killing a correctional officer. The prison staff justified their action by claiming there must be a severe punishment for killing guards or it will happen more often. While I agree that there must be a "jail within a jail" to punish troublemakers, I agree with Rovner's assessment that prolonged solitary confinement is a violation of the 8th Amendment, although it appears no court has agreed yet.

Presentation Skills

Finally, I learned some tips for improving my PowerPoint presentation skills. Visual aids should be relevant to the topic, simple to understand, few in number, and not be used to avoid eye contact. Distractions must be kept to a minimum, so handouts should not be passed out during the presentation. The slides must have an agreeable font that can be seen from the back of the room. Last, but not least, it is important to keep bullet points minimal by not writing everything you will say on the slides. The slides are not meant to be read directly. They are meant to help you keep track of where you are and what to talk about. You must be prepared for the presentation beforehand. 

CST 300: Week 6

Team Capstone Ideas

This week my team and I discussed ideas for our capstone project. We began by discussing the individual capstones projects we blogged about last week and provided suggestions to expand on and improve them. For example, it was suggested that my financial management program download transaction data and categorize purchases automatically by using a 3rd party service, such as Plaid, to access bank accounts. Afterwards we began discussing new ideas. The most promising possibility was a "super" social media website/app that centralizes all your social media newsfeeds. I think this is plausible depending on available APIs from major social media websites. The user could link their accounts to the app which would then download feeds from each site, parse them, and consolidate posts into a standard interface. When replying to or "liking" a post, an appropriately crafted data string would be sent to the corresponding social media server and the app would confirm the data was received. This app could allow for universal features like updating all social media sites with the same profile picture or posting the same message in multiple places simultaneously.

Keeping Up

The most beneficial thing I learned this week is how to properly create a resume and cover letter. It is one of the areas in which I struggle, and I have previously been criticized for having a weak resume. I find it difficult to describe basic duties using long, detailed sentences, as I don't care much for exaggeration or unnecessary filler. The videos presented by career services provide reasonable examples and tips for creating a concise, professional looking resume for a targeted company.

Finally, my team began work on our final presentation videos this week. I proposed that we present consecutively but we decided to alternate 30 second to 1 minute time blocks. I believe this method will be easier and more efficient than my proposal of speaking for a solid 3 minute block. Our long video has been split into 8 sections and the short video into 5 sections. Each section has a designated time block and has been assigned to a team member. Our shared outline is on Google Docs so we can keep our team up to date with our progress and help them out if necessary.

CST 300: Week 5

Teammates' Goals

It is important to know the goals of your teammates so that you can help encourage them. My teammate Katie is a systems administrator with aspirations to become a software engineer. The following is my response to her educational and career goals:

Hi Katie! I think it's a fantastic idea to combine your IT background with a bachelor's degree in computer science. There are many people who have a deep understanding of how computers work programmatically but have little-to-no knowledge of the IT side of the house. Combined knowledge of software development and systems administration will take you far towards your goal of working in your chosen industry. 

My teammate Mike is an aspiring game developer. Not only does he want to work on games, he also wants to create tools for other game developers to use. Here is my response to his educational and career goals:

Hi Mike! It's awesome that you plan on making game development tools. I hear so many students talk about making their own video game, but you want to make the tools that they use. That is a pretty specific focus and will probably have a smaller pool of applicants. You seem to be passionate about the field and are eager to learn anything necessary to succeed. 

Capstone Ideas

Financial Management App

• One of my first Java programs was a bill manager written for my mother. It is a basic desktop program that transfers data back and forth between a graphical user interface and an XML file. It functions as a digital version of a financial logbook. I would like to expand on this idea and create a full blown financial management program.
• Having multiple checking and savings accounts, especially across more than one bank, can make financial management a headache. This program will help users consolidate all expenditures by providing a central location for them to enter information about their bills and transactions. I am considering additional features.
• I plan on storing data in the cloud and incorporating a network-based login feature. I would like for this to be a mobile app or perhaps web-based.

Crisis Intervention

• My idea for this was partially inspired by Stuff Ride, a previous capstone project.
• I have dealt with people facing various crises in their life such as suicidal thoughts, mental illness, and substance abuse. It helped them to have someone to talk to. Sometimes, however, there is no one for them to talk to. I would like to create an app that helps people in crisis find someone to connect to.
• Users will select the type of crisis they are experiencing and submit a request for help. Other users with the app will see this request and have the option of connecting with the person in crisis, possibly intervening before a bad situation gets worse. 
• Similarly, users will be able to mark themselves online and available for chat. They can select the types of crises they specialize in. I may also incorporate a friends list, although app users can remain anonymous. 

Grocery Planner

• This mobile app will store a grocery list for the user. When an item is entered, the app scans the websites of local grocery stores to presents the user with the lowest 3 prices within a certain radius. The app will update these prices every day that an item remains in the list. 
• When an item is purchased, users will enter the price they paid. The app will save this number along with other pertinent information. Average and total amounts spent on items will be available. Data will be collected from all users so that average prices and other statistics can be compared across regions.
• I would like to incorporate a suggestion feature based on past grocery purchases. The algorithm will determine the likelihood that the user will need a certain (previously purchased) item soon and suggest that it be added to the grocery list.

Summary

One of the most beneficial things I learned this week is that there are many free software programs available to me as a CSUMB student. I knew of student programs for Microsoft Office, but I wasn't aware of the free access to photoshop or other editing programs. I am looking forward to learning how to use them.

I am strongly considering earning a master's degree online. The point that stuck out to me the most about graduate programs is the "professional student mindset" con. Although I have work experience, it isn't in the computer science or teaching fields. I prefer sticking to what I know, and I am comfortable being a student. I don't want to experience imposter syndrome when I get out to the work force again. However, I do believe that everything will work out one way or another, and I am beginning to consider internships in the field.

CST 300: Week 4

Educational Goals

I have always believed that a bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement. Recently, however, I have begun to shift my focus to a master's degree. If I decide to continue my education, I will apply for CSUF's online master's degree program in software engineering (although I am considering alternatives). In the meantime, my focus is entirely on this bachelor's degree program. For the next 96 weeks my goals will be to complete my assignments, maintain a high GPA, and never let my team down. Even though we've just begun, it feels motivational to know I will be graduating next year.

Career Goals

Due to recent events in my life, I have decided that I want to be a teacher. It excites me to think about teaching introductory math or computer science. I believe our community needs more teachers, and I feel as though my unique life experiences can bring a lot to the table when teaching and mentoring young adults. With a bachelor's degree I can teach high school, adult school, or in prison. With a master's degree I can teach community college. I have no desire to go farther than that because I want to focus on at-risk groups, e.g. students who may be on the verge of going down the wrong path in life. I believe people can be saved with the right education and mentorship.

ETS Computer Science Test

The ETS Major Field Test for Computer Science looks like it will provide a good assessment of my overall computer science knowledge. I am worried that there is a 2 hour time limit, but it helps that the questions are all multiple choice. If I were to blindly take the test right now, I'd probably (hopefully) get in the 70% range. I hope that in 18 months I can be somewhere closer to 90%. Discrete mathematics will be the toughest area for me and it makes up a significant portion of the exam.

Keeping Up

I have never thought about personal mission statements. I have seen summaries or statements of purpose on resumes and professional sites, but I don't recall being instructed to make statements which include personal values and beliefs. This week I formed a mission statement using the provided tips:

To seek liberty through truth, to spread truth through education, and to set an example for my family and my community.  

CST 300: Week 3

Time Management

In my last reflection I mentioned that I have an issue with time management. This week I read an article on how to solve the problem. Here are some tips to help you (and me) succeed.

The first step in managing your time effectively is to learn how you currently spend your time. A personal time survey should be taken that includes all activities performed over a week, including sleeping, hygiene, and travel. The survey will help you identify time wasters in your schedule. Next, you must determine how much study time you need. A good rule of thumb is to study between two and four times longer than you spend in class. For example, an easy 3 unit course will require about 6 hours of study outside class, while a challenging 4 unit course may require up to 16 hours of outside study. 

Once you have calculated how much time you need to study, you should create a daily schedule that blocks off all activities (including breaks). Ensure that the schedule is realistic so that you do not become overburdened. If necessary, lighten your load or reduce time spent in other areas, including working fewer hours if financially possible. Other tips include saying no to friends, prioritizing activities correctly, and combining as many activities as possible. Saying no to friends is challenging for me but I have finally begun doing it. School must take priority over playing video games and hanging out.

Ethics and Technology

I did not realize how many ethical questions relate to technology. Does computing marginalize people like the elderly, disabled, and poor? It's well known that elders are more likely to be technologically illiterate, but I had not considered that they may be marginalized in a technology-based society. How will technology affect the job market? Will low-skilled workers be replaced? I had not considered that technology and AI could increase the unemployment rate. We must choose carefully and wisely before allowing technology to take over parts of our lives. 

The TED talk about the ethics of artificial intelligence was interesting to me. I was not aware that technology is being used to scan facial features and reactions for truth-telling. I already take issue with machines like the polygraph being used to falsely accuse people of lying, so I am not a fan of technology being used for for this purpose in general. I also was not aware that machine learning is being used in the hiring process or, troublingly, in the sentencing process for criminals. It's not right that algorithms are hurting people by making assumptions about them. That reminds me of the movie Minority Report in which technology is used to arrest people before they commit their crimes. As Ms. Tufekci noted at the end of the talk, "we cannot outsource our moral responsibilities to machines."

What Every Computer Science Student Should Know

Professor Matt Might lays out a comprehensive list of what every computer science student should know before entering the job market. He appears to have a traditional view of the computer science curriculum, placing heavy emphasis on physics and math. I believe that modern curriculums do not need to emphasize them as much and should leave them for students who plan on specializing in those areas. It is possible to work in this field without being a physicist or mathematician, although your opportunities will be fewer.

I do agree with Professor Might's opinion that students should be familiar with Unix-like systems. I think the Windows operating system is restricting for computer science students, and I felt like my knowledge of computers expanded when I started using and programming on Linux. I like that he encourages students to learn how to administer and troubleshoot their computer systems and networks. You can't write or push code if your system is down. Professor Might's vision of a well-rounded computer scientist is something that all students should take into account.

CST 300: Week 2

Part 1: Review and Reflect Learning Strategy

Overview

• Effective study techniques are necessary for the success of any student. Time management in particular can be killer. Procrastination triggers an immediate reward response, while the thought of studying can invoke a dreadful feeling. However, the feeling after completing assignments is much greater than the feeling of procrastination (which is accompanied by a feeling of impending fate).
• The provided document outlines many great techniques for studying. The SQ3R method is one of which I was not aware, although I tend to follow a similar method by default. Techniques for studying have been drilled into my head my entire life, although admittedly there are areas in which I still struggle.
• I agree that there is no magic formula. The tips outlined for studying are only useful for students who plan on implementing them. Success depends on individual drive.

Where I excel

• I always read quickly and with a purpose. Only the most important details from each paragraph are extracted. I skip over extraneous information, but I am careful to make sure I scan all places where relevant information may reside (such as in captions or footnotes).
• Although I am not able to type as quickly as I used to due to a physical limitation, I can still type quickly enough to take effective notes during lectures. I excel at listening to a lecturer and selecting important information to type. I also type questions as they come to my mind so that I can find answers later. 
• My notes are digitally organized and backed up. I use folders to separate classes, assignments, notes, and other documents. I have a habit of reorganizing and summarizing my notes for study purposes. I do not use flash cards unless mandated (such as for use on an exam).

Where I struggle

• I, like many others, struggle with time management. I have managed to survive academically thus far, but I really should adhere more strictly to my own schedule.
• It is recommended not to study within half an hour of sleep. I have, on many occasions, stayed up late studying or finishing an assignment while deliberately fighting the urge to fall asleep.
• Taking breaks every 30-40 minutes is a great idea. I have long known that lengthy study sessions are not recommended because information may not be retained well. Despite this I still tend to study and work on assignments for hours-long stretches.

Part 2: Preview Time Management Skills (Activity Log)

Date/Time	Activity Description	Feeling	Duration	Value
01/13/2021 1:55 PM	Read “New Rules” and take quiz	Intrigued	10 minutes	High
01/13/2021 2:05 PM	Review PPT and take quiz	Frustrated	15 minutes	High
01/13/2021 2:20 PM	Peer review guidelines/quiz	Flat	10 minutes	High
01/13/2021 2:30 PM	Break	Fatigued	30 minutes	Medium
01/13/2021 3:00 PM	Read and respond to discussion	Rested	25 minutes	High
01/14/2021 12:30 PM	Read, take notes, and reflect (journal)	Alert	50 minutes	High
01/14/2021 1:20 PM	Break	Fatigued	10 minutes	High
01/14/2021 1:30 PM	Project management videos/response	Rested	35 minutes	High
01/14/2021 2:05 PM	Reflect on previous Capstones	Alert	45 minutes	High
01/14/2021 2:50 PM	Break	Fatigued	20 minutes	Medium
01/14/2021 3:10 PM	Work on weekly lecture/summary	Rested	1 hour	High

Part 3: Project Management Basics

A project is a temporary team effort which results in a unique, deliverable product. Projects are led by a project manager who must be strong in many areas such as leadership, communication, IT, and finances. Projects are usually split up into phases with milestones to be met before moving onto the next phase. These phases together make up the project life cycle. Unfortunately, the majority of projects are never completed. Failure to manage critical resources like time and money or failure to plan for potential future problems have led to the failure of many projects. A work breakdown structure or a Gantt Chart can be useful tools for breaking down the total scope of a project, tracking deadlines and dependencies, showing completion percentages, and (in general) organizing a potentially large and complex project.

Part 4: Previous Capstones

SimpliFit

• This project was well done. The presenter was extremely passionate about his own fitness and created an app to help other people with theirs. A workout routine is provided for you which focuses on one (or all) of 4 core areas: pull, push, hinge, and squat. A video popup (linked to YouTube) shows you the proper way to perform an exercise. There is a login/register feature, but I am not sure of its usefulness since notes are stored locally.

Thermal Exhaust Port (TEP)

• TEP is a visitor management tool that helps lobby operators record visits. The tool uses a simple website with a database. This project seems lazily put together, and I cannot find any usefulness for the service in its current state.

Stuff Ride

• This was an amazing project and presentation. The app allows people to find other people to transport items for them. Users and transporters register for accounts and enter pertinent information. Users search by day/time to find available transporters. GPS provides real time tracking of the transporter.
• The app is reminiscent of other delivery apps but (to my knowledge) is unique. Of the three apps, this one definitely takes the cake for best presentation and most useful product. It also is the most professionally done and the creators use of multiple frameworks was impressive to me.

Part 5: Weekly Summary

Predictions About 2021

• The software development industry has boomed despite Covid-19. In fact, the lockdowns have helped speed up the digital transformation (which was already moving quickly). Some of the areas which stood out the most to me include cloud computing, quantum computing, and programming.
• Cloud computing has taken center stage during the pandemic because many businesses have been forced to migrate to the cloud. Amazon Web Services is the current leader, but a “multi-cloud” initiative is on the horizon. Quantum computer is also on the move, with many governments and tech giants exploring it or investing in it. In 2020, Honeywell claimed to have created the most powerful quantum computer.
• In the programming realm, Python is overtaking Java as the most popular general-purpose language. However, modern languages like Rust, Swift, and Go are also becoming more popular (especially for mobile development). JavaScript remains king for web development, but Microsoft’s TypeScript is an upcoming competitor.

Introduction to Project Management (2020)

• The project manager is arguably the most important person related to a project. It is his or her responsibility to ensure the project requirements are met while staying within the provided constraints. The project manager is accountable for the success of the project and is responsible for not only their own actions but also the actions of their team members. He or she must have the ability to take on any project, must be able to handle multiple projects at once, and must have outstanding people skills. The project manager is the face of the project and must always be professional and ethical. To be successful, project managers must possess a wide range of skills such as leadership, management, business knowledge, and problem solving.

Final thoughts

• This week has been challenging. I learned a lot about project management, an area in which I have no experience. I also learned a few new tricks for time management (such as keeping an activity log). The industry analysis paper is coming faster than I thought, but I am confident I will meet all deadlines.