A Summer Job: Research LTSP to Save Money

Graduation is this morning so I guess this semester has come to an end.  The new one begins on Monday.  I was looking at what it costs to go to school and noticed something – Technology Fee.

The Technology Fee funds enhance and increase the instructional and informational technology literacy and access for UNK students. This fee is charged to all enrolled students.

That fee is $9.00 per hour.  That means I spent $144.00 to buy “Technology” this past semester and will pay at least that much next semester.  Being somewhat of a tightwad nerd caused me to look at possibilities of saving some of that money.  I know I have to pay it but how could the University stretch that dollar as far as possible. 

There are computer labs all over campus that get new machines on a rotating basis.  What if there was a way to utilize those computers for a longer time and yet stay up with the current “technology”?  There is possibly a way and my summer job for the Computer Science Department is to figure out how best to do that(well at least attempt it).

With the help of my Department Chair and one other Professor, I will be looking into LTSP – Linux Terminal Server Project.  By using an available server and older desktops now on hand we will investigate different “flavors” of LTSP available and test which one is best “out of the box”.  As soon as possible we plan to implement a test network with hopes of being able to deploy this implementation in a live lab before the Fall semester begins.

Bookmark this as I plan to post about my work and findings on a weekly basis.  I might be posting more frequently when things go really right – or really wrong.

With that Info,

Safer Surfing!

THE CREATION OF NEBRASKA

Now that the semester is almost over it’s time for some Nebraska humor!  Have a read.

Once upon a time in the Kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days.  Eventually, Michael the Archangel found Him, resting on the seventh day. He inquired of God, "Where have You been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look Michael, look what I've made!"
Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"
"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put life on it. I'm going to call it Earth, and it's going to be a great place of balance."
"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth, "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, while southern Europe is going to be poor; the Middle East over there will be a hot spot. And over there I've placed a continent of white people, while over here is a continent of black people." God continued, pointing to different countries. "This one will be extremely hot and arid while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a large land mass and said, "What's that one?"

"Ah," said God. "That's Nebraska, the most glorious place on earth. There are beautiful lakes, rivers, sunsets and rolling hills. The people from Nebraska are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hard working and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as diplomats and carriers of peace."  Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but the angel proclaimed, "What about balance, God? You said there would be balance!"

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I'm putting around them in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota."

Old Dogs, New Tricks!

A little over a year ago I decided to go back to school to finish my Computer Science degree.  That’s nothing really exciting, several people are doing this.  The interesting thing is that I am doing this after a 52 semester break.

I had interviewed for a few jobs and had great success until the HR Manager got to the “Where did you get your degree?” part.  Now mind you I have been around computers since the late 70’s and have a bit of experience.  When I told them I had no degree they would politely tell me that they had no job for me.  Needless to say I didn’t want to stock shelves or flip burgers for the rest of my life, not that these aren’t important jobs, but they are just not for me.

I am lucky in that I can go back to school, not everybody can.  If you are one of the unlucky ones and do have Computer knowledge and experience but are missing the “needed” degree maybe Industry Certifications might help get you that job you are looking for.

Industry organization CompTIA is promoting a new program to promote technology certifications--including a specific program called "Getting America Back to Work" targeting unemployed IT workers.
"The current employment market for high-tech workers can best be described as a paradox," said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO of CompTIA in a statement. "At a time when unemployment is at its highest level in more than a quarter century, hiring managers struggle to fill tens of thousands of jobs requiring certain high-tech skills."

Read more here.

With this info,

Safer Surfing!