Comments for Andy Carvin's Waste of Bandwidth http://www.andycarvin.com Occasional Musings on Internet Culture, the Media and Countless Unrelated Topics Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:14:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on Remembering “My Kennedy,” 25 Years After The Challenger Explosion by Tom Nocera http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=1755&cpage=1#comment-1917 Tom Nocera Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:14:36 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=1755#comment-1917 Your Kennedy account of the Challenger's after launch explosion brought sad memories as I read it this morning. Like you, due to the near record ice cold conditions that morning I thought certain the launch would be scrubbed. As a young man, thanks to my dad, I landed a job as a "summer hire" for NASA's prime launch support contractor back in 1968 - and was the youngest member of the launch crew for Apollo II. My dad had worked at KSC throughout the Gemini and Apollo programs and this was a big help in getting hired by the Pad Section management that summer. After being one of the four closest men to observe the launch of Apollo 11 (one of the guys there with me was the last astronaut to walk on the moon, Gene Cernan, the other a U.S. Senator from Arizona and his son, Barry Goldwater, Jr.) I followed the shuttle launches closely until they recently, sadly, ended. Unlike you, Andy, I knew what had happened when I saw it on TV from my then home in Michigan, with my young son Nicky sitting in my lap. It was a bad decision for them to launch it on such a cold morning. The TV showed the ice formed on the sides of the rocket. But, getting that teacher into space with all the kids watching and the VIP's present must have taken precedence over common sense that morning. Thanks for sharing your recollection. You are right about that being a Kennedy event as is 9-11 whose 10th anniversary is about to pass into our collective history. I was moved to write and produce a song about 9-11 by the way. Nobody famous has sung it, but it did get played overseas by the military's radio stations. It is posted online at www.anAmericanBand.com and is called Down In Flames. Somebody should have written a song about the Challenger going down in ribbons of smoke...like you so accurately described in your essay. Best wishes, Tom Nocera Current duty station Hartford, CT Home base Clearwater, FL Your Kennedy account of the Challenger’s after launch explosion brought sad memories as I read it this morning. Like you, due to the near record ice cold conditions that morning I thought certain the launch would be scrubbed. As a young man, thanks to my dad, I landed a job as a “summer hire” for NASA’s prime launch support contractor back in 1968 – and was the youngest member of the launch crew for Apollo II. My dad had worked at KSC throughout the Gemini and Apollo programs and this was a big help in getting hired by the Pad Section management that summer. After being one of the four closest men to observe the launch of Apollo 11 (one of the guys there with me was the last astronaut to walk on the moon, Gene Cernan, the other a U.S. Senator from Arizona and his son, Barry Goldwater, Jr.) I followed the shuttle launches closely until they recently, sadly, ended.

Unlike you, Andy, I knew what had happened when I saw it on TV from my then home in Michigan, with my young son Nicky sitting in my lap. It was a bad decision for them to launch it on such a cold morning. The TV showed the ice formed on the sides of the rocket. But, getting that teacher into space with all the kids watching and the VIP’s present must have taken precedence over common sense that morning.

Thanks for sharing your recollection. You are right about that being a Kennedy event as is 9-11 whose 10th anniversary is about to pass into our collective history. I was moved to write and produce a song about 9-11 by the way. Nobody famous has sung it, but it did get played overseas by the military’s radio stations. It is posted online at http://www.anAmericanBand.com and is called Down In Flames. Somebody should have written a song about the Challenger going down in ribbons of smoke…like you so accurately described in your essay.

Best wishes,
Tom Nocera
Current duty station Hartford, CT
Home base Clearwater, FL

]]> Comment on Robbed by BrianR http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=938&cpage=1#comment-424 BrianR Mon, 24 Oct 2005 16:00:06 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=938#comment-424 I'm sorry to hear about your treo, etc. Have fun on the rest of your trip! :) I’m sorry to hear about your treo, etc. Have fun on the rest of your trip! :)

]]> Comment on My Job Is Done, But No Audio to Prove It by Teemu http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=933&cpage=1#comment-422 Teemu Sun, 23 Oct 2005 13:48:43 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=933#comment-422 Dear Andy, Can you explain what did you talk under the line "USA and WSA" ? What is WSA? Is it the World Summit Award? Best regards, – Teemu Dear Andy,
Can you explain what did you talk under the line “USA and WSA” ? What is WSA? Is it the World Summit Award?
Best regards,
– Teemu

]]> Comment on And Bangladesh Makes 50 by Jim Eastman http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=923&cpage=1#comment-420 Jim Eastman Wed, 19 Oct 2005 14:49:58 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=923#comment-420 It's been my experience that airline air/environment is not particularly positive for the immune system. Good luck getting well though, none the less. (As an aside, I'm quite jealous - someday I'll hit 50 too :-D ). It’s been my experience that airline air/environment is not particularly positive for the immune system. Good luck getting well though, none the less.
(As an aside, I’m quite jealous – someday I’ll hit 50 too :-D ).

]]> Comment on Podcast of Al Gore’s Speech by Ewan McIntosh http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=906&cpage=1#comment-411 Ewan McIntosh Wed, 05 Oct 2005 17:09:21 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=906#comment-411 Is that Chandler from "Friends" in the background..? Is that Chandler from “Friends” in the background..?

]]> Comment on Turning Wikipedia into an Asset for Schools by RobertSharp http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=738&cpage=1#comment-315 RobertSharp Mon, 03 Oct 2005 00:15:13 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=738#comment-315 Andy, I found this old post re: Wiki's. You have me interested. I sent you email about Wikipedias recently. I have set up blog software on my .com server and am starting to set up the Wikipedia using MediaWiki. Just experimenting trying to get it secure so it is safe. I'll let you know what I am doing. 6th Grade Science. Bob Andy,
I found this old post re: Wiki’s. You have me interested. I sent you email about Wikipedias recently. I have set up blog software on my .com server and am starting to set up the Wikipedia using MediaWiki. Just experimenting trying to get it secure so it is safe.
I’ll let you know what I am doing. 6th Grade Science.
Bob

]]> Comment on Are Educators Hostile to Wikipedia? by beiffert http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=872&cpage=1#comment-397 beiffert Sat, 01 Oct 2005 21:50:05 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=872#comment-397 I've just posted comments on my blog, Librarian in the Middle beiffert.net or http://www.beiffert.net/wordpress/research-literacy/are-educators-hostile-to-wikipedia/ In reviewing the comments above, I fall into the skepics camp. Or the question everything camp. There are plenty of ways to share information; some are more reliable than others. And while sometimes we don't need absolute, authoritative resources; it is important to always be careful to not let 'good enough' be the sole guideline. Most any dictionary provides the correct spelling; not all give a full range of definitions. I’ve just posted comments on my blog, Librarian in the Middle beiffert.net or http://www.beiffert.net/wordpress/research-literacy/are-educators-hostile-to-wikipedia/
In reviewing the comments above, I fall into the skepics camp. Or the question everything camp.
There are plenty of ways to share information; some are more reliable than others. And while sometimes we don’t need absolute, authoritative resources; it is important to always be careful to not let ‘good enough’ be the sole guideline. Most any dictionary provides the correct spelling; not all give a full range of definitions.

]]> Comment on Scotch Broth by Linda http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=871&cpage=1#comment-380 Linda Fri, 30 Sep 2005 09:04:48 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=871#comment-380 Hi Suzanne I too have made the crossing from Staffa in such weather conditions - there was a moment when I really didn't think we were going to make it back to Iona! But it makes for an unforgettable holiday and reminds us mere mortals that there are forces greater and stronger than we are, as well as scenery to take our breath away! I hope you found the atmosphere on Iona relaxing - I've been there a couple of times now and find it amazing for the rechanrging of spiritual batteries. Hi Suzanne
I too have made the crossing from Staffa in such weather conditions – there was a moment when I really didn’t think we were going to make it back to Iona! But it makes for an unforgettable holiday and reminds us mere mortals that there are forces greater and stronger than we are, as well as scenery to take our breath away!
I hope you found the atmosphere on Iona relaxing – I’ve been there a couple of times now and find it amazing for the rechanrging of spiritual batteries.

]]> Comment on Creating the $100 Laptop by Wesley Fryer http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=874&cpage=1#comment-401 Wesley Fryer Thu, 29 Sep 2005 15:12:51 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=874#comment-401 I disagree with the opinion that the one to one laptop pilot initiatives that have taken place in the US with students and teachers are worthless in terms of implementations in other parts of the world. There are lots of things that we have learned and are learning from these projects that can help inform how laptop projects elsewhere, even in the developing world, can be implemented successfully. Certainly situations in Cambodia or China are very different from US educational contexts in many ways, but I think there are some similarities when it comes to helping teachers and students effectively learn to use computer technology in an educational context. <p> The point on needed teacher training is key. Research has shown over and over that educational organizations tend to vastly under-invest in teacher training. And it is vital. So is ongoing teacher instructional support-- and I am not just talking about technical "fix my printer / clean this virus" sort of help. Helping teachers on a day to day basis better utilize available technologies is so important. This is "just in time" support. <p> Having access to wireless digital tools is a key ingredient to a recipe of helping open doors to the future for students everywhere. No, just having a computer is not going to change things by itself (Read Larry Cuban's excellent book "Oversold and Underused" for more detail on that) but it is a pre-requisite for participation in the 21st century online digital economy and culture. I think this project is incredibly exciting, and offers tremendous hope not only for helping improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students, but also huge implications for the causes of democracy, human rights, and free press / open journalism reporting in the world. The implications of this project are staggering, and I think most of them are positive-- at least they appear so theoretically right now.</p></p> I disagree with the opinion that the one to one laptop pilot initiatives that have taken place in the US with students and teachers are worthless in terms of implementations in other parts of the world. There are lots of things that we have learned and are learning from these projects that can help inform how laptop projects elsewhere, even in the developing world, can be implemented successfully. Certainly situations in Cambodia or China are very different from US educational contexts in many ways, but I think there are some similarities when it comes to helping teachers and students effectively learn to use computer technology in an educational context.

The point on needed teacher training is key. Research has shown over and over that educational organizations tend to vastly under-invest in teacher training. And it is vital. So is ongoing teacher instructional support– and I am not just talking about technical “fix my printer / clean this virus” sort of help. Helping teachers on a day to day basis better utilize available technologies is so important. This is “just in time” support.

Having access to wireless digital tools is a key ingredient to a recipe of helping open doors to the future for students everywhere. No, just having a computer is not going to change things by itself (Read Larry Cuban’s excellent book “Oversold and Underused” for more detail on that) but it is a pre-requisite for participation in the 21st century online digital economy and culture.
I think this project is incredibly exciting, and offers tremendous hope not only for helping improve educational opportunities and outcomes for students, but also huge implications for the causes of democracy, human rights, and free press / open journalism reporting in the world. The implications of this project are staggering, and I think most of them are positive– at least they appear so theoretically right now.

]]> Comment on Creating the $100 Laptop by Teemu http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=874&cpage=1#comment-400 Teemu Thu, 29 Sep 2005 14:35:16 +0000 http://www.andycarvin.com/?p=874#comment-400 Thank you Andy for the great reporting. The MIT $100 laptop is very important initiative, but there are several matters I am wondering – maybe you will find answers to them: (1) What is the MIT plan on what and how the laptop will be used in learning process taking place in schools of developing countries? If the only user scenario is that it can be used to access wikipedia, I am afraid that $100 is too much. If there are more scenarios on the use of the $100 laptop – as I am sure there are – someone should explain how and with what money the teachers will be trained to implement these scenarios in their classrooms? It would be also nice to know the MIT’s scenarios. Anyway for each $100 laptop there should be another $100 to be used for training teachers. Technology – even networked laptops - does not per se make people smart. The way of using it does. (2) Why they want to call the device PC or laptop? I personally think that the device should be dedicated to be a “mobile educational tool” that is technically limited for educational use only. If it is a PC – even a Linux PC – that can be used for whatever computing purposes I am afraid that many children will get mugged and robbed when coming home from school. This is reality. (3) The results and experiences from the pilots in US where laptops have been given for pupils are worthless in the context of developing countries. US is almost the only nation in the world where there is already two generations old culture of using PCs. The PC (Internet as well) is well known and accepted in there and for this reason it is much easier to take in use by pupils in there too. It’s a complex world out (t)here :-) Thank you Andy for the great reporting.
The MIT $100 laptop is very important initiative, but there are several matters I am wondering – maybe you will find answers to them:
(1) What is the MIT plan on what and how the laptop will be used in learning process taking place in schools of developing countries? If the only user scenario is that it can be used to access wikipedia, I am afraid that $100 is too much. If there are more scenarios on the use of the $100 laptop – as I am sure there are – someone should explain how and with what money the teachers will be trained to implement these scenarios in their classrooms? It would be also nice to know the MIT’s scenarios. Anyway for each $100 laptop there should be another $100 to be used for training teachers. Technology – even networked laptops – does not per se make people smart. The way of using it does.
(2) Why they want to call the device PC or laptop? I personally think that the device should be dedicated to be a “mobile educational tool” that is technically limited for educational use only. If it is a PC – even a Linux PC – that can be used for whatever computing purposes I am afraid that many children will get mugged and robbed when coming home from school. This is reality.
(3) The results and experiences from the pilots in US where laptops have been given for pupils are worthless in the context of developing countries. US is almost the only nation in the world where there is already two generations old culture of using PCs. The PC (Internet as well) is well known and accepted in there and for this reason it is much easier to take in use by pupils in there too. It’s a complex world out (t)here :-)

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