learning new language–

Years ago, I was reading a book called Success is Not an Accident.   Just as any other self help book, it aroused my excitement, and I listed all my goals for the coming years in one large book.  I have moved around so much since then, I don’t even know where that book is.  I had goals like learn 3 languages, learn to play guitar, earn my PHD and so on…  So now so many years later I sat down imbued with thought of the past and realized so many of my dreams have not been met.  Well, I am just starting graduate school; I guess that is one of my old goals.  I took guitar class about 6 years ago, but that never went further than the class.  Once I got married and have children, life changed so dramatically.  The time feels shorter than 24 hours.  School is more interesting now than it was before, but it is more work… So for the last two years, I have been keeping myself as busy as I can with school and work and family.

As if I don’t have enough to do, I decided to add yet another “to do” to my list.  I went and signed up for German class in the local community college.  There are so many “WOW FACTORS” in this class.  The book costs more than $260.00 dollars – wow.  I never spent that much for a book in a single class before.  Learning new language is so difficult – wow.  I guess I had forgotten how difficult it was to learn English when I moved to the states.  My daughter is going to start learning German at her kindergarten, may be we can study together. 

That is the initial of goal number 2…

Kindle for college students— awesome

University of Phoenix provided great learning experience.  I never thought I could handle learning online, but I was able to discipline myself and learn.  It turned out to be more work than my previous traditional brick and mortar school. 

 

As online student at University of Phoenix, there was one I think I didn’t like: the e-books.  There was nothing wrong with e-books, but every time I am away, I had to logon to the server and verify my user name and Id.  I had to print the pages I want.  I wondered what happens once I finish school and wanted the material for reference.  I am not sure how long my information is stored on the server.  What about when I am away somewhere, and I don’t have Internet connection? I can’t access it because it had to do some verification

 

I could have bought the book, but we had to pay for material already which included the chapters of the books for that class and other resources you need.  So why pay moe?

Now I read Amazon is working on introducing the Kindle for college students.  I can already see the business deal with Amazon and University of Phoenix online.  I can think of some great benefit from such a deal for both Amazon and U of P. 

• Problems dealing with e-books like having to log onto a server for verification in order to study can be eliminated.  That is annoying.  I still am able to log on to the server and verify; however, in few months I doubt it will be there.
• A deal with publishers (which U of P probably has), would allow them to have the chapters necessary for the class be available for discount price.  Trust me, some classes, you don’t need the whole book, and if they need the whole book, then you will have to pay some extra money; I think it would be cheaper.
• Amazon will have a lifelong customer.  The Kindle will always be there once the students graduate to upload other material and study.  If once decide to continue their education, they can download the electronic version of the book if it is available.  When you are a student, any money you can save is great.

Over all, text books are expensive.  Try selling those you don’t want, you get almost nothing what you paid for.  I think it is magnificent that Amazon decided to come up with one for college students.

 

BBC NEWS | Europe | Sale of bank data alarms Germany

BBC reports that German congress is scrambling to protect peoples’ privacy.  While the effort by the government is is admirable, I wonder how much good it will do to protect privacy. 

In fact, regulating banks and firms that buy customer information, in my opinion, will do very little to protect our privacy.  In the March 2005 issue of IEEE, Steven cherry’s report explains how a computer science professor Dr.  Latanya Sweeney had found a way to collect all the information identity thieves need for free from the Internet.  I know this information is old, there might have been some remedies for the problem Dr Sweeney introduced. 

Although the government might play  a great role by creating laws that regulate firms who buy our information, I think the greater responsibility lies upon each of us to protect our privacy.  It is important that we take some precaution when we decide to give our information to any agency, especially when posting resumes online.  In web 2.0 world, where interactive web and social networking groups have made the Internet very attractive to lots of people, it is very easy to obtain information about others.  Karen Lawrence Öqvist wrote on December issue of ISSA journal, about the threat of privacy caused by social networking groups.  The following are simple precautions one should take to protect their identity:

• Educate yourself.  Simple search on data privacy on Google, should reveal many information about what is at risk.
• Avoid including sensitive information on your resume (like social security number)
• Many banks and other organizations give you the option to opt out from having your information given to third party partners.  Opt out.  If they don’t provide you with one, ask them
• If you decide to be part of social networking groups, do enough research to see who is checking your information.  Don’t reveal too much.  Not everyone who requests to be your friend on frindester, or facebook is your friend.  Just like you tell you kids “don’t talk to strangers”

The bottom line is understand that there are consequences for your action.  If you care about your privacy, do as much as you can to guard it.  Make it your responsibility, and stop waiting for the government to come to your rescue.

BBC NEWS | Europe | Sale of bank data alarms Germany