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2009-02-01

my thoughts on social networks  

I had commented on a friend's FB entry:

It started with:
B: Is pondering the increasing virtual exhibitionism in online fora.

B: I'm persona non grata there for life - I was rather observing a new trendy trend of people having to tell 25 facts or so about themselves ... ;-)

Me: My thought on this lately is that we are teaching ourselves not to have time for each other in person. The online gaming started all this, but was not personal enough. Then myspace shows up and now facebook and others became away to have a virtual social life. You learn more about a person face2face in 5 seconds. The 25 facts that others want to share just makes you feel closer to that person, that you might have gotten in that 5 second face2face you're chatting with. .... I think I am just rambling here.

ToMe: Not that I know anything at all about you but it sounds like you're getting old :-) Seriously, I agree with your points. Facebook, MySpace, etc., seem to be a huge outlet for narcisism . . .

Me: I am getting older with young kids :-) . But I would not put this in the category of narcissism. I don't think sharing the "25 things about me" is about promoting self love. I just think these social websites remove the face to face(F2F) contact we use to have before the social online networks. So the only way to get some of that back is to share ourselves with the "25 things about me" postings. otherwise how do i get to know more about you without the F2F. With that said, these social online networks do allow the shy to be more open....

Any thoughts here?


2009-01-25

Broken Family Ties Stops the Family Unity  

2 days ago I get a call from my brother that my mom has been in the hospital for 5 days. I had not heard from him for 2+ years (I think). I had visited him and his family and thought we might get a chance to get closer. Guess I was wrong or maybe it was just too much for both of us.

I have a brother and sister, they are 11 and 12 years younger than I am. When I was 14-17, I thought I hated them. They had to go everywhere I did. I was their mom and dad. I took care of them 80% of the time. You may ask where our parents were, they were there I think. These are parents that should have never had children, I think they thought we were a workforce for them to use. At 17 I stopped hating my brother and sister and stated to hate my parents. At 17 after HS, I was glad to escape them to go to college, which I never finished. I joined the USAF instead, because of other lies my parents told me and to get further away (5 years the first time).

When I went back to visit my "family" my brother and sister were pre-teens. Was the first time my father told me he was proud of me (it did take 6 pack and half before he got the courage). All I was thinking is "shut the fuck up", especially after he told my brother he should be more like me. That visit brought back so many memories of why I wanted to leave at 17. I had just got divorced and I guess I just wanted to be around family, even though it was a broken (emotionally). My mom would pick fights with my brother and dad and again I could could hear in my mind was "shut the fuck up". Then it happened, I said it out loud. Was the first time I ever spoke out to them. I could not stop. I said 'just leave him alone, quit picking on him. I came here to get away and rest, if you can't stop then I will leave." Surprisingly the rest of that visit was good. WOW.

So back to why my brother called. He called because no one else called to tell me that my mom was in the hospital. That she was being mental and cursing and yelling at everyone. Of course my thinking was... ah ok, how is that different than normal. It sounded like he just got there himself, did not know much, but that I should know. (thanks). But the sad thing is I am not sure that I really cared. Many thoughts racing through my head. "should i go or not go", "do i really want to go there". Not really.

Today I found out that she has Alzheimer's and thinks everyone one is out to get her. Funny I always thought she was out to get me or make me feel as bad or worse then she was feeling. Playing with my emotions, creating life time scars. She use to blame me, it was because of me she had to get married and move to the USA. Every time my parents would fight and my dad would leave for a few days she would go on and on about how it was my fault. I was just a child. (and again S t F U)

I am feeling SAD today because I want it to be all over. I never want to see my mother alive or see her dead. Actually I think my parents died along time ago. But then why am I feeling SAD today.

I hope that I am a better parent, in fact I know I am (now, ...thats for another time)

2008-02-21

It's been awhile  

It has been awhile posting here. I had forgotten I had this blog. 

Quick review since last update:
Working at new Job, it was great for the last year till Nov timeframe.  I had been working with our internal training group looking at different technologies to provide ViLT (virtual instructor led training). First I was asked to look at free software, so I had looked into open source. 
What was needed: (all must run on Linux or Win32/64)
1. LMS for tracking individuals training
2. Quizzes
3. Flash and flash streaming support
4. DMS to store docs, ppt, flash based training  and quiz
5. Web conferencing used for collaboration, webcaming and desktop sharing
6. record #5 above for on-demand play back.


Tools already in use by client.
Adobe Captivate
Apple's XServe
Also recommended using VMware Fusion on the XServe, so that we could install Win32/64 or Linux into a virtual environment to pilot the software below.

I had downloaded, installed and played with Sakai and Moodle, which covered the LMS, DMS and Flash support.
DimDim was the web conferencing application, this also had Moodle support.

We settled on using Moodle + DimDim as our pilot. We were able to get all running, but it did require some creative band-aids (mainly due to stage of current releases at the time).

Then I was told that I would be moving to a new project, which caused a panic with the training group. They thought I would be there to support them. We discussed it would take to support if the pilot went to production.  We cover the plus and minuses of open source software (sure it's free to download and use, but if something breaks there is not much help for the non-technical person).

We started looking at the commercial software. We looked a few, but based on what was needed and currently used, I recommended Adobe Connect.
It is on the expensive side, but the Adobe support for the Connect product have been very quick and helpful.  And the Training group have been very pleased with the results overall. Now they want to implement company wide.

This was the project before Nov...  now the new job, I am not liking so much.  Maybe it's due to before I was given a task and left alone as long as my client was happy and things were getting done.   Now I am under new management (should I say microManagement, just seems like it) with meetings everyday.  Twice a week I cover with my manager on what I am working on :-( . Sure learning old technology with new name/twist/additional features (SOA), at least that is they why I am viewing it. Also SIP, which is cool.  When I got moved the group, I was asked what areas I was interested in. Programing was not on my list, but appears that this new job requires a programing background.  I understand the technology, but programing and I just don't get along. I am more of a sysadmin type. I like troubleshooting problems and telling someone else to fix the code.

I really want to go back and work with the training group.

-jac

2006-08-26

my goal is post my thoughts on:

  • while driving to and from work, right now its about hour drive each way.
  • when I read my wife's homeshool blog, she is very cool lady
  • about work
  • about our wonderful kids (1,5,16)
  • my lovely (understanding) wife