Goodbye Class of 2012

The class of 2012 has left the station!

Today is the last day of school. Unlike many of my fellow teachers I am always sad at the end of the year - kind of sick, I know.

While I am really ready for a break, many of my seniors have been in the program for 3-4 years. Some even participated in our middle school camps. I have taught older brothers and sisters. It makes it hard to say goodbye.

The train above represents only 18 of our graduates out of the computer science program this year. I waited too late to catch many of them. We have 45 senior in total graduating.

I know the picture is hard to read (sorry, I am stretching Paint to its absolute limit) but they are heading off to great schools and programs all over the country. It has been a great group and I am going to miss them.

Read More..

Computer Science News Roundup May 30 2012

Each week my computer science students do discussion board posts that respond to current events. Here are some stories that caught my eye this week.

Computer Science related news this weeks theme is the future of technology:

• The Spaceship Has Landed - the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has docked at the international space station. How does this change space travel? What are the chances you could ever go to space? would you want to? Do you think this will impact any other areas where research and development happen?
• Optimism - This article talks about the reasons to be optimistic about our future. The author lists several reasons to be optimistic. How does technology play a role? How does the constant stream of information that is created by technology contribute to pessimism? Do you agree with the author? Are you optimistic about your future? Why?
• What do you expect? - Shelly Turkles book is called "Alone together: Why We Expect More From Technology And Less From Each Other". In this article she summarizes some of her ideas. Her Ted Talk on the topic can be found here. What role does technology play in how you communicate? How has computer science impacted how you communicate? How could computer science be used to fix some of the problems the author write about?
• Internet Defense League - This group wants to "defend the Internet from bad laws and monopolies". Do you think there is a need for this? What harm could come from groups like this? Benefits? Should there be a concern about vigilantes on the Internet? And finally - do you agree that the cat is the symbol of the Internet?

Read More..

Computer Science News Roundup May 16 2012

Each week my CS Principles students do discussion board posts that respond to current events. Here are some stories that caught my eye this week:

Computer Science related news, a mostly BBC theme this week:

• Criminal Robots - so now that you can visit far-away placed using avatars and robots, what are the ethical implications? We tend to place a lot of trust in the Internet, but criminals are on-line too. How should this shape your digital life?
• Hactivist Simulation - Brittans government recently ran a simulation of a cyber - attack from a group of hactivists. How should governments be responding to these attacks? What jobs might relate to protecting from cyber attacks? Should the response be different for cyber-terrorists?
• Yahoo Chief Executive steps down Computer Science degrees are so valuable CEOs are faking them. Why is it important to be truthful in presenting information about yourself? Many have argued that the Internet has made us all more anonymous. Is this true?
• And for the truely paranoid: WiFi blocking wallpaper.

Read More..

Autodesk Announces AutoCAD 2012 for Mac AutoCAD LT for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac

Design 8.16 is finally here. Where you surprised? Wait, you haven’t heard what it is yet? Today, Autodesk is announcing the next version of AutoCAD, AutoCAD for Mac 2012. Disappointed? Well there are few more details to go with it. Autodesk is also announcing AutoCAD LT for Mac 2012.

Also, Autodesk is announcing AutoCAD WS for Mac, standalone version. Now it’s interesting. If you are a Mac user or if you want to be a Mac user then this is great news. I am wondering, how many of you guessed it? I’ll bet you might have figured on AutoCAD 2012 for Mac and maybe even thought AutoCAD LT for Mac was the topic of Design 8.16, but I’ll guess that none of you considered that a standalone version of AutoCAD WS for Mac would be a part of it. 

This announcement makes a lot of sense from Autodesk’s point of view. It’s also really great news for Mac users. AutoCAD for Mac 2012 and AutoCAD WS for Mac will be available worldwide on August 19th, 2011. AutoCAD LT for Mac will only be available in the U.S. and Canada on August 16th, 2011. Why? Because these two products will only be available through the Mac App Store.

That last bit is disappointing to hear, but it is nice to see Autodesk try new things, like the Mac App Store as a product delivery method. Perhaps one day Uncle Carl and Cousin Steve can work it out so everyone can get AutoCAD LT for Mac and AutoCAD WS for Mac through the Mac App Store, but for now, it’s limited.

AutoCAD WS for Mac is a free download (for those that can download it.) AutoCAD LT for Mac is a down load on the App Store and will be priced near $900. AutoCAD for Mac 2012 will be priced just under $4000. There will be a Free Student version of AutoCAD for Mac available. For a better price guide go to Autodesk’s website. 

Since AutoCAD LT is a download, up to five machines can license it under the same username. That’s nice for those that have multiple Mac’s or Mac Books. Also, if you have a license for AutoCAD (for PC) you can choose to download the Mac version instead. Check with Autodesk’s website for exact details. AutoCAD for Mac 2012 will also feature network licensing and is available for subscription.

The majority of the AutoCAD 2012 features have been brought over to AutoCAD for Mac 2012, but still no Sheet Set support and no tools to create dynamic blocks.

Will you be updating your AutoCAD for Mac 2011 to 2012?  Will you be getting AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT for Mac now?  

I think its great for Mac users and for Autodesk to have more products, and updated products, on the Mac platform.  As a PC user Im jealous of the standalone AutoCAD WS version, but maybe there will be one in the works soon enough??  Autodesk is slowly expanding their Mac portfolio.  Which Autodesk product will be next?  Which one would you like to see?

Read More..